Affordable Sweater Yarn Options

As you probably know by now, we have a big Sweater Knitting Weekend event.

One question I often get about sweater is what is an affordable yarn for a sweater.

A sweater is not only a big investment in time, it can be a big investment of money.

But it doesn’t have to.

There are plenty of yarn options that will give you a nice sweater without taking out a second mortgage to do it.

What is the best yarn for sweaters?

The truth is there no ONE best yarn for a sweater.

Choosing a sweater yarn will depend on a few factors:

• How fast do you want to knit the sweater?
• How warm do you want the sweater to be?
• What kind of drape do you want the sweater to have?
• Do you have any fiber sensitivities?
• What is your budget?

If you want a fast sweater, then knit with a thicker yarn. The thicker the yarn, the fewer stitches you need to knit.

If you want a sweater that’s not so warm, a lighter weight yarn is the way to go. But you’ll also want to use a yarn with good temperature regulation like cotton or merino wool.

If you want nice drape, thinner weight yarns are your go to.

If you are allergic to animal fibers then stick to man made or plant fiber yarns.

And if you have a tight budget checkout the yarns below…

How much yarn do you need for a sweater?

This is another question I get A LOT.

The chart above gives a decent estimate, but ultimately you’re going to have to do some math to figure this out.

Many patterns will give you the specific number of skeins you need in a particular yarn.

But if you’re using something like the percentage sweater systems I’ll be teaching during the Sweater Knitting Weekend, then estimates are the way to go.

The amount is going to depend on your sweater size, what yarn weight you’re knitting with, and how much yardage is in each skein you plan to use.

I’ve included skein amounts in the yarn selections below.

Our Favorite Affordable Sweater Yarns

There are actually a lot of affordable yarns out there.

Here’s just a few of our favorites, using different weights, fiber types, and price points.

Hopefully you can find a good option for yourself!

• 

  Soft by Red Heart

  CYC #4 (Worsted) • 100% Acrylic (256yds/141g)

  Skeins for Sweater: 5-7 We're not the biggest fans of knitting sweaters with 100% acrylic. However, synthetic yarns are often the most affordable. So if you're going to use acrylic it should be nice. And Soft by Red Heart is a really nice yarn to knit with. Plus it's generous 5 oz skein makes it an even better deal!

  Get it at Amazon
• 

  Comfy Worsted by Knit Picks

  CYC #4 (Worseted Weight) • 75% Cotton / 25% Acrylic (109yds/50g)

  Skeins for Sweater: 11 - 15 Soft, machine washable, and lightweight, Comfy is the ultimate solution for easy care and warm-weather knitting. The breathability and softness of natural Pima cotton allow for comfortable wearing, while the touch of acrylic microfiber adds just the right amount of elasticity.

  Get it here
• 

  Hue and Me by Lion Brand

  CYC #5 (Bulky Weight) • 80% Acrylic / 20% Wool (137yds/125g)

  Skeins for Sweater: 7-9 If you want a faster sweater than a thicker yarn the way to go. And this collab between Lion Brand and Two of Wands is a perfect options. The yarn is pleasant to knit with and comes in a gorgeous array of colors that all work well together!

  Get it here
• 

  Wool of the Andes by Knit Picks

  CYC #4 (Worsted Weight) • 100% Peruvian Wool (110yds/50g)

  Skeins for Sweater: 11-15 We strongly believe that wool is the best fiber for...well...most knits. Provided you aren't allergic mind you. And this classic yarn by Knit Picks is one of the best affordable 100% wool options out there. In fact you can get 10 skeins for less than $50! Is it the softest wool? No, but it will do the job well enough!

  Get it at Amazon
• 

  Stone Washed XL by Scheepjes

  CYC #4 (Worsted) • 70% Cotton, 30% Acrylic (82yds/50g)

  Skeins for Sweater: 13 - 18 Give your sweater projects a unique and sophisticated, heathered look with Scheepjes Stone Washed XL! Each cotton core has a fuzzy halo in a complementary tonal shade, giving your finished project a lovely finish.

  Get it here

Some of these are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through them supports The Yarnist at no extra cost to you.

Conclusion

What is your favorite affordable yarn?