The Great Stash Reduction
I did some serious stash inspection this weekend. I opened all the cardboard boxes. I looked in all the project bags. I pulled it all off the shelves and sorted it by type. And I found that there’s a good bit of yarn here that I no longer love or need to knit. I also found that I have a lot of really fantastic yarn that I do love–enough that there’s no need to buy more for quite a while. The plan is to buy no yarn in 2006. Looking at my newly trimmed stash, I think I can do that pretty painlessly.
I have a lot of knitting to do before the stash gets reduced to my goal levels. Here is the stash as it now stands, after the weekend’s trimming. My initial goal was to have no more yarn than would fit on these two bookcases. I pulled that off. Yeah, it’s still a hell of a lot of yarn, but now it’s all yarn I love and definitely want to knit.
The basket on the right is full of extra warm stuff like Lopi and Lamb’s Pride Bulky to use for Dulaan knitting.
And here’s the stuff I’ll be selling:
Amazing what you’ll find tucked into project bags. I thought some of these needles etc were gone for good. And I’d been blaming the animals, of course:
The fleece stash turned out to be more manageable than I expected–it all fits into one large-ish basket. I will be selling some roving, though. I found two bags that I no longer feel the need to spin. The fact that I forgot I had them was the first clue that they could go to a more loving home.
So now I’ve got to do some research to figure out how much the sale yarn is going for out in the world, and how much I’m going to charge for it. Then I’ve got to photograph it, make a stash sale page, etc… I’m hoping to have the sale yarn posted early next week. Go make some room on your yarn shelves!
WOOT!
Posted by: carolyn
The Buy More Yarn participants and I are ready! We’ve been shopping and we’re not planning to stop!
Posted by: Carole
Good lord woman, you could open a whole store.
And I’m in trouble I think – I see something in a Jackie shade of green…
Posted by: jackie
woot woot- I see alpaca silk and other pretty yarns!!
ps your place looks like a yarn store with those bookshelves type things 🙂 But the bags you are using to organise them look cool!
Posted by: stinkerbell
*gasp*
Where did I put that paper bag I’ve been using for hyperventilating?
Posted by: Steph VW
Sweet Mary. Is that cashmerino? *squints at photo*
Posted by: Kristen
VERY impressive. But please stop reminding me how much I need to do this. Especially now that you’re having a de-stashing.
Posted by: mindy
I could make a crack about you nesting, but I won’t. I always take the high road. Except, of course, when I get into a hair-pulling fight with Jackie over who buys the green yarn.
Posted by: Iris
Now that is some formidable stash. Wow. My buddy Anton sayeth: “I’ve been in small yarn shops with less inventory.”
Posted by: David
I feel better about the size of my stash now!
Posted by: Becca
WOOT!
Posted by: carolyn
The Buy More Yarn participants and I are ready! We’ve been shopping and we’re not planning to stop!
Posted by: Carole
Good lord woman, you could open a whole store.
And I’m in trouble I think – I see something in a Jackie shade of green…
Posted by: jackie
woot woot- I see alpaca silk and other pretty yarns!!
ps your place looks like a yarn store with those bookshelves type things 🙂 But the bags you are using to organise them look cool!
Posted by: stinkerbell
*gasp*
Where did I put that paper bag I’ve been using for hyperventilating?
Posted by: Steph VW
Sweet Mary. Is that cashmerino? *squints at photo*
Posted by: Kristen
VERY impressive. But please stop reminding me how much I need to do this. Especially now that you’re having a de-stashing.
Posted by: mindy
I could make a crack about you nesting, but I won’t. I always take the high road. Except, of course, when I get into a hair-pulling fight with Jackie over who buys the green yarn.
Posted by: Iris
Now that is some formidable stash. Wow. My buddy Anton sayeth: “I’ve been in small yarn shops with less inventory.”
Posted by: David
I feel better about the size of my stash now!
Posted by: Becca
You’re still small-stuff in the stash department by the standards of Chéz Lapin, however that’s impressive!
I don’t dare try to de-stash. Every time I do I end up about 50 balls by the end of two months …
Posted by: Rabbitch
Tantalizing…
Posted by: LaurieM
whoa – I will be ready when your sale page comes around! Did you say roving?…
Posted by: Marie
Oh my!!!!
Does it count as increase to stash if I decrease my stash and add some of yours???? It’s really just the same stash but in a new location right?
Posted by: Tracy
Really … this is spectacular! Perhaps I should check again for my lost needles! I don’t have animals to blame in this house … except the spiders, maybe! hahaha …
Posted by: Agnes
I’m drooling over that soft green Debbie Bliss whatever on the right hand side in that picture.
What is it? (I should probably find out before I sell my very soul to the devil to buy it, yes?)
Posted by: Libby
Good Lord, woman. I think you have more yarn than my LYS. Please put it up for sale soon. I covet so many things I see.
Posted by: Jennifer
The vultures are circling.
😉
Nice work.
Posted by: claudia
It feels great to get it organized doesn’t it!
Posted by: stephanie
I’m in the process of doing the same thing myself, I just need to take a day though and be as dedicated to it as you were, you really it seperated well.
Posted by: Rebekah
Oh now that is a pretty stash! I am making room as I type this…one hand to type, one to sweep yarn under the bed.
Posted by: Karen
I am tempted to use these pics as evidence in my next homefront battle over yarn acquisition. But in truth, I am impressed by and envious of this mega-stash.
Posted by: anne
Hmmmm I spy some pretty green yarn in the front. I am the Green Goddess, you know…
Posted by: Gina
Claudia!!! Hee. I must say, that is one imPRESSIVE stash. I feel a little bit better now, but not much, given that I’ve only been knitting (and therefore collecting) two years. I love the organization, and I want to do mine just like that!
Posted by: Norma
Love the BIRD statue on the smaller shelf…
Nesting is a FABULOUS side benefit of pregnancy!
Please email when the sale page is up…
droooool.
Posted by: greta
You’re still small-stuff in the stash department by the standards of Chéz Lapin, however that’s impressive!
I don’t dare try to de-stash. Every time I do I end up about 50 balls by the end of two months …
Posted by: Rabbitch
Tantalizing…
Posted by: LaurieM
whoa – I will be ready when your sale page comes around! Did you say roving?…
Posted by: Marie
Oh my!!!!
Does it count as increase to stash if I decrease my stash and add some of yours???? It’s really just the same stash but in a new location right?
Posted by: Tracy
Really … this is spectacular! Perhaps I should check again for my lost needles! I don’t have animals to blame in this house … except the spiders, maybe! hahaha …
Posted by: Agnes
I’m drooling over that soft green Debbie Bliss whatever on the right hand side in that picture.
What is it? (I should probably find out before I sell my very soul to the devil to buy it, yes?)
Posted by: Libby
Good Lord, woman. I think you have more yarn than my LYS. Please put it up for sale soon. I covet so many things I see.
Posted by: Jennifer
The vultures are circling.
😉
Nice work.
Posted by: claudia
It feels great to get it organized doesn’t it!
Posted by: stephanie
I’m in the process of doing the same thing myself, I just need to take a day though and be as dedicated to it as you were, you really it seperated well.
Posted by: Rebekah
Oh now that is a pretty stash! I am making room as I type this…one hand to type, one to sweep yarn under the bed.
Posted by: Karen
I am tempted to use these pics as evidence in my next homefront battle over yarn acquisition. But in truth, I am impressed by and envious of this mega-stash.
Posted by: anne
Hmmmm I spy some pretty green yarn in the front. I am the Green Goddess, you know…
Posted by: Gina
Claudia!!! Hee. I must say, that is one imPRESSIVE stash. I feel a little bit better now, but not much, given that I’ve only been knitting (and therefore collecting) two years. I love the organization, and I want to do mine just like that!
Posted by: Norma
Love the BIRD statue on the smaller shelf…
Nesting is a FABULOUS side benefit of pregnancy!
Please email when the sale page is up…
droooool.
Posted by: greta
Do I see blue roving? 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
The boy says I have too much yarn. I sent him this link. I bet you I don’t hear another word about how much yarn I have!
Can’t wait for the destashing!
Posted by: Risa
If that is Fleece Artist sock yarn in the front there, its mine! Please?
Posted by: puppymomma
Very impressive collection you have there! I’m too ashamed to expose mine like that. Hidden in nooks and crannies, away from the hubbies judgmental eyes, is the best way to keep the stash.
Posted by: Janet
Holy Macinoli, lady! That’s a lot of yarn! Being a confirmed pack rat of not only the yarn kind, but also of the fabric and (most unfortunately) the wood kind (mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be carpenters)it causes ME anxiety to see you destashing! And really. What did you think your lovely puppies were doing with Addi Turbos?
Posted by: karen
Good for you — quite an accomplishment, all that trimming. Nice to find lots of needles, too! I think I have a wee empty corner somewhere. I might be able to help you out…
Posted by: alison
Wow!
Posted by: –Deb
That is a beautiful sight! Sorting is SUCH a great thing. If there is any Rowan Magpie in there (that you want to part with- though I didn’t see any)I will HAPPILY take it ALL off your hands. Really! Can’t wait for the de-stashing sale. Also, I love the Pixie/Scarf picture. Beautiful.
Posted by: KT
You’re just an enabler! However, looking at your stash makes me realize that mine’s not so bad, so — I guess I need more yarn! 😉
Posted by: janna
While you’re gearing up to make a stash page, you could sell some of it off at knitswap (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knitswap ) You don’t need pictures even for known yarns, just solid descriptions…
Posted by: Helen
Yikes! I’m really impressed, on all fronts.
Posted by: regina
PodrÃas abrir una tienda de lanas con lo que tienes en casa 😛
Besos guapa!
Posted by: Lia
If that Debbie Bliss is Merino Aran I need some to finish a scarf that is set to be frogged because I don’t have enough yarn….It sounds like you will have a bidding war on your hands. lol
Posted by: Meghan
Ummm, you don’t have a lot of stash. I have 50+ clear plastic boxes of yarn. Pretty much high end, lovely stuff, but like you I have decided that it really is too much yarn. I have been going through all my yarn and giving it away to friends. I took magazines and delivered them to my local knit shop for new and beginning knitters. I have to tell you, getting rid of all this yarn was actually very easy and uplifting. I am still culling my stash.
Patty
Posted by: patty bolgiano
Do I see blue roving? 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
The boy says I have too much yarn. I sent him this link. I bet you I don’t hear another word about how much yarn I have!
Can’t wait for the destashing!
Posted by: Risa
If that is Fleece Artist sock yarn in the front there, its mine! Please?
Posted by: puppymomma
Very impressive collection you have there! I’m too ashamed to expose mine like that. Hidden in nooks and crannies, away from the hubbies judgmental eyes, is the best way to keep the stash.
Posted by: Janet
Holy Macinoli, lady! That’s a lot of yarn! Being a confirmed pack rat of not only the yarn kind, but also of the fabric and (most unfortunately) the wood kind (mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be carpenters)it causes ME anxiety to see you destashing! And really. What did you think your lovely puppies were doing with Addi Turbos?
Posted by: karen
Good for you — quite an accomplishment, all that trimming. Nice to find lots of needles, too! I think I have a wee empty corner somewhere. I might be able to help you out…
Posted by: alison
Wow!
Posted by: –Deb
That is a beautiful sight! Sorting is SUCH a great thing. If there is any Rowan Magpie in there (that you want to part with- though I didn’t see any)I will HAPPILY take it ALL off your hands. Really! Can’t wait for the de-stashing sale. Also, I love the Pixie/Scarf picture. Beautiful.
Posted by: KT
You’re just an enabler! However, looking at your stash makes me realize that mine’s not so bad, so — I guess I need more yarn! 😉
Posted by: janna
While you’re gearing up to make a stash page, you could sell some of it off at knitswap (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/knitswap ) You don’t need pictures even for known yarns, just solid descriptions…
Posted by: Helen
Yikes! I’m really impressed, on all fronts.
Posted by: regina
PodrÃas abrir una tienda de lanas con lo que tienes en casa 😛
Besos guapa!
Posted by: Lia
If that Debbie Bliss is Merino Aran I need some to finish a scarf that is set to be frogged because I don’t have enough yarn….It sounds like you will have a bidding war on your hands. lol
Posted by: Meghan
Ummm, you don’t have a lot of stash. I have 50+ clear plastic boxes of yarn. Pretty much high end, lovely stuff, but like you I have decided that it really is too much yarn. I have been going through all my yarn and giving it away to friends. I took magazines and delivered them to my local knit shop for new and beginning knitters. I have to tell you, getting rid of all this yarn was actually very easy and uplifting. I am still culling my stash.
Patty
Posted by: patty bolgiano
That’s a lot of yarn to sell. And all the needles! Good luck with the no-buying resolution 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
Oh my, serious stash envy here………..
what fun!
Posted by: christine
Sounds too much like work…
I usually end up giving away all my extras when I do something like that. I go to a local spinning/knitting guild and there are always people there who are on a very tight budget… so I figure it’s some kind of good karma which means I can go out and buy new… 🙂
Love your stash cabinet! The colors look so NICE when you can see them all like that.
Posted by: Mia
Is it weird that I’m jealous of your stash? Not that I want to feel overwhelmed by yarn, but I do think it’s pretty neat that no one in your house objects to so much space being taken up by fiber. Looking foreward to the sale!!
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I am impressed. And I am no longer mildly embarrassed about what’s in my Closet O’ Yarn.
Posted by: Juno
Drool…
I can’t wait to see your sale!
Looks like you still have plenty of stash that you love left over 🙂
Posted by: emily
I like the design that is under you new-found needles; floor? table? congrats on a well organized stash!
Posted by: Kristen
That’s a lot of yarn!!! Can imagine you feel great about doing that sorting out. Good luck in selling the left overs!
And, I also wanted to let you know that I casted on for a Baby Yoda Sweater yesterday. I knitted my cousin’s son (born last Sunday) a set of matching hat and socks and had sp much yarn left over that I think I have enough for the sweater. I’m cheating though. Using baby yarn consisting of 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. I couldn’t find the sort of baby wool I was looking for and this yarn felt soft and nice. It has a totally different gauge than the yarn you used so I’ll have to do some calculaing when it comes to the decreases and increases…
Thanks for the pattern!
Posted by: Anna
UUU! I will buy that green debbie bliss alpaca silk now =) is this color 25007? Let me know please =))
Your yarn stash is amazing =) I have a way to go !!!
Posted by: Olga
Count me in for the roving!!!!! I need some desparately. (I’m already thinking about a new URL, you inspiring little creature, you)
Posted by: john
Congratulations on lightening your stash. It feels good to do it doesn’t it? I made a silent vow to not buy any more yarn in 2006 but already broke it–modestly.
Posted by: monica
*mouth drops to floor*
If I ever feel like I have a lot of yarn I’m coming back to look at this picture! lol
Posted by: Scout
One womans stash reduction is another woman’s treasure.
Posted by: Krysia
Oh, I’m inspired! Been talking about doing the same thing, especially after going through the bins twice in search of missing Cashmerino. Once I seam up the other side of Gloria, I’m not going to let myself start another big project until I’ve followed your lead ~
Posted by: maggi
My guild recently had an auction. It was great fun. Everyone cleaned out their stash and brought their “I can part with this fiber”. They put a minimum price on it and the Guild President’s husband acted as auctioneer. It really was great fun.
Posted by: Jacquie
That’s a lot of yarn to sell. And all the needles! Good luck with the no-buying resolution 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
Oh my, serious stash envy here………..
what fun!
Posted by: christine
Sounds too much like work…
I usually end up giving away all my extras when I do something like that. I go to a local spinning/knitting guild and there are always people there who are on a very tight budget… so I figure it’s some kind of good karma which means I can go out and buy new… 🙂
Love your stash cabinet! The colors look so NICE when you can see them all like that.
Posted by: Mia
Is it weird that I’m jealous of your stash? Not that I want to feel overwhelmed by yarn, but I do think it’s pretty neat that no one in your house objects to so much space being taken up by fiber. Looking foreward to the sale!!
Posted by: Sneaksleep
I am impressed. And I am no longer mildly embarrassed about what’s in my Closet O’ Yarn.
Posted by: Juno
Drool…
I can’t wait to see your sale!
Looks like you still have plenty of stash that you love left over 🙂
Posted by: emily
I like the design that is under you new-found needles; floor? table? congrats on a well organized stash!
Posted by: Kristen
That’s a lot of yarn!!! Can imagine you feel great about doing that sorting out. Good luck in selling the left overs!
And, I also wanted to let you know that I casted on for a Baby Yoda Sweater yesterday. I knitted my cousin’s son (born last Sunday) a set of matching hat and socks and had sp much yarn left over that I think I have enough for the sweater. I’m cheating though. Using baby yarn consisting of 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. I couldn’t find the sort of baby wool I was looking for and this yarn felt soft and nice. It has a totally different gauge than the yarn you used so I’ll have to do some calculaing when it comes to the decreases and increases…
Thanks for the pattern!
Posted by: Anna
UUU! I will buy that green debbie bliss alpaca silk now =) is this color 25007? Let me know please =))
Your yarn stash is amazing =) I have a way to go !!!
Posted by: Olga
Count me in for the roving!!!!! I need some desparately. (I’m already thinking about a new URL, you inspiring little creature, you)
Posted by: john
Congratulations on lightening your stash. It feels good to do it doesn’t it? I made a silent vow to not buy any more yarn in 2006 but already broke it–modestly.
Posted by: monica
*mouth drops to floor*
If I ever feel like I have a lot of yarn I’m coming back to look at this picture! lol
Posted by: Scout
One womans stash reduction is another woman’s treasure.
Posted by: Krysia
Oh, I’m inspired! Been talking about doing the same thing, especially after going through the bins twice in search of missing Cashmerino. Once I seam up the other side of Gloria, I’m not going to let myself start another big project until I’ve followed your lead ~
Posted by: maggi
My guild recently had an auction. It was great fun. Everyone cleaned out their stash and brought their “I can part with this fiber”. They put a minimum price on it and the Guild President’s husband acted as auctioneer. It really was great fun.
Posted by: Jacquie
That’s a lot of stash alright. Welcome to the club! 🙂
Posted by: Emy
yummmmmmmmmm you lucky ducky. Is that kid silk haze??? I see DB but not sure what but i”m loving that colour!!!
Posted by: Kelly
That’s a lot of stash alright. Welcome to the club! 🙂
Posted by: Emy
yummmmmmmmmm you lucky ducky. Is that kid silk haze??? I see DB but not sure what but i”m loving that colour!!!
Posted by: Kelly