Stash Management
I have a stash that is far too large. I keep bringing yarn into the house, but very little leaves in the form of knitted projects.
I want to cut my stash in half, at least, 3/4 if possible. Any suggestions for approaching this task? I'll take all suggestions, ruthless or amusing. One of you will be the lucky winner of some delight removed from the stash.
In Other News
Lara Cardigan is blocked and ready for seaming.
I'm working on the back of the Pearl Buck Swing Jacket from IK Winter 2005. I love it! The sweater will be a shop model for Main Street.
I'm physically and mentally exhausted. I've got to turn in something chapter-like on Tuesday to my diss advisor. Wailing and gnashing of teeth from the general vicinity of Athens, GA can be assumed to originate from my home.
Comments
I'm in the same boat. I plan on taking all the single balls and coordinating them into an afghan of some sort. Possibly some lapghans for charity. The other stuff that I don't have any interest in I'll either stick on ebay, offer on some forum, or donate. I'll be interested in the suggestions you get because I need to cut my stash too.
Posted by: Jill | January 28, 2006 11:47 AM
Well, I could tell you to send it to me, but I really need to cut down on my stash, too. It's hard when there are so many gorgeous yarns and patterns out there to tempt us. I plan on donating the yarn I know I'll never get to knit. Honestly, I think there should be extra time added to each day to dedicate soley to knitting, but that obviously won't ever happen. I think the best way to destash is to donate it or sell it off on ebay.
Posted by: Rachel | January 28, 2006 01:04 PM
Hi Anita- I just went through the stash reduction myself. Here's what I did - Went through the stacks and made piles - keep, donate, sell. The criteria for keep, I don't need to describe to you! Yarns I designated as donate were ones that were out of season (cotton for me) and ones where I had less than 10 skeins (harder to sell, unless it's a luxury yarn). The yarns I designated to sell were over 10 skeins, and I listed them on Ebay and did quite well.
For ideas on where to donate, see http://www.halcyonyarn.com/charlinks.html for a list of charities that accept yarn. For tips on selling on Ebay, I wrote a post about this on my blog titled "Stashapalooza 2005" on December 2.
I would also recommend that you keep a list (I do an Excel spreadsheet) of the yarns you keep listing type,gauge, total yardage, and what patterns you have been considering for it so you can see at a glance when you have a yarn that will work for a new pattern that appeals to you. This has really helped me use yarns I have instead of feeling like I need to buy more yarn!
Posted by: Julia | January 28, 2006 04:18 PM
Well, I may be being a bit too literal here, but you could *cut* each hank/skein/ball in half! Would that work? Might be hard to knit with though....
Posted by: Jenn | January 28, 2006 04:42 PM
I like Stashapalooza. I have posted a 15 word ad in the Tigard Knitting Guild Newsletter for members about my sale of my stash. The ad is sent via email on February 1st. I'll let you know how it goes. You have to be a member and this guild is in the Portland, OR area.
Posted by: Nancy | January 28, 2006 04:53 PM
You know what's pathetic, the bulk of my stash (about 95%) is all Cotton-Ease yarn that I got on clearance last summer when it was discontinued. I love the stuff and it was $1.50/skein. How could I go wrong?
Then about 3% is sock yarn and the rest is odds and ends that I don't know what to do with but can't bring myself to throw out and there isn't enough to donate.
The only thing that keeps me from bringing more yarn into the house is that I don't have a ton of extra money laying around to do so. It's the only stash-busting suggestion I have. I am SO not helpful. ;)
Posted by: Jenn | January 29, 2006 02:05 PM
Not to be a suggestion hog, but I remembered two other things I have done in the past (I am a repeat offender!). When I was going through the yarn this last time, I came across some that just reminded me of another knitter I know - she would like the color and the fiber. So I packed it up and sent it off to her without advance warning. She got a happy surprise and it made me feel good to know the yarn went to her.
Another thing I have done in the past is just take the donate yarn to my Guild meeting and let anyone take whatever they wanted. They were glad to get it, and I was glad it was gone! It's nice to share.
Posted by: Julia | January 29, 2006 03:56 PM
I am all for donations to the local guild--they will gladly knit it up for donations! I like the blanket idea--and am considering one myself. Blog less--won't be as tempted! :) And definately the Excel spreadsheet! It is helping me greatly!
Posted by: Kathleen | January 31, 2006 08:15 AM
One thing that helps me (when I remember to do it!) is to package my yarn along with a copy of the pattern I have in mind for it.
When I don't have a particular pattern in mind, but see some great yarn I just *have* to have, I package it in large ziploc bags to keep it free of dust and dog hair. Then it gets stored on shelves of my bookcase, or under the bed. I'm not very organized, alas.
Posted by: Janice in GA | February 1, 2006 02:42 PM