I love the idea of swapping the yarn you aren't excited to work with. I agree, its a huge investment to just give away, but swapping for yarn that appeals to you so you're excited to work with it seems like a better option than forcing yourself to make something you aren't as enthusiastic about just for the sake of using yarn you currently have.
I'm definitely excited to look into this idea more. I'm going to need lots of white sock yarn to finish my bee keeper's quilt and I'm hoping I can swap some of my hand dyed yarn scraps for some undyed or white ones. Because of the way I'm making it I won't be able to use every last scrap of my coloured yarns and they're sat in a bag tormenting me 😅
As a person who also does not have a ton of money. I like this idea of swapping. I found my self in your shoes. I'm going for a more buy for project and better quality. It doesn't always work . When patterns go on sale for $1.99 and change of season sales.
I'm commenting to back the swapping idea! Selling it is like the second best idea, because I don't think donating it is economically viable for you. I'm wondering if, maybe, you could make it a TH-cam swap chain with some friends in order to make it interesting for your viewers and your wallet, perhaps?
@@RetroClaudeI did a yarn swap several months ago with and found it very revitalizing. While I mostly swapped for the yarn I like to use most, I also impulsively decided to swap for some silk mohair (which I’d never worked with and, given how pricy it is, likely never would have bought). Getting yarn I like for yarn I had but wouldn’t have used was great, and it’s been really interesting trying out the mohair. I’d certainly recommend giving swapping a try (and I imagine it’d be pretty easy to find people who want to trade lace or fingering or sport weight for DK or worsted)
In my opinion using up the stash creatively is 100% a part of why this challenge is fun to watch, but - hear me out - swapping wool with other crafters so that both parties have wool they like better? That IS a creative way of using it up! In fact, it's kind of genius! (I kinda wish there was a way to have a yarn exchange website where one could bid on other people's stash yarn with one's own stash yarn, but of course when items are sent both ways, it really opens up the doors for scammers.)
That's my one concern. I don't want to end up just sending my yarn into the world and never getting anything in return. I'm going to try and do a few swaps IRL to test it out first. Or do like a points system for every 50g of yarn I sell I can buy another 50g but only second hand or something like that. I've still got some thinking to do 😊
Don’t use limited energy on knitting items you’re not exited about - we’ll follow you anyway and love to see the sparkle in your eyes, when you find and start That pattern 😘🤩
Another idea: why don't you knit for your audience? Suggest a project and a yarn and fans can bid in the finished project. The winner gets the project in their size, you continue with projects that challenge AND make some more money 😊 P.S Love that you consider the sustainability of your projects, I always wonder about that with YT creators making endless clothing, diys, etc.
@RetroClaude if you knit a sweater to fit over my norks it would really bust (ba doom tish) a big chunk of your stash!
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It’s a great idea!! It would also be really interesting say if it was an old pattern hear you talk about how to make it fit. If possible you could sell the pattern with changes. I know I wouldn’t try to knit an old pattern with the little experience I have
I think these really clever ideas, especially with the idea of involving the audience, even if not with the goal of knitting for a buyer. Like if there's vintage patterns that the audience is interested in seeing in a video. Or having polls saying "of these few patterns, what are people most interested in seeing me make?" I really enjoy the behind the scenes depictions of really interesting but intimidating vintage patterns, personally. And a general "here's my tips on making it work for you" sounds potentially like less effort than actually grading a pattern, though Claude would obviously know better than I would.
The appeal of the series for me is simply you - I like you, your honesty, your candid explanations of life with chronic illness and your sense of humour. So whatever you decide to do, I’ll still be here. I feel that with limited resources, you deserve to have projects that fill you with joy. If that can’t be achieved with your current stash, and you’ve spent a year trying, then maybe swapping or selling is a good next step.
I find your stashbusting knitting videos so relaxing and fun to watch even though I'm not a knitter and I have no clue what the knitting terms mean half the time haha! I definitely think you should be working on projects that make you excited and at the end of the day that will likely make viewers excited about the videos too! So if that means swapping or selling some yarn then it makes sense.
Just did the math: you bought 35 extra balls of yarn (for the ripple blanket, the Victorian shawl and the beanie) which means you knitted up nearly double the amount during this year! Well done! Without this purchases you would be nearly down to 100
I think selling some of the yarn you know you're not going to use is fair game, and you'd get part of your investment back, but I also think you'd have more fun swapping yarns. In my own process of stashbusting, I've found it useful to just let go of yarn I don't like without feeling like I'm taking the easy way out. I have a IRL knitting friend I swap yarn with and it's helped us both! I also knit and crochet for other people - my parents, other relatives, friends etc. It helps me try out new things I wouldn't have otherwise. I can't wait to see what you make next! 🤍
I think part of the appeal of this series is seeing how far you've got with the yarn you have, but a significant part of it is seeing you make things you're excited about with the yarn you have. If donating yarn doesn't feel right to you (and I agree with your reasons; I think they make complete sense), maybe an online sale or something would work? Especially if you could involve your followers somehow. A video sorting through the yarn you've decided you don't want and why you don't think it makes sense to keep in your stash would also be interesting and as it goes away you could include it in the stash busting totals as well. A large part of stashbusting seems to me to be about understanding your stash better and knowing what kinds of yarn you do and don't use, and you've got that knowledge now, so purging a little of it doesn't feel like giving up on the project but rather incorporating this newfound understanding into your making process. There really is no point making something for fun and enjoying neither the process of it nor the finished item.
Stash busting is about what works for your lifestyle. Be excited, swap with other people, donate if you can, it's the journey I am here for. Knitting is hard enough work without disliking the results!
I personally think that after a year, if you have honestly looked at a good chunk of your stash (and it seems like you have!) And whenever you look at it you struggle to come up even with something you arent excited about to do, it's admitting that maybe someone else out there could do something with it. I think also no one should be mad at you selling or swapping, yarn (especially wool!) is expensive. Just my two cents! Definitely inspiring me to think about looking about my own stash .....best of luck to you with this project!
I love Vintage Knitter Brain where we're like "hm yes 3.25mm needles those are quite large" 😂 I love these videos! I've been trying to use more stash yarn lately and this project has been a big reason why.
A new stashbusting video! A new stashbusting video! I am so grateful for this series and and all the lovely ideas and comments, for inspiring me to do my own stashbusting like nothing else. I've tried a lot of new things, picked up new skills, worked with patterns and yarns I'd never think to try otherwise, and it all feels risk free because I already have the materials, so it is just my time and energy at risk - and I've gained so much. Thank you, Claude! You've got tons of great suggestions to go on already, so mine is just that I like the little-of-everything approach, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens!
Also, just wanted to let you know that while I don't knit, I sew and being in a bit of a financial bind, I'm applying your stash busting idea to my stash of fabrics! So your videos are great creative and emotional support for me, and I love your energy. Looking forward to whatever you decide to make!
Selling would be fun. I find knitting baby jumpers fun because they are so cute and small and knit up very quickly. I'm considering knitting and selling those (in cotton of course). I enjoy anything and everything you knit. I live vicariously thru you since I'd never fit in any vintage size patter. Also, I purchased 2 magazines that are of vintage patterns. One is from the late 1930's. If you'd be interested in seeing them and maybe wanting a copy, let me know. I can always scan and email you the one(s) you like. Lastly, where did the new music for your videos come from? I'll admit I loved the vintage music from previous videos.
This music is sort of 70s themed as that's when the Maywick Pullover is supposed to be from. I try and match the music to the era of project I'm working on but finding royalty free music that sounds 70s proved harder than I thought 😅
There are many lovely suggestions here on what you can do with the yarn you're not as excited about in your stash and I'm sure you'll pick a way that works best for you forward - but I did want to celebrate the progress you have made! You've gotten through a big project and made a blanket and finished a sweater!! That is fantastic! With the autumn and winter ahead, you might find yourself in a more knitty mood, and even if not we're all always very interested to see what and how you tackle a project!
I totally understand not wanting to make more things for yourself. I love to stash bust by making baby items to give to local hospitals. That always renews my passion for knitting and crocheting. I also love making things for my grand baby.
I give away almost everything I make. I enjoy the process of making things and I don't need to keep everything that I make. Made a long rainbow amigurumi snake for a friend's kid. I don't have the space or desire to keep everything that I make so I sort of just make things that make me feel good while making them and then they belong to someone else.
I fully support selling and/or swapping. The appeal for me in this series is being on a similar journey. I had a pretty sizable stash (fortunately mostly donated to me but that means I didn't have any control over what I received) and I've mostly used the yarns that I had a larger quantity of the same yarn or my higher quality yarns. Seeing you challenge yourself to do mixing and matching or finding patterns to use smaller quantities gave me a lot of inspiration and ideas for using my odds and ends. I like how realistic your journey is and I'm getting to a similar spot where what I have left feels uninspiring or not useful and I've started buying yarn (or thrifting sweaters to unravel) to knit what inspires me. I've also started giving away some projects that I knitted to use up yarn that I never ended up wearing. Because the yarns I have left were donated to me I may give the rest away but if I were in your shoes, I'd sell
It's dawned on me you use my local Yarn shop - do pop in one Thurs morning to say hello - I'm almost always knitting and nattering! 🧶 love your channel
I really enjoy your stashbusting videos; they are such a good reminder to take a moment and look at all of the projects I have going on and focus on one or two to just get them done. Completely unrelated, I am knitting a pair of socks while watching this out of West Yorkshire Spinners which you used in a video ages ago. The bird colorways are just so cheerful to work with. It was a great recommendation of a fun, sturdy yarn!
Girl, you are breaking my heart! Stop being so hard on yourself! I am an over thinker, too, but I don't beat myself up. The internet has enough people who think it's their job to beat people up, so don't pile it on yourself. If you need inspiration in your stash, perhaps you should try over dying. If you gravitate towards the worsted weight cardigans, knit 2 fingering yarns held together for super stash busting! I truly enjoy your content and your talent. I pray for you and your health. 🙏❤
I definatly support the swapping idea. Life is too short to knit with yarn you feel meh about (even if when you bought it you did like it. Tastes change). I do tend to use yarn I feel meh about held double (to achieve a marling effect and maybe even hide the colors I don't enjoy anymore) to knit and crochet home decor items (blankets, basket, flower pot baskets, pillow cases, rugs). The scrappy look has its charm. I know you mentioned that you have no more need for blankets, but maybe other home decor items could be an option (since they eat up a lot of yarn). I like that you talked about the overconsumption problem. I feel like maybe selling your finished pieces could be an option. Not even taking commissions, just knitting what you like in your own or other size you want and putting it up for sale (I'm sure there are a lot of people who enjoy vintage jumpers but don't knit :) )
selling your unwanted yarn for sure and start knitting with no math and no stress with knits that are exciting for you . Thank you for this serie of videos, the best serie about knitting out there, love you videos Claude .
My grandfather made me a knitting doll many years ago when I was a child and my grandmother taught me how to use it. Sadly I lost it leaving a bad situation but I purchased one recently. I also had no idea what to do with it but knitting the cords sounds interesting! My grandmother also tried to teach me to knit when I was young but I couldn't get into it so it's very satisfying to have it as a hobby now ☺️
Find and work on projects that bring you joy to work on and knit them here on TH-cam. Then, donate them to a charity that helps people with disabilities. In my world, I have been knitting down my stash and making things for the homeless. I know what it is and means to be homeless and feel worthless. Making something for someone who has a need and provide an article of clothing that is brand new and never owned or worn by someone is an incredible gift. My big plus is I really enjoy knitting. I can make a quality product, give to someone in need, and provide encouragement; that to me is a huge win. Small bits of same size yarn can be granny squares that can be crocheted together as you go. One can make cardigans, blankets, pillows. All would be welcome by someone in need. It makes another person's day when they get to feel like someone made that thing just for them. You do not need to know who you are making it for. Just have fun, then give. 💚💚💚
Cedar balls! I have moths in my house and have never been able to completely get rid of them, but I have put cedar balls in my drawers/wardrobe/stash and have vastly reduced those heartbreak moments of discovery.
I think your stashbusting videos have been so fun and interesting, especially the vintage patterns that were in the make do and mend vein. I think it’s really impressive you got through over 50 balls in a year! But I would much much rather see you knit things you enjoy knitting and actually are excited to knit (or crochet) and share them with us. Running out of stash yarn that you have good projects for is frustrating. I have the same issue where it’s difficult to find projects for yarn I impulse bought just because it was on sale. Or when I was a beginner knitter and bought some odd pretty skeins but none of them go together! And similar to you, I can’t just donate them because I don’t really have the money to just go and buy more yarn. I think a yarn swap will be a great way to get some yarn that you can actually use and also will help because you can pick a project you really want to do and then swap for yarn for that project rather than desperately trying to find something to fit existing yarn and never quite enjoying the results. And technically selling is still stashbushing - let’s face it, any money made will likely be invested back into yarn or fabric so hopefully you can make some projects you will enjoy and will be excited to share with us! Best of luck!
I love the other comments support and suggestions. Another idea, if you want to push through and use what you have, possibly looking around for an organization that has a fundraiser that could use items for auction. You can make something you’re interested in but don’t necessarily want to keep, and you still earn from TH-cam for the video and also know that your item is being helpful to a cause you support.
I think knitting things up and then selling or giving away those items would be a good option. That way you're still keeping yourself busy and enjoying your hobby but you also won't have these random things sitting around forever. Also hand knit objects can turn into a good profit online, especially if subscribers were to take an interest and want something you've made.
I'm a crocheter and I find that using hooks with a rubbery handle is kinder to my arthritic hands than the thin metal ones. I recently made some fimo clay handles for some metal hooks when I couldn't get the size hook I needed in a soft handle. I made the handled longer and crikey O'Reilly an extra 2cm makes a huge difference in hand comfort.
Thank you for sharing your process and thoughts with us. I find it so rewarding to get to be in on another crafters decision making and rationaliting process. (I hope you understand my terrible spelling, disabled and none native english speaker). There is something to be said for sunk-cost-fallacy, when it comes to your stash-busting project too, And also there is nothing wrong with changing your mind on what you want to do now. We all change, change our minds and find different paths than were in sight some time ago.... Seeing you doing projects that bring you joy (or at least some happiness) is way better than watching you suffer though something you are starting to resent. I KNOW that if you wanted to do a project, that you dont have yarn for, your viewers would be more than happy to either send you yarn or money to invest in it. You have moore help than you know, and probably way moore than you have decided you deserve to ask for (my observation from a far, just watching your videos, and also recognisin where I do that myself). There are ALOT of very good generous people out there, that would love to get to help another human.
Maybe with the extra paintbox yarn you could make pillow covers for your pillows the way duvet covers sometimes have matching pillowcases? This series has inspired me to cut down on my own stash because I similarly have neither the space nor money to justify how much I have but knit & crochet has helped me focus and calm and fight my anxiety and keep me from old and unwell patterns of behavior.
Creative ways to use yarn swap, gift , make they all count in my view . Need to make things you enjoy making maybe if it’s not for you sell it ? Enjoying this series as it shows how a long term project can be less then perfect and still be finished ( hopefully) I’m looking forward to the highlights of my 2-3 year stash busting project réel where you have multiple shots of you saying it’s just…frustrating really and oh well and I didn’t know . So good to see the reality not the perfect I decided to make this I made it it’s perfect I’m perfect rubbish . Love the channel
I love your idea of making for other people. Thats what I do when I really feel like I have too much stuff. I start thinking of christmas presents, or donating for charity, that way I can keep making
Good job finishing two of your wips! I’m committed to stash busting this year. It’s really satisfying using what you have and a fun creative challenge. I’ve found that there’s no use being to rigid about it all. I’ve had to buy yarn to be able to finish a few projects and I’ve also realised I just won’t use some of the yarn I have. It’s totally ok and certainly not cheating, to sell or donate what you don’t want to use. (And I promise you we all happily watch a video focusing on what to get rid of and what to keep.)
You've given so much time and effort to coming up with ideas for what you have, I think it's time to swap some to refresh your options and donate/gift/sell what just doesn't work. You can even give some a "last chance" period of time before they go to make sure you gave it your all. So exciting to be coming up on one year of this project! Your methods really have helped me manage and plan for my growing stash.
The jumper/top is beautiful and the blanket looks lovely on your bed. Swop or sell the yarn for something that fills you with joy and inspiration. Life is just too short!! 😊
I love seeing your stash totals go down every video, and I think that's part of the fun of stash-busting - but the reason I started watching your channel was to see you make things you were passionate about. So if that means swapping or selling yarn to free up creative space in your life for things you'd rather make, count me in! I'll watch your knitting videos no matter what.
My youtube queue is always ridiculously long, but as soon as a new video from you pops up on my feed, it goes to the top of the queue. I love this series, as I find it very satisfying to see the end total at each month, and your ingenious uses for scraps. That said, I also really love seeing people work on projects they're exicted for. I think swapping and selling yarn would be fair game. Thanks for the mention of the Buddleia blouse, I might just knit it!
I don't knit (and don't have the space to start a wool collection) but am totally invested in this stash busting process now. I think if you are excited by a project it's going to make for better content, but if you're learning things along the way that's also interesting. If one of the things you learn is that you don't like using a particular yarn in your stash then either swapping, selling or giving it away is a valid outcome. Both finished pieces for this video look brilliant, that blanket must be such an achievement and it looks great all spread out. The colour blocked jumper looks potentially really cool too
I’m here mostly for the knitting content, so whatever you decide to do is good with me. Saying that, seeing you being creative with your stash is very helpful, because I have lots of these weird leftovers that I don’t know what to do with.
I love watching other creators come up with ways to tackle their stash, especially as I am trying to not let my stash get out of hand as well. I agree with what others have said about swapping the yarn with other crafters - it makes both parties more likely to get stuffdone without further financial investment. And it is a creative way to navigate the stash busting situation.
Love the Maywick sweater, the dainty red glove, crochet blanket and look forward to seeing the daisy sweater😊 If you only made vintage sweaters on your channel out of stash yarn, new yarn, Grandma’s yarn, or the neighbor’s yarn, I think everyone would be completely thrilled! (I was crazy about that blue and white fair isle you started!)
Great job on the stash busting. Don’t overthink or be too hard on yourself. I’ll tell you what my granny would do. Buy a box of plastic bags and store your yarn. Waste not want not. Have 3 projects:1 for inspiration 1 for using up lots of yarn and 1 for tv knitting. Sell jumpers and blankets you make that you have no room for but continue making and find the joy in that. My granny was a great knitter but she made mitts and scarves and sold them
Like a ton of other people I just looooove your stashbusting videos and I get so excited every time there's a new one. I don't see a change of strategy as a failure, since you've done it diligently for a year and that makes it one nicely defined time period, that has allowed you to draw some lessons. You inspired me to start systematically stashbusting as well, and leave my everything-analog-mode and do something I never thought I would: upload my stash onto Ravelry. I 'fell off the wagon' around the same time you did, and also struggle(d) with hand problems for the first time. I also learned lessons so that I feel better prepared now to make better decisions. I discovered as well, that, while it's nice to have freed up - a little - more space in my stash boxes, I don't have the storage space for the FO's. Like someone else said: I loved hearing your decision process, but it wouldn't be nice for you to keep working on things that you're not excited about. I found that for me, it's a wholesome thing in knitting and sewing to try to give, at least with part of the WIPs, priority to the most urgent gaps in my wardrobe. This scratches my maker's itch too, not just the experience of efficiently connecting projects to stash quantity. It's still challenging to combine both though. Sorry for not being more concise: I just can't do it : ) Best wishes with decision making, if you sleep on it you'll make a good decision, and no harm done if you decide to change course again anyway! Kind regards from Dublin
I am honestly so impressed you've spent a whole year knitting things you're not excited about! I think it's amazing you've kept at it. I like the idea of swapping, then your total doesn't go down so you can still stashbust, you retain the value of your yarn, but you also get the chance to work with materials you enjoy more.
Hello Claude, 🌸I really really love these stashbusting videos, they inspire me so much as I have a huge stash of my own...of course it needs to be fun for you, so it's important to find your way, maybe you can do a bit of all, try swapping at first, then maybe selling. yes, the whole point is the challenge, it's the best part, so maybe the challenge for you is actually finding whatever way to knit what you like, using your yarn as the resource? so if you swap it or sell it I see it still as stash busting! keep busting all the way! 🌺
That red cotton is cursed! 😂 I love your videos. Since you asked - I'd donate or swap yarn. Moving uninspiring items from your stash might give you the oomph to find projects you love. The blanket is lush - well worth the effort x
I believe the most interesting thing about this channel is your enthusiasm and love for the crafts you make, so you shouldn't force yourself to follow uncomfortable rules because, at the end of the day, knitting is a choice, and it's ilogical to choose for not great and pleasent options. I love your videos! Cheers from Brazil💕
1000% you should keep stashbusting. No joke out of the hundreds of TH-camrs and series I watch, the stashbusting series is my all time favourite (no pressure or anything lol). Maybe to celebrate a year of stashbusting you get to 'supliment your stash' with 12 new balls of yarn, one for each month. But the balls you pick have to be used with your stashbusting yarn (therefore both giving you something new and extending your project options) but you're still on track for stashbusting. Also what about at the end of each installment you pick a yarn or a few yarns from your stash that you show to us, and ask for suggestions on what to do with it? That way you'll be given inspiration from some of the balls of yarn that are confounding you, and also might feel more motivated to work with it. :)
1) make what you want to make and use. 2) sell your yarn, you have some YT audience, maybe it helps. If big stash doesn't bother you clutterwise, keep it. 3) your pronounciation of "ö" is perfect, you could totally speak estonian :) ❤
I love the scrap busting, but the more excited you are about a project, the more fun they are. The only thing, I’d worry less about when you’re knitting for others if they’ll care properly for the object. My wool baby items are heirlooms for my kids to do with what they want!
I watch these videos because I enjoy hearing your take on how things go. I have a small preference for you picking the option that makes your life easiest because you're already going out of your way to make these lovely videos for us, I wouldn't want you to jump through any more hoops. But at the end of the day, I'll be watching whatever mix of solutions you opt for.
I always feel better when I have made a mistake, no matter how far back it is, to correct it. Otherwise, it is always the first and only thing I can see when I look at what I have made. My OCD kicking in. And after years of knitting what I might not particularly like, that I must have something that I love on my needles. I have a stash that needs to be knit up also. You have inspired me to start on it! I love the colors in your Maywick by the way! Knit on!
Fabulous video. You have accomplished so much this past year. Sometimes numbers don’t tell the true story. I always appreciate your candid musings. I’m confident you’ll find the best path forward to new inspiration.
Love your videos, love your “making” and your wonderful honesty and sense of humor! I had to laugh watching because I very rarely keep anything I make… even if I initially decided to make it for “me” 😂. I’ve done this my whole life. Keep enjoying what you are doing and thank you SO MUCH for sharing with us ❤. Also I just love the cardigan you are wearing! As to your question about your stash…. I cleaned mine out (I still have too much) of the yarns I knew I didn’t want to knit with. I put them up for sale and what didn’t sell, I donated to a few local elder centers and thrift stores that I like to frequent.
I have very little space to store knitted goods, so my workaround is what my grandmother would have called "charity knitting." Specifically, I knit mittens for a children's charity locally that gives presents to underprivileged children every year for Christmas. Part of each gift is a pair of mittens. So, as I can knit mittens quite fast and therefore use up small quantities of leftover yarn for stripes and particolored mittens, these are a great outlet for my love of knitting mittens without ending up with 50 pairs of mittens for myself.
Love the crochet blanket, hope it will bring you joy now it is finished. I am sure all viewers want you to be happy and not feel like your stash is a burden or just there for content creation. Feel free to swap, sell what doesn't inspire you or do what you want which can also include keeping it. Noone stopped watching knitty natty when she donated or swapped her yarn for her destash, so don't be too tied to your stash busting. Hope you find a pattern that finds you joy soon. Thanks for all your videos.
I really have enjoyed this series as an inspiration for my own (very much failing) stash busting, and it is nice to sort of go along and know fellow yarn lovers struggling. I do think swapping yarn might be a nice thing to do as well and bring us in on that process. I personally have 2 bags of random balls of yarn I use as part of workshops, where I bring them for students to prototype and I love how they can take something I had no clue what to do with and make exciting learning materials for the day (usually the results aren't actually useful, but at least the yarn serves a learning process for a few hours). But whatever you chooses, I'll keep coming back, because I find your content extremely relaxing and calming!
I feel like selling yarn online is a great way to know that a) your yarn is going somewhere it will be used b) you can still feel like you’re getting something out of your yarn (if not physically then financially).
I love your colorful wavy pattern shetland sweater! In France we call your french knitting dolly " tricotin" , no reference to England as " couture anglaise" for your "french seam"...no country name exchange for this little guy!Thank you for your videos!
I can't believe it is a year already!!! You are doing a great job- everything looks really beautiful! I am all for swapping/selling the yarn you absolutely know that you won't like working with. With work and all other demands on our time, knitting (crocheting for me) must bring joy in our lives. Not stress and anxiety.
I love your videos, Claude, and will continue watching regardless of how you finish the stashbusting series. For what it’s worth, I think life is too short and energy too precious to spend time making projects you aren’t excited about. So far as stashbusting is “using creatively”, I vote that you get creative about trading what you have and don’t love for something that would add value to your life (selling, swapping, making on commission, etc), and then share with us how you did that. Your happiness and satisfaction matter! 💛💛💛
I appreciate you talking about feeling like you already have enough. I’ve never been the type of crafter who wants to make things just because unto infinity; it’s always seemed like such a waste of resources. I really need to have a purpose for what I make in order to find any satisfaction. But that outlook seems incredibly rare and I’ve never actually heard anyone else other than my grew-up-in-the-Depression grandma express a similar opinion, so it felt really relatable to hear you say it too.
Hi! I’ve also been stash busting my yarns and i did eventually decide to donate a few. I definitely didn’t start with as much yarn as you but it got to a point where i’m not excited about any of the yarn i have. So i got the ones i knew i would never use out, making it easier to see what’s left. You could otherwise make things and sell them. A little income from the video and some income from the sale. But again, you need to be excited about the project or you’ll continue to feel bored about it
I like the idea of swapping yarn as well. And the knitting for your audience. Related: This series has made me reevaluate my own stash and I am working on a bit more stash-busting as well, so thank you
It was really interesting to listen to your year-end wrap up thoughts and how this endeavour affected your craft. No matter whether you met your goal or not, I’m really proud of you for sticking to this challenge and downsizing your stash through so many interesting and creative projects. I think you should do what makes your heart happy when it comes to the yarns left in your stash. There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t see yourself using it and either selling it or donating it so it can go to someone else who will love it and give it life in a project. ❤
I know I'm watching this video a year after the fact, but the big yarn made of the i-cord type string is a great idea! I might use it as one of my projects! ❤
I love having these videos every once in a while, but I do understand it’s a bit difficult to always have something you’re interested in making. What I immediately thought when you mentioned you are liking crochet better, is that you could make some of the vintage projects like the ones Engineering Knits made (i.e. the victorian cape). Crochet does use a lot of yarn and that way you could enjoy the new craft while doing some challenging projects like the vintage crochet patterns
AAWWWW YISSS new Retro Claude stashbusting video! I binged the first 3 (?) a while back and now YT keeps reccing me knitting and stashbusting video's but none of them give me what you do!!
I’m sorry your knitting hasn’t been making you happy. Your jumper and blanket are glorious, and you’re a huge inspiration for so many people. Serious question: would you wear handmade hats? Fingerless gloves? Vintage slippers? Would anyone in your life appreciate a smaller handmade item as a gift? I hope you find a way that brings you more joy and fewer headaches. Finally, the “worsted” pronunciation guide really made me smile. You’re a treasure!
I think I can persuade a few friends to receive a handmade knitted gift this Christmas! And I think it was less of a guide and more of an experiment 😂 results still inconclusive!
Watching these videos has helped me get back into knitting in a year where I have really struggled with motivation. I did half a sleeve on a project abandoned last October while watching this one. As a fellow fatigued large stash owner, I really enjoy seeing what is for me a very realistic knitting experience. But selling/swapping some of the stash would in no way take away from that. I wouldn't waht to see the stash busting become grueling. If either selling some of the yarn to reduce the pressure that the stash size is causing you, or swapling for yarn you are more excited about would be enjoyable then go for it. I frequently send yarn to a friend who has different knitting styles to me when I realise something fits her stash better than mine, and she does likewise. I never consider is cheating or failing at stash busting.
I inherited three stashes, a truly absurd amount of wool. My biggest stash busting projects were a pair of Queen size Tunisian crochet that i did on 15mm needles with yarn held three or four together, one in all shades of blue for my sister and one in greens and browns for me. The blankets used probably 50+ skeins each and would cost so much if the wool was all bought new. But i love mine - it lives on my bed about 8 months of the year. So much better than keeping all the skeins in the attic for another 30 years.
I love watching you make projects that interest you, that you learn something from and that you can teach us something about. If finding projects to fit existing yarn means that the projects are less engaging to you or to us then maybe selling it is the better route. I have loved watching your progress with stash-busting and can't wait to see how those works in progress come out.
Wow, the blanket is gorgeous all spread out properly! And love the sweater. I've only started knitting in the past year, mostly thanks to your videos (and my overenthusiastic knitting Mother). I really enjoy seeing you make interesting things that I'm still scared to even attempt (making my first shawl at the moment). Sell or swap the yarn I say, and find some that fit what you prefer to use, because you also need to create in a way that you can still enjoy.
It’s always lovely to watch along with these as I work through my own stash! I often feel like I haven’t made any progress, but I know there’s so many projects I have to look forward! I’m hoping that once my pile has gone down a bit I can finally whip up some of these beautiful jumper patterns with you
Like many others I really enjoy your stash busting videos and they really inspire me to go through my own stash and take on some slightly more challenging patterns to be able to use as much as possible. But, as many others have said as well, I also enjoy sewing videos and knitting videos in general 😊
Dear Claude, I live for your stash busting videos! I love your dedication to the craft and persistence in your stashbusting. Please keep in mind that life is too short to knit things you don't enjoy❤. Don't be too hard on yourself if you do sell some of your stash. Just an idea to knit up your stash faster would be to knit something holding multiple strands together. Currently using some leftovers to knit my son a sweater at 16st gauge holding 4 strands together. To me the marling effect is heaven. Love from The Netherlands 😘
I love the idea of swapping the yarn you aren't excited to work with. I agree, its a huge investment to just give away, but swapping for yarn that appeals to you so you're excited to work with it seems like a better option than forcing yourself to make something you aren't as enthusiastic about just for the sake of using yarn you currently have.
I'm definitely excited to look into this idea more. I'm going to need lots of white sock yarn to finish my bee keeper's quilt and I'm hoping I can swap some of my hand dyed yarn scraps for some undyed or white ones. Because of the way I'm making it I won't be able to use every last scrap of my coloured yarns and they're sat in a bag tormenting me 😅
As a person who also does not have a ton of money. I like this idea of swapping. I found my self in your shoes. I'm going for a more buy for project and better quality. It doesn't always work . When patterns go on sale for $1.99 and change of season sales.
I'm commenting to back the swapping idea! Selling it is like the second best idea, because I don't think donating it is economically viable for you. I'm wondering if, maybe, you could make it a TH-cam swap chain with some friends in order to make it interesting for your viewers and your wallet, perhaps?
Yes to swapping! Always swap for things you'll use over thoughts you're not excited about.
@@RetroClaudeI did a yarn swap several months ago with and found it very revitalizing. While I mostly swapped for the yarn I like to use most, I also impulsively decided to swap for some silk mohair (which I’d never worked with and, given how pricy it is, likely never would have bought). Getting yarn I like for yarn I had but wouldn’t have used was great, and it’s been really interesting trying out the mohair. I’d certainly recommend giving swapping a try (and I imagine it’d be pretty easy to find people who want to trade lace or fingering or sport weight for DK or worsted)
In my opinion using up the stash creatively is 100% a part of why this challenge is fun to watch, but - hear me out - swapping wool with other crafters so that both parties have wool they like better? That IS a creative way of using it up! In fact, it's kind of genius! (I kinda wish there was a way to have a yarn exchange website where one could bid on other people's stash yarn with one's own stash yarn, but of course when items are sent both ways, it really opens up the doors for scammers.)
That's my one concern. I don't want to end up just sending my yarn into the world and never getting anything in return. I'm going to try and do a few swaps IRL to test it out first. Or do like a points system for every 50g of yarn I sell I can buy another 50g but only second hand or something like that. I've still got some thinking to do 😊
That swapping place sounds like tinder for yarn. I would love that.
Don’t use limited energy on knitting items you’re not exited about - we’ll follow you anyway and love to see the sparkle in your eyes, when you find and start That pattern 😘🤩
Another idea: why don't you knit for your audience? Suggest a project and a yarn and fans can bid in the finished project. The winner gets the project in their size, you continue with projects that challenge AND make some more money 😊 P.S Love that you consider the sustainability of your projects, I always wonder about that with YT creators making endless clothing, diys, etc.
I like this idea because it's a way of saying thank you to my supporters!
@RetroClaude if you knit a sweater to fit over my norks it would really bust (ba doom tish) a big chunk of your stash!
It’s a great idea!! It would also be really interesting say if it was an old pattern hear you talk about how to make it fit. If possible you could sell the pattern with changes. I know I wouldn’t try to knit an old pattern with the little experience I have
This would be so great. Especially for projects you're excited about making, but not wearing.
I think these really clever ideas, especially with the idea of involving the audience, even if not with the goal of knitting for a buyer. Like if there's vintage patterns that the audience is interested in seeing in a video. Or having polls saying "of these few patterns, what are people most interested in seeing me make?" I really enjoy the behind the scenes depictions of really interesting but intimidating vintage patterns, personally. And a general "here's my tips on making it work for you" sounds potentially like less effort than actually grading a pattern, though Claude would obviously know better than I would.
The appeal of the series for me is simply you - I like you, your honesty, your candid explanations of life with chronic illness and your sense of humour. So whatever you decide to do, I’ll still be here. I feel that with limited resources, you deserve to have projects that fill you with joy. If that can’t be achieved with your current stash, and you’ve spent a year trying, then maybe swapping or selling is a good next step.
I find your stashbusting knitting videos so relaxing and fun to watch even though I'm not a knitter and I have no clue what the knitting terms mean half the time haha! I definitely think you should be working on projects that make you excited and at the end of the day that will likely make viewers excited about the videos too! So if that means swapping or selling some yarn then it makes sense.
Just did the math: you bought 35 extra balls of yarn (for the ripple blanket, the Victorian shawl and the beanie) which means you knitted up nearly double the amount during this year! Well done! Without this purchases you would be nearly down to 100
I think selling some of the yarn you know you're not going to use is fair game, and you'd get part of your investment back, but I also think you'd have more fun swapping yarns. In my own process of stashbusting, I've found it useful to just let go of yarn I don't like without feeling like I'm taking the easy way out. I have a IRL knitting friend I swap yarn with and it's helped us both! I also knit and crochet for other people - my parents, other relatives, friends etc. It helps me try out new things I wouldn't have otherwise. I can't wait to see what you make next! 🤍
I think part of the appeal of this series is seeing how far you've got with the yarn you have, but a significant part of it is seeing you make things you're excited about with the yarn you have. If donating yarn doesn't feel right to you (and I agree with your reasons; I think they make complete sense), maybe an online sale or something would work? Especially if you could involve your followers somehow. A video sorting through the yarn you've decided you don't want and why you don't think it makes sense to keep in your stash would also be interesting and as it goes away you could include it in the stash busting totals as well. A large part of stashbusting seems to me to be about understanding your stash better and knowing what kinds of yarn you do and don't use, and you've got that knowledge now, so purging a little of it doesn't feel like giving up on the project but rather incorporating this newfound understanding into your making process. There really is no point making something for fun and enjoying neither the process of it nor the finished item.
To help you kick the yarn decision down the road a little!
Thank you so much! 💚
Stash busting is about what works for your lifestyle. Be excited, swap with other people, donate if you can, it's the journey I am here for. Knitting is hard enough work without disliking the results!
I personally think that after a year, if you have honestly looked at a good chunk of your stash (and it seems like you have!) And whenever you look at it you struggle to come up even with something you arent excited about to do, it's admitting that maybe someone else out there could do something with it. I think also no one should be mad at you selling or swapping, yarn (especially wool!) is expensive. Just my two cents! Definitely inspiring me to think about looking about my own stash .....best of luck to you with this project!
The stash busting is very satisfying, but it's much more fun when you're enjoying yourself, in my opinion!
I love Vintage Knitter Brain where we're like "hm yes 3.25mm needles those are quite large" 😂
I love these videos! I've been trying to use more stash yarn lately and this project has been a big reason why.
I’m a sock knitter and have the same issue! Whoa! Size 5?? HUGE! 😂
A new stashbusting video! A new stashbusting video! I am so grateful for this series and and all the lovely ideas and comments, for inspiring me to do my own stashbusting like nothing else. I've tried a lot of new things, picked up new skills, worked with patterns and yarns I'd never think to try otherwise, and it all feels risk free because I already have the materials, so it is just my time and energy at risk - and I've gained so much. Thank you, Claude! You've got tons of great suggestions to go on already, so mine is just that I like the little-of-everything approach, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens!
I like that idea of it being risk free! I'll take that attitude forward with me ☺️
Also, just wanted to let you know that while I don't knit, I sew and being in a bit of a financial bind, I'm applying your stash busting idea to my stash of fabrics! So your videos are great creative and emotional support for me, and I love your energy.
Looking forward to whatever you decide to make!
Selling would be fun. I find knitting baby jumpers fun because they are so cute and small and knit up very quickly. I'm considering knitting and selling those (in cotton of course). I enjoy anything and everything you knit. I live vicariously thru you since I'd never fit in any vintage size patter. Also, I purchased 2 magazines that are of vintage patterns. One is from the late 1930's. If you'd be interested in seeing them and maybe wanting a copy, let me know. I can always scan and email you the one(s) you like. Lastly, where did the new music for your videos come from? I'll admit I loved the vintage music from previous videos.
This music is sort of 70s themed as that's when the Maywick Pullover is supposed to be from. I try and match the music to the era of project I'm working on but finding royalty free music that sounds 70s proved harder than I thought 😅
There are many lovely suggestions here on what you can do with the yarn you're not as excited about in your stash and I'm sure you'll pick a way that works best for you forward - but I did want to celebrate the progress you have made! You've gotten through a big project and made a blanket and finished a sweater!! That is fantastic! With the autumn and winter ahead, you might find yourself in a more knitty mood, and even if not we're all always very interested to see what and how you tackle a project!
I totally understand not wanting to make more things for yourself. I love to stash bust by making baby items to give to local hospitals. That always renews my passion for knitting and crocheting. I also love making things for my grand baby.
I give away almost everything I make. I enjoy the process of making things and I don't need to keep everything that I make. Made a long rainbow amigurumi snake for a friend's kid. I don't have the space or desire to keep everything that I make so I sort of just make things that make me feel good while making them and then they belong to someone else.
I fully support selling and/or swapping. The appeal for me in this series is being on a similar journey. I had a pretty sizable stash (fortunately mostly donated to me but that means I didn't have any control over what I received) and I've mostly used the yarns that I had a larger quantity of the same yarn or my higher quality yarns. Seeing you challenge yourself to do mixing and matching or finding patterns to use smaller quantities gave me a lot of inspiration and ideas for using my odds and ends. I like how realistic your journey is and I'm getting to a similar spot where what I have left feels uninspiring or not useful and I've started buying yarn (or thrifting sweaters to unravel) to knit what inspires me. I've also started giving away some projects that I knitted to use up yarn that I never ended up wearing.
Because the yarns I have left were donated to me I may give the rest away but if I were in your shoes, I'd sell
It's dawned on me you use my local Yarn shop - do pop in one Thurs morning to say hello - I'm almost always knitting and nattering! 🧶
love your channel
I have the opposite problem: I have to force myself to knit things for myself. The sweater looks very comfortable and works on you.
I really enjoy your stashbusting videos; they are such a good reminder to take a moment and look at all of the projects I have going on and focus on one or two to just get them done.
Completely unrelated, I am knitting a pair of socks while watching this out of West Yorkshire Spinners which you used in a video ages ago. The bird colorways are just so cheerful to work with. It was a great recommendation of a fun, sturdy yarn!
I still have a little bit of mine left! I loved those colourways and every time I wear my socks it makes me so happy ☺️
Making things for other people is the best!
I love seeing friends and family love the things I've made for them.
Girl, you are breaking my heart! Stop being so hard on yourself! I am an over thinker, too, but I don't beat myself up. The internet has enough people who think it's their job to beat people up, so don't pile it on yourself. If you need inspiration in your stash, perhaps you should try over dying. If you gravitate towards the worsted weight cardigans, knit 2 fingering yarns held together for super stash busting!
I truly enjoy your content and your talent. I pray for you and your health. 🙏❤
Whatever you choose, it needs to be sustainable for you. Whatever keeps you in a good mental and physical space, I'm here for.
I definatly support the swapping idea. Life is too short to knit with yarn you feel meh about (even if when you bought it you did like it. Tastes change). I do tend to use yarn I feel meh about held double (to achieve a marling effect and maybe even hide the colors I don't enjoy anymore) to knit and crochet home decor items (blankets, basket, flower pot baskets, pillow cases, rugs). The scrappy look has its charm. I know you mentioned that you have no more need for blankets, but maybe other home decor items could be an option (since they eat up a lot of yarn).
I like that you talked about the overconsumption problem. I feel like maybe selling your finished pieces could be an option. Not even taking commissions, just knitting what you like in your own or other size you want and putting it up for sale (I'm sure there are a lot of people who enjoy vintage jumpers but don't knit :) )
selling your unwanted yarn for sure and start knitting with no math and no stress with knits that are exciting for you . Thank you for this serie of videos, the best serie about knitting out there, love you videos Claude .
My grandfather made me a knitting doll many years ago when I was a child and my grandmother taught me how to use it. Sadly I lost it leaving a bad situation but I purchased one recently. I also had no idea what to do with it but knitting the cords sounds interesting! My grandmother also tried to teach me to knit when I was young but I couldn't get into it so it's very satisfying to have it as a hobby now ☺️
Find and work on projects that bring you joy to work on and knit them here on TH-cam. Then, donate them to a charity that helps people with disabilities. In my world, I have been knitting down my stash and making things for the homeless. I know what it is and means to be homeless and feel worthless. Making something for someone who has a need and provide an article of clothing that is brand new and never owned or worn by someone is an incredible gift. My big plus is I really enjoy knitting. I can make a quality product, give to someone in need, and provide encouragement; that to me is a huge win. Small bits of same size yarn can be granny squares that can be crocheted together as you go. One can make cardigans, blankets, pillows. All would be welcome by someone in need. It makes another person's day when they get to feel like someone made that thing just for them. You do not need to know who you are making it for. Just have fun, then give. 💚💚💚
I was today years old when I learned what an errata is. Thank you.
Destash in the way that makes you happiest, life is far too short to stress it out and definitely too short to make things you aren’t enjoying. Xx
Cedar balls!
I have moths in my house and have never been able to completely get rid of them, but I have put cedar balls in my drawers/wardrobe/stash and have vastly reduced those heartbreak moments of discovery.
I think your stashbusting videos have been so fun and interesting, especially the vintage patterns that were in the make do and mend vein. I think it’s really impressive you got through over 50 balls in a year! But I would much much rather see you knit things you enjoy knitting and actually are excited to knit (or crochet) and share them with us.
Running out of stash yarn that you have good projects for is frustrating. I have the same issue where it’s difficult to find projects for yarn I impulse bought just because it was on sale. Or when I was a beginner knitter and bought some odd pretty skeins but none of them go together! And similar to you, I can’t just donate them because I don’t really have the money to just go and buy more yarn.
I think a yarn swap will be a great way to get some yarn that you can actually use and also will help because you can pick a project you really want to do and then swap for yarn for that project rather than desperately trying to find something to fit existing yarn and never quite enjoying the results. And technically selling is still stashbushing - let’s face it, any money made will likely be invested back into yarn or fabric so hopefully you can make some projects you will enjoy and will be excited to share with us! Best of luck!
I love the other comments support and suggestions. Another idea, if you want to push through and use what you have, possibly looking around for an organization that has a fundraiser that could use items for auction. You can make something you’re interested in but don’t necessarily want to keep, and you still earn from TH-cam for the video and also know that your item is being helpful to a cause you support.
I think knitting things up and then selling or giving away those items would be a good option. That way you're still keeping yourself busy and enjoying your hobby but you also won't have these random things sitting around forever. Also hand knit objects can turn into a good profit online, especially if subscribers were to take an interest and want something you've made.
I'm a crocheter and I find that using hooks with a rubbery handle is kinder to my arthritic hands than the thin metal ones. I recently made some fimo clay handles for some metal hooks when I couldn't get the size hook I needed in a soft handle. I made the handled longer and crikey O'Reilly an extra 2cm makes a huge difference in hand comfort.
Thank you for sharing your process and thoughts with us. I find it so rewarding to get to be in on another crafters decision making and rationaliting process. (I hope you understand my terrible spelling, disabled and none native english speaker). There is something to be said for sunk-cost-fallacy, when it comes to your stash-busting project too, And also there is nothing wrong with changing your mind on what you want to do now. We all change, change our minds and find different paths than were in sight some time ago.... Seeing you doing projects that bring you joy (or at least some happiness) is way better than watching you suffer though something you are starting to resent. I KNOW that if you wanted to do a project, that you dont have yarn for, your viewers would be more than happy to either send you yarn or money to invest in it. You have moore help than you know, and probably way moore than you have decided you deserve to ask for (my observation from a far, just watching your videos, and also recognisin where I do that myself). There are ALOT of very good generous people out there, that would love to get to help another human.
Love watching these stash-busting because I feel like it keeps me accountable from my own stash
Maybe with the extra paintbox yarn you could make pillow covers for your pillows the way duvet covers sometimes have matching pillowcases?
This series has inspired me to cut down on my own stash because I similarly have neither the space nor money to justify how much I have but knit & crochet has helped me focus and calm and fight my anxiety and keep me from old and unwell patterns of behavior.
Creative ways to use yarn swap, gift , make they all count in my view . Need to make things you enjoy making maybe if it’s not for you sell it ? Enjoying this series as it shows how a long term project can be less then perfect and still be finished ( hopefully) I’m looking forward to the highlights of my 2-3 year stash busting project réel where you have multiple shots of you saying it’s just…frustrating really and oh well and I didn’t know . So good to see the reality not the perfect I decided to make this I made it it’s perfect I’m perfect rubbish . Love the channel
I love your idea of making for other people. Thats what I do when I really feel like I have too much stuff. I start thinking of christmas presents, or donating for charity, that way I can keep making
I can't believe you don't have more subscribers when you have such high engagement.
Good job finishing two of your wips! I’m committed to stash busting this year. It’s really satisfying using what you have and a fun creative challenge. I’ve found that there’s no use being to rigid about it all. I’ve had to buy yarn to be able to finish a few projects and I’ve also realised I just won’t use some of the yarn I have. It’s totally ok and certainly not cheating, to sell or donate what you don’t want to use. (And I promise you we all happily watch a video focusing on what to get rid of and what to keep.)
You've given so much time and effort to coming up with ideas for what you have, I think it's time to swap some to refresh your options and donate/gift/sell what just doesn't work. You can even give some a "last chance" period of time before they go to make sure you gave it your all. So exciting to be coming up on one year of this project! Your methods really have helped me manage and plan for my growing stash.
So much that you said about the stash stressing you out is so relatable! 😂
The jumper/top is beautiful and the blanket looks lovely on your bed. Swop or sell the yarn for something that fills you with joy and inspiration. Life is just too short!! 😊
This series inspired me to learn how to knit, and no matter what you decide is best for you I know I’ll keep watching
I love seeing your stash totals go down every video, and I think that's part of the fun of stash-busting - but the reason I started watching your channel was to see you make things you were passionate about. So if that means swapping or selling yarn to free up creative space in your life for things you'd rather make, count me in! I'll watch your knitting videos no matter what.
My youtube queue is always ridiculously long, but as soon as a new video from you pops up on my feed, it goes to the top of the queue. I love this series, as I find it very satisfying to see the end total at each month, and your ingenious uses for scraps. That said, I also really love seeing people work on projects they're exicted for. I think swapping and selling yarn would be fair game. Thanks for the mention of the Buddleia blouse, I might just knit it!
I don't knit (and don't have the space to start a wool collection) but am totally invested in this stash busting process now. I think if you are excited by a project it's going to make for better content, but if you're learning things along the way that's also interesting. If one of the things you learn is that you don't like using a particular yarn in your stash then either swapping, selling or giving it away is a valid outcome. Both finished pieces for this video look brilliant, that blanket must be such an achievement and it looks great all spread out. The colour blocked jumper looks potentially really cool too
I will watch you knit absolutely anything, but I especially like videos where you're working on or talking about projects your excited about.
I’m here mostly for the knitting content, so whatever you decide to do is good with me. Saying that, seeing you being creative with your stash is very helpful, because I have lots of these weird leftovers that I don’t know what to do with.
I love watching other creators come up with ways to tackle their stash, especially as I am trying to not let my stash get out of hand as well. I agree with what others have said about swapping the yarn with other crafters - it makes both parties more likely to get stuffdone without further financial investment. And it is a creative way to navigate the stash busting situation.
Love the Maywick sweater, the dainty red glove, crochet blanket and look forward to seeing the daisy sweater😊 If you only made vintage sweaters on your channel out of stash yarn, new yarn, Grandma’s yarn, or the neighbor’s yarn, I think everyone would be completely thrilled! (I was crazy about that blue and white fair isle you started!)
Great job on the stash busting. Don’t overthink or be too hard on yourself. I’ll tell you what my granny would do. Buy a box of plastic bags and store your yarn. Waste not want not. Have 3 projects:1 for inspiration 1 for using up lots of yarn and 1 for tv knitting. Sell jumpers and blankets you make that you have no room for but continue making and find the joy in that. My granny was a great knitter but she made mitts and scarves and sold them
Like a ton of other people I just looooove your stashbusting videos and I get so excited every time there's a new one. I don't see a change of strategy as a failure, since you've done it diligently for a year and that makes it one nicely defined time period, that has allowed you to draw some lessons. You inspired me to start systematically stashbusting as well, and leave my everything-analog-mode and do something I never thought I would: upload my stash onto Ravelry. I 'fell off the wagon' around the same time you did, and also struggle(d) with hand problems for the first time. I also learned lessons so that I feel better prepared now to make better decisions. I discovered as well, that, while it's nice to have freed up - a little - more space in my stash boxes, I don't have the storage space for the FO's. Like someone else said: I loved hearing your decision process, but it wouldn't be nice for you to keep working on things that you're not excited about. I found that for me, it's a wholesome thing in knitting and sewing to try to give, at least with part of the WIPs, priority to the most urgent gaps in my wardrobe. This scratches my maker's itch too, not just the experience of efficiently connecting projects to stash quantity. It's still challenging to combine both though. Sorry for not being more concise: I just can't do it : ) Best wishes with decision making, if you sleep on it you'll make a good decision, and no harm done if you decide to change course again anyway! Kind regards from Dublin
I am honestly so impressed you've spent a whole year knitting things you're not excited about! I think it's amazing you've kept at it. I like the idea of swapping, then your total doesn't go down so you can still stashbust, you retain the value of your yarn, but you also get the chance to work with materials you enjoy more.
Hello Claude, 🌸I really really love these stashbusting videos, they inspire me so much as I have a huge stash of my own...of course it needs to be fun for you, so it's important to find your way, maybe you can do a bit of all, try swapping at first, then maybe selling. yes, the whole point is the challenge, it's the best part, so maybe the challenge for you is actually finding whatever way to knit what you like, using your yarn as the resource? so if you swap it or sell it I see it still as stash busting! keep busting all the way! 🌺
This man belongs in the Shire!!!!!
That red cotton is cursed! 😂 I love your videos. Since you asked - I'd donate or swap yarn. Moving uninspiring items from your stash might give you the oomph to find projects you love.
The blanket is lush - well worth the effort x
I believe the most interesting thing about this channel is your enthusiasm and love for the crafts you make, so you shouldn't force yourself to follow uncomfortable rules because, at the end of the day, knitting is a choice, and it's ilogical to choose for not great and pleasent options.
I love your videos! Cheers from Brazil💕
1000% you should keep stashbusting. No joke out of the hundreds of TH-camrs and series I watch, the stashbusting series is my all time favourite (no pressure or anything lol). Maybe to celebrate a year of stashbusting you get to 'supliment your stash' with 12 new balls of yarn, one for each month. But the balls you pick have to be used with your stashbusting yarn (therefore both giving you something new and extending your project options) but you're still on track for stashbusting.
Also what about at the end of each installment you pick a yarn or a few yarns from your stash that you show to us, and ask for suggestions on what to do with it? That way you'll be given inspiration from some of the balls of yarn that are confounding you, and also might feel more motivated to work with it. :)
Okay, I LOVE the way that Maywick sweater turned out! You look fabulous in it❤️
1) make what you want to make and use.
2) sell your yarn, you have some YT audience, maybe it helps. If big stash doesn't bother you clutterwise, keep it.
3) your pronounciation of "ö" is perfect, you could totally speak estonian :)
❤
Thank you! If only I could reliably speak English, my native language 😂
I love the scrap busting, but the more excited you are about a project, the more fun they are. The only thing, I’d worry less about when you’re knitting for others if they’ll care properly for the object. My wool baby items are heirlooms for my kids to do with what they want!
I watch these videos because I enjoy hearing your take on how things go. I have a small preference for you picking the option that makes your life easiest because you're already going out of your way to make these lovely videos for us, I wouldn't want you to jump through any more hoops. But at the end of the day, I'll be watching whatever mix of solutions you opt for.
I always feel better when I have made a mistake, no matter how far back it is, to correct it. Otherwise, it is always the first and only thing I can see when I look at what I have made. My OCD kicking in. And after years of knitting what I might not particularly like, that I must have something that I love on my needles. I have a stash that needs to be knit up also. You have inspired me to start on it! I love the colors in your Maywick by the way! Knit on!
Fabulous video. You have accomplished so much this past year. Sometimes numbers don’t tell the true story. I always appreciate your candid musings. I’m confident you’ll find the best path forward to new inspiration.
Love your videos, love your “making” and your wonderful honesty and sense of humor! I had to laugh watching because I very rarely keep anything I make… even if I initially decided to make it for “me” 😂. I’ve done this my whole life. Keep enjoying what you are doing and thank you SO MUCH for sharing with us ❤. Also I just love the cardigan you are wearing!
As to your question about your stash…. I cleaned mine out (I still have too much) of the yarns I knew I didn’t want to knit with. I put them up for sale and what didn’t sell, I donated to a few local elder centers and thrift stores that I like to frequent.
I have very little space to store knitted goods, so my workaround is what my grandmother would have called "charity knitting." Specifically, I knit mittens for a children's charity locally that gives presents to underprivileged children every year for Christmas. Part of each gift is a pair of mittens. So, as I can knit mittens quite fast and therefore use up small quantities of leftover yarn for stripes and particolored mittens, these are a great outlet for my love of knitting mittens without ending up with 50 pairs of mittens for myself.
Love the crochet blanket, hope it will bring you joy now it is finished.
I am sure all viewers want you to be happy and not feel like your stash is a burden or just there for content creation. Feel free to swap, sell what doesn't inspire you or do what you want which can also include keeping it. Noone stopped watching knitty natty when she donated or swapped her yarn for her destash, so don't be too tied to your stash busting. Hope you find a pattern that finds you joy soon. Thanks for all your videos.
Please keep stashbusting! I adore your videos, and this series has inspired me to bust my own!
I really have enjoyed this series as an inspiration for my own (very much failing) stash busting, and it is nice to sort of go along and know fellow yarn lovers struggling. I do think swapping yarn might be a nice thing to do as well and bring us in on that process. I personally have 2 bags of random balls of yarn I use as part of workshops, where I bring them for students to prototype and I love how they can take something I had no clue what to do with and make exciting learning materials for the day (usually the results aren't actually useful, but at least the yarn serves a learning process for a few hours). But whatever you chooses, I'll keep coming back, because I find your content extremely relaxing and calming!
Yoou are doing the work of the Saints on your sweater! My goodness!
I feel like selling yarn online is a great way to know that a) your yarn is going somewhere it will be used b) you can still feel like you’re getting something out of your yarn (if not physically then financially).
I love your colorful wavy pattern shetland sweater! In France we call your french knitting dolly " tricotin" , no reference to England as " couture anglaise" for your "french seam"...no country name exchange for this little guy!Thank you for your videos!
I can't believe it is a year already!!! You are doing a great job- everything looks really beautiful!
I am all for swapping/selling the yarn you absolutely know that you won't like working with. With work and all other demands on our time, knitting (crocheting for me) must bring joy in our lives. Not stress and anxiety.
I love your videos, Claude, and will continue watching regardless of how you finish the stashbusting series.
For what it’s worth, I think life is too short and energy too precious to spend time making projects you aren’t excited about. So far as stashbusting is “using creatively”, I vote that you get creative about trading what you have and don’t love for something that would add value to your life (selling, swapping, making on commission, etc), and then share with us how you did that. Your happiness and satisfaction matter!
💛💛💛
I appreciate you talking about feeling like you already have enough. I’ve never been the type of crafter who wants to make things just because unto infinity; it’s always seemed like such a waste of resources. I really need to have a purpose for what I make in order to find any satisfaction. But that outlook seems incredibly rare and I’ve never actually heard anyone else other than my grew-up-in-the-Depression grandma express a similar opinion, so it felt really relatable to hear you say it too.
Yes for me I've always had a keen sense of the injustice of the world. Why should I get to hoard my woolly jumpers while others freeze on the streets?
Hi! I’ve also been stash busting my yarns and i did eventually decide to donate a few. I definitely didn’t start with as much yarn as you but it got to a point where i’m not excited about any of the yarn i have. So i got the ones i knew i would never use out, making it easier to see what’s left.
You could otherwise make things and sell them. A little income from the video and some income from the sale. But again, you need to be excited about the project or you’ll continue to feel bored about it
I like the idea of swapping yarn as well. And the knitting for your audience.
Related: This series has made me reevaluate my own stash and I am working on a bit more stash-busting as well, so thank you
It was really interesting to listen to your year-end wrap up thoughts and how this endeavour affected your craft. No matter whether you met your goal or not, I’m really proud of you for sticking to this challenge and downsizing your stash through so many interesting and creative projects. I think you should do what makes your heart happy when it comes to the yarns left in your stash. There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t see yourself using it and either selling it or donating it so it can go to someone else who will love it and give it life in a project. ❤
I know I'm watching this video a year after the fact, but the big yarn made of the i-cord type string is a great idea! I might use it as one of my projects! ❤
I love having these videos every once in a while, but I do understand it’s a bit difficult to always have something you’re interested in making. What I immediately thought when you mentioned you are liking crochet better, is that you could make some of the vintage projects like the ones Engineering Knits made (i.e. the victorian cape). Crochet does use a lot of yarn and that way you could enjoy the new craft while doing some challenging projects like the vintage crochet patterns
I look forward to these videos every month! Yay for finishing that blanket! That probably feels amazing to have that big project finally done!
AAWWWW YISSS new Retro Claude stashbusting video! I binged the first 3 (?) a while back and now YT keeps reccing me knitting and stashbusting video's but none of them give me what you do!!
I’m sorry your knitting hasn’t been making you happy.
Your jumper and blanket are glorious, and you’re a huge inspiration for so many people.
Serious question: would you wear handmade hats? Fingerless gloves? Vintage slippers? Would anyone in your life appreciate a smaller handmade item as a gift?
I hope you find a way that brings you more joy and fewer headaches.
Finally, the “worsted” pronunciation guide really made me smile. You’re a treasure!
I think I can persuade a few friends to receive a handmade knitted gift this Christmas!
And I think it was less of a guide and more of an experiment 😂 results still inconclusive!
I was so excited when I saw you had a new video. Thank you for your honesty and creativity in all of your videos 😺
Claude, progress is progress! Also, that cardi you have on at the end is so lovely.
Watching these videos has helped me get back into knitting in a year where I have really struggled with motivation. I did half a sleeve on a project abandoned last October while watching this one. As a fellow fatigued large stash owner, I really enjoy seeing what is for me a very realistic knitting experience. But selling/swapping some of the stash would in no way take away from that. I wouldn't waht to see the stash busting become grueling. If either selling some of the yarn to reduce the pressure that the stash size is causing you, or swapling for yarn you are more excited about would be enjoyable then go for it. I frequently send yarn to a friend who has different knitting styles to me when I realise something fits her stash better than mine, and she does likewise. I never consider is cheating or failing at stash busting.
I inherited three stashes, a truly absurd amount of wool. My biggest stash busting projects were a pair of Queen size Tunisian crochet that i did on 15mm needles with yarn held three or four together, one in all shades of blue for my sister and one in greens and browns for me. The blankets used probably 50+ skeins each and would cost so much if the wool was all bought new. But i love mine - it lives on my bed about 8 months of the year. So much better than keeping all the skeins in the attic for another 30 years.
the knitting dolly idea is so great!
I love watching you make projects that interest you, that you learn something from and that you can teach us something about. If finding projects to fit existing yarn means that the projects are less engaging to you or to us then maybe selling it is the better route. I have loved watching your progress with stash-busting and can't wait to see how those works in progress come out.
Wow, the blanket is gorgeous all spread out properly! And love the sweater. I've only started knitting in the past year, mostly thanks to your videos (and my overenthusiastic knitting Mother). I really enjoy seeing you make interesting things that I'm still scared to even attempt (making my first shawl at the moment). Sell or swap the yarn I say, and find some that fit what you prefer to use, because you also need to create in a way that you can still enjoy.
It’s always lovely to watch along with these as I work through my own stash! I often feel like I haven’t made any progress, but I know there’s so many projects I have to look forward! I’m hoping that once my pile has gone down a bit I can finally whip up some of these beautiful jumper patterns with you
Like many others I really enjoy your stash busting videos and they really inspire me to go through my own stash and take on some slightly more challenging patterns to be able to use as much as possible. But, as many others have said as well, I also enjoy sewing videos and knitting videos in general 😊
Dear Claude, I live for your stash busting videos! I love your dedication to the craft and persistence in your stashbusting. Please keep in mind that life is too short to knit things you don't enjoy❤. Don't be too hard on yourself if you do sell some of your stash. Just an idea to knit up your stash faster would be to knit something holding multiple strands together. Currently using some leftovers to knit my son a sweater at 16st gauge holding 4 strands together. To me the marling effect is heaven. Love from The Netherlands 😘
Happy to see a video of stashbusting again. Welcome back 🎉❤