Tips for Thrifting Yarn

Every weaver loves their yarn stash. It’s not just because it’s pretty and inspiring. It’s also a valuable tool in helping to learn about fiber, color, and yarn structure. A robust stash makes experimenting with a wide range of yarns easy and affordable. Yet, it takes time to grow organically. If you’re a new weaver eager to have more cones and skeins on your shelf, thrifting and sourcing pre-owned yarn can be a smart and affordable way to grow your stash. So, where do you begin thrifting yarn?

Place To Source Pre-Owned Yarn 

• Guild sales: Check your local weaving guild to see if they have member yarn sales. These are ideal places to find yarn that has been well stored and loved by a weaver. They are also good sources for tools, books, and looms. If you’re not familiar with your local guild, The Handweavers Guild of America has a directory of affiliate guilds.
• Thrift stores: Many thrift stores have sections with vintage or pre-owned craft supplies. If you don’t see any yarn in a shop, ask the owner if they know of a store that carries supplies. I find thrift store owners are connected to the thrifting community and know who specializes in what.
• Online groups: There are several Facebook groups that specialize in fiber tools, materials, and books. These tend to be fiber people, so they are clear about how yarn was stored and can answer questions.
• Free little craft library: Like the free little book libraries, but full of craft supplies. I have spotted a few in my travels (I was surprised to find one near me in Providence), so it’s worth seeing if you have one near you. These are hit or miss but are also a good spot to unload some of your stash if you’re reorganizing.
• Craft supply recycling centers: Many communities have recycling and creative reuse centers that specialize in art supplies. Sometimes, they are geared toward teachers but open to the public. Also, if you live near an art college, there may be a second-hand art supply shop geared for students.
• Estate sales: These can be hard to find, but your local guild or favorite yarn shop is a good place to look for information on local estate sales.
• Yard sales: If you like the joy of the hunt, you may strike gold at a yard sale in your area. For those who happen to live near an art school (especially one with a fiber program) look for students selling off supplies at the end of the year.

One thing to keep in mind when buying pre-owned yarn is that it’s not always a good idea to bring everything home. You don’t know how the yarn has been stored, what animals might have been in contact with it, or how long it’s been in someone’s basement. Before you bring secondhand yarn home, give it a once over.

Before Bringing Yarn Home...

• Smell it: Some smells can be hard to get rid of, even with repeated washing. Take a whiff and make sure there is nothing unpleasant, animal, or artificial about the way the yarn smells.  
• Look for water damage: Yarn on a cone can get wet and then dry. At first glance, it might look fine on the outside but be damaged toward the center of the cone. If it’s on a cone, look at the cone itself to see if there is any evidence of the paper cone having been wet.
• Look for evidence of moths: If you’re examining a yarn made with protein fibers such as wool, silk, or alpaca, look to see if there are any visible eggs or if the yarn has been eaten through. For example, if the end of a cone has lots of stray bits of yarn poking out, that could be evidence something ate through it. If you have any suspicion at all about moths, do not bring the yarn home.  
• Give it a tug: If it’s possible, unravel a bit of yarn from the cone. Does it come off easily? If it’s got a lot of breaks, that could be a sign something munched through the yarn. Give it a tug and see how strong it is. Does it feel brittle and break easily? Mill-end yarns, in particular, can have a wide range of qualities.
• Feel it: Make sure the yarn feels good and is something you would want to use.
• Ask yourself if you like it: Just because a yarn is cheap and in good shape doesn’t mean it inspires you. If it’s not something you like, leave it for someone else to find who will be excited by it.

Once the yarn is home, figure out what it is and label it before you put it on your shelf. Not sure of the fiber type? Do a simple fiber burn test to figure out the fiber. Also, make note of other characteristics of the yarn, such as whether it’s a singles or a ply. 

Finally, weave with it! It’s always fun to start using a yarn when you’re still inspired by it. Thrifted yarn, in particular, has been sitting on a shelf for so long already. You found it. You’re the lucky maker who gets to turn it into something beautiful.

About Kristin Crane

Kristin Crane began her career designing jacquard fabrics for the home furnishings industry with mills in the United States and China. Today she writes about pattern and textile design for Design Pool from her home studio in Providence, Rhode Island. Kristin weaves on a Macomber loom, a Mirrix tapestry loom, and sometimes on the go with a tiny Hello Loom. She loves to travel and is fascinated with what cloth tells us about a place and the people who live there. When she’s not in her studio, she can be found exploring the beautiful Rhode Island coastline and is rarely seen without a scarf.

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