Jul. 17, 2008 - It Worked!
I spent the afternoon with my stash, yesterday. I feel so inspired I was feeling in a funk yesterday, I didn't want to work on anything. Now, after seeing and listing (more on that later) all of my stash I don't know where to begin! I've got so many projects in my head, I'm not sure where to start first!
As I was sorting through the many piles I pulled out a plastic bag with several small balls of yarn. The balls are even too small to make a scrap afghan or granny square. I contemplated throwing it into the trash can. I cannot, however, ever throw away yarn no matter how small! So I put the bag to the side. As I continued to clear out the large rubbermaid tub that held my yarn and accessories, I found another bag with some old elastic ponytail holders in it. I no longer used these because they had metal clasps on them that tore my hair. That is when I realized how I could use these scraps. I could make ponytail holders!
Last night, in the 10 minutes I had before my boys returned from Vacation Bible School, I picked up one of these elastic bands and a small ball of Sterling Silk and Silver and proceeded to single crochet around the band. I had almost half the ball remaining after making almost 100 sc around the band, so I sc in the first sc and then made 3 chains and sc into another sc skipping 2 or 3. I did this around the entire band before I ran out of yarn. Now I have a really cute pony tail holder.
Working with this yarn again, reminded me of the scarf I made for my sister last year for her birthday. I loved working with it and its drapey (is that a word?) feel. Making this ponytail holder brought back great memories, gave me a feeling of accomplishment, and made me feel good for using my scrap yarn in a functional way.
I'm sure I will keep a bag of pony tail holders at the ready all the time so that I can make use of even the tiniest scraps. I started a new band last night using some Lion Brand sock yarn. I made two pair of socks in Febrary and had a small ball left over from each. The color way is in pinks, greys, greens and yellows. It's fun and festive. This will make beautiful "hair bammers." (that's what my boys call hair bands.)
About the "listing" portion of my stash. I actually took pictures of all the yarn I own and posted it in my "stash" section on www.ravelry.com. I have 27 yarns stashed at ravelry right now. I'm so proud of it! By having my list pictured on the stash page, I am able to organize my thoughts about patterns and projects. I need to list my threads next, but I have a basket just as full of threads as I do of yarns, so that will come another week.
And now, the piles are gone from my bedroom. If you go to my side of the room you will see two lovely large baskets briming with yarn and thread. It's such a nice homey look. It was an afternoon well spent.
Comments
Aug. 6, 2008 - way to go
Posted by Shelby
Good for you - you got your stash reduced AND organized and now it's useful. What an inspiration you little yarn wizard, you! I'll have to get back on Ravelry and update. Re: your wish to make yourself a sweater - JoAnne's has Lion Woolease on sale 2/$4 - I just bought a lovely heather/forest green to make myself a winter sweater. Now if I could just find a top-down, raglan sleeve pattern in a large ladies' size!
