No Money? No Problem! 5 Ways To Get Crocheting With Zero Budget
Crafting is, as everyone knows, a very thrifty pastime. However, there are ways to make it even more budget-friendly. Here are my top five ways to start crocheting on a shoestring budget.
While magazine and books are a great source of patterns, the web is packed with amazing free designs that you can start on straight away. This pretty brooch is from topcrochetpatterns.com, a new website featuring hundreds of free crochet patterns from past issues of the UK-based magazine LGC Knitting & Crochet.
You don’t have to spend money on expensive lessons if you want to learn to crochet. Online video tutorials make it really easy to learn from the comfort of your own home. Challenge yourself to make a granny square today!
Taking an expensive trip to your local yarn shop isn’t the only way to refresh your yarn stash. Think about inviting your yarn-crazy friends round for a yarn swap. Inform guests about what kind of yarns you’d like them to bring along (for example, luxury fibres or balls under $5), clear a large space so the yarn can be displayed, then encourage people to get swapping! Odd balls are perfect for making colourful blankets and throws, like this lovely free pattern from Janine Holmes.
Check out your local Freecycle network. It’s a website that helps people give away things they no longer want for free. You can also post up a message asking for a specific item – you never know, you might strike lucky!
One of the ultimate money-saving ways of getting yarn is to unravel a thrift-shop sweater. Pay attention to fibre content and what kind of seams your garment has. There’s a great how-to guide here.
Elaine Bennett 
is the editor of the UK-based magazine LGC Knitting & Crochet and new crochet pattern website topcrochetpatterns.com. When she’s not writing about knitting and crochet for work, she can be found at home with her needles, hook and a vast yarn stash that threatens to take over her home.
Stay tuned for more fantastic round ups from topcrochetpatterns.com here on Cre8tion Crochet.
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