In my last post, I bared my soul and told you the dirty truth about HOW MUCH yarn and partially finished projects that I have in my stash. And seeing it all really has me wanting to use my stash first. As my first project sat there, staring me in the face, I felt myself becoming really overwhelmed. Then I thought, If I am overwhelmed, you probably are, too. Some of these yarns and projects have been around for years! (Which means I have spent years wondering why I bought this yarn, or why I thought starting that project was a good idea.) So I thought you might need a little encouragement to use your stash (like I do).
Motivation to Use Your Stash
Here is a list of ten motivators that will help you get started (if you haven’t yet).
- Follow Dave Ramsey’s advice and start with the project closest to being finished. Snowball your projects.
- Do the one you are in love with second! Start the hated project first and keep saying to yourself “When I’m done with this _______, I can work on that _______!”
- Start the one you dislike and tell yourself, “When I am done I will give this to_______.” Fill in the blank with a local charity or someone you know who is in need. Make sure your work is good–always do your best work when you plan to donate and bless someone!
- Set aside 15-minute increments throughout the day. Sit down and work for 15 minutes without stopping. Later in the day, do it again. You will be surprised at just how much progress you can make when you work this way.
- Put all your other projects away. Discipline yourself to only work on one project at a time.
- Take a ton of photos with your phone. Then you can actually see the progress you are making.
- Work while you visit with company or watch TV. This will help the time pass, and you won’t even notice, but you’ll get so much done!
- Minimize the complexity of the project–make it easier. Maybe the reason it’s been sitting in your stash is because it’s too hard for you to work on. Change the stitch, alter the pattern, use up scrap yarn; whatever it takes to get it done.
- Plan ‘craft dates’ with friends. You can work on your procrastinated project while visiting with friends. That’s a win-win!
- Just do it!
There are as many ways to plan your work and get started as there are people. Pick one that works for you and get on with it!
My First Project
Below is my most-hated project. This photo shows me I am making progress. (I can’t wait to get this finished!)
This is also my Snowball project. All I need to do is set out the hexi’s, attach them, and get the blanket almost square. I don’t know why, but It seems beyond me to get this done. The other day I was so frustrated with it that I had to put it down and walk away. I only have about 9 more hexi’s to add on. I’m also not sure that I like the colors but we will see how I feel when it is finished.
Talk to you later,
Karen