Oh dear oh dear. I never truly realised how bad it had got. It crept up on me, really it did. All this time I've been telling people that I Don't Stash Yarn. Oh no, I say, not me. No, I don't stash. I buy yarn for a particular project and use it up. I never buy yarn just for the sake of it.
This week the de-clutter and re-organisation mission has resumed here at number 24 and I have been at it full pelt in the past few days. Yesterday it was time for The Right Hand Cupboard to be dealt with, and that meant time to face the reality of The Stash.
That's it above look. Bags of yarn pulled out of everywhere, it was amazing how much of it came creeping out from all four levels of this house. Yarn in the cellar. Yarn in the cupboard. Yarn under the bed. Yarn in the Attic eaves. I assembled it all on the table, sorted it, and counted 15 (FIFTEEN!!!!!!) different types of yarn. I know. I know, I know.
Want to see more? Want me to elaborate? Course you do!
OK, this basket contains left-over yarn from projects past.
There is Debbie Bliss Aran (from the Lucy Bag), felting wool (an experiment which remains in the experimental stage), Baby Cashmerino (from the baby granny blanket and the zig-zag baby blanket), Jil Eaton merino (from the baby ripple), Rowan Cashsoft DK (from my first ripple blanket), James Brett Kool Kotton (from the stripy baby blanket and round cushion) and some Rowan Pure Wool (from BB and various cushions).
There's not an awful lot of each type so I'm not sure what exactly to do with it. I'm thinking I might donate it to school, or to a new crafty/vintage charity venture that's just started up in my town.
These are my crates of Big Stash Yarn, cripes, rather a lot of it isn't there?
Left hand crate contains Heritage DK (a wool/acrylic mix) which was gifted to me by a very generous yarn shop owner, and I'm still pondering over what sort of project to use it for.
Middle crate contains Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe (a wool/bamboo mix) which was left over from a project I worked on earlier in the year (ooooooo must show you come pics of that, remind me won't you?!)
Right hand crate is what remains of my trusty Stylecraft Special DK (acrylic) which you probably all remember from the Granny Stripe blanket, oh and the Sweet Granny blanket. I also recently made a baby ripple blanket from it for a good friend, must show you pics of that too.
Ok, moving on.....................
These are my blissful baskets of Small Project yarn, the yarn that I always keep in to make decorative things with.
Left basket contains Rowan Handknit Cotton DK which I continue to love for making decorative projects. I think I will always have this yarn to hand.
Middle basket contains my Favourite Yarn of The Year. It's a bamboo/cotton mix and I've used it for many projects this year (including the snake, the blooming flower cushion, the Russian dolls, the Flora rabbits, the hooky trim). I never spoke much about it at the time I was using it as I've been pondering the idea of offering it for sale as a "Lucy Pack", much in the same way as the Rico cotton and the Stylecraft acrylic have been selling through various online retailers. I'd be interested to hear if you think this would be a Good Thing?? An Attic24 yarn pack??
Right hand basket contains the Rico Creative Cotton (top) and also a sweet stash of Rico Essentials Merino DK (bottom) which was gifted to me by the kind ladies at First4Yarns...I need to find a suitably sweet project to use it for, I had kind of forgotten I had it.
Golly-gosh.
Golly-golly-gosh, just lOOk at it all!!!!!!!
Isn't the above image AMAZING???!!!!! And to think it's All Mine, lordy, I am hyperventilating a little just thinking about the Future POSSibIlitiEs for that little lot.
I am actually giggling away to myself looking at these pics, I feel like I've just been to Confession. My name is Lucy and I am a Yarn-o-holic.
:o)
As well as the yarn itself, I also stumbled over a rather substantial amount of Forgotten Hooky. Half finished projects, half worked ideas, hastily hooked samples.
I'm officially making 2012 the year when I Finish Off The UFO's. As follows......
Unfinished Flower brooches, from February 2009.
An un-assembled birdie decoration from October 2009.
One stripy messenger bag , from December 2009. It's all made, it just needs some assembly and some brain cells to address the making of a fabric lining.
I guess 2009 was the year when I started but didn't finish (it was the year I was pregnant, that's my excuse anyways)..
Un-assembled Christmas decs, from December 2010.
Now this is interesting....had forgotten all about this! It's a project I started making in the summer when I was falling head over heels in love with the bamboo/cotton yarn. I designed this little pattern myself, it's called Spot Square, or something like that. I need to get back to it at some point, these are wonderful little squares to hook up. I've even half-made a tutorial for these too. I'll add it to the list shall I?
Ahhhhhhhhhhh sweet flowers!! I found these mixed up in amongst all the other samples and half-finished bits, they've grown over the years from various cotton and wool yarns, little experiments, little snippets of idle hooky happiness. It reminds me of the cover of 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet, where a few of these flower patterns came from. I'm thinking I might just gather them all together and assemble them into some sort of exuberant wreath decoration, something like this perhaps.
Despite the obvious distractions of the yarny variety, I've actually made real good progress with the decluttering and reorganising this week. The crates of Big Stash Yarn have been nestled safe and sound in the Attic eaves, while the baskets of Small Project Yarn have been put within easy reach into the Right Hand Cupboard, along with beautifully labelled, clear plastic boxes of ribbons, buttons, beads, felt, embroidery thread and sewing kit. It's all coming together marvellously.
Next week's task :: my desk (above), along with a tentative foray onto the Shelves of Doom if I'm feeling frisky. And yes, the Hooky Trim pattern is also high on my list of Must-do's for next week. Holly too. Yup, I'm on it.
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ps thank you SO MUCH to those of you who've voted for me this week, you have made me feel chocka full of gratitude and a little choked about the whole blogging thing.
((♥ heartfelt thanks ♥))
So Lucy....did you find a use for the Rico cotton? I have a load and need some ideas! Or it'll all become dishcloths and flannels...hahaa!!!
Sorry to read about your mum xx Lovely to look back and see pictures of little B's chubby hands <3. Hope you and yours are well xxx
Posted by: kayellec | February 03, 2018 at 10:01 PM
Ohhh how much i want to steal away that stash ;-)
Posted by: Ankita Vj (India) | September 10, 2015 at 07:53 PM
I would love a lucy pack, my dad has offered to buy me the wool to make a blooming flower cushion for my birthday but I have to source it. Any progress on this please let me know.
Posted by: Anna | March 07, 2012 at 07:34 PM
Oh...I'm jealous :D All that yarn in such great colors!!
I'd close myself at home and forget about the world for a week, anxious to see the amazing things I'd do with them :D Good work, Lucy :)
Posted by: Nena Metelo | February 23, 2012 at 08:08 PM
hi!
i recently came across your blog and i love it!
i'm actually not the kind of person to read blogs (and to comment the posts) but yours has kept my attention for a while now.
the 'lucy pack of yarn' has my votes for sure. i love the colours you choose and how you use them. i'm always a little disappointed when searching for nice yarn on the internet because it's either too expencive or the range of colours is too small...
i have boxes full of sock-knitting-yarn - waiting for the needles and i have a work-in-progress-granny-sqare-blanket made from scraps of inexpensive cotton yarn...
well... i guess one can have more dangerous or unhealthy addictions =)
love from austria
x
Posted by: julia | February 13, 2012 at 02:43 PM
Definitely would be interested in a yarn pack.
I LOVE my Rowan handknit cotton, it's so nice to work with and the stitches show clearly..if that makes sense?
Posted by: Rachel | January 04, 2012 at 05:18 PM
What is it with us yarn hoarders! I have been doing it since I was a little girl and I am now 64 and still can't walk past a shop selling yarn. I was given a give subscription for $60 (Australian) and guess what magazine I have subscribed to? You guessed it! YARN! Oh well, more things to make with my yarn - I can hardly wait!
Posted by: Christine Best | January 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
This is my first post and the first blog I have ever read and have been computing for over 25 years. I've been through the entire archive and am anxious to see new posts. You have a lovely way of living, writing and loving your existence and things around you. I'm certain there are hundreds of people from around the world who feel the same. Keep up the good work and Happy Holidays from a fellow crocheter and vintage lover. Rosanne
Posted by: Rosanne Dial | December 14, 2011 at 05:51 PM
This post is priceless!!! he he... I can totally relate to everything you wrote here.. the hasty sample crocheting, the more then I know yarn I have... the bags of unfinished projects...
Wow!! thanks for making me feel better about my addiction.
Posted by: Vanilla | December 09, 2011 at 08:07 PM
We should all get together and have a yarn swap feast! What a great idea we could all sit around talking colours and swapping ideas at the same time.......
Posted by: Tricia | November 28, 2011 at 08:05 PM
I've voted :-)
As well as continuing to recommend this blog to lots and lots of lovely people.
Posted by: Rachel | November 28, 2011 at 05:31 PM
I LOVE your yarn stash!!!! KEEP IT, says this fellow yarn hoarder...you are right, though, someone else would love to have it as a gift. Congrats on getting your stash in order, you are inspiring me!
Lea
Posted by: Lea | November 28, 2011 at 04:07 AM
Love your granny squares blanket, so colourful. I've just learnt how to do them and I'm loving it
Posted by: Jennie | November 27, 2011 at 09:36 AM
Id really like to get a yarn pack! What is your "CFavourite Yarn of the Year"? I think you used it for *your* snakey! I'm wanting to have a go at making one, for me though my little people may play with it! Thanks for such an inspirational blog, Lorraine.
Posted by: Lorraine Hedges | November 26, 2011 at 08:31 AM
What a wonderful yarn yummy post! :) Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Madeleine | November 25, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I would just use it I think. It is all the same colours after all and some of it will mix and match depending upon the yarn. Why not use the yarn that was kindly gifted to you for your next project? Apart from the fibre they look all very similar. Do you never want to work with different colours and experiment a little? The yarn is gorgeous though - lucky you! Or let your daughter have it?
Posted by: Debbie | November 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Hi Lucy
This post has made me smile plus it has lifted a heavy burden off my chest. I thought only i have lots of wool and fabric stashed away but you take the cake. I am going to show these pictures to my husband.
At present i am making a crochet stole and inspiration comes for your blog.Thanks Lucy for teaching me to crochet.
Posted by: Pratima Kapoor | November 24, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Try future girl.com for alining tutorial. I used it to make the lining for a crocheted diaper bag for my daughter. It was very helpful. I added pockets to the inside, but I needed the tutorial to get my head around the details and measurements. It would be a shame not to use that beautiful messenger bag. I love your blog! Good luck. And thanks also for organization inspiration. Isn't it so freeing getting the closets and clutter straightened out? More time for the important things, like snuggles and hugs. Thanks, Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | November 23, 2011 at 08:13 PM
Yarn, yarn, lovely yarn. I'm most envious of your stash, mine is positively miserly in comparison. Must work harder! Have just voted for you - a clear winner, unless there's a last-minute rush on the other lot! Thanks for a lovely blog, you're a gem.
Lorna xx
Posted by: Lorna | November 22, 2011 at 02:18 PM
Hi
Attic 24 Yarn packs - yey!!! yes please - your yarns colour make my mouth water!
Posted by: Rachel Heywood | November 22, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Hi! I'm from Italy and I just find your blog, and what can I say.. your works are beutiful!!!
You make me smile with your words, and wow the colours of the yarn are amazing! I dont'have find anything like this in Italy.. but I'm searching about for my project..a blanket with the square..
I'm sorry for my english..
Bye!
Roberta
Posted by: Roberta | November 22, 2011 at 01:07 PM
wwwwoooowwwww :-) just a few lines to inform you that I am adicted too
very good word yarn-o-holic, is a different club?? well, I am so proud to belong to this club jejeje
Posted by: mar | November 22, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Could use all those sweet colourful flowers framed, in a fire-screen for your hearth, in the summer months. Or as pretty tiny buntings for Connievan's small windows, to echo the colours in your blankets??
Val.
Posted by: Val E (Wales) | November 22, 2011 at 10:15 AM
I was just today wondering if you have lots of leftover yarn from all your projects, and what you do with it. I have so many odds and end leftover and can't think what to use them for.
Posted by: eva | November 21, 2011 at 11:46 PM
Love all that colour! Great idea on the wreath! I have a few of those flowers too but some take quite a while to complete! And a wreath full would probably take me till next Christmas!
Posted by: Nicky | November 21, 2011 at 11:28 PM