I set out to make huge progress this past month on my goal to use up 75% of my yarn stash throughout the course of 2020. In order to make this long-term goal possible, I revisit my inventory numbers every month to compare how I am doing to what more I need to do. You can learn more about my original goal for the year here or check out my updates from the months of January, February, and March.
While last month we all experienced a lot of transitions due to the global coronavirus pandemic, April was a lot more steady with every day truly blending together in quarantine. I went after my yarn stash with renewed vigor to declutter. I got to participate in an online Etsy market event hosted by a friend of mine (@lizs_indiana_attic), which was a nice change of pace and gave me more purpose to my crocheting this month. I also announced my pregnancy as I entered my second trimester, which gives me a great reason to make all the baby things right now with my yarn stash. So despite the hum-drum schedule, a few things happened to give April some variety and excitement.
My Budget
Although we all expected me to spend exactly $0 on yarn, I did buy a couple skeins this month. I ran out of yarn for a commissioned piece a customer ordered, so I was desperate. I ordered the remaining skein I needed online, and then to get free shipping on my package I ordered one other skein of yarn. I thought I would use up that other skein pretty easily, so I justified the purchase. Then, I discovered that I bought the WRONG colorway of yarn for the piece I was making for a customer! So that skein has sat around for a week or two, waiting to be returned to the store. I had never thought of it before, but a lot of people have mentioned to me that I can just return or exchange recently purchased skeins of unused yarn if I still have a receipt. Now, if I buy the wrong colorway or dye lot, I don’t have to purchase excess yarn to cover my mistake! I will definitely be implementing this practice when I need to buy more yarn in the future. I am trying to be more conscientious about the yarn I bring into our home and exchanging any unnecessary purchases will help me avoid collecting yarn instead of using it.
My Yarn Stash
Speaking of the yarn I have, I used up a good amount this past month. Although I made a goal to use 32 skeins of yarn in the month of April, I did not reach that short-term goal. And that’s ok. I remembered what I was working towards, which helped me constantly try and work on projects intended to use up skeins. I think that I will continue to work through my stash with that mindset. In addition to setting a short-term skein goal, I also made a goal to separate out all the small balls of yarn from my stash that would be quicker to use up. In total, I separated out 20 or 30 balls, which makes it a lot easier to attack my yarn and see some results. I also found more inspiration in projects, from working on a beautiful Tunisian crochet sweater with some yarn from a local store to starting a little baby dress with some leftovers from a pattern test I did last year (in case we have a girl; if not, I’ll list the dress in my shop!). I even used a few old, ratty skeins of yarn to make rags and ear savers for my coworkers at the hospital. In total, I used up 17 skeins of yarn from my stash. Although it was not my lofty goal of 32, I am still really proud with what I did. Even if I don’t meet my goal of using up 75% of my yarn by the end of the year, I will keep working at declutter my stash throughout this year to see how far I can go.
Things I Have Learned
This month, I had to mentally wade through my lack of creativity to crochet until I found my joy in the craft again. I have felt a lot of stress with everything going on in the world and at work that it has been refreshing to just enjoy crocheting again. As I have made things that make me happy, I have felt more creative and at peace during this month of worldly turmoil. I have been able to create as I have found purpose in what I am making. I have learned that it is ok and expected for my creativity to ebb and flow, but that I can always find something to make that will make me happy.
I have also realized that making things for other people (including the little one joining our family this fall) gives me great purpose when I feel content with everything I already have. I spent just a little time making ear savers for my coworkers to wear in the hospital, which are little bands with buttons to which people can attach face masks. We can wear our required surgical masks with the ear savers preventing irritation and skin breakdown on our ears. When I have no purpose in crocheting for myself, I can always find something to make for someone else.
Finally, I learned that my short-term goal of using up 32 skeins of yarn during the month of April, although quite the stretch, was a really good motivator that kept me on track most of the time. Since I am working a full-time job, I don’t think I will be able to fly by that goal, but it is really helpful to have something to work towards with my overall 2020 goal being so far away. I will continue working towards using up 32 skeins of yarn during the month of April, and I hope that I will do even better at nearing this short-term goal.
Things to Change
I now have a greater sense of how to be successful this next month in my goal to use up more of my yarn stash. First and foremost, I need to make things that bring me joy. Whether that is using a yarn I love, or making a fun project that makes me smile, or creating something to give to someone else, I need to enjoy my craft. Despite my lofty goal, I need to put my happiness first in everything that I make, especially since that is my main stress relief from everything going on right now.
I also want to make a lot more baby-related items. We should be finding out the gender this month, so that will give me more direction as I plan to make things for a little girl or a little boy. I have a lot of singular skeins of yarn that will be difficult to use up unless I make something small- baby items are perfect! In hand with my desire to make more baby-related things, I want to spend more time finding project inspiration online. When I am in a rut or feeling uninspired by my yarn itself, I can turn to Pinterest and find patterns that I really want. Then, I can look at my stash to see what yarn I have to fit the pattern. I think I will be able to make a lot more than what is just inside my own head, and I can hopefully find patterns from people who have their own small businesses whom I can support.
I think May will look very different because some states are already reopening businesses, including my own. I will likely be spending my time similarly to what I was doing during April though to keep my family and my patients safer. I hope to be getting a lot of crochet done and having a lot of fun with it! Share with me in the comments below how you have been using up your yarn stash recently or share on Instagram by tagging me @crowchetcreations or using the hashtags #crowchetcreations or #attackmystash2020.
Stay safe and well!
XO, Emily
