Yarn Stash

Last year, I wanted to reduce my yarn stash. I had four medium to small baskets full of yarn.  This for me was too much, I normally don’t like to have a lot of items in the house not being used.   I feel that everything should have a purpose.  My goal was not to buy any new yarn but use what I had on hand. This proved harder than expected. I was able to knit two baby presents. The nimbus cardigan and textured wrap. Lastly two pairs of socks. I found that I small amounts of yarn left over from previous projects. Many are not enough to make a complete project. So I’ve come up with some ideas.

Lifelines- I use lifelines in many of my projects. I try to minimize as many mistakes as possible.   I feel if you are going to take the time to create something it should your best without mistakes.   It makes it easier to rip out a mistake without having to start the process over again.   Although, I feel that my knitting has improved over the years.  Well, I haven’t reached that perfection yet, therefore, I use lifelines.  Here is my lifeline stash.  

I have various weights and colors of yarn. This is one way that I found to use up my stash in a resourceful way.

However, I still have two dilemmas of full and partial skeins of yarn.  I got a great suggestion from one of my co-workers.  She suggested I go to the Scrap Exchange. It a creative center in the community.  They will accept donations of items including crafting supplies. Many artist and teachers use the Scrap Exchange to obtain supplies. They even have classes.  I feel better about getting rid of my partial skeins of yarn.  However, I have second dilemma-what to do with my full skeins of yarn.  I have to admit I enjoy buying yarn.   At times, I may a have an idea of making a particular item or I just see some yarn and I just want it.   I feel that I may need to rethink my project planning process.   Anyway, I have some full skeins that I have not used.  The main reason why I haven’t used them is that in knitting a swatch, I found out that I didn’t like working with yarn.  I tried different needles but I still am hitting a wall.   Normally, if I like the yarn I will find something to make with the yarn.  I’ve been thinking now that I may want to donate these skeins of yarn.  I’ve thought of selling them on Ravelry as well so I have to make a decision.

How about you, do you have a large stash of yarn you are comfortable with keeping.   And what do you do with partial skeins of yarn?  I would love to know.