need help finding decent priced medium quality yarn

[nux-vomica.livejournal.com]

i need to find a good yarn source that is not so expensive and exclusive, where i can get yarn for making the amigurumi dolls. my son and i just picked up a book on it at the library and i am dying to try it out, but since we do not need a LOT of yarn, and i do not want red heart synthetic crap, we need something that has more variety than super duper pricey plush snobbishness. any tips? web sites? local stores (portland)? halp!

and thanks.