We’ve all been there — scrolling through gorgeous yarn hauls on Instagram, wondering how people afford all that fiber. The truth? Most of us aren’t paying full price.
Building a solid yarn stash doesn’t need a massive budget. It just takes knowing where to look. Here are my favorite ways to stock up without emptying my wallet.
Shop the Clearance Sections
Big box craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby have clearance sections. You just have to hunt for them. Check the end caps and back corners. Seasonal yarns get marked down heavily after holidays, so January and July are goldmines.
Online Clearance Sites
Some of my favorite online shops have dedicated clearance pages with seriously good deals:
- Herrschners — consistent clearance on name brands like Lion Brand and Bernat
- Mary Maxim — great markdowns plus surprise packs
- Hobbii — regular 50-80% off sales on quality yarns
(Check my Weekly Deals page for current sales!)
Secondhand & Marketplaces
Never underestimate the power of other people’s destashing:
- eBay — search “yarn lot” or “yarn destash” for bundles
- Facebook Marketplace & Destash Groups — local pickup means no shipping costs, and destash groups are full of crafters selling yarn they won’t use (search “yarn destash” to find them)
- Mercari — another great marketplace for yarn bundles
- Thrift stores — Goodwill, Salvation Army, even estate sales sometimes have unopened skeins
- Ravelry forums — active destash marketplace
- Reddit r/yarnswap — trades and sales
Discount Retailers
Don’t sleep on these:
- Popshelf — sells Lion Brand DIYarn for around $1 (sometimes 50¢ during sales). These are small skeins (1.05 oz / 65 yards); but great for beginners, amigurumi, color blocks, or testing new stitches without committing to a full skein.
- Dollar Tree — cotton yarn perfect for dishcloths and practice projects
- Ollie’s — check their craft aisle for name brand deals. Right now they have Bernat Blanket Yarn for $4.99 (regularly up to $13.49) — stock up while it lasts!
Mill Ends & Mystery Boxes
This one deserves its own post (coming soon!), but yarn mills sell their leftover production runs at steep discounts. You don’t choose the colors, but the quality is the same. Great for scrap blankets, amigurumi, or learning new stitches. Mary Maxim and Herrschners both offer these.
Smart Stockpiling Tips
- Stick to neutrals and versatile colors you’ll actually use
- Check dye lots if you’re buying multiples for a project
- Store yarn properly — airtight bins protect against moths and dust
- Set a small monthly “yarn budget” so you don’t go overboard (easier said than done, I know)
Your turn: Where do you find your best yarn deals? I’d love to know!
Craft PoP CulT 
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