Monday 15 February 2016

Losing Weight

After last week's weigh in of my yarn stash, I realised that I really need to take control of the situation.

Weighing the stash in kilograms doesn't mean that much to me, I'm a pounds and ounces girl.  18 kg, is it a lot?  18 doesn't sound like that big a number.  My husband brought me back down to Earth by telling me it's about 3 stones!!

Ok so I've been in denial - I'm a stashaholic!  In my defence, I've been knitting and crocheting, non-stop (and I do mean NON-STOP) for nearly 50 years - so that's a lot of yarn leftovers accumulated over the years.  And that's the main problem, a lot of the yarn I have is bits and pieces leftover from cardigans and sweaters I've knitted over the years.   I just can't bear to throw the bits out.  I've tended to ignore them, but now I'm going to tackle the problem.

By working on one box at a time, I'm going to sort through, use up or throw out the leftovers.  So from now on, I'm on a yarn diet.  My aim is to reduce the stash to half its current weight - yes, I want to lose 9 kg - and preferably by September, so that I can go to Yarndale with a clear conscience and treat myself by buying far too much yarn!

So easing myself gently into this, I started with one of the smallest boxes.  Here are the results of my first week of dieting.


Firstly I tackled some odds and ends of DK weight yarn.


I crocheted a coaster using my Sunny Days pattern.


Then I cleared out more bits by crocheting this cover for a wooden coat hanger.


A small basket got a makeover with this liner.



Then there were some very tiny bits and pieces of 4 ply yarn.


I used what I could to make some mini granny squares for my sock yarn blanket.


Grace had passed some of her leftover sock yarn (Wendy Roam Fusion) for me to make some mini granny squares and to knit a mini sweater to add to my bunting.


The remainder of this yarn will be passed back to Grace.

9g of chunky yarn has become a knitted scarf for Little Bear.


187g of unusable bits have been thrown out.

The total reduction for the week is 341g.  Not bad for now.  That was just one small box.  There are plenty more to work through but at least I've made a start.

If I reduce the amount of time spent sleeping and eating, and I knit a bit faster, you never know, I might just lose that weight after all.

21 comments:

  1. I need to be on a serious diet myself, but I have to say I bought yarn this past weekend. I was stressed and NEEDED yarn! But soon I will be good, just not quite yet.
    Meredith

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    1. Sometimes it's good not to be too serious about the stash and just do what makes you feel better. Have a good week Meredith x

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  2. I love the creativity de-stashing brings out:)

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    1. You're so right. Looking at it carefully does inspire new ways of thinking about it.

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  3. It looks as though you have made a really good start on the busting and weight loosing! It is surprising how it can mount up! xx

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    1. Let's hope I can keep up the good work - so many temptations out there.

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  4. I love your flower are you doing a pattern for it

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    1. Thanks Janet, I'll write up the pattern shortly and share it.

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  5. Not bad for week one. I like the idea of crochet coat hanger covers. I might try that for my next crochet project.

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    1. They are a good way to use up bits and pieces and very practical too.

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  6. ahh Janet....I love how you have started to reduce your yarn stash by making some really beautiful little things. I like the basket liner. So pretty. I did give some of mine to the charity shop.The yarn that I have now is in separate bags , partly made projects. I have no spare at all and just get out one bag at a time to do a bit on each thing. I've been very strict with myself, ha ha. A good start to the New Year. (up to now)

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    1. Let's hope I can be as strict as you and keep up the good intentions.

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  7. Wow you are off to a brilliant start Janet you have been busy, there are some great makes there. I was of the same mind honestly until I went into Aldi at the weekend and two big balls of Aran fell into my basket. I'n my defence my Aran stash is very low and I have a project in mind for it, ok I know no excuse! It's quite scary hearing the amount in terms of stone's I darn't even go there! :) xx

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    1. Thanks Linda. I saw the yarn in Aldi, in fact it was my husband who pointed it out to me - I think he was trying to test my resolve. Amazingly I managed to resist - hopefully I can keep this up.

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  8. You make me giggle, I'm going to Yarndale for the first time this year as it's my birthday on the Sunday - can you imagine the free reign!! I like your basket liners xx

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    1. Thank you Jo. Take a shopping trolley with you to Yarndale, to carry all your purchases.

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  9. Oh my!! these are all so pretty! now I know what you meant by "non-stop" hope you had good fun playing with yarn bits and colours!

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  10. Wonderful, scrumptious makes xx

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  11. Congratulations Janet everyone just loved you stash-busting makes you have been featured. :) xx

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    1. Thank you Linda. Your stash busting party provides such a wonderful incentive

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