Why I Only Buy Second-Hand Yarn Now (And How You Can Too)

The Moment Everything Changed

Last year, for the first time, I walked into a thrift store not to look for clothes or shoes, but for second hand yarn. It sounds strange, right? But at home, I already had yarn that’s literally older than me, bought by my mom ages ago. And it’s still perfectly fine, not spoiled at all. I keep it, thinking maybe one day I’ll finally use it.

That’s when it hit me: if yarn can last decades in perfect condition, why not look for vintage yarn finds in thrift stores?

Note: This article may contain affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

The fashion and textile industries have long been talking about the overload of things on our planet. Piles and piles of clothes, fabrics, and endless synthetic fibers that hardly decompose. So, choosing second hand yarn is one small way to care about the only planet we’ll ever have.

“Buy less, choose well, make it last.” – Vivienne Westwood

What started as curiosity has transformed into something much deeper: a complete shift in how I approach sustainable knitting and conscious crafting.

My First Thrift Store Yarn Discovery

I had to put in some effort, though. I wandered through several shops in Tbilisi, and the answer was usually “no.” Clothes, shoes, toys, bedding — anything you want, but no yarn. And then, walking down the street full of thrift shops, my eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of a transparent bag with skeins hanging right by the entrance.

It wasn’t easy to spot at first, but once I noticed it… oh wow. A real treasure! French yarn, brand new, with labels still on. Cashmere, camel wool, alpaca. Of course, I bought a lot. Now I even regret not taking everything they had.

That thrift store haul opened my eyes to the incredible value hiding in second-hand shops. Sustainable knitting yarn doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you’re not contributing to new production demands. The prices are significantly lower than specialty stores, sometimes dramatically so for luxury fibers.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan

For processing these finds, I’ve learned that having the right tools makes all the difference. A quality yarn swift and ball winder set helps you properly wind loose skeins, while a good seam ripper is essential if you plan to unravel old sweaters for their yarn.

My Mother’s 1970s French Legacy: A Testament to Quality

I’ve already mentioned my mom’s French bouclé yarn that I still keep to this day. She brought it back from her internship in Algeria in the late 70s. At that time, there were loads of French and German goods in Algeria, and among them was this yarn. It’s really high-quality bouclé — thick, warm, and cozy.

Over the years, a couple of pieces were knitted from it, unraveled, and re-knitted again. There’s almost two kilos of this bouclé, and I even once made a jacket out of it! With a lining, no less. I cut and sewed the lining myself by hand, because I didn’t own a sewing machine back then. I wore that jacket for a while, then decided to unravel it and knit something else.

That’s the beauty of sustainable crafts and knitting specifically: unlike sewing, where once something is cut and stitched it’s hard to redo, yarn can always be unraveled and turned into something new. And this yarn — it’s nearly 50 years old now — is still in perfect condition. It’s sitting there in neat little balls, unchanged.

By the way, I’ve been creating new pieces from this incredible vintage bouclé — a cozy winter bucket hat, a muff, and a cape. There’s something magical about working with yarn that carries such history. Each stitch connects me not just to my craft, but to my mother’s journey and the skilled hands that originally created this fiber decades ago. You can actually see these pieces in my Ravelry store, where I share patterns and finished works made from this treasured yarn:

Unfortunately, the original label is gone, so I don’t know the brand. Maybe it was Pingouin — I’ve seen similar bouclé on Ravelry.

To properly store vintage finds like this, cedar blocks help protect against moths. Cedar’s natural oils create an environment that moths simply can’t tolerate, disrupting their ability to reproduce and keeping them away from your precious yarn stash. 

“When we speak of sustainable use, consideration must always be given to each ecosystem’s regenerative ability” – Pope Francis

The Thrill of the Hunt: My Weekly Yarn Archaeology

These days I’m kind of like a yarn archaeologist. About once a week, I head out on “excavations” — hunting for vintage yarn that someone brought to a thrift store from their own stash (and sometimes even yarn companies or specialty shops donate their leftovers!). I already have a few places where the staff know me, have my number, and call when something interesting comes in.

When I show up, I sit down in front of giant bags of yarn and start digging. I read labels, feel the fibers, unwind and rewind strands — I even smell them! If I don’t recognize a brand, I look it up online. Ravelry is amazing for this: it not only lists fiber content and gauge but also shows projects other knitters have made with the same yarn.

By the way, there is a great free online resource for knitters and crocheters to find substitute yarns for projects when a specific yarn is unavailable or discontinued. I recently found out about this myself, you can find it here.

Factory Surplus Yarn Treasures

But thrift stores aren’t the only treasure trove. I’ve discovered another amazing source: surplus yarn from factory stocks. These aren’t exactly thrift stores, but stock stores where manufacturers sell off their excess inventory. You can find real gems there at prices well below specialty yarn shops.

Factory surplus yarn usually comes wound on specialized cones and is often treated for easier machine knitting, so you need to know how to work with it at home. Sometimes it requires rewinding or washing to remove processing chemicals, but the results are absolutely worth it! The quality is typically excellent since it was meant for commercial clothing production, and you’re getting professional-grade materials at a fraction of their original cost.

The Art of Unraveling: Not All Sweaters Are Created Equal

There’s another approach to upcycling yarn: buying finished pieces — sweaters, cardigans, whatever. They don’t have to be handmade; some may have been factory-made, probably years ago. The idea is simple: unravel the item and get yarn out of it. It’s like giving yarn a second life — a real circle of yarn.

However, here’s something crucial I learned: not all sweaters can be successfully unraveled. According to knitting experts, “it’s critical that the sweater pieces have been knit to shape, rather than made with knitted fabric that was cut to shape”. If the factory simply cut pattern pieces from a large knitted fabric and then sewed them together, unraveling will give you only short pieces of yarn per row — essentially useless for new projects.

What you’re looking for are sweaters with chain-stitched seams that look like little columns of V’s. These indicate that separate knitted panels were joined together, which means the yarn runs in continuous lengths that can be unraveled beautifully. Machine-sewn seams with overcast edges are a red flag — they mean the yarn was cut during construction. I’ve found an article how to unravel a knitted piece, read it here.

I haven’t tried this method yet, because it takes quite a lot of time. But maybe one day I will. There’s plenty of info online about people who do this — unraveling secondhand clothes and turning them into fresh knits.

For fiber identification, here’s a useful test: pull a thread and burn the tip (always ask permission first!). If it burns slowly, smolders, doesn’t melt, crumbles easily into ash, and smells like burnt hair, it’s natural fiber. If it burns quickly, melts into a solid lump, and doesn’t crumble — that’s acrylic. And if the signs are mixed, you’re probably dealing with a blend of natural fibers and acrylic.

“Refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse; and rot the rest.” – Bea Johnson

For serious thrift store yarn hunting and working with surplus stock, I recommend investing in a portable digital scale to check yarn weights. I use a coffee scale – they are very accurate.

The Environmental Impact I Never Considered

I used to think of yarn as something small, soft, and harmless. Just a ball of fiber waiting to turn into a scarf or sweater. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized: every skein carries a footprint much bigger than we imagine.

Making yarn isn’t just about spinning fibers — it eats up real resources. When I first read these numbers, I honestly felt guilty about every impulse yarn buy I’d ever made. It suddenly made me realize how important it is to rethink even the smallest crafting choices.

Natural fibers (like cotton):

• require huge amounts of water from field to fabric
• growing, dyeing and finishing a single batch uses thousands of liters along the way

Synthetic yarns (like polyester):

• come from fossil fuels
• demand a lot of energy to produce
• add more carbon and pressure on non-renewable resources

The waste factor:

• Millions of tons of textiles end up in landfills every single year
• Perfectly wearable sweaters, scarves, even handmade pieces get tossed out
• Because so many fibers today are synthetic, they don’t break down for decades

Animal fibers aren’t impact-free either:

• Wool and similar materials carry a methane and land-use footprint tied to livestock
• Dyeing, bleaching and finishing textiles use water, chemicals and electricity
• This creates pollution and hidden costs before yarn even reaches your needles

Studies consistently show that recycled and secondhand materials have significantly lower environmental impact than virgin fibers, though exact figures vary by production method and region.

That’s why recycled fibers feel so important. Using recycled wool instead of virgin wool means fewer carbon emissions, less energy consumption, and less pressure on the planet. It’s a way of honoring the material we already have instead of constantly demanding more.

“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” – Howard Zinn

Connecting Threads: Vintage Magazines and Yarn

My journey into second hand yarn also made me think of another kind of treasure: my mom’s old knitting magazines. I even wrote a separate article about them — you can check it out here. Just like thrifted yarn, these magazines remind me that the past still has so much to offer modern knitters.

What My Projects Look Like Now

The transformation in my finished work has been remarkable. That French bouclé jacket I mentioned wasn’t just a piece of clothing, it was a testament to the longevity of quality materials. With a hand-sewn lining (since I didn’t own a sewing machine then), it represented hours of slow fashion craftsmanship.

Every project now tells a story beyond just the pattern. The yarn came from someone’s abandoned stash, possibly years (or even decades) old, yet it worked up beautifully. The colors had a vintage softness that you simply can’t find in modern yarns.

When people see these pieces at winter markets, they immediately notice something different. There’s a texture, a depth of color, a quality that screams “this isn’t fast fashion.” Customers often ask about the materials, and when I tell them it’s yarn from thrift stores, their reaction is always the same: amazement followed by genuine interest.

The unpredictability of vintage yarn finds means each project becomes an adventure. Sometimes you’re working with a discontinued colorway, or a blend that no longer exists. These variations add character that mass-produced items lack.

For finishing these special projects, I’ve found that quality tools make a difference. A set of blocking mats helps showcase the true beauty of vintage fibers, while professional stitch markers keep complex patterns on track. Usually, they made from plastic or metal, but if you want really something special (and organic!), I’ve found these beauties from seashell or coconut wood! I don’t have them, but really would like to try 🙂 

The Money I’m Saving (And Where It Goes Instead)

When it comes to the cost of my finds, it’s definitely cheaper than buying in specialty shops — sometimes several times cheaper! Even for luxury fibers like cashmere and alpaca. I’ve dramatically reduced my monthly yarn spending while actually improving the quality of my materials.

That freed-up budget has allowed me to invest where it actually matters: better tools and equipment.
Instead of accumulating more yarn, I can afford a beautiful handcrafted yarn bowl, a complete set of interchangeable knitting needles, or high-quality project bags that will last for years.

The economics make perfect sense. Why pay premium prices for new yarn when I can find the same quality materials — often with more character and history — for a fraction of the cost? This approach aligns perfectly with the conscious crafting movement, where quality and sustainability take precedence over quantity.

“Every artist was first an amateur.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

How to Start Your Own Second-Hand Yarn Journey

Ready to become a yarn archaeologist yourself? Here’s everything you need to know to start your own sustainable knitting adventure.

First, adjust your expectations. Not every thrift store will have yarn, and when they do, it might not be immediately visible. Ask the staff — sometimes they’ll point out things you’ve completely overlooked or direct you to places where second hand yarn is more likely to appear.

Don’t overlook surplus stores either! Look for shops that sell factory overstock or textile remnants. While the yarn might come on industrial cones and need some preparation, the quality and prices can be incredible.

If you’re considering unraveling sweaters for yarn, learn to identify the construction method. Look for chain-stitched seams (they look like columns of small V’s) rather than machine-sewn seams with overcast edges. As one expert notes, you need sweaters that were “knit to shape” rather than “cut and sewn.”

One crucial safety tip: thrifted yarn can sometimes carry pests like bed bugs, moth larvae, or other critters. The safest approach is to seal your finds in plastic bags and put them in the freezer for a few days. This kills off anything unwanted without damaging the yarn. There’s even a great Reddit thread about this!

You can also find vintage yarn online through sites like Etsy, eBay, and even Ravelry, where knitters sell from their personal stashes. Since you can’t examine the yarn in person, stick to skeins with intact labels. And always remember the freezer treatment once your order arrives!

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

The Unexpected Joy of Slow Knitting

When I first started thrift store yarn hunting, I thought it was only about saving money or finding rare fibers. But with time, I realized it had another layer — mindfulness. Digging through bags of yarn, reading labels, feeling textures, even guessing a yarn’s history. It forces me to slow down and notice the small details. It’s almost meditative.

There’s also a connection to textile history that I never expected. Some skeins I find are decades old, tied to another generation’s knitting projects. Holding them feels like holding a piece of time. Each project now tells a story beyond just the pattern: it carries the memory of where the yarn came from, who touched it first, and how it found its way to me.

This mindful knitting approach has changed my entire relationship with the craft. It’s no longer about rushing to finish projects or accumulating more supplies. Instead, it’s about honoring the materials, respecting their history, and creating something meaningful from what already exists.

Slow knitting has taught me patience not just with my stitches, but with the entire process of finding and preparing materials. There’s something deeply satisfying about transforming someone else’s forgotten yarn stash into a cherished new piece.

“Sustainable fashion is not a trend, it’s a responsibility.” – Livia Firth

Why I’ll Never Go Back to Buying New

Sometimes courage is simply choosing to make something unique out of materials that others might overlook. My yarn stash now has stories, not just colors. Each skein carries history, character, and purpose that new yarn simply cannot match.

The environmental benefits alone would be enough to keep me committed to this path, but there’s so much more. The thrill of discovery, the connection to crafting history, the financial freedom, and the satisfaction of giving new life to forgotten materials — these rewards extend far beyond the final stitched piece.

Conscious crafting has become more than a hobby; it’s a gentle way of living responsibility with joy. Every sweater saved from a landfill, every vintage skein wound into a new project, every dollar not spent on unnecessary new materials — these small acts add up to meaningful change.

This is just the beginning of my journey toward a completely sustainable yarn stash. I’m still learning to work exclusively with second hand and surplus finds, and honestly, I’m not quite there yet—sometimes a specific project still calls for something I can only find in specialty shops. But with each thrift store treasure and factory surplus discovery, I’m getting closer to my goal of rarely needing to buy new. The thrill of these “excavations” has become addictive, and I can’t wait to see what vintage gems I’ll uncover next!

Searching for second-hand yarn is often less about the skeins themselves and more about the experience — wandering, noticing colors, imagining future projects. These slow, mindful moments turn yarn hunting into a creative ritual rather than a task.

I write regularly about second-hand yarn, vintage finds, and mindful knitting practices — sharing quiet discoveries and small ideas you can return to when you need a slower pace. You can receive these notes by email whenever a new story appears:

Final Thoughts

Have you ever bought second hand yarn? Have you even noticed it in thrift shops? If not, it might be worth asking the shop owners — sometimes they’ll point out things you’ve completely overlooked. You can even try your luck at flea markets, estate sales, or surplus stores!

And if you have your own stories about vintage yarn finds, I’d love to hear them. Any tips for fellow sustainable knitting enthusiasts are also very welcome. After all, we’re building a community of crafters who believe that the most beautiful creations come from materials with stories to tell.