I have shared my opinion, and the published research supporting that opinion, that fiber arts, and specifically crocheting and knitting, are good for our mental and emotional health. This blog post takes that one step further and explores the healing aspects of finishing a long-left undone project.

I was cleaning out a closet and emptying half-filled boxes of forgotten craft supplies when I found a project in progress. It was intended to be a mini cowl and was in progress with recycled sari silk yarn from Darn Good Yarn. I had a subscription box from them a few years ago. and enjoyed it but felt guilty as I was adding to my yarn stash, and not finishing the projects I already had in motion.
As much as knitting and crocheting (& other crafts) bring positive benefits to our overall mental health, I have to admit that there can be a challenge associated with a collection of craft supplies (yarn!) that seem to taunt us each time we come in the door with a new bag of yarn.
I don't think it's just me. I see a LOT of memes on social media about the issue of the yarn stash. I know people who periodically give away yarn that they have had in stock for a period of time. They refuse to buy new until they have dispositioned - one way or another - their existing stash. I admire these folks! I get ideas about projects when I buy yarn, and giving the yarn away means that I have given up on that project (and yes, I am working on getting past this).
This week I struck a small blow to the yarn stash habit by finding this partial project, and sitting down to finish it before I picked up another one (even more recent ones I have in progress). It felt GOOD to tie it off, and even better when I tried it on. The colors are HAPPY and the recycled sari silk yarn means that it is buttery soft against my skin.
It will brighten up a lot of the black and grey I wear to work AND it will remind me that I can finish things. It's so important not to let our self-coaching descend into self-flagellation. We do sometimes need to redirect ourselves, but we need to do it gently, and sometimes eve give ourselves a break.
Self-care can feel like a big lift, but it doesn't need to be. It can begin with something as simple as finishing a small project that we started, "shopping" our stash when we have an idea for a new project or browsing the local library for new pattern ideas - when we just feel the need to scratch that yarn-themed itch (IYKYK).
If you're feeling "meh" and are tempted to head out for some yarn store retail therapy, think about finding a partial project and finishing it. You'll be surprised at the way that simple act lifts your spirit.
To be clear, I am not advocating that we NEVER shop again. Not only is that unrealistic (for me as much as anyone else), but it would be an extreme in the other direction. We also want to make sure we are regularly supporting our local yarn shops!
The best approach, I believe, is BALANCE. If we can learn to balance new acquisitions of yarn with the use of the yarn we already have in our stash, we will feel more peace about it all - regardless of the SIZE of our stash.
Life works best when we balance sleeping and waking time; rest and activity; work and play; spending and saving,... and so on. If we can practice bringing balance to our crocheting and knitting habits, we will continue to derive all the benefits from our time with hook or needles and yarn and begin to eliminate some of the stressors.
I want to be able to retreat to my knitting and crocheting in happy times and when I need help in managing stress. If I take care to bring balance to my fiber activities, I am helping to ensure that they will remain positive, supportive and healing.
(C) 2023 Stitch 'n Dish
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