Three steps to Successful Pink (or Black) Friday Shopping

Often, when shopping for yarn, I just like to browse - A LOT - before making up my mind on a purchase.  However, for a successful shopping experience on Black Friday (or Pink Friday in this case), I recommend another strategy. Here are the steps I use which have worked for me in the past, and hopefully they'll work for you just as well.

1. Scout Ahead of time

Browse ahead of the sale for your favorite yarns. Some companies will let you know their sales offerings ahead of time.  Jot down links to your favorites, the sale offer, and available quantities. A Google Doc or spreadsheet works well because you can copy/paste the information. You could even add a picture of the yarn (in case your list gets big).  Or, if you have a Pinterest account, you could add your faves to a private board. 

2. Decide on Projects

In the spirit of "Fiber to Finished", I find it helpfjul to begin with the big picture... your wardrobe. Think of the items in your wardrobe as pieces of a collection. Actually go take a look at your closet. What are you wearing now?  Are any pieces of your collection missing? For example, perhaps you need a pullover to dress up those new black jeans you just bought, or a cardi that goes-with-most for early Spring. 

Give some thought also to the styles you prefer, and what you enjoy knitting.  Do you want a relaxing project, or more of a challenge?  Jot down your ideas without regard to budget... we'll deal with dollars in part 3.

Now it's time to review your favorite yarns from Step 1 and decide which best align with your wardrobe goals. Most of us gravitate to just a few color families, and our yarn choices instinctively coordinate with our clothing.  If the yarns you've picked don't seem to work with your current wardrobe, maybe that's a signal that you'd like to branch out -- just something to be mindful of as you prioritize.

Peruse patterns on Ravelry, from the yarn manufacturer, or from your favorite designers.  No worries if you can't find that perfect pattern though.  What's most important is noting the estimated yardage for a similar pattern in the required yarn weight of your fave from above. 

3. Prioritize your Shopping

Finally, it's time to prioritize.  Depending on your personality you may want to prioritize by:

• Required Yardage -  Many small yarn shops, Sweet Meadow Knits included, tend to stock a wider color range of a particular yarn, in smaller quantities.  With this strategy, you would shop first for project yarns requiring the most yardage, especially if the yarn you want is only available in limited quantities. 
• Desire- A second strategy is to shop first for the yarn(s) needed for the project you want to make first (or the one you most desire). 
• Budget - with this strategy, prioritize in terms of most bang for your buck. For example, with a $400 budget, you could purchase enough yarn for one long coatigan, or enough yarn for a pullover, hat, mittens and a shawl.  Budget and desire go hand in hand... maybe this year you really just want to make the coatigan after all.

Now that your list is prioritized, open a tab (or a window on mobile) for each of the links on your list. Re-arrange the tabs from left to right in your prioritized order. 

Table of Estimated Yardages 

Estimates are calculated using stockinette stitch for a simple long-sleeved pullover, and includes a little extra for swatching :). Looser knitters tend to use more yarn, tighter knitters may use less.  For textured stitches, add about 10% to this estimate.  For all-over cables, you may need up to 20% more yarn.  

-- Congratulations --

You are ready to shop!