Ten-year old stash
I have a yarn stash from about 10 or 15 years ago when I used to knit in middle school and high school. This weekend, when we were at my parents’ house to pick them up for dinner, my mom had me take home some of my old stuff that I’ve been “storing” at their house… things like my barely used tap shoes, really old software that I borrowed from a professor at UBC, and my yarn stash.
Here’s a tour of some really old knitting:
There are at least five WIPs in the box. Neither my mother nor I can remember who started (and nearly finished) these projects. A few of them are entire sweaters knit on 2mm and 3mm needles…so sad to frog them, but what would I do with them???
I saved EVERY last bit of acrylic goodness, either making tiny butterflies or balling it up.
Mostly metal, but pretty light since they are small needles.
Right: The best thing in the stash, 5 skeins of 100% wool boucle by Georges Picaud from France.
this must be late 70’s / early 80’s judging by the lovely orange colours.
Hope you have enjoyed the tour! I still have no idea what to do with all this… Torching it came to mind, but I doubt that the acrylic would burn much. My mom suggested, “maybe just keep it in the garage”.
It would be neat to sell it on ebay with a story of where it came from, as a pack (minus the yarn you liked) then some newbie could take your old stuff and learn the way you did!
I have that EXACT cardboard box, white with a blue grid, living in the spare bedroom at my parents’ house. It holds memorobilia from all ages of my life, but no knitting. What a small world.
I have visited your site over the past three weeks and love everything you do.
My suggestion would be make something with these yarns like scarves, mittens and hats and donate them to a shelter either for the homeless or for abused women. They would get something beautiful and practical to wear. Sure they are not the best yarns out there but they would be welcomed by the people who receive them.
You could donate it to a senior’s retirement home. I used to volunteer at one organizing arts and crafts activites. They can always use supplies, and some of those little old ladies are knitting superstars.
What a treasure. It was fun to go through the box through your photos. Li
Hilarious.
Hilarious because when my grandmother died last year, I received about half of her yarn stash (the other half went to seniors homes). Its’ not funny that she died, obviously, but the stash makes me laugh because it’s her. This half-stash FILLS and entire closet in my house. I have never seen so many nasty colours and creepy acrylic yarns. Itchy Mohairs that i’m trying to knit with, but everyone refuses to wear. The acrylics will end up being knit for the Goodwill winter warmth drive, the mohairs will be incorporated into things so reduce it’s extreme itchiness. Good luck with your stash… I’m sure there’s something that can be done with it.
I would save it & then pass it on to your children & grand children.
I’ve been reading your blog off and on for about a month. I love your photos! I wish I could take pictures as well as you!
I think the idea of knitting up your stash and donating it to a charity is a good idea.
I have oodles of acrylic yarn leftover from my “crochet a giant afghan with red heart” days…
I am still saving mine–thinking that one day I will knit it all into interesting throw pillow covers–the acrylic wont felt with wear and will be washable. I bet I could make about 800 pillow covers with all the yarn I have…
good luck with your new stash 
If you are considering donation, check out Warm Woolies described on the Peace Fleece website: http://www.peacefleece.com/warmwoolies.htm I’m have an Eastern European caregiver across the street who cares for my neighbor’s elderly mother. She makes the most practical, useful, beautiful things for her family back home out of yarn that would just sit in a closet here at my house. She NEVER uses a pattern, and no matter what the yarn, she uses tiny needles. Sometimes I feel so silly with all my barrels of yarn and patterns when she works totally from her own imagination!
I loved going through your yarn stash tour. I felt like I had found a treasure right along with you. Have fun with all that bundle of creativity.
I suggest swapping/selling it…or if you really hate it….give it to us that love the word free (hehe…me!).