So. I was recently gifted some yarn in a Ravelry swap.
Berroco Karma
Two skeins in the Ultramarine Violet colorway
It’s a bulky ribbon yarn. 100% cotton.
So I decided to make something from it. And ended up running out of yarn. 66 yard skeins are not as much as you think they are. I needed two more skeins to complete my project. And joy of joys – the yarn is discontinued. *sigh*
So I decided to surf Ravelry and see if anyone was selling that particular colorway. I wasn’t concerned with dye lots, as this yarn is semi-solid to begin with. No one was selling my colorway.
Crap.
So I thought… maybe I can just finish the project with regular yarn, but my brain said no. So I searched for a similar yarn in various Big Box craft stores. A bit of luck at Michael’s, but that ribbon yarn was an absurd 30 yards a skein, so would cost twice as much to buy four skeins of the replacement. My brain said no.
So I started searching the internet. And I found one site that had them.
So I ordered two skeins and finished the project. It’s very lovely.
And I’m currently a little annoyed that the yarn I ordered at regular price on the 6th… is now on sale for half price. *grumble grumble*
But- if you have any yarns you’re despairing about that are discontinued- you may want to try LoveKnitting and see if they have what you need.
Duck And Cover 
That violet is gorgeous
It is! That’s why my brain wouldn’t allow me to make a substitution.
It is lovely and I’m glad you managed to track some down – although I too would be grumpy if I bought it and it went on sale. Have you ever tried http://www.yarnsub.com – it is the most awesome yarn substitution website – great if you can’t track down the yarn you’re looking for x
Actually- yes. I used it to find a substitute, but I just could not find a proper color in the substitutions offered.
Well even better that you managed to track down the right yarn then!
I love projects like that; I seem to start many of them. The last one was a dye-lot fail so I’m only wearing that sweater around the house. At least you found the yarn, don’t have to worry about dye lot & didn’t have to substitute! In the same position, I’ve also overpaid but’ve just been glad to get the yarn.