[SouthwesternSands]

I've got so much yarn and so many projects in my closet that it all comes up to my shoulders. It's primarily worsted weight acrylic that I hope to finish and never have to use again--I'm going "Natural" after this.

Any suggestions about how to get it all used up quickly? I knit and crochet.

Thanks, All.

 

[e.ridenh]

(((((((( Wow, good question. Should you never use it, it will be a sweet auction later? LOL!! There are charities out there who would take surplus yarn to craft for the needly or troops overseas. The thrift stores sell yarn donations quickly IMHO.

I, too had an ice jam going on. Here's what I did in the process of a thorough inventory and nothing was in a closet but on our sleeping porch, in my craft room, etc.:

I brought it all together, bagged it all into see-through bags and included the tools needed if I thought I wanted to make it, stacked this into a priority formation then proceded on to surplus yarn, tools, etc.

I bagged it, too by weights of yarn. Within the bags, I bagged colors separately for a bag-in-a-bag system. This keeps the items free of dust, too.

I could see what I valued or had little use for at this point, so I donated the surplus but to a lovely neighbor who doesn't have much money. She got it all.

During real-world crafts club meetings, the members donated their yarn, too.

So, what's left here? The motivations to whip them out , one by one or two by two is needed. I found that knowing what I literally had and that it was well organized to be a high motivater.

Silent auctions in real world club meetings can be done also. Proceeds could go to charity of the club's choice. We love our food banks here and could donate cash or buy new non perishables. Doing so motivated the club to stay together.

My online groups do a lot of swapping; Surplus items to be included, of course. We even have a WISHING WELL in the database to fill out. Generous members can view and donate that way; It's sweet!

Now, if I could get them to not serve snacks, I'd be skinnier! LOL!!

I'll write a new topic later on ways to use up surplus yarn.
~~~~~~~

I've got so much yarn and so many projects in my closet that it all comes up to my shoulders. It's primarily worsted weight acrylic that I hope to finish and never have to use again--I'm going "Natural" after this.

Any suggestions about how to get it all used up quickly? I knit and crochet.

Thanks, All.

 

[Anita H]

If you have an animal shelter you could always knit up pads for their dogs. I just found a link called the snugglesproject.com and got a simple pattern using doubled strands of yarn. They knit up fast and the acrylic yarn is perfect for them since they can be washed and dryed. You could also make up these for your animal loving friends and family.

 

[rebecca]

I've got so much yarn and so many projects in my closet that it all comes up to my shoulders. It's primarily worsted weight acrylic that I hope to finish and never have to use again--I'm going "Natural" after this.

Any suggestions about how to get it all used up quickly? I knit and crochet.

Thanks, All.

sweaters afghans toys

 

[Kaju]

hi no skeletons,
I just had to reply and tell you to do a search for knitted skeleton. It is one of the most incredible items I have seen knitted. The other one is a crocheted coral reef project going on in Australia. For patterns try simple knits its a site with more than 300 patterns and links. I knit infant hats for our local hospital nursery. There are other sites for children all over the world that are in need. Good luck and happy knitting Kaju

 

[SouthwesternSands]

Thank you all for replying so quickly! So many nice people here. I will use your suggestions.

I left my Scoodie project on the sofa in the living room. It's all over the place. I should go work on it some more, or put it away for now....

I'd rather be watching "The Unit" on DVD than crafting right now--I'm all over the place!

Thanks again.

 

[LEE1313]

I found a lady in need of yarn on Craigs list.She made afghans for charity.
We met in a public parking lot, daytime and she took all I had and was so grateful.
There are churches with knitting groups, local librays, even nursing homes looking for free yarn.
I am sure you won;t have enough for all that want it.
Linda

 

[Sorlenna]

Project Linus would take donations (both of yarn and child afghans); I've just finished one, in fact, using two strands held together and a big hook--it was really fast!

 

[NJgardengal]

Synthetic yarns make great Lapghans for nursing home residents; synthetics make laundering easy and keep the pieces in use vs natural yarns that need so much care, they are kept in storage for special occasions.

I've also heard of people making things to send to relief organizations like Salvation Army to use when there is a catastrophe. People in homeless shelters often need warm blankets that are easy to keep clean.

And, if you are looking for a group closer to you, think about all the young people getting ready to leave for college where hand washing fine pieces would NEVER happen- we're all grateful they remember to launder anything.

 

[MegK31]

I knit or crochet baby blankets for a food closet in Sacramento. Young mothers come in with their babies for food. Often the babies do not have anything to keep them warm. I also knot caps and baby booties.

 

[julietinboots]

Some really great suggestions here. Wondering if SouthwesternSands hires out for organizing others yarn stashes.

 

[LizzyTish]

Some really great suggestions here. Wondering if SouthwesternSands hires out for organizing others yarn stashes.

I thought exactly the same thing! My husband is frantic with all my plastic covered boxes piled up in the basement. I've completely lost track of what I have and how much of it there is!

 

[rebecca]

Some really great suggestions here. Wondering if SouthwesternSands hires out for organizing others yarn stashes.

I thought exactly the same thing! My husband is frantic with all my plastic covered boxes piled up in the basement. I've completely lost track of what I have and how much of it there is!

It is a given that almost all yarn lovers are hoarders. Its ok, we know the truth and we stick together! LOL

 

[VeronicaK2P2]

Hi,
I'm thinking of pulling out all my unfinished old projects that I will never finish and never use and bringing the yarn to the Salvation Army store.

 

[rebecca]

Hi,
I'm thinking of pulling out all my unfinished old projects that I will never finish and never use and bringing the yarn to the Salvation Army store.

I am trying to finish up some of my old projects but it is hard when so many New projects keep coming up to do. Luckily I do have a bit more time now that I am not in the workforce. I just gotta stay off E-Bay! LOL

 

[rebecca]

Hi,
I'm thinking of pulling out all my unfinished old projects that I will never finish and never use and bringing the yarn to the Salvation Army store.

I am trying to finish up some of my old projects but it is hard when so many New projects keep coming up to do. Luckily I do have a bit more time now that I am not in the workforce. I just gotta stay off E-Bay! LOL

 

[glnwhi]

I have a stash for my yarn projects PLUS I was the owner of a fabric shop sooooo a stash for sewing also machine embroidery and bead working I had a rental house on the property but it is now full of my STUFF when I die there will be the biggest bonfire in local history LOL

 

[thelady]

I like scrap yarn afghans. I usually make one so that visitors who feel cold can wrap up in one and I still have mine to use. I made two but one "disappeared" when I moved. I made another one but it does not look like it was made with scrap yarn. It looks planned out. See pictures.

 

[rebecca]

I like scrap yarn afghans. I usually make one so that visitors who feel cold can wrap up in one and I still have mine to use. I made two but one "disappeared" when I moved. I made another one but it does not look like it was made with scrap yarn. It looks planned out. See pictures.

I have a pattern that is perfect for scrap yarn called a Crazy SQUARES afghan: 12 squares of 6 rounds 39 squares of 3 rounds 5 squares of 2 rounds 2 squares of 12 rounds 1 square of 4 rounds and 1 square of 9 rounds. These are then sewn together to form one large square,. Then add a nice scalloped border (or one of your choice). It can be made larger by adding more squares. Be careful! I ended up with one for a queen size bed because I did one round too many on one of the squares.LOL Have fun!

 

[Dianelee]

I love it! You used the H word. Yes, we are hoarders and proud of it. I love that visual of all the colors of yarn, mixing them up and seeing what would look good together for my next project. That is a great motivator, lots of yarn. I think if my yarn stash was too low I would be lost thinking I wouldn't have enough for whatever project I was starting. :thumbup: