Let’s be honest, yarn is expensive. If you’re anything like me you shop sales and stock up when you can. However, yarn at a great price doesn’t always mean a great quality and sometimes you need something affordable when they aren’t running sales.

Let me introduce you to a yarn that I’ve been using for about a year now.

Big Twist Value

You might have noticed I use it for a lot of my tutorial swatches, that’s because I like it for it’s softness, yardage, and price point. Want to know more about this magically valued yarn? Read on.

About the yarn

Big Twist Value is the value brand that is distributed by Joann fabrics and crafts, which is a big box craft store that focuses on sewing, fabric, and seasonal decor.

This is was Joann’s description says about this yarn:

Big Twist Value Yarn is a yarn for big projects that just need to be made. Durable, functional, and affordable, this yarn is perfect for afghans, family projects, and all of your charity needs.

These are the details according to the description on Joann’s website.

• 100% acrylic
• CYC Weight Category: 4
• Weight: Solids 6 oz 371 yards, Ombres 5 oz. 297 yards
• Knit Gauge: 4 in = 18 stitches on size US 8 needles
• Recommended Crochet Hook Size: H8
• Care: Machine wash and air dry (do not use dryer); do not iron or bleach.
• The manufacturer tries to match dye lots but they are not guaranteed.

Price

$3.49 USD

Without any kind of sale that makes it the price around .01 cent a yard.

Joann’s frequently does 20% – 25% off sales, which would make it 2.79 – $2.62. They also give 20% – 25% off coupons including sale items, in that case the price can be from $2.23 – $1.96.

The lowest I’ve ever seen it is as a doorbuster at $1.19 which is actually how I started using this yarn.

Yarn specs

Big Twist Value is a worsted weight yarn (4) that is 100% acrylic. It comes in variety of 42 colors and is 6 oz (170 g).

It has a good yardage of *380 yards (347 m) and according to the yarn label it takes only 1 skein to make a scarf or hat, 3 skeins to make a sweater, and 6 skeins to make a blanket.

*Yes, this number is different from the description yardage. This yardage is off the skeins I have right now, which leads me to believe that they increased the yardage and didn’t update the description.

The hat and scarf I can believe easily only take 1 skein, although with the scarf I think it would depend on your gauge (tension), desired length, and what stitch you used.

If you decided on a yarn eater, like the waffle stitch or the alpine stitch, I’d pick up 2 skeins of the same dye lot just in case.

As for the sweater and the blanket I’m assuming it’s based off of generalized yardage guesstimations because there are so many factors that go into a pattern.

If you have a pattern that you’re buying yarn for then make sure you consult it for yardage (or buy a couple extra just in case)

Comparison

The price range and quality of Big Twist Value yarn (BTV) would put it on par with RedHeart Super Saver (Super Saver), and Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn brand (ILTY).

Big Twist Value doesn’t have the scratchiness that Super Saver is known for and is much easier on the hands. However, ILTY is slightly softer. It really is splitting hairs in the softness department between BTV and ILTY, but this is my honest opinion.

Price and yardage wise here’s the comparison.

• Super Saver: $3.69
• 7 oz (198g) 364 yards (333 m)

• Big Twist Value: $3.49
• 6 oz (170g) 380 yards (347 m)

• I Love This Yarn: $4.99
• 7 oz 355 yards (324)

Tip: Red Heart Super Saver is usually $3.44 at Walmart and does go on rollback

BTV and ILTY both have dye lots where Super Savers doesn’t.

Super Saver does such large batches that they do “No Dye” lot since if you buy multiples at once it’s probably from the same batch.

I’m a bit old fashioned and like to match my dye lots when possible, if this doesn’t matter to you than discount it.

Cons

I’ve really only found 1 downside to this yarn and that’s that it is not dryer safe.

It has instructions on the lable to dry flat, do not tumble dry.

My issue with that stems from the yarns description. Joann’s website description says it’s good for charity work because of price point. This is true, however special care instructions can make it difficult for the people who receive items made from this yarn to care for them. So just keep it in mind when buying supplies for the items.

Update: After using this yarn consistently, I’ve found that there will be a fair amout of not fully spun bits throughout the yarn. About 2 per skein is what I’ve noticed.

What’s the verdict?

I consider this yarn to be a good option for keeping yourself in yarn without breaking the bank. It is definitely the cheapest of the value yarns and it’s softness and color range make it an easy choice for any yarn fiend. However if you’re going to be washing the item you’re making a lot, I would go with I Love This Yarn or Red Heart Super Savers because they are both dryer safe and Red Heart becomes very soft once washed.

What do you think? Have you used Big Twist Value yarn? Let me know in the comments.

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