Find cheap yarn in Canada without sacrificing quality. Learn where to buy, what to make, compare stores and choose the right yarn for your project/s from amigurumi and coasters to rugs and blankets.

Yarn should be accessible — but also understood

Yarn should be accessible — and it does not have to be expensive to be good.

But “cheap yarn” is one of the most misunderstood ideas in knitting and crochet.

Because what people think they’re optimizing for is price. What they’re actually navigating is:

• accessibility

• fibre type

• softness

• durability

• project suitability

• total quantity required

And those don’t always align.

A yarn can be cheap and frustrating. A yarn can be slightly more expensive and far better value. A yarn can be called “cheap” simply because it’s the easiest one to access. Sometimes a yarn feels “cheap” not because of price, but because it is stiff, limited, synthetic-heavy, or simply not suited to the project.

The smartest move is not buying the lowest-priced yarn — it is buying the yarn that actually works.

This guide will help you think clearly about:

• what to buy

• how much you need

• what it will realistically cost

• where to actually find good deals in Canada

 

 

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What people mean by “cheap yarn”

“Cheap yarn” can mean:

• low price

• basic acrylic-heavy yarns

• mass-market yarn

• accessible yarn (nearby, easy to buy)

• yarn for practice, kids, or volume projects

• yarn that feels less soft or refined

These are not the same thing.

A person shopping at Walmart because it’s nearby is optimizing for accessibility, not necessarily value per gram or fibre quality.

 

Big box store yarn is not really cheaper

In reality:

What they do well

• convenience

• accessibility

• a few mass market brands dominated by a few large corporations 

• frequent entry-level pricing

• synthetic-heavy options 

What they lack

• fibre variety

• variety local brands and artisans

• softness options at same price point

• nuanced selection by project

• deeper material quality

• strong clearance tied to yarn lifecycle

 

They are designed for retail turnover, not fibre depth or craft specialization.

Accessibility has value — but does not mean best value.

 

If you want to buy yarn or knitting/crochet related items at stores like Michael's - make sure to be on the look out for deals that come up quite frequently, like 40% off one item:

$13 regular price but at less than $8 on sale, I wouldn't fault you for giving in to the temptation of picking this up for a little activity with kids or even for learning yourself. 

 

 

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Online marketplaces (Amazon) is typically not the cheapest either

 

Why?

• seller markups

• platform fees (15–30%)

• bundled shipping costs

• low competition on niche SKUs

Result: prices can be volatile/ inflated vs real yarn stores

 

 

A CASE STUDY ON "CHEAP" BIG BOX/ONLINE MARKETPLACE ACRYLIC YARN PRICING

 

Here's an example of one of the top selling yarns on Amazon.ca. It's a 198 gram skein of 96% acrylic "Super Saver"  "Economy" yarn by mass market brand Red Heart.

As you can see, for the same SKU, the prices vary so much between colours. The one that pops up first is the lowest priced atm, "Spring Green" marked down at $4.71.

Compared to the others, that looks like a deal, so you might be enticed to buy that. Or, the next cheapest one, the light purple or "Rare Plum."

However, I only found this when looking up the "Blue" which is a whopping $18.59. 

I looked it up because I saw it on Michael's and wondered if Michael's price was fair to begin with at $5.99 and with a promotion today for another 40% off so $3.59, ie. just $1.80 for 100 grams:

 

(Yarn market price dates: April 4th, 2026)

Of course that promotion is only for one item. So it's a decent price for a smaller project but if you're looking to make something at least as big as a scarf, you'd need more at $6 a skein.

Just be aware when you're shopping online on marketplaces like Amazon especially - prices and availability can vary significantly. So cross reference your options.

IF you can afford to pay $18.59 for an acrylic skein on Amazon, you really need to understand all the fibres, because there are definitely higher quality types .of yarns available to you which leads us to next part:

 

 

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Where to actually find cheap yarn in Canada

1. Local yarn stores with clearance sections

Typically, the best value can be found in places that actually know yarn dearly.

Local stores are most invested in yarn and thus have specialized knowledge and product lines to match. They nurture the community of local knitters/crocheters with events and classes; move volumes and also often happen to carry overstock — which is where deals come from.

 

A local yarn store can also give you things that big box stores, large online marketplaces and online stores do not:

• the chance to not just see, but touch broad ranges of colours & types of yarn

• guidance on what suits your project

• better substitution help

• dye lot awareness

• in-store clearance sections

• more thoughtful curation

 

Examples include: 

• Romni Wools (Toronto) apparently has a basement clearance area widely known for bargain finds reported as low as about $1 

• Diamond Yarn (North York), a long-established Canadian distributor switched to having a retail storefront and has a $5 yarn section at the back of its warehouse

*If any other local yarn stores with great deal sections should be included here, please comment at the bottom!*

 

2. Online yarn stores (critical — and growing)

This is where a lot of deals can be found because they can function like local yarn stores (and unlike removed big box stores/online marketplaces) without a good chunk of the expenses.

A well-built online yarn store can:

• reduce retail overhead
• carry more variety
• optimize pricing across categories
• offer better filtering (by fibre, use case, softness, etc.)

This is where shops like YarnStore.ca come in.

The model is different:

• less spent upfront on storefront
• more focus on inventory and selection
• ability to serve across Canada
• home delivery

This is where you can also often find strong value, especially when curated properly. Sign up for newsletters on some of your favourite online retailers and stay posted on their sales' pages.

 

 

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Cheap yarn is not always the same thing as low-quality yarn.

 

Sometimes it means:

• lower cost per weight or better yardage for the price

• a good sale on a trusted yarn line

• inventory clearance at your local yarn store

• a durable workhorse yarn for everyday projects

• a fibre blend that gives you some of the feel you want without the full luxury price

• finding awesome deals in local yarn stores instead of paying a premiums to marketplaces like Amazon

• buying online instead of paying for a large storefront overhead

• buying enough of the right yarn the first time so you do not waste money later

 

 

TIP: A cheap skein that pills, splits badly, sheds, feels awful, or does not suit the project is not really cheap in the end. Value matters more than sticker price alone.

 

 

What actually makes yarn good value

Instead of asking “what’s cheapest?” ask:

• what am I making?

• how much do I need?

• what fibre fits this?

• will I enjoy working with it?

A slightly more expensive yarn that works better is often cheaper overall.

 

 

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The biggest mistake beginners make

Most people start with:  "what's the cheapest yarn?"

But the better question is:  "what am I making?"

Because:

• a couple dollars of 50g of yarn might be enough for a toy

• but a blanket might need 5–10kg for hundreds of dollars

 

That is why it helps to shop by project, fibre, and use case, not just by the lowest number on the page.

 

 

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Quick yarn value/ pricing anchors (Canada)

 

A simple pricing anchor for beginners

 

This is not a rigid rule, but it is a useful peg point in Canada.

 

Yarn Type	Rough Starting Point	General Notes
Acrylic	about <$5 / 100g	accessible, common, good for beginners, kids, practice and volume
Cotton	about $7 / 100g	useful for dishcloths, bags, some baby items, summer makes
Wool blends	about $10 / 100g	a strong middle ground for softness, bounce, and wearability
Merino	starts around $12+ / 100g	softer, often more premium
Alpaca blends	starts around $10+ / 100g	warmth, softness, drape, often in blends first

 

These are just rough starting anchors.

Actual pricing varies based on:

• brand
• fibre quality
• spin and finish
• country of origin
• dyeing process
• weight category
• whether it is on sale or clearanc

 

Why grams, skeins, or yards only make sense in context

People try to anchor themselves in different ways when buying yarn:

• some think in number of skeins ("I’ll grab 2–3")
• some look a grams
• some more experienced makers think in yards/meters

All of these are valid — but none of them mean anything on their own.

Because the real variable is always:

what are you making?

For example:

• 1 skein could be enough for a headband
• or completely insufficient for even a small garment
• 100g of t-shirt yarn might barely start a rug
• 100g of fine cotton could make multiple small items
• 300 yards of bulky yarn disappears quickly
• 300 yards of fingering yarn goes much further

So instead of thinking:

 “how many grams or skeins do I need?”

It helps to think:

 “what does this project typically require?”

Then use grams, skeins, or yardage as tools to get there, not the starting point.

This shift alone prevents a lot of wasted money and frustration.

 

 

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Best cheap projects for beginners

If you are learning, it often makes more sense to begin with small, useful, low-risk projects.

 

1. Coasters

Good for learning:

• tension

• basic shape

• finishing

• repetition

Best yarn:

• cotton

• cotton blends

Estimated yarn needed:

• about 30g to 60g total depending on set size

Estimated yarn cost:

• often under $5 to $10 if buying from one skein

 

2. Headbands / ear warmers

Good for learning:

• rectangles and seaming

• stretch awareness

• fast satisfaction

Best yarn:

• acrylic blends

• wool blends

• soft cotton blends depending on style

Estimated yarn needed:

• about 50g to 100g

Estimated yarn cost:

• often around $5 to $12 depending on fibre

 

 

3. Dishcloths / washcloths

Good for learning:

• stitch consistency
• tension control
• practical use

Best yarn:

• cotton
• mercerized cotton

Estimated yarn needed:

• about 40g to 80g each

Estimated yarn cost:

• often around $5 to $10 from a single skein

 

4. Small amigurumi

Good for learning:

• shaping
• counting stitches
• working in the round

Best yarn:

• cotton
• acrylic
• amigurumi-specific finer yarns

Estimated yarn needed:

• sometimes as little as 30g to 50g for a small item

Estimated yarn cost:

• very low in some cases; promo yarns or bulk buys can make these especially affordable

 

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What can you actually make (by budget)

With about $10

You may be able to make:

• a coaster set

• one headband

• one or more dishcloths depending on yarn and pattern

• a very small amigurumi piece

Typical yarn needed:

• 50g – 100g

Best yarn types:

• cotton (good structure)

• acrylic (cheap, forgiving)

 

With about $20

You may be able to make:

• a hat

• several small toys

• multiple cotton cloths

• a small cowl or beginner accessory

Yarn needed:

• 100g – 250g

Best yarn types:

• acrylic blends

• cotton blends

• basic wool blends

 

With about $50

You may be able to make:

• a baby blanket in some yarns

• a scarf with nicer fibre choices

• several smaller learning projects

• a more refined gift item

Yarn needed:

• 300g – 600g

This is where fibre choice starts to matter more.

 

With about $100

You begin entering:

• garment territory

• larger blankets

• larger natural fibre projects

• better softness and drape options

Yarn needed:

• 600g – 1200g+

 

 

What gets pricier, fast

Some yarn categories feel affordable per ball until you calculate the full project.

 

Rugs made with t-shirt yarn

These can require a lot of material.

A nice rug may need:

• roughly 1.5kg to 4kg or more depending on size and density

• costs can range from $40–$150+

So even if the yarn feels inexpensive by unit, the total cost can climb quickly.

 

Super chunky blankets

This is one of the biggest beginner surprises.

A super chunky blanket may require:

• about 2kg to 4kg for a lap blanket

• about 4kg to 6kg for a throw

• about 6kg to 10kg or more for a larger full-size blanket

• costs can range from $150–$400+

A chunky blanket can look like a simple cozy project at first, but it can  become a project costing many tens or even hundreds of dollars depending on the yarn.

 

 

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The economics of yarn (why prices behave the way they do)

Yarn pricing isn’t random — and it’s not just about “cheap vs expensive.” It’s shaped by raw materials, processing, scale, distribution, and how fast inventory needs to move.

Why acrylic dominates big box

• cheap to produce at scale
• consistent quality (no natural variation)
• durable + machine washable
• long shelf life
• easy to restock in large volumes

* Built for retail efficiency, not fibre depth

 

Why merino (and natural fibres) cost more

• farmed, not manufactured
• variable quality + climate dependent
• more labour-intensive processing
• often smaller batches
• more complex dyeing

* You’re paying for performance (softness, elasticity, breathability) and origin

Why blends exist

Blends are engineered to balance:

• cost
• softness
• durability
• elasticity
• washability

Examples:

• wool + acrylic → warmth + affordability
• cotton + acrylic → softer, less stiff
• alpaca blends → warmth without full cost

* Often the best value category

Why shipping affects price

Yarn is light but bulky. Shipping is often priced by volume, not just weight.

So:

• international transport adds cost quickly
• storage + distribution matter
• warehouse proximity can reduce price

 

Why clearance yarn can be extremely cheap

Clearance is driven by inventory pressure:

• discontinued colours
• incomplete dye lots
• seasonal turnover
• new stock arriving
• need for space and cash flow

* Stores optimize for turnover, not margin

The takeaway

• acrylic = scalable
• merino = resource-intensive
• blends = optimized value
• clearance = structural, not random
• big box = efficient, not always cheapest
• yarn stores = specialized, not always expensive

* Price only makes sense in context of the project

 

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Best yarn types by use case

 

For absolute beginners

Look for:

• smooth yarn

• medium thickness

• lighter colours so stitches are easier to see

• something affordable enough that mistakes do not feel stressful

Good options:

• acrylic

• acrylic blends

• smooth cotton blends

• practical wool blends

Avoid at first:

• very fuzzy yarns

• very dark yarns

• yarns that split badly

• novelty yarns that hide stitch structure

 

For teaching children

Look for:

• affordability

• washability

• availability in bright colours

• enough softness to be pleasant to handle

• easy replacement if more is needed

Good options:

• acrylic

• acrylic blends

• some cotton blends

 

For baby-friendly makes

Look for:

• softness

• washability

• low irritation

• practicality for repeated use

Good options:

• soft acrylic blends

• cotton for certain items

• soft superwash wool blends depending on use and care comfort

 

For soft but affordable yarn

Look for:

• acrylic blends

• softer anti-pill acrylics

• value merino blends

• value alpaca blends

• cotton blends with a nicer hand feel

 

For plant-based fibre lovers

Look for:

• cotton

• mercerized cotton

• recycled cotton

• bamboo blends

• linen blends

• viscose blends

• raffia or specialty plant-based yarns for certain craft uses

These can be especially nice for:

• summer makes

• dishcloths

• bags

• structured crochet

• some baby items

• people avoiding animal fibres

 

For those who do want wool, merino, or alpaca

It is important not to erase these fibres either.

Many people specifically want:

• warmth

• bounce

• softness

• elasticity

• memory

• drape

• more natural feel

That is where:

• wool blends

• superwash merino

• alpaca blends

• sock yarn blends

can make a lot of sense, even when budget matters.

 

 

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Final takeaway

If you are new to yarn, do not get overwhelmed by every fibre term all at once.

 

Start here:

1. What am I making?

2. How much yarn will that probably take?

3. Does it need to be soft, washable, structured, stretchy, breathable, or budget-first?

4. Then compare prices within the right category.

 

That is how you avoid wasting money.

 

Sometimes it means low-cost acrylic. Sometimes it means the nearest accessible option. Sometimes it means a fantastic clearance find in a large yarn store basement. Sometimes it means a practical cotton for dishcloths. Sometimes it means a deeply discounted amigurumi yarn bought in bulk. And sometimes it means realizing that the “cheap” chunky blanket idea will actually require kilograms of yarn.

 

Tags

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