In my crafting communities, a lot of the conversation of late has been around our yarn or fabric buying habits. Almost all of us shared that we have more yarn or fabric than we'll ever use - and we are a group that includes a wide range of ages! We know that continuing to purchase fabric and/or yarn is a financial issue as much as a space/storage issue. To a person, we all seem to recognize that if something is to be done about it, it's on us (individually) to take action, which is a psychologically healthy approach.
I've been a participant recently in several conversations where people are openly talking about their decisions/commitment to not buying more fabric or yarn until we have used at least SOME of our current stash.

I can relate. I not only have a yarn stash, but I have a fabric remnant habit too, although the amount in that stash pales in comparison to my yarn collection.
While stash issues can be personally worrisome, there's a sense of relief that comes when we realize that almost everyone in our circle has the same challenge. BUT, as any current or former teenager knows, "everyone is doing it!" is not a valid defense of our choices, whether in complaining to our parents, or justifying our actions to ourselves. In conversations, both online and in gathered groups, people are thinking and talking out loud about their concerns around collecting too much yarn or fabric.
Aside from getting group rates on therapy to address the compulsion that drives otherwise rational people to purchase things that they don't need, or have an identified use for; let's talk about what we can do individually and in our crafting communities.
Individual actions
I wrote earlier about my talk, "Yarn & Self Care: a dynamic duo" at the Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival (August 2024). In that presentation, I shared some simple activities that can help us when we are feeling "meh". The truth of the matter is that a LOT of us shop mindlessly because it (temporarily) helps us feel better. I noted that making wise choices when it comes to our fiber arts activities helps them to remain a POSITIVE part of our life, and helps to keep the “energy” of our fiber crafts clear of guilt, fear, sadness or shame. I compiled a list that I call "Fiber First-Aid" and shared it as a guide to those times when we're feeling like we'd like some retail therapy, but know that we probably should think about it differently before proceeding,
Fiber First-Aid
Clean out, organize & refresh your yarn/fabric stash.
Join a crochet/knitting/quilting/sewing or other craft group
and attend as often as you can!
Learn a new stitch/technique on a regular basis.
Make a small gift for someone, “just because” !!
Make something for yourself!
Organize your WIPs (works in progress)
Shop with mindful INTENTION.
Start a small, NEW project using existing supplies.
Teach someone how to knit/crochet/sew/quilt etc.
Visit the library to find books on your craft.
Managing a growing stash can incite feelings of guilt, helplessness and even shame. Unaddressed, we may even begin to feel negatively about ourselves and about our fiber arts activities. This is not only unnecessary; it's totally preventable. Let's explore some options.
I was stuck in afternoon rush-hour traffic earlier this week, and was thinking about the decision I had made as I walked out of my building toward my car. That afternoon I had decided that I wanted some yarn, and had mentally plotted 3 routes through rush-hour traffic that would get me to a yarn store. This was a serious yarn-acquisition plan, but without a particularly compelling REASON to buy more yarn. I was working on my 2nd Emotional Support Chicken and was excited to get some yarn, specific to that project. The heavy traffic that afternoon was annoying, to be sure, but it ended up giving me some time to talk myself through that yarn-acquisition decision.
I thought about my project (the chicken); who I was making it for (myself); what my goal was for the project (I was adjusting the original pattern based on what I learned from making the 1st one); and what yarn options I might find at the store. As the stop-and-go traffic bumbled on, I began to think about the yarn options I already had at home, as well as the sheer VOLUME of yarn that I have stored across 3 rooms in my house.
I wasn't beating up on myself, but I was engaging in a couple of the "Fiber First-Aid" tactics that I had shared in my recent festival class.
Shop with mindful INTENTION.
Start a small, NEW project using existing supplies.
As the traffic congestion eased, I came to the point on the road where I had to either merge LEFT in the direction of 2 of the identified yarn stores, or exit RIGHT, to go home. I still had to decide, after exiting RIGHT toward home, whether I was going to then head to a 3rd yarn store. I decided to go home and "shop my stash".
Here's the thing about MY stash - and maybe yours, too. I have yarn tucked away here and there that I don't remember BUYING, and that I haven't laid eyes on in months, if not longer. I have enough yarn that I can easily choose from multiple options for just about any project, and find something that not only works, but that I like. After all, I bought the yarn in the first place. I cannot imagine that it would be yarn that I didn't like.
It’s important to note that I didn’t feel that I had “settled”. I found yarn in my stash that was perfect, and I saved at least $20 - because who among us can go into a yarn or craft store and only buy the yarn we need for a project!?
I learned that I did have the ability to pivot and make a different decision; one that felt better in the moment AND I think is making my journey of knitting this 2nd Emotional Support Chicken even more positive.
Now let’s look at what we can do in our fiber communities to support managing our stashes.
Group actions
I believe that we have an opportunity to support each other around this issue of the ever-growing yarn (or other craft supply) stash. How? By hosting a regular "Exchange" as part of scheduled gatherings where people can bring their excess yarn, fabric or other supplies and offer them to anyone who is interested.
This is a terrific way to support new fiber enthusiasts, or those for whom the extra expense is a burden. It is also a great way to thin our stashes in a way that supports our fiber community. Some weeks we’ll give some and take some; other weeks we’ll only give or only take and in still others, we might not do either.
To avoid becoming a burden on any 1 person or couple of people in the group, it’s important that guidelines be established before anyone starts showing up with bags of yarn. Things to consider include expectations that people are responsible for the yarn they bring unless they trade it away and that it’s a group effort to organize, manage and clean up. I think I’d also address the issue of money, because I promise you: someone, at some point, is going to want to offer their fancy yarn for a discounted price, but not for free. The best time to deal with that is BEFORE it happens.
Frankly, I’d avoid money exchanges. In my opinion that’s better accomplished on eBay, FB Marketplace or Mercari. It’s better to keep things light and friendly (low drama) in our fiber communities and avoiding the exchange of money is a good foundation for that goal.
At the end of the day, it’s our job to manage our yarn, fabric and other craft supplies. It’s up to us to make choices that support our mental health as well as our financial situation, but that also supports our fiber activities, and… we can do this!!
As we move closer to the holiday season, let’s think about “gifting” ourselves a new way of thinking about and shopping for yarn and other craft supplies. Let’s keep our fiber activities free of guilt, shame and negative energy so our fiber arts projects can be positive aspects of our lives.
Continued happy stitching & stash busting!
(C) 2024 Stitch 'n Dish
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