Have you ever thought about trading your stash yarns that you know you won't use? There are people on Ravelry who have stash yarn listed with the status "will trade." You might be able to swap your stash yarn for someone else's 😊 Your green cardigan is absolutely lovely by the way 💚
You sound SO MUCH more cheerful than you did on your "confessional" video. I hope that means the relief of making your channel work for you rather than the other way around, and allowing yourself to relieve yourself of some of the stash has lighten your burden, and caused a real lightness of heart. It was so nice to hear your happy voice again.
I think these are great decisions. Being realistic about what you're going to use is so difficult. I have a long term project where I'm making a ten stitch blanket from my wool oddments. I dislike the idea of hoarding small pieces for mending. It just seems annoying, so instead I've been dumping them into the blanket. I also really enjoy visible mending, so my thought is that I'd rather not have little tiny balls of yarn knocking around and when something gets a hole, I can just use whatever I still have in my stash to fix it. I like the look of a contrasting mend more so than a matching one, so it's a win-win
I have come to a similar decision about winding yarn into balls. I go through my stash periodically and find what I want to knit over the next .... months and then wind all of them. The effort of getting everything out to wind the yarns means I often don't use yarn. So on a good day I pace myself as best I can and get on with winding.
I hadn't realised how much energy it takes! I'm glad I've batched it so I can just start when I want to but next time I'll pace the winding a bit better!
@@RetroClaude have you considered the electric ball winders that are available now? One might be an option for very low energy days, when even turning a handle can be tough. Interestingly, none of the videos I’ve watched have needed a swift with these, either, so you could probably wind from anywhere in the house, rather than needing a bigger space to open up the skein. And that’s one less thing to find / setup / store as well.
@@soolee8747 I was just thinking there's gotta be an electric winder! Watching this it's so satisfying. I'm not someone who works with yarn generally because I have rheumatoid arthritis and my shoulders elbows wrist and fingers would not be happy with me. When I'm sewing I can at least wear a corset or do things that will support my back but I think it's probably pretty hard to crochet or knit without using your lower arms. 😂 But watching the Winder and the swift spinning is so satisfying from my position of not needing to do anything that takes effort with it. Lol
Yay! What a great update to one of my favourite series! I love that you've managed to basically meet your previous goal whilst also learning along the way what really does work best for you. The new projects sound like they'll be a lot of fun as well. I love your colour choice for the Mohn cardigan as well!
I know I advocated for donations in a previous stash busting video, and there's a very unique set of parameters for everyone to let stuff go like that, but I'm really happy to see it worked for you! I was holding on to a lot of yarn that ranged from 'I bought this when I was 13' to 'this hurts my hands to work with', and for me donating was the best option and took a lot of weight off my shoulders. These videos have really helped me stash down myself, and be more conscious about my purchases! Thanks for keeping us updated! ❤
Having watched your 6 hour compilation, seeing this update is so cool!! At some point you should stack up of all the projects you’ve made during this stashbusting mission and admire how you’ve turned piles of skeins into such beautiful finished pieces.
Excellent! I have a similar problem but with a lot more yarn. Your stashbusting compilation really motivates me to do something about it instead of 'forgetting' what I have and buying new yarn whenever I feel like it. Thank you for posting these
My granny made that cottage tea cozy! Probably sometime around the 1950s in Canada. My brother has it now as when he was a toddler he liked to wear it as a hat.
I think I've been following this stash busting almost from the start and you should be very proud of yourself you've done so well as far as I remember you started you with 180 something balls, so very well done.
I am.. nervous about future conversations about vegan yarn. People tend to underestimate the environmental imapct of wool production and act as though the only vegan option is plastic. I crochet using sustainable plant based yarns. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement though.
I heartily endorse winding the yarn!! I have fatigue as well and used your 6h stash busting compilation for motivation while winding up my entire stash. After not making anything for ages I’ve done some sort of yarn craft nearly every day since then… the more accessible it is the more fun and appealing it is too! 🥰
wake up babe new retro claude stashbusting video just dropped!! i was so excited to see the notification i switched from scrolling on my phone to watching on the to to get the full experience 🙈 also when i saw that bag of wool in the beginning i was like omg is that the mohn sweater and i am SO excited to see you make it!!
Loved the video! It's great to see that you're feeling more positive about your stash, rather than it being a burden to try and use up every bit. I usually buy wool for a specific project, so most of my stash has (or had) a purpose - but I've been learning to accept that I can change my mind, just because I bought the materials for something doesn't mean I have to make it if it doesn't interest me any more. So in some ways I now have a bigger stash because lots of wool isn't earmarked for a particular project, but it also feels quite nice to have some quantities available if I decide to start something on a whim.
As someone who only has my very small closet and like 4 large-ish plastic bins to fit my entire yarn stash, I really related to you struggling to get those plastic bins down lmao. I can't believe it's been 2 years of stash busting, because that means i've been watching you for two years!
Inspired by your stashbusting compliation, I just bought myself a ball winder. I also came to the conclusion that winding skeins was a barrier to knitting them. I've been handwinding centre pull balls for years with just a swift, but a baby ontop of chronic fatigue meant that was no longer viable. I'm really pleased with the decision, and am hoping it will encourage me to work on more stash busting. I'd love to sit down and pull it all out so I know where I am with it like you did in this video, but that's a big job... I really appreciate the effort it has taken you to produce this series for us!
I really like the idea of questioning what's been stopping you from doing particular planned projects. I think I need to go through my sewing stash with that question in mind.
This is truly my favorite series on "craft-tube" (is that a thing?) it's both so satisfying and aspirational to hear your thought process for sorting your yarn and planning new projects for the future. I can't wait for the inevitable conclusion of the Daisy Blouse saga and to see your finished ranunculus dress! Another idea for getting rid of the yarns you won't use, have you thought about listing them in your shop similar to what you did with your vintage clothes? You could effectively get your money back or at least most of it if you decided to mark them down. Although I can see how that would be extra energy as opposed to simply donating them.
Yay! Progress and in doing so you have realised what you like and don't like so can be more selective as you go. I think you have made great decisions and you seem a bit happier in yourself than when you made the video a few months back about how you will continue with the channel. Glad you have found something that is working for you!
I'm honestly so interested in the Victorian knitted corset just from a history perspective, so if you were to make that (or finish making it, whichever it is) and make a video on your knowledge of the pattern and history, I'd definitely watch it. I think I remember you mentioning knitted corsets or similar in your Enola Holmes rational dress video, which was likewise very interesting history-wise, so even though you're not really doing that kind of constume making any more and wouldn't be wearing it, focusing on the history, research, and your expertise on the subject could still make it a viable video idea.
I find it amusing that I watch these, even though I don't knit or crochet (perhaps it's your accent. My husband's late grandparents were Yorkshire folk). PS I love knitted tea cosies! My son accidentally burned ours 😢 Time to drop hints to my kind knitting neighbour.
If that star in pretty yarn sings to you, what about using it as a coaster/mug rug for tea? Then it has a purpose, doesn't need to be reworked, and lets you enjoy that beautiful yarn in an everyday setting!
I second this idea! I have a crocheted hexagon I made in the most gorgeous yarn. I was making a bag but my hands dont really let me crochet anymore so I was never going to be able to make all the other hexagons in time. (it was for a fibre festival we have in Australia, everyone is given a pattern to make something to wear so we can look at all the beautiful variations everyone makes while shopping for yarn and watching demos etc) So now it is my coaster next to my bed, and I bought the most gorgeous tea mug in matching colours and it makes me smile every time I look at it!
The green sweater is gorgeous. Your destashing logic is spot-on. The emotional support poultry is adorable. I have been meaning to make a lovebird from a kit I bought when I decided to learn to crochet; I look forward to the emotional support it will provide.
Love the new look of your stash! It feels less chaotic through the screen. I hope it does for you, too. I SO identify with the barriers to starting projects. Anything that is a multi-step process (like having to fetch the yarn box, fetch and set up the swift and ball winder, wind multiple skeins) is just off the table most days. I’m taking tiny (teeny tiny) baby steps in the direction of saying I have energy for step one only and doing only that before resting long as it takes to have the energy to move to the next one. I live alone, though, and my dog isn’t inconvenienced if my swift and ball winder are up for an extended period. Speaking of which, I’m endorsing tea cosies as an energy saving measure. I tend to consume multiple cups of tea while knitting, so my teapot and cosy prevent me having to get up and stand around to boil the kettle multiple times. 😊
Yay! So happy for another stashbusting video and that you’ve made progress, come to some decisions and know what you want from your stash and future projects. I especially love the idea of keeping yarn specifically for mending. Great idea (and makes sense that people used to do it historically). Also, your research on service yarn and WW2 knitting history is fascinating. Makes me want to do some historical knitting myself! ❤
My goodness, has it been nearly two years already?? Well done on reaching your first stashbusting milestone and my heartfelt thanks for inspiring me to focus on my own stash-down goals. When you said you could knit from stash for five years I looked at my yarn and realized I could knit for ten. I now have enough yarn to last me probably eight years and I've also finally been able to let go of some yarn that I'm definitely not excited to ever work with. Progress! Looking forward to cheering you on as you continue on this journey to a smaller yarn stash! (Also I suddenly have an urge to knit stockings, what have you done to me???)
A lot of people forget the Girl Scouts (or Guides) when they think of places to donate. Even more generous would be to give of your time and volunteer to teach a GS meeting or two on crochet, knitting, and other yarn crafts. I also made yarn balls out of even the smallest lengths of yarn and used them to teach myself Tunisian crochet. The finished pads were large enough to be used as sleeping mats for the cats at the Humane Society. Win-win.
I think it's completely valid to re-think what yarns you actually want to stash-bust. Because, like you said, leftover yarn for mending would never leave the stash. :) (also leaving a comment for the algorithm)
You are doing so well! Keeping steam on long term goals can be hard. The mix of short and long form update is fantastic! Keep it up, you will get there 💪🏾 I like that you have split categories for different yarn uses. I do agree that stash yarn is the material you are going to make a project with. Love your yarn archive idea. I might start one too!
When I first started watching your stashbusting videos almost two years ago as a newbie crocheter, I was really inspired by your methodical way of breaking down big projects into smaller chunks. This was when I was trying to work towards my own goals as a college sophomore, and these videos have been a welcome companion as I tried to adapt, fight procrastination, work hard, and avoid burnout. In particular, your advice about goalsetting “good, better, best” has helped me feel a lot better about what I can accomplish. In a couple weeks, I finally graduate with a bachelor’s after completing a research thesis. And I get to start on my dream career this summer: studying the brain in a research lab! Although this is a crafts channel, I’ve found a lot of your experiences really relatable and your advice applicable to my situation. Thank you for these videos and I’m excited to see you continue this stashbusting project (and whatever direction your channel goes towards next!) (By the way, your knitting content has inspired me to put some of my first real paycheck this summer into knitting needles!)
Hi Claude, curating our stash is a never ending task isn't it ? You're learning as you go and so do we ! I'm devoutly following your efforts and applying myself in turn to "engage with my stash" : I used to love buying yarn in charity shops (those bargains ! ) and I still do but I'm more discerning about it. I recently engage into a stash bursting project that is also a no brain project, the Excavation Blankets, and I've learned that the most difficult thing was to allow myself to take time with it, to breathe throuht it and enjoy simply knitting instead, so I gave myself permission to linger and know it won't be donne before next winter ! So thank you for leading the way !
I recently went through a similar dilemma and decided to give away two huge boxes of my yarn. It ended up being such a good decisions because I was able to give the yarn to people who were actually excited to use it! Now I can prioritize yarn I'm actually happy to work with. Anyways, I love each stashbusting video you make!!!
I´m so proud of you! In this series you got so stressed about that prozess. Now you feel almost calrm. You´ve made some new rules and thats a legit way to reduce your yarn stash!!!!
😂 all my fave yarns are the ones you'd never wear, I love those hand dyed ones (if I could knit I just know I'd be making myself a hat with them) and that mustard yellow is one of the best colours on me 😂 so funny how different everyone is Looks like the stash busting is going well, feels like you've managed to get through enough of the stash that you're figuring out what works and what doesn't for you stash wise congrats!!! 🥳
I rather appreciate the idea of being critical and honest to yourself about which projects you want to work on and why even some of those seem to languish. Taking steps to make that energy barrier more manageable is a really good idea I shall have to think about. So, knowing very little about yarn, it seems weird to me that it is often sold in skeins when it appears most people would use it in ball form. Is there a reason for that? Is it literally just because it would cost the maker time and effort?
Love the update. Its great to figure out that something youve been thinking of as one thing (the STASH) is actually a bunch of smaller things (the mending collection + the planned projects + the leftover yarns that are bad textures, etc)
You might already know this but Ravelry will update the amount of yarn you have left if you create a project page for your project then select the yarn used from your stash. When done the project, update the project with the exact amount of yarn you used. Your stash of the yarn will then show what’s left to use.
It’s great to see how far you’ve come with the stashbusting having followed it from the start! A random thought, but the crocheted star that you really like the yarn, could you use it to make a little scarf for Douglas to help with his neck? Then you get to keep it too and it has a purpose! Win win!
It is so refreshing to see someone with a "normal" amount of stash of odds and ends they got and kept over a long period of time. Also to hear it like "Have a mending stash, archive stash and then for specific project". I don't hear that kind of thinking in the fiber/ fabric creating world often. The other day I saw a fabric stash busting video where I couldn't believe the sheer amount of stuff... I think most of the viewers can't afford these big amounts of things and have to calculate more per project than otherwise. So thank you for this refreshing video and also showing ways to make things with oddments (new word I learned today!)
I use a peg board to organize my yarn stash! I would totally recommend it for anyone that likes to display all their “Treasures” but also doesn’t want to take up a bunch of space.
I've been going through my stash as well. I'm on a hunt for certain things but can't quite unpack everything just now. We have the attic to finish before I can do it. But I'm convinced I won't purchase yarn for at least 10 years. I've also been frogging certain things from when I taught at a big box craft store and thinking of ways to repurpose other things from the same time period. Luckily my knitting guild and my crochet guild have charities where a load of things can be donated with little or no modifications. For the stuff you don't want to use or can't use, sell it
you're doing so great! i think for the hand dyed yarns you could make some hexi-puffs and then with what is left over, you could divide them into scrap packs of say 10g per colour and trade with other people to get some more colours.
Oh no...oh no...I have so much more yarn than you... (I've been given ten ball bags of yarn by more than one person, and a couple times it was more like 20, and another time it was more like 50..., I won 10 balls of yarn once, I've bought too much yarn, bought too much yarn because my local yarn shop was closing and everything was on sale, I've bought yarn because I was given gift cards to Webs, and a friend of mine keeps giving me gorgeous yarn for my birthday, Christmas and to "pay me for favors" o.o and I haven't been able to use it all...) But you're also making me want to count up how much all my yarn weighs. When I open up a Google sheet and start calculating how much my yarn weighs, and specifically by 50 grams balls, even though I usually get 100, it's going to be your fault. Yeah, I just named the document "Yarn Tonnage"... But I need to stop now. I'm going by just what's in my Ravelry Stash and I'm only counting whole unused yarn, but some yarns don't have weights because they were more locally produced and I forgot to weigh them, so I can only guess. Also...there's just too much and I have to stop, I'm already over 360 potential 50 gram balls... Good thing my urge this year as been to use up my yarn, and I've already busted through a lot of cotton to make project baskets and a bag (in progress.) So that'll be 20 balls of cotton gone, and one more project will help finish off the other10 balls of a different type of cotton, so 30 gone! But just how much yarn I had at the start of the year is crazy to contemplate, especially since I haven't counted it all, not all of it is in Ravelry (like that huge blanket's worth of anonymous yarn) and I'm not counting odds and ends... So yeah, I think this year is going to be the start of MY stash busting journey. Oh yes, I've semi-lost six balls of yarn to moths because I had a fair bit of yarn "inadequately stored." Winding is exhausting, and I had to rewind a lot of yarn to check for damage and eggs, and I'm in the middle of freezing and I need so much more freezer space than I have... My arm hurt SO much from the winding, I did not pace myself because it was an emergency. So yeah...
Admittedly this is nothing compared to my fabric stash that I now have. After 6 years working at a Joann Fabric and Crafts, several of those years during COVID. I have BOXES of fabric because I took up quilting and sewing during that time. Its actually rather embarrassing but I also love it so much because I have so much to choose from when I start anything new.
I discovered your account when UA-cam suggested your 6 hour compilation which I have just finished. I came here because I NEEDED to know how the daisy dress was doing. I’m quite invested. Thank you because you’ve made me want to use my stash in a more smart way. Instead of just trying to power through projects that don’t interest me because I have the yarn, which was given to me by a well meaning acquaintance. I’m trying to see how I can make things that make sense in my wardrobe even if that means buying extra yarns to make them happen.
Very interesting watching your yarn stash update. Regarding the hand-dyed yarn for your hexi-puffs, why not consider swapping say 40/50g with others? I only tend to use 50g for socks, and then happy to trade the remaining 50g for other 4ply for either different socks or to add the yarn to my stash blanket(s).
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this (and am writing this half way through your video -I was so enthused about the content) - re: your vintage wool for talks - it could be curated as a teaching resource and so removed from your stash total. These yarns are SO important and need to be seen and spoken about. Could you knit a period appropriate small item - one ball's worth - and store with the yarn in your teaching resources box (if you have one?). Hope that sounds OK . LOVE your videos and your content; glad you have been able to keep going. 😊🧶😊
Oh yes, I have wound up all my stash... it was so fun! I finally have the energy to do so after getting rid of most of my ME. I have 20 or 30 year old yarns too. And a lot more yarn than you have. But I have started to tackle it in 2021. Sadly... buying more yarn... I need to get on top of my yarn stash!
I really enjoy watching your videos, many of them I watch over. You may have already had suggested to you but when you have all those bits of yarn left over have you thought of using it for stuffing your hexipuffs. I've see that done by engineering knits, and I have used it for stuffing some craft things I have made. Wish I could help you out with your excess yarn but it would be difficult since I'm in Illinois. Good luck to you and stay strong.❤😊
You have plastic storage boxes of yarn?! DUDE! My Husband would be over the moon if I can my yarn stash down to that! Take you largest tote times that by five and that's how much yarn I have! Minus the bags of the scraps of yarn balls!
The Mohn cardigan is so much fun! I was supposed to be a pattern tester for a plus size, but I am still working on it! (Injury to my hand/arm yuck) but it’s just the most fun thing to work on!!
Maybe service yarns were 4ply not 3ply so that it wouldn't be as easy/tempting to use service yarns for non-service knits? Or just potentially being a tad quicker to make! One of my local charity shops had vintage 1oz wool balls with very old looking labels in last time I went - it was very cool to look at and made me think of you but I know it wouldn't really work for the modern knitting style I do myself!
I don't know if this is the place to ask this ... But since you look very knowledgeable about yarn... I consider myself a beginner in the yarn world... And I haven't quite understood the weight of the yarn .. and most of all I do not know how to translate it in Italian... Because I see weights on the internet (UA-cam and such) .. but when I ask for them in my local shops . I get confused stares as response 😅😅
Ooh, the yarn for your Mohn looks beautiful! Mine is stuck at the dividing for fronts and back stage, because i found i harder on my hands than I'd expected. I fell last July and hurt my right hand, and though an xray showed that it was 'essentially normal', I find i can only work on the Mohn for so long without pain. So I've been using up other yarn on different projects till I'm ready to do more.
Love the video. Maybe make a vintage mending kit? I'd watch that video too. I think it's exciting to see everyone stash down. We all got a lot of yarn, and it's really fun to see it used up. All the best! - Kimberly
Service stockings would be such an interesting project to watch you make. Did I hear that right de-stach forums where people sell/ trade their stash? Sounds like it would be the opposite of de-stash buy more yarn! Can you please share a link?
Great chat and food for thought as usual Claude also I'd love a what you're wearing to start with, like you do on insta can you give us a rundown or is that a pain in the ass? But that green cardi with the dress... chef's kiss!!!! I've resold allot of yarn I bought for projects or thrifted that I no longer need though a millends FB page. I have so many balls of yarn and a halves from old projects because I over order, which I sold the full balls on too. I have a bag of small bits for mending, they can't count as stash surely because they may be needed for darning. When you were laying out the yarn the yellow really caught my eye, it makes me happy and reminds me of sunshine and the beach. They're a keeper! Can't wait till your next post 😀
I made my Grandma a knitted cottage tea cozy when I was about 12, or 13. I think it was a reprint of an earlier pattern, I can't remember which magazine it was in perhaps Woman, or Woman's Realm as those were the ones Mum and Grandma had. She used to bring it out whenever we went over, it was a bit wonky, but very cute and fun to make.❤
This was such a quality video! I really enjoyed the historical interlude, you presented it in such an engaging way! Would be fun if there are accounts of wool pilfering hahaha. I’m never set up for anything in my life and I really struggle to initiate projects for that reason too. Loved seeing you work on prep stuff. When the energy and the initiative are available it’s so nice to be able to do something helpful for your future self like that. I hope having skeins ready to go makes you feel joy and motivation. Also would definitely be excited to see the dyeing, cozy, or stockings! Or whatever else inspires you, but I hope you’re not putting too much pressure on yourself and are at least having more fun than you are losing energy.
My stash was just a box but I've been asked to chrochet a cowl/scarf thing ( yes i gave in) but she got 10 100gram balls of wool, so busted won't fit in the box, 😂. ❤
I would love a gift of a tea cosy. Other than my immediate family I don't know anyone else who drinks hot tea though. I've had to make my own lol. I do have my grandmother's from the 1950's that I treasure, but I don't use.
I asked my gran who was a kid/ teen in the 1940's and she said sweaters were quite popular but that she didn't recognize speafic patterns you showed( in one of your knitting compilations). She said everyone made sweaters, her mum made sweaters and she made sweaters, and made lots of mistakes on them.
I eliminated my stash by giving most yarn to a friend… I get back clothes for my kids so it’s a win-win 😅 Since having children I prefer sewing: they don’t wear knitted stuff that often and a linnen kids pants is finished in… an hour all in all? A knitted sweater is for me a project of several weeks. I started knitting a cape for breastfeeding in my first pregnancy and never finished.
Have you ever thought about trading your stash yarns that you know you won't use? There are people on Ravelry who have stash yarn listed with the status "will trade." You might be able to swap your stash yarn for someone else's 😊 Your green cardigan is absolutely lovely by the way 💚
You sound SO MUCH more cheerful than you did on your "confessional" video. I hope that means the relief of making your channel work for you rather than the other way around, and allowing yourself to relieve yourself of some of the stash has lighten your burden, and caused a real lightness of heart.
It was so nice to hear your happy voice again.
I think these are great decisions. Being realistic about what you're going to use is so difficult. I have a long term project where I'm making a ten stitch blanket from my wool oddments. I dislike the idea of hoarding small pieces for mending. It just seems annoying, so instead I've been dumping them into the blanket. I also really enjoy visible mending, so my thought is that I'd rather not have little tiny balls of yarn knocking around and when something gets a hole, I can just use whatever I still have in my stash to fix it. I like the look of a contrasting mend more so than a matching one, so it's a win-win
That's an excellent strategy. It's all about making your stash work for you, and not just sit there feeding the moths 😅
You could get a display box for the yarn you don't want to use but wwat to keep 😊 you've made some great decisions!
Oooh! I like that! Keep the dust off and give it a place to shine!
I seen this girl on UA-cam had hers in a big glass cylinder it looked awesome. Or u could use a big vase.
You should be proud of yourself! I've been watching this since the beginning and you've made a lot of progress.
I have come to a similar decision about winding yarn into balls. I go through my stash periodically and find what I want to knit over the next .... months and then wind all of them. The effort of getting everything out to wind the yarns means I often don't use yarn. So on a good day I pace myself as best I can and get on with winding.
I hadn't realised how much energy it takes! I'm glad I've batched it so I can just start when I want to but next time I'll pace the winding a bit better!
@@RetroClaude have you considered the electric ball winders that are available now? One might be an option for very low energy days, when even turning a handle can be tough. Interestingly, none of the videos I’ve watched have needed a swift with these, either, so you could probably wind from anywhere in the house, rather than needing a bigger space to open up the skein. And that’s one less thing to find / setup / store as well.
@@soolee8747 I was just thinking there's gotta be an electric winder! Watching this it's so satisfying. I'm not someone who works with yarn generally because I have rheumatoid arthritis and my shoulders elbows wrist and fingers would not be happy with me. When I'm sewing I can at least wear a corset or do things that will support my back but I think it's probably pretty hard to crochet or knit without using your lower arms. 😂
But watching the Winder and the swift spinning is so satisfying from my position of not needing to do anything that takes effort with it. Lol
Yay! What a great update to one of my favourite series! I love that you've managed to basically meet your previous goal whilst also learning along the way what really does work best for you. The new projects sound like they'll be a lot of fun as well. I love your colour choice for the Mohn cardigan as well!
I know I advocated for donations in a previous stash busting video, and there's a very unique set of parameters for everyone to let stuff go like that, but I'm really happy to see it worked for you!
I was holding on to a lot of yarn that ranged from 'I bought this when I was 13' to 'this hurts my hands to work with', and for me donating was the best option and took a lot of weight off my shoulders.
These videos have really helped me stash down myself, and be more conscious about my purchases! Thanks for keeping us updated! ❤
Having watched your 6 hour compilation, seeing this update is so cool!! At some point you should stack up of all the projects you’ve made during this stashbusting mission and admire how you’ve turned piles of skeins into such beautiful finished pieces.
I would enjoy seeing this too!
Excellent! I have a similar problem but with a lot more yarn. Your stashbusting compilation really motivates me to do something about it instead of 'forgetting' what I have and buying new yarn whenever I feel like it. Thank you for posting these
Shopping your stash can be so fun! You find things you've forgotten about!
My granny made that cottage tea cozy! Probably sometime around the 1950s in Canada. My brother has it now as when he was a toddler he liked to wear it as a hat.
Oh wow!!! That's incredible!!
How cute!
I think I've been following this stash busting almost from the start and you should be very proud of yourself you've done so well as far as I remember you started you with 180 something balls, so very well done.
I did! 184 I think! And even with my sneaky change of definition that's still a great achievement 😁
I am.. nervous about future conversations about vegan yarn. People tend to underestimate the environmental imapct of wool production and act as though the only vegan option is plastic. I crochet using sustainable plant based yarns. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement though.
I heartily endorse winding the yarn!! I have fatigue as well and used your 6h stash busting compilation for motivation while winding up my entire stash. After not making anything for ages I’ve done some sort of yarn craft nearly every day since then… the more accessible it is the more fun and appealing it is too! 🥰
Why not knit the project you want to dye before dying it? It would save you skeining and rewinding it
wake up babe new retro claude stashbusting video just dropped!! i was so excited to see the notification i switched from scrolling on my phone to watching on the to to get the full experience 🙈 also when i saw that bag of wool in the beginning i was like omg is that the mohn sweater and i am SO excited to see you make it!!
Loved the video! It's great to see that you're feeling more positive about your stash, rather than it being a burden to try and use up every bit. I usually buy wool for a specific project, so most of my stash has (or had) a purpose - but I've been learning to accept that I can change my mind, just because I bought the materials for something doesn't mean I have to make it if it doesn't interest me any more. So in some ways I now have a bigger stash because lots of wool isn't earmarked for a particular project, but it also feels quite nice to have some quantities available if I decide to start something on a whim.
Totally agree with reclassifying the yarn into categories! Love your videos and wish you all the best!
As someone who only has my very small closet and like 4 large-ish plastic bins to fit my entire yarn stash, I really related to you struggling to get those plastic bins down lmao. I can't believe it's been 2 years of stash busting, because that means i've been watching you for two years!
You gave me a flashback to all the books I've read where wartime characters eternally have a khaki bundle of knitting for the troops on the go!
Look at all you have accomplished! It’s great!
Those crochet stars could make a good coasters as a gift
Yeeeees! I only just opened this in a tab but I'm already smiling ear to ear. Love the stashbusting!
plus of course this is going into the Retro Claude chronological playlist :)
Inspired by your stashbusting compliation, I just bought myself a ball winder. I also came to the conclusion that winding skeins was a barrier to knitting them. I've been handwinding centre pull balls for years with just a swift, but a baby ontop of chronic fatigue meant that was no longer viable. I'm really pleased with the decision, and am hoping it will encourage me to work on more stash busting. I'd love to sit down and pull it all out so I know where I am with it like you did in this video, but that's a big job... I really appreciate the effort it has taken you to produce this series for us!
I really like the idea of questioning what's been stopping you from doing particular planned projects. I think I need to go through my sewing stash with that question in mind.
Same!
That dress and sweater combo is fab!
I love it too! I would absolutely wear both items and feel especially cute ❤️
This is truly my favorite series on "craft-tube" (is that a thing?) it's both so satisfying and aspirational to hear your thought process for sorting your yarn and planning new projects for the future. I can't wait for the inevitable conclusion of the Daisy Blouse saga and to see your finished ranunculus dress!
Another idea for getting rid of the yarns you won't use, have you thought about listing them in your shop similar to what you did with your vintage clothes? You could effectively get your money back or at least most of it if you decided to mark them down. Although I can see how that would be extra energy as opposed to simply donating them.
Yay! Progress and in doing so you have realised what you like and don't like so can be more selective as you go. I think you have made great decisions and you seem a bit happier in yourself than when you made the video a few months back about how you will continue with the channel. Glad you have found something that is working for you!
omg a new stash busting video means today is a good day ❤
I'm honestly so interested in the Victorian knitted corset just from a history perspective, so if you were to make that (or finish making it, whichever it is) and make a video on your knowledge of the pattern and history, I'd definitely watch it. I think I remember you mentioning knitted corsets or similar in your Enola Holmes rational dress video, which was likewise very interesting history-wise, so even though you're not really doing that kind of constume making any more and wouldn't be wearing it, focusing on the history, research, and your expertise on the subject could still make it a viable video idea.
I find it amusing that I watch these, even though I don't knit or crochet (perhaps it's your accent. My husband's late grandparents were Yorkshire folk). PS I love knitted tea cosies! My son accidentally burned ours 😢 Time to drop hints to my kind knitting neighbour.
A fun project! I'm sure they wouldn't mind 😉
Just remember to very unsuspiciously ask what favour they need to be done, I'm sure they would appreciate it in exchange! 😊
@@Noel.Chmielowiec we have a good reciprocal arrangement of favours 😊
If that star in pretty yarn sings to you, what about using it as a coaster/mug rug for tea? Then it has a purpose, doesn't need to be reworked, and lets you enjoy that beautiful yarn in an everyday setting!
I second this idea! I have a crocheted hexagon I made in the most gorgeous yarn. I was making a bag but my hands dont really let me crochet anymore so I was never going to be able to make all the other hexagons in time. (it was for a fibre festival we have in Australia, everyone is given a pattern to make something to wear so we can look at all the beautiful variations everyone makes while shopping for yarn and watching demos etc)
So now it is my coaster next to my bed, and I bought the most gorgeous tea mug in matching colours and it makes me smile every time I look at it!
The green sweater is gorgeous.
Your destashing logic is spot-on.
The emotional support poultry is adorable. I have been meaning to make a lovebird from a kit I bought when I decided to learn to crochet; I look forward to the emotional support it will provide.
Love the new look of your stash! It feels less chaotic through the screen. I hope it does for you, too.
I SO identify with the barriers to starting projects. Anything that is a multi-step process (like having to fetch the yarn box, fetch and set up the swift and ball winder, wind multiple skeins) is just off the table most days. I’m taking tiny (teeny tiny) baby steps in the direction of saying I have energy for step one only and doing only that before resting long as it takes to have the energy to move to the next one. I live alone, though, and my dog isn’t inconvenienced if my swift and ball winder are up for an extended period.
Speaking of which, I’m endorsing tea cosies as an energy saving measure. I tend to consume multiple cups of tea while knitting, so my teapot and cosy prevent me having to get up and stand around to boil the kettle multiple times. 😊
i rlly recommend those snap hair clips for keeping the ends of yarn cakes where they belong!
Congratulations on being so close to under 100!!!!!
Yay! So happy for another stashbusting video and that you’ve made progress, come to some decisions and know what you want from your stash and future projects. I especially love the idea of keeping yarn specifically for mending. Great idea (and makes sense that people used to do it historically). Also, your research on service yarn and WW2 knitting history is fascinating. Makes me want to do some historical knitting myself! ❤
Your outfit is lovely and that green cardigan really suits you
My goodness, has it been nearly two years already?? Well done on reaching your first stashbusting milestone and my heartfelt thanks for inspiring me to focus on my own stash-down goals. When you said you could knit from stash for five years I looked at my yarn and realized I could knit for ten. I now have enough yarn to last me probably eight years and I've also finally been able to let go of some yarn that I'm definitely not excited to ever work with. Progress! Looking forward to cheering you on as you continue on this journey to a smaller yarn stash! (Also I suddenly have an urge to knit stockings, what have you done to me???)
17:45 I love your jumper!
A lot of people forget the Girl Scouts (or Guides) when they think of places to donate. Even more generous would be to give of your time and volunteer to teach a GS meeting or two on crochet, knitting, and other yarn crafts. I also made yarn balls out of even the smallest lengths of yarn and used them to teach myself Tunisian crochet. The finished pads were large enough to be used as sleeping mats for the cats at the Humane Society. Win-win.
I think it's completely valid to re-think what yarns you actually want to stash-bust. Because, like you said, leftover yarn for mending would never leave the stash. :)
(also leaving a comment for the algorithm)
Just writing to say thank you for another wonderful video! Everything you make is very beautiful and I can't wait to see your new projects!
You are doing so well! Keeping steam on long term goals can be hard. The mix of short and long form update is fantastic! Keep it up, you will get there 💪🏾
I like that you have split categories for different yarn uses. I do agree that stash yarn is the material you are going to make a project with.
Love your yarn archive idea. I might start one too!
That dress and cardigan look absolutely stunning on you!
You've done so well! It makes me happy to see you realize it :)
Incidentally, that is an excellent sweater
When I first started watching your stashbusting videos almost two years ago as a newbie crocheter, I was really inspired by your methodical way of breaking down big projects into smaller chunks. This was when I was trying to work towards my own goals as a college sophomore, and these videos have been a welcome companion as I tried to adapt, fight procrastination, work hard, and avoid burnout. In particular, your advice about goalsetting “good, better, best” has helped me feel a lot better about what I can accomplish.
In a couple weeks, I finally graduate with a bachelor’s after completing a research thesis. And I get to start on my dream career this summer: studying the brain in a research lab! Although this is a crafts channel, I’ve found a lot of your experiences really relatable and your advice applicable to my situation. Thank you for these videos and I’m excited to see you continue this stashbusting project (and whatever direction your channel goes towards next!)
(By the way, your knitting content has inspired me to put some of my first real paycheck this summer into knitting needles!)
I really enjoy your stash busting videos! I’ve watched them several times. ❤
Love these stash busting videos so much Claude! and that green cardigan is beautiful!! 💚
Hi Claude, curating our stash is a never ending task isn't it ? You're learning as you go and so do we ! I'm devoutly following your efforts and applying myself in turn to "engage with my stash" : I used to love buying yarn in charity shops (those bargains ! ) and I still do but I'm more discerning about it. I recently engage into a stash bursting project that is also a no brain project, the Excavation Blankets, and I've learned that the most difficult thing was to allow myself to take time with it, to breathe throuht it and enjoy simply knitting instead, so I gave myself permission to linger and know it won't be donne before next winter !
So thank you for leading the way !
As someone who is on a very fixed income and has to scour the charity shops for my yarn as I can't afford to buy it new......I thank you.
I recently went through a similar dilemma and decided to give away two huge boxes of my yarn. It ended up being such a good decisions because I was able to give the yarn to people who were actually excited to use it! Now I can prioritize yarn I'm actually happy to work with. Anyways, I love each stashbusting video you make!!!
I've always wanted to knit some stockings! Can you share the pattern? I would love to see you knit up the stocking project 😊
I'll give it a read first, I haven't gone through it yet to check it's workable, but after that sure!
I´m so proud of you! In this series you got so stressed about that prozess. Now you feel almost calrm. You´ve made some new rules and thats a legit way to reduce your yarn stash!!!!
😂 all my fave yarns are the ones you'd never wear, I love those hand dyed ones (if I could knit I just know I'd be making myself a hat with them) and that mustard yellow is one of the best colours on me 😂 so funny how different everyone is
Looks like the stash busting is going well, feels like you've managed to get through enough of the stash that you're figuring out what works and what doesn't for you stash wise congrats!!! 🥳
I rather appreciate the idea of being critical and honest to yourself about which projects you want to work on and why even some of those seem to languish. Taking steps to make that energy barrier more manageable is a really good idea I shall have to think about. So, knowing very little about yarn, it seems weird to me that it is often sold in skeins when it appears most people would use it in ball form. Is there a reason for that? Is it literally just because it would cost the maker time and effort?
Love the update. Its great to figure out that something youve been thinking of as one thing (the STASH) is actually a bunch of smaller things (the mending collection + the planned projects + the leftover yarns that are bad textures, etc)
Wise decisions and I love the fact that you seem a lot happier with the projects. And the projects divers to follow for all.
Proud of you, Claude! This has been a huge project and you’ve made huge progress in 2 years.
You might already know this but Ravelry will update the amount of yarn you have left if you create a project page for your project then select the yarn used from your stash. When done the project, update the project with the exact amount of yarn you used. Your stash of the yarn will then show what’s left to use.
It’s great to see how far you’ve come with the stashbusting having followed it from the start! A random thought, but the crocheted star that you really like the yarn, could you use it to make a little scarf for Douglas to help with his neck? Then you get to keep it too and it has a purpose! Win win!
CLAUDE UPLOAD-- BIG DAY!! :]
It is so refreshing to see someone with a "normal" amount of stash of odds and ends they got and kept over a long period of time. Also to hear it like "Have a mending stash, archive stash and then for specific project". I don't hear that kind of thinking in the fiber/ fabric creating world often. The other day I saw a fabric stash busting video where I couldn't believe the sheer amount of stuff... I think most of the viewers can't afford these big amounts of things and have to calculate more per project than otherwise. So thank you for this refreshing video and also showing ways to make things with oddments (new word I learned today!)
i have been sooo looking forward to this video!!! cant wait to see where you stand with everything!
I use a peg board to organize my yarn stash! I would totally recommend it for anyone that likes to display all their “Treasures” but also doesn’t want to take up a bunch of space.
Girl, you should get yourself a stepping stool, I was on the edge of my seat looking at you trying to get those boxes down
I've been going through my stash as well. I'm on a hunt for certain things but can't quite unpack everything just now. We have the attic to finish before I can do it. But I'm convinced I won't purchase yarn for at least 10 years. I've also been frogging certain things from when I taught at a big box craft store and thinking of ways to repurpose other things from the same time period. Luckily my knitting guild and my crochet guild have charities where a load of things can be donated with little or no modifications.
For the stuff you don't want to use or can't use, sell it
PS: I need the name of the never ending cone of blue yarn you're using to make the dress ❤
@retroclaude, Can you provide a Link to Destashing on Ravelry, or how to Find IT???
You can use some of the hexy puff yarns for hats the colors would look pretty for a fall and winter hat
So excited to watch this video when I get home from work! This is my favorite series!
So enjoyable watching your videos. Really looking forward to seeing the service stockings project.
I love Studio Donegal. My husband brought back such beautiful yarn after a business trip.
you're doing so great! i think for the hand dyed yarns you could make some hexi-puffs and then with what is left over, you could divide them into scrap packs of say 10g per colour and trade with other people to get some more colours.
Oh no...oh no...I have so much more yarn than you... (I've been given ten ball bags of yarn by more than one person, and a couple times it was more like 20, and another time it was more like 50..., I won 10 balls of yarn once, I've bought too much yarn, bought too much yarn because my local yarn shop was closing and everything was on sale, I've bought yarn because I was given gift cards to Webs, and a friend of mine keeps giving me gorgeous yarn for my birthday, Christmas and to "pay me for favors" o.o and I haven't been able to use it all...) But you're also making me want to count up how much all my yarn weighs. When I open up a Google sheet and start calculating how much my yarn weighs, and specifically by 50 grams balls, even though I usually get 100, it's going to be your fault.
Yeah, I just named the document "Yarn Tonnage"... But I need to stop now. I'm going by just what's in my Ravelry Stash and I'm only counting whole unused yarn, but some yarns don't have weights because they were more locally produced and I forgot to weigh them, so I can only guess. Also...there's just too much and I have to stop, I'm already over 360 potential 50 gram balls... Good thing my urge this year as been to use up my yarn, and I've already busted through a lot of cotton to make project baskets and a bag (in progress.) So that'll be 20 balls of cotton gone, and one more project will help finish off the other10 balls of a different type of cotton, so 30 gone! But just how much yarn I had at the start of the year is crazy to contemplate, especially since I haven't counted it all, not all of it is in Ravelry (like that huge blanket's worth of anonymous yarn) and I'm not counting odds and ends...
So yeah, I think this year is going to be the start of MY stash busting journey. Oh yes, I've semi-lost six balls of yarn to moths because I had a fair bit of yarn "inadequately stored." Winding is exhausting, and I had to rewind a lot of yarn to check for damage and eggs, and I'm in the middle of freezing and I need so much more freezer space than I have... My arm hurt SO much from the winding, I did not pace myself because it was an emergency. So yeah...
Admittedly this is nothing compared to my fabric stash that I now have. After 6 years working at a Joann Fabric and Crafts, several of those years during COVID. I have BOXES of fabric because I took up quilting and sewing during that time. Its actually rather embarrassing but I also love it so much because I have so much to choose from when I start anything new.
I discovered your account when UA-cam suggested your 6 hour compilation which I have just finished. I came here because I NEEDED to know how the daisy dress was doing. I’m quite invested. Thank you because you’ve made me want to use my stash in a more smart way. Instead of just trying to power through projects that don’t interest me because I have the yarn, which was given to me by a well meaning acquaintance. I’m trying to see how I can make things that make sense in my wardrobe even if that means buying extra yarns to make them happen.
I would watch you winding yarn for hours! It was very relaxing! Compilation idea, maybe?
Very interesting watching your yarn stash update. Regarding the hand-dyed yarn for your hexi-puffs, why not consider swapping say 40/50g with others? I only tend to use 50g for socks, and then happy to trade the remaining 50g for other 4ply for either different socks or to add the yarn to my stash blanket(s).
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this (and am writing this half way through your video -I was so enthused about the content) - re: your vintage wool for talks - it could be curated as a teaching resource and so removed from your stash total. These yarns are SO important and need to be seen and spoken about. Could you knit a period appropriate small item - one ball's worth - and store with the yarn in your teaching resources box (if you have one?). Hope that sounds OK . LOVE your videos and your content; glad you have been able to keep going. 😊🧶😊
Oh yes, I have wound up all my stash... it was so fun!
I finally have the energy to do so after getting rid of most of my ME. I have 20 or 30 year old yarns too. And a lot more yarn than you have. But I have started to tackle it in 2021. Sadly... buying more yarn... I need to get on top of my yarn stash!
LOL totally inspired by your cottage tea cosy… as I live in a Swiss half-timbered cottage, I‘m going to have to make it up in miniature, right?! 🤣👍🫣
I really enjoy watching your videos, many of them I watch over. You may have already had suggested to you but when you have all those bits of yarn left over have you thought of using it for stuffing your hexipuffs. I've see that done by engineering knits, and I have used it for stuffing some craft things I have made. Wish I could help you out with your excess yarn but it would be difficult since I'm in Illinois. Good luck to you and stay strong.❤😊
You have plastic storage boxes of yarn?! DUDE! My Husband would be over the moon if I can my yarn stash down to that! Take you largest tote times that by five and that's how much yarn I have! Minus the bags of the scraps of yarn balls!
The Mohn cardigan is so much fun! I was supposed to be a pattern tester for a plus size, but I am still working on it! (Injury to my hand/arm yuck) but it’s just the most fun thing to work on!!
Maybe service yarns were 4ply not 3ply so that it wouldn't be as easy/tempting to use service yarns for non-service knits? Or just potentially being a tad quicker to make!
One of my local charity shops had vintage 1oz wool balls with very old looking labels in last time I went - it was very cool to look at and made me think of you but I know it wouldn't really work for the modern knitting style I do myself!
I don't know if this is the place to ask this ... But since you look very knowledgeable about yarn... I consider myself a beginner in the yarn world... And I haven't quite understood the weight of the yarn .. and most of all I do not know how to translate it in Italian... Because I see weights on the internet (UA-cam and such) .. but when I ask for them in my local shops . I get confused stares as response 😅😅
Ooh, the yarn for your Mohn looks beautiful! Mine is stuck at the dividing for fronts and back stage, because i found i harder on my hands than I'd expected. I fell last July and hurt my right hand, and though an xray showed that it was 'essentially normal', I find i can only work on the Mohn for so long without pain. So I've been using up other yarn on different projects till I'm ready to do more.
Love the video. Maybe make a vintage mending kit? I'd watch that video too. I think it's exciting to see everyone stash down. We all got a lot of yarn, and it's really fun to see it used up. All the best! - Kimberly
Service stockings would be such an interesting project to watch you make. Did I hear that right de-stach forums where people sell/ trade their stash? Sounds like it would be the opposite of de-stash buy more yarn! Can you please share a link?
You can knit up some scarfs with the big pack of yarn
Great chat and food for thought as usual Claude also I'd love a what you're wearing to start with, like you do on insta can you give us a rundown or is that a pain in the ass? But that green cardi with the dress... chef's kiss!!!!
I've resold allot of yarn I bought for projects or thrifted that I no longer need though a millends FB page. I have so many balls of yarn and a halves from old projects because I over order, which I sold the full balls on too. I have a bag of small bits for mending, they can't count as stash surely because they may be needed for darning.
When you were laying out the yarn the yellow really caught my eye, it makes me happy and reminds me of sunshine and the beach. They're a keeper! Can't wait till your next post 😀
I made my Grandma a knitted cottage tea cozy when I was about 12, or 13. I think it was a reprint of an earlier pattern, I can't remember which magazine it was in perhaps Woman, or Woman's Realm as those were the ones Mum and Grandma had. She used to bring it out whenever we went over, it was a bit wonky, but very cute and fun to make.❤
This was such a quality video! I really enjoyed the historical interlude, you presented it in such an engaging way! Would be fun if there are accounts of wool pilfering hahaha.
I’m never set up for anything in my life and I really struggle to initiate projects for that reason too. Loved seeing you work on prep stuff. When the energy and the initiative are available it’s so nice to be able to do something helpful for your future self like that. I hope having skeins ready to go makes you feel joy and motivation.
Also would definitely be excited to see the dyeing, cozy, or stockings! Or whatever else inspires you, but I hope you’re not putting too much pressure on yourself and are at least having more fun than you are losing energy.
My stash was just a box but I've been asked to chrochet a cowl/scarf thing ( yes i gave in) but she got 10 100gram balls of wool, so busted won't fit in the box, 😂. ❤
OMGeeeeee can't wait to see you make the Grogu amigurumi❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I would love a gift of a tea cosy. Other than my immediate family I don't know anyone else who drinks hot tea though. I've had to make my own lol.
I do have my grandmother's from the 1950's that I treasure, but I don't use.
I asked my gran who was a kid/ teen in the 1940's and she said sweaters were quite popular but that she didn't recognize speafic patterns you showed( in one of your knitting compilations). She said everyone made sweaters, her mum made sweaters and she made sweaters, and made lots of mistakes on them.
Would love to know what the craft charity shop you mentioned was! I'm constantly on the search for them in the UK and really struggle to find them!
I eliminated my stash by giving most yarn to a friend… I get back clothes for my kids so it’s a win-win 😅
Since having children I prefer sewing: they don’t wear knitted stuff that often and a linnen kids pants is finished in… an hour all in all? A knitted sweater is for me a project of several weeks. I started knitting a cape for breastfeeding in my first pregnancy and never finished.
Have you thought about creating a box for the yarn your saving for repairs? Something cute that could be displayed.