Stash Bust 2023
Do you have a yarn stash that's been growing uncontrollably? Do you feel guilty about buying new yarn when you already have a closet or a room full of it? Are you looking for a way to declutter, downsize, and simplify your life while still enjoying your passion for knitting, crocheting, or weaving?
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in following along with my Project Stash Bust 2023, a personal challenge that I've set up for myself this year. The goal of the project is to reduce my yarn stashes by using up what I have instead of buying more. It's a way to be mindful of my consumption, reduce waste, and find creativity in what I already own.
In this blog post, I'll share with you my rules of the project, the benefits of downsizing your stash, the strategies for setting goals, the tips for stash busting, and the ways to stay accountable. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a beginner, whether you have a small stash or a large one, (heck it doesn’t even have to be yarn) this project is for you.
It’s important to note a few things before we fully dive into my challenge:
1. This is a judgement free zone.
2. The project is not about completely eliminating your yarn stash or depriving yourself of the joy of yarn shopping.
3. Project Stash Bust 2023 is not a competition or a one-size-fits-all solution.
The Big Why?
My studio is bursting at the seams with yarn. The shelves, baskets, and boxes are filled to the brim, and there's no way to know what I have at any given time. It's overwhelming and exhausting to look at, and it makes it difficult to film content for my social media consistently. The current storage solutions get messy quickly, and I spend more time tidying up than creating. That's why I've decided to embark on Project Stash Bust 2023. If I can destash at least half of my yarn, I'll have a cleaner and more organized workspace, I'll have room for more stock, and I'll be able to create content more consistently.
My Personal Stash Bust 2023 Rules:
No new yarn: Don't buy any new yarn, except for specific exceptions like custom orders or gifts.
Use existing yarn: Use up as much of your existing yarn as possible.
Inventory: Take an inventory of your yarn stash and track your progress.
Complete the Studio Goals list to the best of your ability, and check in quarterly to see if anything needs to be changed.
The “Strict Rotation” stash must be used before January 2024 or it needs to be donated.
Accountability: Share this process on my blog, Instagram and TikTok.
My Goals:
Clear out and organize the "No Yarn Zones".
Make room for visible Unfinished Object storage.
Make room and organize inventory and market stock.
Set clear boundaries for yarn storage on 2 shelves and the yarn wall, instead of the 5 shelves and yarn wall.
Donate any unwanted yarn.
Survive my yarn no-buy for as long as I can.
So far I’ve already donated 3 large recycling bags full of yarn that I couldn’t see myself using, but I know that as I work through some of the pieces I have planned, I’ll be able to donate more soon. I think that this was the best first step for me, because it’s given me a vague idea of the kind of space I’ll need, the types of yarn I need to organize and the colours that I gravitate to most
I’m not quite ready to show my design plans for the studio yet, I want to draw up some diagrams and get some research done, but I can’t wait to share that with you in future posts.
In conclusion, Project Stash Bust 2023 is all about clearing out the clutter and finding creative ways to use up my yarn stash. By setting specific goals and rules for myself, I know that I'll be able to create a clean and organized space to work in. As you follow along with my journey, I encourage you to also take a look at my last post "Finding My Sparkle" to learn more about my journey to find the magic in my craft business again. And keep an eye out for my upcoming posts on "Creative Ways to Use Scrap Yarn", "CB Studio Goals", and other accountability posts about this project later this month.
Thank you for reading and I can't wait to share more with you soon!
