Episode 11 - Knitting on a Budget

Thank you for continuing with this wonderful, uplifting podcast!  I enjoy every episide.  Knitting on a budget is certainly something we are all thinking of as gas prices and costs of living continue to rise while our incomes remain the same.  Knitting is such a blessing in my life, providing me with a sense of peace and the creative expression that nourishes me.  I recently completed graduate school, and I found myself, as a student, often finding ways to keep my craft going without draining my budget.  Knit Picks and Elann are fantastic options to get quality yarn at bargain prices. 

Another option that you didn't mention was one I used as a student.  During the winter months (and the months immediately prior), I was able to find some quality wool in the form of sweaters at Goodwill and other thrift shops.  I used an online tutorial to help me spot the best sweaters for the job and also for step-by-step instructions on how to get the sweater apart in the fewest pieces. 

Here's a link to the tutorial I used:  http://neauveau.com/recycledyarn.html

One project that I'm particularly proud of is the Diamond Fantasy Shawl I knitted from a thrifted sweater.  The sweater was 100% wool in a natural, heathery oatmeal color, and I dyed the yarn (after unraveling) using Wilton's food dye.  I have enough of the yarn leftover to make another shawl, and I recently overdyed the yarn a deep crimson color using Kool-Aid.  I have plans to make it into a Norweigan Woods Shawl. 

Here's a link to my Ravelry page with pictures and details about my Diamond Fantasy Shawl out of thrifted yarn!

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/chavahsdaughter/diamond-fantasy-shawl

Thank you again for the wonderful podcast!