Curious About What Goes Into the Cost of Knitting?

Cathy McGregor
3 days ago
3 min read

Knitting has a reputation for being a cozy, inexpensive pastime—something you can pick up with a pair of needles and a ball of yarn. But anyone who’s been knitting longer than a weekend quickly realizes there’s a little more to it than that. Knitting can be affordable, but it’s not automatically a low-cost hobby. Between materials, tools, trends, and the irresistible pull of “just one more skein,” costs can add up faster than most beginners expect. Let’s take a look at why.

Yarn Isn't Just Yarn

Walk into a craft store, and you’ll see yarn for a few dollars a ball. Walk into a local yarn shop, and you might find skeins ranging from $12 to $38 each—and that’s before you calculate how many you need.

A hat may only require one skein, but:

a scarf might need 2–3
a sweater may need 6–10

Suddenly, a “simple project” can become a $100 investment.

Fiber Content Affects Price

Acrylic tends to be more budget-friendly than wool or other fibers, while alpaca, silk, cashmere, and hand-dyed blends are considered more of a luxury. Every fiber has something unique to offer—the good news is that knitters have great options at every price point, and you can create something beautiful no matter what you choose.

Tools Add Up Too

Sure, you can knit with one pair of straight needles. But before long, most knitters discover the benefits of:

circular needles
double-pointed needles
cable needles
interchangeable sets

You’ll also likely collect standard notions such as stitch markers, point protectors, tapestry needles, tape measures, stitch holders, scissors, and crochet hooks. Other helpful items include project bags, row counters, and blocking tools. Even inexpensive tools add up over time.

Just as with yarn, there are lower- and higher-priced options. Later in this series, we’ll look at ways to choose tools intentionally—and how to get some of them on a budget.

Premium tools—ergonomic, coated, laminated, or handcrafted—can offer a noticeably better knitting experience. They’re tempting, often justifiable, but definitely not cheap.

Patterns: Free vs. Paid

There are many wonderful free patterns available (and we’ll cover those in upcoming posts), but some of the best-designed, best-tested, and best-fitting patterns are paid. These sources can include individual patterns, booklets, and books.

Why paid patterns cost money

Designers often:

write and refine clear instructions
create charts and schematics
pay for tech editing
work with test knitters
include multiple graded sizes

An individual paid pattern typically costs $5–$12, which is reasonable, but it is another layer that many beginners don’t anticipate. just curiosity, kindness, and a shared love of making something with your hands.

Skill Growth Means Project Growth

As knitters gain confidence, they naturally move toward bigger projects and specialty fibers. Learning advanced techniques may involve classes or guidance from experienced knitters.

A baby hat is not the same investment as an heirloom cardigan.

You don’t outgrow knitting—you grow into more ambitious (and sometimes pricier) knitting.

Knitting is Also Emotional

Knitters talk about “stash” for a reason. We buy yarn because it’s beautiful, feels good in our hands, holds memories, and promises possibilities. Purchasing yarn becomes part of the experience—not just a step in the supply chain. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can naturally make the hobby a bit pricier over time.

The Invisible Investment

A final piece of the cost that often goes unnoticed is time. Every hand-knit item represents hours of concentration, patience, and care—stitches formed one by one. Whether it’s a simple hat or a detailed sweater, the value isn’t just in the materials, but in the maker’s skill and attention. That investment is part of what makes handmade pieces so meaningful—and why they’re truly one-of-a-kind.

Is Knitting Worth the Cost?

Absolutely—knitting can be affordable if you approach it with awareness rather than surprise. The hobby offers so much in return: stress relief, creativity, community, a sense of accomplishment, and wearable results. It’s not about spending the least—it’s about spending intentionally and enjoying the process along the way.