This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Maya Stokley. Find her on Instagram at @maya.aesthetic. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.

I love to shop in this economy, but unfortunately, my credit and debit cards can only handle so much! But I do love a good thrifting haul, and I am a crochet girl through and through. From my double-stitched blanket yarn crochet bags to my granny-square crochet blankets, yarn is expensive. A good skein from brands like Lion Brand and Bernat can go for prices of $10 to $20 per skein. For a project (to all my crochet communities on Reddit and X, you all know), it will take more than two skeins, and you are putting down almost $40! That is insane, but by the grace of the kind humans, more people are donating their yarn to thrift stores! Here are four tips to keep in mind for thrifted yarn! For more tips, be sure to check this website out as well (I love them!)

Tip #1: Check for Yarn Quality

Quality is essential when thrifting for clothes, shoes, jewelry, or decorations. For yarn specifically, it is necessary because it will determine the strength and resilience of your project. For example, if you buy a skein from Amazon or an Internet store, the package will be new and high-quality. When you buy a skein from a thrift store, there is a chance that it was repackaged for a long time. And, with a tale as old as time, yarn can lose its quality over time. So, when you go to your local thrift store and see a skein of yarn in a clear bag, feel it. Check the yarn label, especially if the original label is around the skein. You can tug on the yarn a bit if you allow it to see its durability! Better safe than sorry!

Also, the environment and temperature of the thrift store or area determine the quality of the yarn. For example, if there is an original label on the skein, check on the label how the yarn should be stored. Often, yarn is stored at an average room temperature (62-72 degrees) and away from direct sunlight. If you see a skein of yarn facing the window for extended periods (especially when walking past the store for a couple of days), chances are that the yarn is losing its quality daily. Usually, thrift stores store their yarn in the back or away from sunlight, which is good! It is essential to check for these subtle clues to ensure you get the best kind of yarn for your buck!

Tip #2: Check for Moth Bites

This may sound crazy, but moths love to eat yarn. Worst of all, they are the worst criminals because they leave their evidence everywhere. When I say everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE! Their tiny mouths leave little holes or rips all over the skein! I haven’t spotted any thrift stores selling yarn with moth bites, but you never know. It could be one, two, or maybe a few in a skein ball, and the owner hopes to sell it to customers. The best way to search for this is to feel through the package! If there is a skein without a clear bag, pull back some of the yarn to see if there are any potential nibbles in there. This method is a gamble because you won’t discover until you unravel the skein. But, usually, moths try to bite the outer part of the yarn rather than the inside. So, pick your battles wisely!

Now, if you purchase thrifted yarn with no moth bites and come across them in your home, that is okay! Be sure to check where you are storing your yarn! If it helps, be sure to freeze your yarn to make sure that the moth does not leave eggs. Also, make sure to keep your yarn in airtight containers or bags. This way, the moths don’t have access to your precious yarn! Moths are always a problem, but there are always solutions!

Tip #3: Compare Prices of the Brand & Store

I have not encountered this problem yet and hope I do not! Most of the time, yarn is priced around $2-3 per skein ball, and there will be good brands! For example, I got a pair of off-white Lion Brand skeins for $6, and they usually go for $4-8 on Amazon! However, sometimes prices can be too good to be true. Be sure to check and compare the prices of different yarn brands and materials. Sometimes, acrylic yarn is cheaper than cotton yarn because it is synthetic. Sometimes, sellers will sell it for $2; in discounts, it can be $1! But if you see yarn that may be overpriced, check the original seller or company to see what it will sell for. Be on the lookout for this!

Another tip for comparing prices is you don’t have to buy yarn at a physical thrift store. You can also buy yarn from a Buy Nothing group or on Etsy stores! A “Buy Nothing” group is a platform for people to share goods and services for free or decreased prices to help one another! I have not tried it yet but I have been bouncing around the idea for a while! I have been hearing good things from these communities, especially for yarn! However, it is still vital to check for prices because you want to get the best of your buck for your projects!

Tip #4: Wash Your Thrifted Yarn

Now this is a thrifting golden rule: always wash your treasures! Because everyone and their family tree have been looking at the same item you have, I know that it was touched multiple times over. Sometimes, thrift stores have fitting rooms, and perhaps your item was tested by someone else. Now, that is for clothes. The same rule applies to yarn! I am testing almost skein that interests me. Once I have like five in my arms, I run back to my house and start my yarn wash day immediately. Here is how I wash my yarn with some help from this article I live by:

1. Untangle your Yarm (to the best of your ability to start re-skeining it with the arms of a chair)
2. Get a large plastic bucket in the bathroom or kitchen and fill it with water
3. Add wool wash or a delicate cleaning applicant into the large bucket
4. Place your yarn in the bucket and begin to wash it like you are washing your hair
5. Once done, place your yarn on a dry towel, once dried enough, hang it somewhere to dry further

This method has stayed true to me for a very long time! Also, the yarn will take about a day or two to dry completely for your next project! So, remember the golden thrifting rule!

Where will you venture for your thrifted yarn? Share in the comments below!

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