You could probably say that one of my hobbies is organizing. Yes, really. I love being able to go back through all of my things, remember what I have and what they mean, and rearrange them to be more functional. I get to declutter items that no longer have a purpose in my life and at the end of it all, I am left with a tidier space that better reflects me.
Spring is the perfect time to get a fresh start on your space, especially as the weather warms up and the excitement builds for what the future holds. This year, with most people in quarantine or sheltering-in-place to slow the spread of COVID-19, spring cleaning can be an escape from the world when you are stuck at home for weeks on end. When it comes to yarn, crochet has truly been an escape and a relief during this stressful time. Since we all have limited ability to expand our stash at this time, I’ve got some tips to share as you clean out your yarn and make something beautiful with what you have.
1. Sort Through All the Yarn You Have
This is really where you need to start your spring yarn cleaning. No matter your goal, you need to know what you have. Gather up every bit of yarn you have in your house and put it all in one spot to assess your stash. Pull those recently purchased skeins from plastic grocery sacks, dig those totes out of the closet, and unearth those project bags strewn around your home. As you collect everything in your yarn stash, you will evidently find yarns and half-finished projects that were forgotten for who knows how long. When I did this, I pulled all the WIPs out of my stash and put them in a separate box so that I knew where all my projects were. Once you truly understand what is in your stash, you can clean, declutter, and use it. I also made a point to organize and classify every skein, hank, and ball I owned.
2. Organize Your Yarn
At the beginning of this year, I made a goal to #attackmystash2020– that is, to work through as much of my yarn stash as I could in order to make some space, save some money, and become more content with what I already had. You can read more about this goal here. I meticulously organized my entire yarn stash and then classified it in a spreadsheet document so that I would know what yarn I had in which clear tote bin (I told you that I love to organize, ok?). I knew that if I had previously forgotten about most of my yarn, it would happen again unless I created a system to track that yarn. You can read about that project here. I organized my yarns by weight and also by brand, keeping similar yarns together. I do not have the space or the means to purchase a cute bookshelf to hold my yarn, so I just stick to the plastic tote bins so that I can at least get a general sense of what is inside the boxes before I open them. No matter what you have in your house, find a spot to put all of your yarn. You will have an easier time knowing what you have at any given moment (no more running to the store for green acrylic worsted weight yarn because you thought you ran out when you had another skein all along). And you don’t have to be as organized as me- arrange your storage how you would like, as long as you know where things are. You may need to adjust your organization method with time, but do what works for you right now. Now you can work to use your yarn during your time stuck at home!
3. Finish those Perpetual WIPs
You all know the ones: those projects so close to being finished but you just haven’t gotten around to weaving in the ends, those garments you put in time out because you couldn’t quite figure out the stitch pattern, or those items that were intended as a gift but took way too long to actually make so you gave up halfway through the process. For one reason or another, these crochet projects were left by the wayside to gather dust. Likely, you’ve forgotten about a few of these. As you go through all of the yarn that you have, you will unearth these projects. Now is the time to just sit down and finish those WIPs (works-in-progress). When you finally finish something you have been meaning to accomplish for a while, you take a weight off your shoulders. Plus, you can now put any leftover yarn from that project to better use. If you have a WIP that you do not ever want to finish, now is the time to frog (unravel) it and use that yarn for a better purpose. This is a great way to declutter those half-finished projects and clear some mental space for new and exciting things.
4. Salvage any Yarn
If your yarn stash is big enough (or old enough), or you have older yarn purchased or gifted second hand, you will likely find some yarn that may or may not be in good condition. A lot of yarns are durable, but while you sorted through your whole stash you may have noticed some skeins that are looking a little worse for wear. Get rid of yarns that are damaged by moths and mold, and thoroughly clean any yarns that are dirty or stained. If some of your yarn needs a little TLC to get back to a usable state, now is the time to do it. Always follow the labels on your yarn for cleaning instructions, but as a general rule wash all yarn gently in soap and water by hand and lay it flat to dry. I read a really good article recently about how yarns can go bad, as well as ways to prevent that or reverse some damage here. Now is also the time to throw out any yarns that are unsalvageable (it hurts, I know). But if unusable yarn is cluttering your space, it needs to leave.
5. Start that Planned Project Already
We all buy yarn with the intent to use it. That can be especially true when we purchase yarn with a specific pattern in mind. However, things get busy and our would-be projects disappear into the recesses of our closets and the back of our subconscious. Now that you have reviewed your yarn and remember why you bought it in the first place, get started on that project you have been planning for a long time! It can be hard to start a big project when we have other tasks to take care of, so I would suggest starting with something small that can give you some quicker gratification. It feels so good to finish a project! And seeing your yarn come to life from your inspiration can be an awesome feeling during a time like this when morale is low.
6. Make for a Special Event
Even with baby showers and weddings postponed/cancelled for the foreseeable future, life moments will still happen. Now is the time to make some gifts for your loved ones while you hunker down at home. Make a granny square blanket for a bride-to-be or use some fluffy yarn to make a cute baby blanket. Sometimes, you just need a reason to make something with the yarn you have already. This is especially helpful if you have been gifted yarn that doesn’t quite suit your style. By making gifts for others, you can feel a greater connection to those that are physically distant and declutter your yarn stash this spring.
7. Check out Pinterest/Instagram for Inspo
When you have exhausted all your other options for your yarn ideas, try looking online for inspiration. It helps to have the perspective of others when you need ideas for projects. There are so many talented makers and designers with a wide range of aesthetics to explore. Online research can inspire you to purchase a pattern you like or lead you to designing your own pattern with the yarn in your stash. A great way to clean out yarn that you have, especially yarn that doesn’t yet have a project, is to make something you haven’t thought about before. At this time when many small businesses are suffering from economic downturn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can support small business owners by purchasing their patterns or other materials for your craft that inspire you.
8. Try a New Skill
I’m probably not the only one hoarding beautiful sock yarn from the local yarn store with the intent to learn how to make socks one day. With all the time you have during this quarantine, learn how to actually make those socks! There are plenty of other yarns that you may have noticed in your stash that haven’t been used because you want to save them for a specific skill or item. Nothing is holding you back from tackling that new project except yourself! It is exhilarating to grow your talents and still learn while you are stuck at home. Get off the couch, out of the slump, and get feeling fresh and productive by trying something new with your yarn.
These are just some ideas to get you started as you do some spring cleaning to your yarn stash. You have lots of opportunities to re-envision your yarn this time of year, especially with most of us being at home more. It all starts with tidying and organizing but extends to using what you have while options are limited for buying new yarn. Share with me down below in the comments or through Instagram @crowchetcreations and the hashtag #crowchetcreations how you have done some spring cleaning to your craft room during this stressful time at home. Stay home, stay safe, and stay creative.
XO, Emily
