How much are you willing to spend on yarn?

[Tiffany]

<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>I have this beautiful wrap/shawl that I want to make, but the pattern calls for a lace weight yarn that runs for $44 a skein. So, my poll question to you is, how much would spend on yarn for a project?</FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Results (total votes = 47):</FONT><table bgcolor=#FFFFFF border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="75%">
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<tr><td bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 height=1></tr><TR BGCOLOR=#DDA0DD><TD NOWRAP>
<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>under $30</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>17&nbsp;/&nbsp;36.2%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=108 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 height=1></tr><TR BGCOLOR=#DDA0DD><TD NOWRAP>
<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>under $50</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>20&nbsp;/&nbsp;42.6%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=127 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td bgcolor="#000000" colspan=3 height=1></tr><TR BGCOLOR=#DDA0DD><TD NOWRAP>
<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>under $75</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>7&nbsp;/&nbsp;14.9%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=44 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>under $100</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>1&nbsp;/&nbsp;2.1%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=6 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>over $100</FONT>&nbsp</td>
<td height><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>2&nbsp;/&nbsp;4.3%</FONT>&nbsp</td><td><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/bar.gif width=12 height=10 hspace=3>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<a href=http://p084.ezboard.com/fcrochetvillefrm20.showMessage?topicID=15.topic><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Vote Now</FONT></a> &nbsp

[Julie]

It so totally depends on the project though. If it's for an afghan I can stick with acrylics and keep it right under $50. If it is something adventurous then I put to use everything I've learned from C'Ville and our fellow bloggers and can spend more than I would normally consider safe. I'm sure Rick thanks all of you.. LOL :bow :lol

[crochetme]

Funny you should ask. As I'm sitting around with idle hands, waiting for my wrist to heal (and I'm not in any pain at all now, so it's really hard), I'm planning my future projects. One of which is for my husband, and is ridiculously expensive. But he chose the yarn (<a href="http://www.manos.com.uy" target="_new">Manos del Uruguay</a>), and he begged me to make an afghan out of it (made of 150-ish 4" squares), so I figure I have nothing to worry about in terms of the cost (which will end up being on the order of a couple of hundred US dollars).

That's WAY more than I'd pay for any project (probably ever again). Especially if it's for myself or the man. But for gifts I'll splurge and use really nice yarns (of course, those tend to be scarves or hats, so it still ends up being pretty affordable).

[Ambersafghans]

How much!?8o Is that a single skein?:|
:eek

[3parrots]

How many skeins are needed? :)

[Piper0110]

I agree with Julie. It depends on the project. If it's a beautiful shawl, I might do it. It would depend on my budget. But if the shawl wouldn't be the same without it, then I say go for it. And think about what it would cost you in the store. Probably a ridiculous amount.

[crochetme]

Oh! Sorry for not specifying. The project will likely take about 18-20 skeins, and they cost $11.50-13.50USD each. I've posted about it a couple of times on my blog.

[3parrots]

Thanks for the info. ...now I'll go vote :bounce Is this secret ballot? :rock

Margaret

[3parrots]

Ok, I voted. I plan to visit your blog tonight. Out this way, your wrap/shawl would cost way more than $44.00. Yours will be wonderful and better made, too!!! I agree with the other ladies. Safe answer, huh? :b

Margaret

[Tiffany]

The shawl only takes 2 skeins, but I've never spent that much on yarn for one project. Probably will in the future, but it's not THE shawl, one that I absolutely have to have. I think I would spend it on an afghan, something that I love snuggling under. The yarn is a lace weight, 50% silk/50% wool blend. I saw a similar yarn online for $14 a skein. BUT, Vicki of suanknits.blogspot.com (http://suanknits.blogspot.com) pointed me to a website that offers free shipping for orders over $40 and she gave me a code for 10% off your order. That would save me 9 dollars and shipping. I'm thinking of visiting my LYS and see if they have it, just to see what it feels like.

[MommaChelle]

For a single project, I think I wouldnt spend any more than $30 or so. I had planned on making a sweater out of homespun, when the homespun was $5 a skein (at michaels), and it required 6 skeins...I passed.

[Donna]

I agree that it depends on the project. As far as shawls, sweaters, etc., I think about what I would pay for the item if I saw it in a store. It seems to me that yarn for a project often costs more than buying a similar item already made. How much I spend on yarn depends on how badly I want to make the project.

[crochetcrazy]

Great question as I have wrestled with this one, too.

I love to crochet and on small projects, I'll buy whatever tickles my fancy and the fancier the better. But on bigger projects, I just have a really hard time. I saw a hank of yarn at my LYS for $50 a skien!!!! You can't make much with except a scarf with that amount and a $50 scarf? Wow!

That's why I try to balance it...lower cost good quality yarn like a lily or lion brand with upscale designer accent yarns.

But I've been wanting to make a beautiful shawl/poncho and found the yarn I want a white/metallic blend that's $7 a ball. And I know I'm talking at least 6-7 balls no probably more, right. So whew...I stopped there!

[rebeccav]

well, i'm agreeing with everyone else. depends on the project. i'm pretty cheap :lol so i do not tend to spend that much, however, i'm about to make a shawl for my sister as a wedding gift and it is 20 a 4oz skein. so it will be pricey for me. but this is her special day, right... help me justify this :frog

[crochetme]

Of course the price for your sister's shawl is justified! Not only are you hand-making her something to wear at her wedding, you're taking the time and care to have it custom-dyed, and you're making sure it's of a quality that will last forever. That is special, and you should have no doubts! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/thumbsup.gif" />

[Julie]

No worries, Rebecca. This is something extra special that she will love and cherish forever. It's going to be gorgeous and you'll make her very happy. I think it is an excellent idea!! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[BklynVonne]

I don't use wools or the fancier fibers. The most I've spent was $25 per pound cone for a shawl that used a little over a pound, so it cost me $50, but I think I have enough left for a vest.

As to your dilemna...see if there is another yarn that has the same fiber content that you could substitute, but don't forget to compare the yardage and washing instructions before you consider buying.

[Tiffany]

I checked out the yarn at my LYS and it's simply beautiful. It might be a birthday present to myself (which is in November but then it will be shawl weather here in Vegas). The yardage is 1250 yds for $36 a skein (the cheapest yet at www.discountyarnsale.com (http://www.discountyarnsale.com)) and any comparable yarn is $7-$10 a skein for only 100 yds or so.

[threeolivemartini]

it would totally depend for me.. if i could find what i needed or something comparible for less then i might substitute but if its a yarn i cant live with out.. i absolutely love.. i would spend 500 on it because the substitute would just be disappointing..

i am like that with many things .. if you really love it dont settle.... you will just end up resenting your decision...

here is an example.. i had a friend that found a wallpaper she loved... but it was going to cost her $750 for her room... she decided she could live with something else that cost her $300.... we hung it .. she lived with it for about 6 months before taking it down and going back for the $ 750 paper... she learned a valuable but expensive lesson...

[booklvr]

I agree - it totally depends on what the project is. I went to a wedding last year where my DH (then fiance) was in the wedding, but I didn't know the couple too well yet (the groom works with DH). I wanted to make something nice for them, but not spend a lot, so I made a pillowghan in their wedding colors, but just used RH acrylic yarn for it. Turned out nicely, and it cost me probably around $25 - $30 for yarn (probably not even that much, since I had some laying around that I'd been given).

The Chenille I bought yesterday was expensive...but I'll get more than a couple projects out of that. Enough of it for an afghan is just over $50 (on sale), and that afghan will stay with me for my DH.

I have 7 skeins of Light 'n Lofty for my jacket (8 counting the trim), and that stuff isn't cheap either - about $5 per skein. But it won't be any more expensive than a jacket bought at the store...just takes more of my time (but it's "theraputic" for me, so that's not really so much of a "cost", as per se).

But all in all, it is "just yarn"...so I voted for "under $75" as a personal limit. :-)

[dhe52]

hi! i just bought some bernat harmony for an afghan for a friend from <a href="http://www.discountyarnsale.com/index.htm" target="_new">discountyransale.com</a>. all told, i paid 60.00 - for 18 skeins - (2.63 ea). only problem with them is that you have to buy in lots so i had to buy a little extra. maybe i'll have enough for a pillow too.


dail

[natalie058]

I think maybe where I live yarn prices are ridiculous - cuz unless i buy walmart brand or rh super saver, which i do for quick afghans (washable!), I am paying alot of money for nice yarn... lambs pride runs about $6-7 for a skein - blue sky cotton about $10-12 a ball, and i'd say the average price at my local *specialty* yarn shop is about $16 a skein/ball! I buy this yarn for nice gifts... I justify it b/c i don't smoke anymore i can spend money on nice yarn... but even the nicer acrylic yarns like homespun and the nice baby yarns are pricey at my michael's, $ i don't :( have a hobby lobby/lys/ac moores near.