I’ve been searching for several months for a bulky cotton yarn to knit this beautiful summer sweater I found in a library book. Just when I think I’ve found the right yarn, I decide it’s too expensive. I’m just wondering… How much would you guys spend on yarn for a summer sweater? I’m such a total cheapskate, and I would never spend $20.00 on a sweater, so why should I spend it for yarn? (Actually, I can’t find the right yarn for less than $30.00 inc. shipping.) I’m torn between my desire to make this wonderful sweater, and my frugal tendencies. HELP!!! 
How much $ for yarn?
Have you tried eBay? I just won enough yarn to make a sweater for $13 plus shipping (which was $9). I would probably pay $22 for a sweater, so it worked out for me!
Also, consider the process. You’re not just paying for a sweater, you’re spending money on something with which you’re going to spend a lot of time. It’s like an entertainment budget!
I have tried ebay. Cannot find a bulky cotton yarn!! But I just can’t give up the idea of knitting THIS sweater. I’m at my knit’s end trying to find the right yarn… I know, it is money spent for the fun of knitting it, but I’m just such a darn cheapo!!! :oops:
I have spent waaaaay more on yarn for a sweater than I have ever spent, or every would spend on a sweater.
I get such great pleasure knitting the sweater I want with the yarn I want that it’s worth it to me. I certainly don’t knit to save money, because I can find lots of sweaters at Land’s End overstocks, etc., for a lot cheaper than I can knit one.
To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever knit an adult sweater for as little as $30. I say go for it.
I justify as not only money for a sweater but money for a hobby that will take x amount of hours. That way, it seems pretty cheap. 
But seriously, I knit as a hobby so I allow myself to spend a little extra, you know?
yup i have spent a lot more on stuff to make bags than i would spend on a bag. i spent $15 a skein for mittens…took two skeins…NEVER would i spend $30 on mittens…sheesh!
and the sock yarn i bought…those socks better be made of gold if they cost that much and i am getting them at target!
for some reason it seems different when you are making it yourself. the process and working with yarn you are absolutely going to love…
otherwise try haunting the goodwill and see if there are sweaters that are looking to be repurposed!
I totally know where you are coming from. Some of the patterns I find call for 6 skeins of yarn that is $9-12 a skein. I usually have a heart attack at that point.
Why not just substitute a cheaper yarn. I bet someone makes a cotton/acrylic blend that you could use? Maybe use a worsted or dk cotton/acrylic blend and double it up? You’d have to swatch to see if it would look okay.
STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP we are enabling her to spend MORE MONEY…
honey…you are talking to people that would NEVER spend 20.00 for a store sweater, but have NO problem whatsoever in dropping 100.00 on yarn for a hand knit sweater!!! Oh, and the addi turbo’s to match…ugg…(BTDT)
But…
watch ebay like a hawk
people have done well at yard sales, thrift stores, goodwill
you could recycle a sweater
ask for yarn money for christmas/holiday/birthday
save your change from purchases and put in a can to go for the sweater
check out knitpics.com
freecycle (I got THREE huge bags of yard off freecycle…all acrylic, some I had to donate, but it keeps the kids mits off MY yarn)
Here’s one of my little tricks. Just use two or three strands of regular cotton yarn instead. Try knitting a few rows and see how it matches up to the gauge. Try different needle sizes until it works.
I’ve never heard of freecycle. what is it exactly? Thanks.
Thanks. Freecycle looks really cool! I’m definately signing up.
I LOVE freecycle…
I’ve gotten a computer desk, yarn, and my BEST find was a brand new garbage disposal…I had to retro fit it (yes ME), but it works GREAT…
the guy bought it off ebay (new) cuz he thought his was busted, ended up not being, and he never got around to selling it back on ebay…lucky ME!!!
and the stuff I’ve gotten rid of…before I throw away now, I offer it up to freecycle…most of the time people come and get it.
I do have my email filtered tho…only “offers” that are in my area, come into my mail box, but all wanteds come into the box…that way I have more of an opportunity to get rid of my stuff!!!
Bulky cotton… I think I read that cotton is heavy so that’s why you don’t see bulky very often. Found a few though in searching and most of them aren’t very expensive.
http://www.yarn.com/yarns-knitting/capri.html
Several at this link:
http://secure.elann.com/index.asp
http://www.knitwerx.com/yarn.aspx?id=450
This was after a quick search…I’m sure there are more.
Thanks so much everyone, for all the enabling! And thank you, Jan, for the links! 
Does it have to be cotton? I’d probably sacrifice my yarn integrity and get an acrylic yarn, or an acrylic blend. Oh, what am I saying, I have no yarn integrity, I’m making a stethescope cover out of simply soft right now.
I just dropped $25 on eBay for ribbon yarn to substitute for the $26/skein yarn that a pattern called for ($25 for all three skeins including shipping). I’d do the eBay route, too. I love ebay. I got my boye’s there for $35.
The pattern calls for a “bulky cotton” (18 sts/4 in. on size 8 ). I’m heavily leaning toward this cotton yarn:
http://secure.elann.com/ProductDisp.asp?Name=Endless+Summer+Collection+Connemara&ProductType=5
It’s “Aran wt”… Not sure about it. I don’t mind spending $30.00 if I know it’s going to work out, but…
I have been checking ebay. No luck.
And I don’t really care if it’s 100% cotton or not. I just want to make sure it will work.
If you don’t care about the fiber content, then I’d go to your LYS and search for less-expensive yarns that knit at the same or similar gauge. You can always adjust your tension by changing needle size, or whatever, if you need to. I have some Moda Dea Metro that knits to 13s/19r on 10.5 needles, I’m sure if you tried it with 8’s you could get 18 stitches. I’m working on a quick project right now, but I could try a swatch for you if you wanted.
Aran weight usually is a worsted, or heavy worsted weight; a “4” on the numbered scale. A bulky weight would be a “5” or “6”. If you are using a “4”, you’d need to double it or triple it to get the correct gauge. My favourite “5” weight is Bernat Softee Chunky. It’s 100% acrylic, but is very soft and very washable.