Yarn Snobbery?

[sabrinat]

Just curious, but has the economic times changed the type of yarn you use in a project? What got me to thinking was a thread on another site that was pretty hot and heated. There was a lot of discussion about the evils of purchasing yarn from big box stores and how it was inferior and also how people shouldn't have the audacity to knit from Vogue or whatever with this yarn. I was astounded. I mean really? I thought knitting was suppose to be fun and relaxing and I shouldn't have to take out a loan to knit . I do go to my LYS from time to time, but the bulk of my stuff does come from discount places. I've been thrilled with the quality of some of the items I've gotten and honestly can't tell many of them from the more $$$ stuff. So, what do you think? Have you changed your shopping habits? Are you using yarn from big box stores?

[laf512]

For me, it all depends on the project. I cannot afford to buy the nice yarn for all my projects, and I'd rather be knitting with big box store yarn than not knitting at all. If I'm knitting for kids or large projects for myself, I almost always get the yarn from big box stores or www.knitpicks.com. I do splurge on sock yarn often from the LYS, but I can't justify shelling out $100 for yarn to knit a sweater. I've been very pleased with the quality of yarn that I've received from Knit Picks. They aren't that much more expensive than big box stores. Plus, I find that the big box stores usually don't have enough of one dye lot in something to knit a larger project.

[Cassiopeia]

Our big box stores have really declined in their selection. At one point AC Moore was carrying pretty decent stuff, but they've cut back. Right now, I wait for sales at the LYS. One of ours just had it's spring sale and I was able to get Rowan and other yarns at a decent percentage off. I do socks too. I find them satisfying and it doesn't cost a huge amount to do a complete project.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

More an more I'm using recycled yarn from thrift store sweaters. There are a lot of ugly sweaters made from nice yarn out there just waiting to be redeemed! It's cheep, environmentally friendly and if you're picky about which sweaters you get, you can get a high quality luxury yarn.

[geekgolightly]

I don't really care much where my yarn comes from; I care how it feels and hangs when knitted. That's all I go by. There have been prejects that have called for soft and shiny light weight yarn and caron simply soft is perfect for that.

For most yarns, I simply wait for it to go on sale. www.littleknits.com is so great for that; there are always always sales there! Also, webs has their anniversary sale and if I have cash, I pounce. elann has decent prices at times, but I have been disappointed with their yarns. knitpicks is my staple shopping for yarn place.

Although I would love to use angora and cashmere, I have never and will never have the extra cash for that sort of thing. And who wouldn't love aurora 8?? But I can buy good wool at a fraction of the price.

I do care about the end product though. If I am going to spend all my time knitting, using "pound of love" ruins it for me. Does that make me a snob?

[gingerstar]

At this point, I am finding projects that work with my stash and trying not to buy new yarn at all. I love the recycled yarn idea, and I do like some of the yarns I have seen at Michael's - especially the Lions Brand Organic Cotton, it has such a lovely feel, but sheesh, the price they want for that!
So for now, I am stash-knitting! (Luckily, I should be able to knit for quite a while...)

[stealthmode]

While I would love to use gorgeous, expensive yarns for all of my projects, I just can't swing it. Part of the reason I started knitting in the first place (besides wanting to learn a fun new hobby) was so I could give handmade gifts that were relatively inexpensive. I made every single one of our Christmas gifts for our families this year and spent a total of $150. In prior years we averaged closer to $500! My DH and I bought all of our gifts for each other at thrift stores this year, to give you an idea of how frugal we have become. I even got quite a bit of yarn from the thrift stores (balls of acrylic mostly), and a ton of my needles came from there as well.

Another benefit to using big box acrylics or acrylic blends is the easy care. My in-laws in particular are extremely practical people who have NO desire to hand wash things.

I have been trying more and more to stick with natural fibers and have been doing some buying from my LYS, but like PPs have said, it's time for me to do more stash-busting than anything else!

I would really like to try recycling some thrift store sweaters, but I haven't spent the time looking for good "candidates" yet.

[geekgolightly]

Oh, and yes! Stash busting is all I have been doing since I moved to my new town. In the past year and a half, I have purchased one ball of sock yarn. that's it. Every pther project i have done has been worked from my stash. (my stash is ridiculous)

[funkymamajoy]

I was already using yarn from big box stores. Its cheap, convenient and I get it right away. We have a lys about 20 minutes away but I can never get there and I can't DH to go with me. I can get him to go with me to Michaels since they have his art supplies too.

How expensive to soakers need to be anyway?

[stealthmode]

Originally Posted by geekgolightly

Oh, and yes! Stash busting is all I have been doing since I moved to my new town. In the past year and a half, I have purchased one ball of sock yarn. that's it. Every pther project i have done has been worked from my stash. (my stash is ridiculous)

You must have incredible self-control. Wish I could say the same!

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by geekgolightly

I do care about the end product though. If I am going to spend all my time knitting, using "pound of love" ruins it for me. Does that make me a snob?

I don't think it makes you a snob. I think you're entitled to knit with what you want to. And no where in your post did I see you making disparing remarks to those who knit with Red Heart. I have spent lots at LYS, and like you I care what it feels like too. I've gotten some lovely things from JoAnn's and AC Moore too. I was just so aghast that the attitude as I perceived it was if you can't knit with high end stuff you shouldn't bother knitting at all. I might be reading too much into it, but as a mother with young children it's not even practical for me to knit stuff in $$$ yarn for those little tornado's I call my kids, lol.

[geekgolightly]

oh yeah, kiddos get wash n wear. i don't have the time to hand wash baby blankets, and sweaters of the little ones. encore is a bit expensive but its my favorite wash n wear. it feels nice especially after the first couple washes.

[laf512]

Originally Posted by sabrinat

I was just so aghast that the attitude as I perceived it was if you can't knit with high end stuff you shouldn't bother knitting at all. I might be reading too much into it, but as a mother with young children it's not even practical for me to knit stuff in $$$ yarn for those little tornado's I call my kids, lol.

I don't think you're reading too much into it as I've noticed that attitude as well. I agree that it isn't practical to knit stuff for kids in expensive yarn. For them, I need something that is machine washable and can take a beating! Plus, they grow out of things SO fast that I can't justify spending lots of money on something that will only be able to be worn one season before it's outgrown! If people can afford to spend that kind of money on yarn, more power to them, but I'll be happy with my frugal stash.

[Porcelain Interior]

I'm a fabric snob, but I have my reasons.

Fabric is expensive period, and the lower end stuff washes/wears poorly compared to higher end higher quality stuff. I hate to spend all that time, cutting, sewing, ironing and quilting to be left with an inferior project that will bite the dust much sooner and look shabby quickly.

I also feel that way about yarn, but with yarn I'm able to compromise a little more. I don't ever put anyone down for buying cheaper yarn or fabric, but I hate doing it myself.

Acrylic just isn't wool. Walmart fabric is not like Moda fabric.

I think everyone should craft with whatever they can afford. I do hope that someday the finer things will be more affordable.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior

I'm a fabric snob, but I have my reasons.

It's interesting, because sewing is my thing and my stash is very very nice and cost dearly. I justify it because I bargain shop, buy from co-op and can turn out boutique type clothing at a fraction of the price. I guess I could do the same with yarn too and believe me I have dropped a wad on some wonderful yarns, I just didn't get looking down my nose at someone because they can't afford to drop a wad. We all make choices of where our discretionary income goes (assuming you have some) and I love good coffee beans, books and craft stuff. That's what I spend on, but I'm not above a bargain.

[flapjack]

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior

I'm a fabric snob, but I have my reasons.

Fabric is expensive period, and the lower end stuff washes/wears poorly compared to higher end higher quality stuff. I hate to spend all that time, cutting, sewing, ironing and quilting to be left with an inferior project that will bite the dust much sooner and look shabby quickly.

I also feel that way about yarn, but with yarn I'm able to compromise a little more. I don't ever put anyone down for buying cheaper yarn or fabric, but I hate doing it myself.

Acrylic just isn't wool. Walmart fabric is not like Moda fabric.

I think everyone should craft with whatever they can afford. I do hope that someday the finer things will be more affordable.

The thing is, of course, that with fabric there's an extra step in the process before you get to it: the weaving, which can also make a difference to the FO. With yarn, you're constructing a textile straight from the skein and your skill determines the outcome.
I apply the same standards to my knitting as I do to my shopping: I buy fair-trade and organic when it's a realistic alternative, don't use fabrics derived frm petrochemicals, blah,blah,blah. In addition, though, I do try to buy British. It makes for a different way of knitting, but I'm enjoying it.

[Attached Mama]

I'm afraid I'm pretty much a yarn snob! I can't stand to buy a natural fiber like wool -that has been chemically permanently treated against moths. For some reason it bothers me more than buying non organic fabrics. If it doesn't say, I might buy it, but not if it clearly says it's been treated which many do.

My favorite are local wools that have been plant dyed.

But no, I'd never look down on someone else for choosing a less expensive yarn.

It's also important I think to add that I'm just beginning knitting, so my projects are fairly small at the moment and they take me a long time to do. I just dropped a bunch of money tho on yarn to make my 4 yr old dd some pants for winter. But I can justify it because the project will keep me going much of the summer likely.

[lilyka]

I just but what I need when I need it (or whatever is on sale). My favorite acrylic yarn is caron simply soft and they just don't carry it my LYS and really i have never been impressed with acrylic yarn from my LYS. But tough economic times has not changed that . . .I have always been that way.


I have also been very impressed with knit pics and their stuff is cheap. often less than what I find at chain stores. not to mention a much better selection.

[rootzdawta]

I have sort of become a yarn snob. I can't really afford to spend a lot of money on yarn and so projects that I'd really like to do like Clapotis are on hold indefinitely. (Even knitting Clapotis in Simply Soft would kind of be a stretch!) Actually, knitting is on hold because I don't have any yarns in my stash that inspire me or I don't have enough to complete any project that I really want to do. I could get gobs of yarn at Michael's or something but honestly, it would be tortuous to knit with it and the end product wouldn't look as good to me. I would not enjoy it. I can better deal with crocheting with acrylics and lower end yarns but even that can get to be annoying. LoL . . . expensive taste with a very slim budget is . . . interesting.

I don't get why anyone looks down on anyone else though. We all have our preferences. Someone who doesn't mind knitting/crocheting with acrylic is knitting and crocheting while I wait around saving the money. Some folks just enjoy the motion of knitting/crochet. I like it just fine too but I am not a meditative knitter or crocheter. I usually can't wait to get to the end. Different strokes for different folks.

[MeepyCat]

I'm a bit of a yarn snob, personally. I *do* get to my LYSs (all five of them), including the teeny little one thirty miles away (but right near my parents house) where they handspin and dye fiber from their own llamas, sheep and rabbits. At least, I used to. I just got laid off and all my projects right now are stashbusters. No new yarn for me.

I would never, ever look down on someone for crafting with the materials that are accessible and affordable to them. If big box stores are what you have, go for it. Red Heart and Lion Brand make some very hard-wearing washable stuff.

Now, the thing I *don't* understand is the people who knit soakers and baby blankets in angora and cashmere. I feel like, how lovely that is to work in, but you realize it is *doomed* to pee and poop and spitup, right?