Thursday 3 January 2013

Stash Dilemma


I'm sure all of you fellow crafters out there will understand where I'm coming from, well I'm assuming you are all stashaholics like me.  I have yarn all over the place and I mean all over the place, it's taking over my home.  If I pass a wool shop I can't pass by without actually buying more, do I need it ? of course not, the problem with this is I never have anything specific in mind when I buy this wool, I just grab a couple of balls of anything that takes my fancy without giving a thought as to what I'm actually going to use it for.  You can see where I'm going with this can't you, all of these random balls of wool are all well and good if you want to make a multicoloured blanket

 which I do and have done several times and indeed am doing right now three times over in fact... but what happens if you want to make something that needs several balls?
yes I know you can make a stripy something but sometimes you just want to make it plain just one single colour and you just can't do it.  So there you are surrounded with all of this wool  but what do you do if you want to make that sweater that takes 4 balls but you just have 3 or you have 4 balls of a colour but it's not really the colour you wanted for that particular project..... what if you have made a resolution to use up your stash.. what then? do you ignore it and go buy more anyway.
I am trying to learn by my mistakes so here's my new years resolutions.

1. Just make small items until I have used up all random balls of wool. (unless it's a blanket then it will be a large item)
2. Do not buy ANY wool at all UNLESS I have a specific pattern in mind and know the correct quantity to buy.
3. De-clutter my home ( which will happen anyway if I use up all random balls of wool )

Does all that make sense to you... it kind of does to me, doesn't mean I will follow it through though but I must...I must!!

but then what will I do if I want to make a blanket and I don't have any random balls of wool ?....you do understand my dilemma don't you?  :)

21 comments:

  1. DO I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.....I had so much yarn that I am using up random colors....the bright colors for a rug in my little boys room...that is one way to use it up before I start another project that I really like :)
    Have fun!
    Shari!

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    1. A rug sounds like a good idea Shari, hope you will show us when it's done. :)

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  2. Yes, I definitely know what you mean. I tell myself not to buy any more yarn until I use up half of what I have, but then I take a trip to the craft store and wouldn't you know it - yarn somehow jumps into my basket. :)

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    1. Haha I know it's not our fault at all Debi that yarn is just looking for a good home it just jumps in there all by itself. :)

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  3. I can relate. I am in the same dilemma: how to bust the stash. I have an idea: maybe we can challenge each other (no pressure) and have a "stash buster project" post at the end of each month. What do you say?

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    1. Sounds like a great idea Ana, we will have to have a think on how we do it.

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    2. I'll echo that...good idea!!!

      Amanda :-)

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    3. I love this idea! Maybe that will be your ( ours also) next challenge?????

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  4. I totally understand you! W.o yarn i feel like some important thing is missing in my house and life in general :) Here's to happy stashing ...

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    1. I know, I really want to get rid of this stash but when I start to use it up I panic and want to buy more to replace it. I think there is no hope for us haha

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  5. I really do understand your dilemma Linda!!! My husband said to me what was I going to so with all the yarn that I have.....I replied I didn't know yet. He then asked me then why have you got all that there? I said "I need it!" He was going to ask me another question...but turned around shaking his head tutting!......and totally flabbergasted :-) I cannot contemplate a merger supply of yarn...I'd be upset to see that. I say Linda just enjoy the sight of it all and enjoy the addiction like I do !

    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  6. I totally understand! I have the same problem. I can't help buying yarn in pretty colors. I'll tell myself I'll find a use for it later, but then when I do, I never have enough and the store doesn't have anymore of that color. I have 5 big drawers of odds and ends balls of yarn plus my big cabinet with odds and ends skeins. That's why I came up with my personal challenges this year. I have to use it up! Then I can buy more, hee hee :-)

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  7. I love your little cartoon pictures. I've decided to knit all my smaller bits of wool into blankets for dogs or other creatures who won't mind clashing colours.

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  8. I so understand your dilemma, I just can't stop buying yarn - it looks at you pretending it's all innocent but it's not and my drawers are bursting with the wilful stuff :)

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  9. Hi, Linda! I understand you so very well! Same with me, I just buy yarn I like and then make a project:)that's why sometimes I limit myself in projects and make small ones, when could make bigger ones.
    You are not alone:)

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  10. Yes, the yarn has taken over. It got hidden away while we had Christmas guests, but it's creeping out again and covering the work surfaces.

    Scarves. Make lots of scarves! :)

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  11. I've already ordered more yarn in the Ice yarns sale! While my hubby is quite easy going I think even he will balk at another bag of yarn coming in while there is a huge amount upstairs already. Stash busting projects sounds good! I am on socks at the moment made from lovely hand dyed wool bought at the Perth Knitting show last May!

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  12. I do not lots of lots of things but I love lts of wool.i really feel as if my life is good when my wool boxes are full. I actually think of it as an investment. I never,ever waste any so no problem. Relax,enjoy and do some wool organising.perfect.
    Happy New Year Hoarders

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  13. Yes, I am a stashaholic too. Feels so good when I know I am not alone.:)

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  14. Oh wow! Yes I can totally relate :) My problem is only recently and boy do I have a lot of yarn. I cant imagine what my home would be like if this would be an ongoing year after year problem. Best to nip it in the butt now ;) Stash-busting is going to be my problem solver. At least it will help me to keep it some what maintained.

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