| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Wen
Permanent Resident
Australia
3242 Posts |
 Posted - 03/17/2004 : 5:24:06 PM
|
I went to Riot art and crafts yesterday. This shop carries really cheap art and craft supplies, no yarn, no cottons....well normally.
They had a feathers equivalent for $1.49 for 50g and an Ostrich equivalent for $1.99 . As ostrich is selling for around $7 I got a few balls of this to try out a pattern I have. If it doesn't work I will do one of those scarves on 15mm needles where you give it a flick and it turns into an open work lacy shawl. Not bad for $7.95.
Wen
2004 stats: 4 FO, 5 WIP, 15 wool purchased. 2 frogpond |
|
|
VaxGirl
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 09:33:16 AM
|
Yard/garage sales and thrift stores. We have Saver's thrift shops here, I think you have them in Australia too. Once in a while I spot a bag of old yarn that may or may not have needles still in it. Sometimes the yarn is smelly so I end up ditching it, but I get the needles for a a dollar or less. I also got two cones of "something" a few weeks ago. Not sure what it is or what I will do with it...
Also church sales usually have a bunch of assorted needles in a vase or jar. I usually get the lot for a dollar or two. As a result I get some single or broken needles, but usually get a bunch of good ones.
"SmellyCat, SmellyCat, what are they feeding you?" |
 |
|
|
KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 1:24:01 PM
|
Good find, Wen! I love getting bargains! The latest one was four skeins of an alpaca/wool blend and one of an angora/wool blend. Each for only $2.50NZ!
KathyR |
|
|
|
celia
Permanent Resident
Australia
2454 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 3:14:04 PM
|
| Wow! it's never occured to me to look for yarn at Riot. I've never even noticed that they sell yarn, but then agai, i never looked. I'll go take a look next time am there. Thanks Wen! |
|
|
|
Tam
Permanent Resident
Australia
2810 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 12:28:20 AM
|
I also picked up some Ostrich-like yarn at Dimmey's today for $1.99 per ball and it knits up okay.
Vaxgirl, I have bought yarn at Savers on a few occasions and always found a good bargain.
Happy Knitting,
Tam in Melbourne
2004 Stats: 5 FOs, 4 WIPs
Women are like tea bags - you don't know how strong they are until they are in hot water. |
|
|
|
littlemaze
New Pal
Australia
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 6:38:34 PM
|
The most unexpected place I found yarn was in the organic food store at my local fresh food markets!!!!
It was organic (undyed) merino. Very soft (it passed my neck test) and yummy. They were selling it in packs of 10 balls for $29. What a bargain and what strength I had as I walked out empty handed with visions of my ever growing stash guilting me!!!!
They did have some nice earthy colours, cream, chocolatey brown, fawn, black - very similar to the undyed colour range of alpaca.....shall I tempt my fellow Aussies and offer to pick up some on your behalf???...at least his way I can acquire yarn vicariously through others!!! heheheheheheeee.... If you are interested, PM me.
Maisie. |
|
|
|
Wen
Permanent Resident
Australia
3242 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 6:44:03 PM
|
Maisie, where do you live?
Wen
2004 stats: 4 FO, 5 WIP, 15 wool purchased. 2 frogpond |
|
|
|
littlemaze
New Pal
Australia
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 6:53:03 PM
|
Hi Wen,
I'm in the ACT.
Maisie. |
|
|
|
celia
Permanent Resident
Australia
2454 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 7:01:28 PM
|
Hi maisie,
Which fresh food markets is this? I am in Canberra from time to time - normally not more than once a year, but nonetheless...
I normally stay at a B&B and we drve around. BF and I both love markets, and I'd love to check out this yarn next time I am in town!
Thanks
celia
|
|
|
|
littlemaze
New Pal
Australia
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2004 : 7:28:23 PM
|
Hi Celia,
It's the organic food shop at Belconnen Markets. Not sure if the yarn is a constant stock item or a fleeting thing. It was on sale from $49 to $29 a packet of 10 50gm balls. I have a feeling it might be a special stock item, especially with winter coming up.
Maisie. |
|
|
|
Tam
Permanent Resident
Australia
2810 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 01:00:18 AM
|
BTW this isn't a strange place for bargains, but Lincraft has 25% off all yarn and 10% off needles until Monday (for all you Aussies who don't have a telly!)
Happy Knitting,
Tam in Melbourne
2004 Stats: 7 FOs, 2 WIPs
Women are like tea bags - you don't know how strong they are until they are in hot water. |
|
|
|
jjporep@hotmail.com
Chatty Knitter
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 05:58:07 AM
|
| You ladies are quite lucky with the bargains. Every once in a while I find needles at the Goodwill (thrift shop). When I know someone is interested in learning to knit, I package up a pair of these needles, some inexpensive yarn, and a scarf pattern. I thought is that I'm able to spread the joy of knitting to another person and find a bargain along the way. P.S. What exactly is ostrich yarn? Sounds intriguing! Jodie in Wisconsin, USA |
|
|
|
Tam
Permanent Resident
Australia
2810 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 5:03:00 PM
|
It is a eyelash type yarn, not actually made from Ostrich feathers, it is a long haired polyester.
Happy Knitting,
Tam in Melbourne
2004 Stats: 7 FOs, 2 WIPs
Women are like tea bags - you don't know how strong they are until they are in hot water. |
|
|
|
jjporep@hotmail.com
Chatty Knitter
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 5:06:47 PM
|
| Thanks for the explanation. I just couldn't figure out how ostriches and yarn went together. Is this type the kind that you can knit alone or is better knitted with another yarn? I've use acrylic eyelash yarn that was better with another yarn. |
|
|
|
Wen
Permanent Resident
Australia
3242 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2004 : 9:55:05 PM
|
Patons come up with some odd names for their yarns! It is fairly thin yarn, Patons has patterns for it both on its own and mixed with other yarns. The recommended needle for using it by itself is 4.5mm. (size 7).
Wen
2004 stats: 5 FO, 5 WIP, 15 wool purchased. 2 frogpond |
|
|
|
freckles
Sustaining Member
USA
821 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 6:51:15 PM
|
I like to go to "Everything's a Dollar" stores and scope for yarn. We have one here in the town that I live in that always has overrun colors -- sometimes a wool acrylic blend and other times plain acrylic. I get lots for making charity items and things for my young niece. At a dollar a skein you can't lose! A friend told me that the local thrift shop here often has a lot of yarn but I haven't checked it out....
karen in the U.P. of MI |
|
|
|
Artemis
Chatty Knitter
USA
188 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2004 : 7:46:37 PM
|
Thrift stores can be an amazing place for bargains. I found a huge bag of cheapo acrylic yarn (about 20 skeins), with miscellaneous really nice mohair yarns (about 11 skeins) mixed in and a small bag with 10 balls of Valeri Di Roma 100% Angora yarn. They sold this massive bag, hip high to me for $6 dollars. I left with the most maniacal grin on my face as if they accidently overpaid me a million dollas. I go back to that place every two weeks. You never know.
Also, we have estate sales advertised in the newspapers, they are a fabulous place for really nice knitting tools, i.e. needles, cases, baskets, etc. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
