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Online Thrifting

All of the yarn pics in this post are lots that I bid on this week. I like looking for yarn online to thrift as the prices can be super cheap, and I'm also helping keep yarn out of landfills.

I bid $10.00 for each lot, and I may or may not win them for that price. There is also shipping and handling to be added, so I usually won't bid any more than $10.00 for a lot. Be careful at online auctions and set a firm maximum bid. Sometimes bidders start a war over yarn lots, particularly those that have more modern skeins or multiples of a particular color.

All of these lots were likely donated by makers or makers' families cleaning out their stashes. Occasionally a maker or shop will donate new skeins, but you should expect everything to be vintage, discontinued lines, and possibly partially used. Some also come with other materials included, like this one (I love hat boxes for storage.)

The biggest issue with thrifting online is the condition of what you get. My experience is that most makers take good care of their yarn, and I've been lucky so far in not getting anything full of dirt, bugs or odors, but buyers, beware! Thrifted skeins can be soiled, linty, covered with debris or hair, and/or have a smell from storage, pets and/or tobacco products -- and yes, they can be infested with bugs, too. Often you can't tell the condition from the photos, and you definitely can't smell them. :)

I have no problem with soiled or smelly skeins, as I know how to clean and detox them before using them (something I'll demonstrate in a future post.) Happily I've never once had a problem with bugs, but if I ever do I'd just freeze the yarn and then hand wash it. If for any reason you are especially sensitive to these issues, then it's probably best you don't thrift yarn unless you can visit a thrift store in person and find it there to check it out thoroughly.

If I win any of these lots* I'll post pics and more information on the blog when they arrive.

*As it turns out I was outbid on all three in the first day. It's hard to stick to a low bid, but that doesn't always happen. Win some, lose some. :)

Image credit: all of the pics in this post came from the original auction listings at ShopGoodwill.com.

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