When is it frugal to buy a knitting book

Just like the sublime experience of browsing the local yarn store to touch and feel the fibers, knitting books can be addictive. There are so many available with new ones coming out every month with gorgeous photographs and and new twists to old ideas. Unfortunately, most range around twenty dollars in price which represents an investment for most household budgets. I often found myself having to choose between buying a knitting book for later projects or buying the yarn to work with now.

I have tried to manage the expense of knitting books by getting books from the local library, using my regional library's internet site and hold system to pull in books from several counties. There are some books though that the library does not acquire. I also look for knitting books on clearance racks, thrift stores and at yard sales. And there is always one or two that I campaign my family and friends to give me as a gift.

So when is it actually frugal to purchase a knitting book? As knitters we just **need** to have a few around, but also need to make sure we are using our resources wisely. Owning a knitting book means that you have ready access to ideas and patterns, but you also have to store and care for the item.

It is frugal to buy a knitting book when you will get as much use out of the book as you will be investing to purchase and own it. If I were to add $1-2 to the cost of a project to purchase a pattern, I would think that a reasonable expense. If I look at a knitting book and the number of projects in that book at $1-2 a project equals or exceeds to purchase price, then I would calculate that the book will pay for itself and is a good frugal investment. I test this before buying a knitting book by browsing titles at the local book store or using the "inside the book" features of the internet bookseller's websites. Of course if you can find a title you are looking for at a reduced cost, you get a frugal bonus. Check around to see if you can get a better price, a coupon or free shipping to sweeten the deal. Also investigate to see if you can get similiar patterns elsewhere.

I guess the moral of this story is to really consider the investment of a book before you buy it. I do have six knitting books of my own and I wouldn't give any of them up. The ones I do have bring me joy and are truly useful, thus they were a frugal investment.