Anyone suffer from YIS? (yarn inadequacy syndrome)

[mom2snugbugs]

Hello fellow yarn crafters-

My name is Julie and I have yarn inadequacy syndrome. I have been knitting for over 25 years, but just started in earnest (beyond garter stitch scarves) about 3 years ago. I started with Red Heart acrylic. Then I ventured to some Lion's brand cotton and wool. I have bought organic cotton for babies stuff. But that is about as far as I'll go. I'll buy a skein or two here or there at my LYS, but never enough to do a project. For my projects (more than 2 skeins) I always go to Michael's or another craft store.

My knitting is getting really good. (IMO ) But I hate posting it or showing it because I don't use cascadia or handspun or knit picks, or whatever the expensive yarn is. I don't want to say, well, this is TLC's cotton, or something like that. I feel like I am not an actual "knitter" because I don't use the "good stuff." Does this make sense?

Does anyone else feel this way?

[woodchick]

I just received my first order of Cotlin (cotton/linen blend) from Knitpicks. I'm making something special for my Mom's birthday and I finally decided to order some nice yarn for her.

Most of what I knit with is some kind of acrylic blend from Michaels, Joann's or AC Moore. I just can't justify the cost of the fancier yarns. Especially when knitting for my rambunctious little ones.

I also find achievement in using up the hand-me-down yarn that other 'failed' knitters pass on to me. Why buy new yarn when I can whip up some little things with the yarn I already have for free? It's a tricky balance for me.

I am gradually moving towards more natural yarns and some of the less expensive brands are starting to market cotton, linen and bamboo...I've only used Red Heart once in the past couple of years and that was to make a "bag holder" for the plastic bags that collect in my pantry.

[IntuitiveJamie]

ME! It's really hard to spend more than $6 on a skein of yarn. And even that's a lot.

[treegardner]

I'm the same way. I can't imagine spending that much money on yarn, especially because I like to do shawls and afghans. It would get very expensive. I prefer Lion Brand yarn, and I only buy it on sale or with coupons.

[momo7]

My MIL is like that...I try...but fail....miserably. I am of the thought that if I am putting my time, parts of my life and all of my energy into something then it is worthy of the best I can afford (which isn't a lot).

I don't know.

But then I have seen some inexpensive yarns that were really really nice. I absolutely love the Sugar and Cream cotton yarns. Also Lion brand makes the Wool Ease which I think is nice too. I picked up some of the Vanna's Choice acrylic to make a hat for one of my children and I loved how it worked out for me....

But then I go to the local yarn store and my heart just goes giddy for that alpaca hand-spun, or that to die for Merino that is so ultra soft and hand painted ...and yeah ok....out comes the check book. Every time.

It's my DH who is like "What! Don't you have enough?!" I have to always remind him to mind his own business and to go count his guns/bullets or whatever he's into a the moment.

[Dreamy]

I can't afford to buy lots of luxury yarns either, but I've been having fun exploring different brands and seeing what I like. My main criteria these days is that it be a majority of natural fibers.

I decided to see what the fuss was about regarding some yarns, and splurged on some Noro - I'm decidedly unimpressed...

My absolute favourite yarn right now is Elann Bamboo Fusion, and it's really not much more expensive than Bernat cotton: It's incredibly soft and squishy! http://www.elann.com/Commerce.web/pr...tID=&id=124278

Yarn has to feel good running through my fingers - acrylic sort of makes me itch.

ETA: My favourite project is this hat, and it only cost about $3 in yarn (single ply soft wool from Elann): http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Drea...-a-boyfriend-2

http://www.elann.com/Commerce.web/pr...tID=&id=123683

[JamieCatheryn]

I have a serious texture aversion to acrylics, so I buy cheap wool. I can't imagine paying over $6 for 100g right now, knitpicks does have some in that range but I'd have to get $50 worth to avoid shipping. Right now I'm trying hard not to buy anything at all...though DH has $60 sitting in his wallet I'm about ready to swipe and run down to hobby lobby if he's not careful. Maybe if any of my or the kids' clothes cost over $4 an item I could justify the yarn by the FO. I mean $35 worth of yarn for a sweater is fine if you spend that much or more on sweaters anyway right?

[MeepyCat]

Julie, I think you'd be doing the world and all the beginning knitters in it a favor if you posted pics of your finished stuff and id'd the yarn.

One of the things that I struggled with as a beginner is the feeling that, in order to get good results, I had to replicate the pattern designer's details *exactly*. Seriously, my first sweater, I would have used the pattern designer's dye lot if I could have. There's this worry that if you don't use pricey yarn, you won't get good results, and it really absolutely is not true. Ravelry has done a lot in terms of letting people show off their yarn substitutions, but even most of the substituting I see involves kinda pricey stuff. I'm always psyched to see projects done in Red Heart or Caron.

Finally, good handwork is good handwork no matter what fiber it's done in. You totally deserve to show yours off.

[IntuitiveJamie]

I have to say, I also really like some of the yarns available at Hobby Lobby. I really enjoy Lion Brand. I hate with a passion the Red Heart brand though. To me that stuff is acrylic at it's worst. But Lion Brand does now carry several naturals. I was even eyeballing some bamboo/silk combo from another brand at Hobby lobby that I think I'm going to use for my first shirt I'm making.

Actually if anyone can lead me to an online LYS that takes paypal I would appreciate it. I don't want to use cash right now for yarn, but I'd be willing to try some more expensive yarn if I could find somewhere that takes paypal!!!

[cristeen]

I'll start by pointing out that Knitpicks is most definitely not an expensive yarn. They're actually pretty cheap.

That being said, most of my stash is made up of craft store finds also. And most of those I bought on sale. I have a few skeins of LYS expensive stuff that I splurged on, and several skeins of pricier stuff I bought on clearance (webs is great for this). A good chunk of my wool is Lion or Patons, both of which I get at Michaels.

I have a drawer full of Lion brand Homespun in my stash, and another full drawer of various acrylics.

I refuse to apologize for using what I can afford. I couldn't afford woolies for my little guy if I was paying $15/skein when a pair of pants takes over 100g. But at $4 or $5/100g, that I can manage.

In fact, I think the only thing I've made with "expensive" yarn was a shawl for great-grandma I made out of fingering weight alpaca. And even that was only $8/skein for 2 skeins. Far less than I would normally spend on a present for her.

[iowaorganic]

Originally Posted by IntuitiveJamie

Actually if anyone can lead me to an online LYS that takes paypal I would appreciate it. I don't want to use cash right now for yarn, but I'd be willing to try some more expensive yarn if I could find somewhere that takes paypal!!!

This is my LYS- (not mine- I don't own it- but the one closest to me- I just used my paypal up on her too!)

http://stores.ebay.com/Ewe-Phoria-Yarns?_rdc=1

[MarchMummy]

I was just thinking this while browsing Ravelry last night! I try to remind myself that I am putting lots of love into what I knit, if not lots of money. Not only are expensive yarns not in the budget, but I have received Lion Brand and Red Heart yarn as gifts from my family, and I want to be able to make things from what they've given me. (Though I must admit, that Red Heart feels awfully scratchy...)

I've been keeping an eye on my local Craigslist, hoping to find a good deal on some nice yarn, but no luck yet.

[zebra15]

I use red heart and it seems fine, but then again I probably dont know any better. I've also used the Vanna White yarn and that stuff is wonderful but $$ IMO so I need to collect coupons or wait for a sale. I dont care for the texture of Caron brand. Patons was great when I found a bunch on sale.

Mainly I crochet to keep my mind foucsed so right now cheap yarn is fine. I do have to say Hobby Lobby is my down fall though.

[caiesmommy]

I'm too poor to spend alot on the really good stuff BUT I find it's almost betterto use the cheap stuff since the majority of people I knit for DO love my knitting BUT they don't understand how to care for it ie-throw it into the washing machine ect.

I do buy from the wool shop during sales but mostly buy from Michaels sales...I love the vanna white line and can get it 2 for 6 on sale...2 balls is enough for a baby sweater thats more then likely going to get destroyed between spit up and washing

[bluebirdiemama]

I have a hard time spending a lot money, but I also have decided that Im done with acrylic. IMO it just doesn't compare to wool in feel. And also, after spending about 50 hours making an afgan for my dd, I heard acrylic is made from petroleum.

My most recent yarn splurge was from here:
http://www.juliasyarn.com/yarn.html

and I am very happy with the yarn

[gingerstar]

Originally Posted by IntuitiveJamie

Actually if anyone can lead me to an online LYS that takes paypal I would appreciate it. I don't want to use cash right now for yarn, but I'd be willing to try some more expensive yarn if I could find somewhere that takes paypal!!!

If you are on Ravelry, look around at what people have listed on their Sale/Trade pages. Or if there is a nice yarn you'd like to try, look for it on those pages. Most people prefer to use pp, and you'd get it similarly priced or cheaper than a LYS. That is how I got my first nice yarn - that, and co-ops, for Peace Fleece, 100purewool, and Three Irish Girls.

[IntuitiveJamie]

Originally Posted by gingerstar

If you are on Ravelry, look around at what people have listed on their Sale/Trade pages. Or if there is a nice yarn you'd like to try, look for it on those pages. Most people prefer to use pp, and you'd get it similarly priced or cheaper than a LYS. That is how I got my first nice yarn - that, and co-ops, for Peace Fleece, 100purewool, and Three Irish Girls.

I am in my first swap on Ravalry right now!!
I've done a couple here (not yarn, but other swaps) and really enjoyed them.
I thought this might be a good way to get more involved in Ralvary. Crocheting is quickly becoming my new obsession. I sucked at it for awhile, but am paying attn to what Im actually doing now and am getting much better. I also love that I can take it anywhere, unlike my sewing machine. So I've been visiting Ralvary a lot more.

Also I just ordered a bunch of yarn from here: http://www.littleknits.com/
They take paypal and I'm really excited to get my new yarn!

Off to look on Ralvary's sale/trade stuff..haven't checked that part out yet. THanks!

[bdavis337]

i can't afford to knit with fancy yarn. i use lots of tlc cotton and lion wool. i don't apologize for it at all.

[34me]

I have been known to buy yarn 1 skein at a time from Michaels so I can buy it all with a coupon

[Purple*Lotus]

I am allergic to wool, so that takes care of a lot of the nicer yarns right there

I generally use Simply Soft for my blankets. It is pretty cheap. I get my yarn at AC Moore.

I own a few skeins of fancy yarn, but the name escapes me now. A friend bought it for me and told me to use it for my own baby's blanket, but so far, no baby, and no prospect for a baby So it is hidden away at the moment.