Where to source regionally authentic yarns under £20 for character-making on a maker budget

I make a lot of small characters. Tiny hands, tilted caps, and button eyes multiply quickly across my needlework basket, and so does the yarn bill. If you’re like me — travelling between markets and festivals, often on a maker’s budget — you want yarn that feels regionally authentic, is kind to your wallet, and still knits up with personality. Below I share where I find yarns under £20 that bring place and story into my knitted people, plus tips for stretching skeins without losing charm.

Why “regionally authentic” matters for character-making

For me, a knitted figure isn’t just wool stuffed with toy filling — it’s an echo of where it came from. A fisherman character feels truer in a slightly coarse, hardy Shetland yarn; a village storyteller calls for a soft, slightly felted Yorkshire wool; a festival sprite might need a brightly dyed, small-batch indie skein to carry a modern twist. Choosing yarn that resonates with a region helps the character speak without words.

My go-to UK and regional yarn sources under £20

I’ve grouped these by the qualities I look for: authenticity (regional breed or mill), price, and accessibility for makers who aren’t buying wholesale. Prices fluctuate with sales and skein sizes, but everything listed here is regularly available at or below £20 per skein — often much less.

• Jamieson & Smith (Shetland) — classic Shetland jumper weight and 2-ply yarns. Typical price: £6–£12 per 50g/100g ball depending on blend. Why I use it: authentic island character, rustic texture perfect for tiny fisherman or island folk. Great for small accessories and body fabric that antiques feel like “from the sea”.
• West Yorkshire Spinners — spun from British wools, widely stocked. Typical price: £3–£9 per 50g ball. Why I use it: excellent value and consistency; their "West Yorkshire Spinners Naturally Soft" and "Signature" ranges are reliable for toy bodies and garments that need a smooth finish.
• British Wool / Rare Breed yarns — found at local agricultural shows or online through specialty sellers. Typical price: £6–£16. Why I use it: regional provenance (Derbyshire, Northumberland, etc.), great for bumping texture into a character’s coat or cloak.
• Mill ends and seconds at local mills — many small UK mills sell offcuts or imperfect skeins very cheaply. Typical price: £2–£12. Why I use it: you can often snag unique colours or thicker weights to bulk out a character’s bonnet, hat, or scarf.
• Indie dyers on Etsy and Instagram (small skeins) — look for 20–50g sample skeins. Typical price: £4–£18 per mini-skein. Why I use it: perfect for accents — cheeks, scarves, tiny boots — adding festival colours without the cost of full skeins.
• Charity shop finds and recycled yarn — auntie’s unfinished projects, charity bundles, or secondhand craft stalls at festivals. Typical price: often under £5 or free by swap. Why I use it: historic texture and colours with real provenance — they’ve often been knitted and loved before; great for patchwork-style characters.
• Online budget retailers (sale sections) — Yarn stores often have clearance or bulk 100g balls under £10. Typical price: £2–£12. Why I use it: buying in a sale can let you choose a regionally evocative colourway cheaply, though you’ll need to check fibre content for authenticity.

How I judge whether a skein is “authentic enough”

People often ask me whether a yarn marketed as “heritage” truly counts. My rule of thumb is pragmatic: authenticity is a mix of fibre, origin, and feel. If the yarn is from a named breed or mill (Jamieson’s Shetland, West Yorkshire Spinners, or a listed British farm), that’s strong. If it’s a locally spun worsted with a slightly rustic hand, that’s also fine for characters rooted in place. If a skein is acrylic but in a colour palette that tells the same story, I’ll sometimes use it for durability in parts like boots or hats.

Making every £20 go further: practical tips for character makers

Small figures mean small quantities — and small quantities mean smart planning.

• Knit on smaller needles: You’ll use less yarn, and your character will look neater. A 2.25–3.25mm needle range is my go-to for miniatures.
• Use contrast and trims from mini-skeins: Buy one indie mini-skein for accents rather than a full skein. A bright collar or cheek flush transforms a simple body yarn into a character with personality.
• Combine fibres: Use a sturdy, cheaper acrylic for inner body pieces and overlay with a small amount of local wool for visible face, hands, and clothing. The mix keeps cost down while preserving the regional look.
• Swap and sample at fairs: Bring along a swap bag to festivals — I often trade a finished tiny character for a ball of regional yarn from another maker’s stall.
• Buy mill ends and bundle specials: Many mills sell pound bags or mixed bundles. They’re perfect for multi-colour projects and experimentation.
• Make use of charity shop/household finds: Old jumpers can be unravelled and rewound into perfectly aged, characterful yarn — often free and full of story.

Where I shop when I’m on the road

When travelling between fêtes and festivals I make a point of popping into local wool shops and market stalls. Here’s how I decide on purchases in 10 minutes or less:

• Feel the yarn — texture tells the story. Is it harsh and island-wise, or silky smooth? Pick according to the character you’re imagining.
• Check the label for origin — local mills and named breeds are a win for regional authenticity.
• Ask for small cuts or mini-skeins — many stallholders are happy to sell 10–20g lengths so you can buy exactly what you need.
• Look for sales buckets or seconds boxes — this is where I’ve found the quirkiest, most characterful colours.

Sample shopping table

If you have a favourite regional source I haven’t named, tell me about it — I love swapping leads and hearing how a knitter’s local yarn became the soul of a character. On a tight budget, authenticity is less about perfection and more about intention: choose yarn that suggests a place, then stitch a story into it.