This is a scary post for me to write: It is full of UnFinished Objects and Works-In-Progress and plain old skeins of yarn. It seems as if all the stashed yarn around my home is multiplying! Have you ever read the children’s book, Millions of Cats, by Wanda Gag? If you substitute the word yarns for cats, that’s about what I’m feeling these days! (Please tell me I’m not alone!) But, I’m going to do it. I need to wrap my head around all the UFO’s and WIP’s and skeins of yarn that are stashed around my home. The Use Your Stash Challenge starts in a few days, and I need to get a final count of stashed yarns.
Final Count of UFO’s and WIP’s
But, wait … not only do I have tons of yarn stashed around my home, I also have tons of things partially started! For example, these squares I created to see if I liked them enough to make afghans out of them.
Then there are these “centers” that never quite became squares and hexagons.
Here are the stripes of some afghans I never finished because I became distracted was inspired to create something else.
  
  
These flower squares are leftovers–made in addition to the flower squares I needed for several afghans that I completed.
Here’s another project: an afghan I started so I could write the pattern — but it just never happened because the color choices were unappealing to me.
These are wool granny squares left over from an afghan I made. I think I have enough to make another complete afghan.
Never mind the partially completed boot cuffs, hats, caps and scarves! I just can’t even show you those.
There are also some star ornaments that have never been blocked! This is what they should look like, but instead they look like little blobs of yarn.
Hubs to the Rescue
So here I am, trying to get a handle on all of the partially started bits and pieces; the afghans, squares, circles and stars. I am feeling totally overwhelmed, and then Hubs says, “Why don’t you snowball it?” Being a Dave Ramsey fan, I knew instantly what he meant: Start with the project closest to being completed and finish it first.
(Have I mentioned lately how brilliant Hubs is?)
So, this is my glorious plan: Crochet the almost-finished items first and get them moved out of the crochet line-up. This will not only give me more storage space, but it will allow me to move on to bigger and better things.
Final Count of Stashed Yarns
Alright, I need to warn you. You need to prepare yourself for the stashed yarns photos.
I had no idea things were this disorganized. Really.
I am embarrassed and pretty sure I have a hoarding problem.
Yup, those are my baskets and tubs of stashed yarns that I’ve been neglecting to photograph because, really, who wants the bald, unvarnished truth staring us in the face? I know there is probably more yarn somewhere in my home that I haven’t found and photographed. But, if I find it, I’ll add it to this gallery.
I’m feeling a tad bit overwhelmed and afraid to jump out there and do the Use Your Stash Challenge this year. Looking at all of this yarn. I would say that I am never going to make a dent in it. I might need to do this challenge again later in the year, or promise to not buy yarn for the next 12 months! (Ha! like that would ever happen.)
Setting Goals
I recently read an interesting article about how to make sure the changes you are implementing this year stick. Take this challenge, for example. How are we going to keep motivated?
- Make sure that you have a concrete list of what you want to do and get finished. (Check.)
- Keep a list of projects on your phone or notepad. Mark them off as they are finished. (I think I will keep the finished projects on the coffee table for a month. Just looking at the finished stack will motivate me to keep going.)
- Figure out when you will be able to crochet and make a few project bags to keep in key locations. (Old purses make great project bags if the project is small.)
- Park a project bag next to where you sit at night.
- Park another bag next to the door so you can pick it up as you rush out to run errands. (You just never know when the opportunity to crochet will present itself!)
- You might need to take a project bag to work so you can put in a few minutes during lunch. It is quite relaxing and it might make your lunch break enjoyable and your whole day less stressful.
- Make sure you have all the tools you need in each project bag: scissors, large eye needle, hook, yarn and project instructions. Set yourself up for success! (You can do this!)
Writing all of this is helping me find my resolve. I’m ready to get on with this! At least, I might as well try. The worst that can happen is I only get one project done–but even just one project completed is forward progress! Yay!
I’m going to concentrate on what I can do, and therefore not focus on how bad it seems.
How About You?
I’m ready to start on the 15th!
Are you ready to get a jump on the New Year by cleaning out your yarn stash? Leave a comment and let me know what your final count of stashed yarns is — we can do this together!
Talk to you later,
Karen