Why Extreme Yarn Minimalism Misunderstands Stash Keepers
The Joys of Curating a Stash
There's been a growing trend lately towards yarn stash minimalism. The most extreme version of the idea is to only buy yarn for your immediate next project and not keep any extra in your stash.
The pendulum swings
I remember when this minimalist approach was pretty much the norm for the ‘modern’ knitter. My mum used wool shops that put yarn away for you and you only bought as much as you needed for your pattern.There were basically no leftovers.
It was the modern, post war way. I felt very grown up the first time I did it, aged about 10. (Jaeger, variegated, pure wool, in various shades of blue and green and my first brand new, bright red plastic needles with the smart black ends, sizes 8s and 10s for a raglan sleeved sweater for me.)
Going back just a little further though, knitters like my Nana maintained a yarn stash that would make you weep with joy. It was filled with Shetland wools for Fair Isle, lambswool cones for sweaters from local mills, fine, soft hanks of lace-weight Shetland for baby shawls, cotton and silky threads for crochet. Not to mention leftover scraps and reclaimed wool from worn out or outgrown garments.She had knitted and crocheted her way through the privations of a world war, shopping only from her pre-war stash. Minimalism was not her way. She was never going to be caught short of supplies!
As a child I had free access to her yarn stash oddments when I spent my school holidays there. Hours were spent creating clothes for dolls and teddies from bits. I always went home with a carrier bag of wool and patterns to keep me going till I was next there. I have often thought enviously of her stash over the last few years when stash diving was vital.
A Curated Stash
While I understand the appeal of a tiny, minimalist stash, I think this viewpoint fundamentally misunderstands most knitters' relationships with their yarn collections.
For many of us, curating a stash is an integral part of the joy of knitting. We love taking the time to browse for beautiful yarns in luscious colours and luxurious textures, dreaming up potential projects as we lovingly add to our collections. Having a well-organised stash allows us to take advantage of sales, limited editions, and clearance bargains. It gives us options to find the perfect yarn for a new pattern or technique we want to try. It also fuels our creativity - being able to easily swatch a variety of yarns for a project helps lead to finished objects we truly cherish.
The Practical Benefits of Stashing
Beyond sparking inspiration, keeping a yarn stash has practical benefits too. Buying high-quality yarns in bulk, when they're available at a good price, reduces packaging waste compared to purchasing small amounts for each project. Using what we already have helps cut down on unnecessary purchases. I think having a selection of yarns readily on hand means we can start new projects as soon as inspiration strikes, rather than having to wait to source materials.
Sustainability and Your Stash
There's also the sustainability aspect to consider. Natural fibres like wool and cotton are renewable resources. Keeping them in use by knitting from our stashes helps reduce the demand for newly manufactured yarns. Less production means less environmental impact. Well tended yarn can remain in your stash for years. It does not go off!
Finding the Balance
Of course, balance is key here. An overflowing stash that has taken over your home, with yarns you'll never use, isn't ideal either. In your heart you know if you are in that position. You will find some help here if you browse some of my earlier posts. I’m also cooking up a live event that just might be useful for you. More on that soon!
For most knitters, keeping a carefully curated collection of yarns we love using is part of what sparks our passion for our craft. It allows us to thoughtfully prepare for future makes, not just rush to the shops for each new cast-on but to ‘shop our stash’. There’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment that goes along with successful stash diving.
The Comfort of Organizing
Taking the time to air and organise your stash can be therapeutic too. Just handling and petting your yarn can give great tactile satisfaction. Winding a newly rediscovered skein into a ball or cake having found the perfect pattern for it is so satisfying. Seeing all those vibrant colours and knowing the potential projects they represent brings joy. Popping to your stash and being able to instantly lay your hands on the perfect yarn for a new pattern, without having to shop first, helps make starting a new project easy.
The Joy of Stashing.
So there is no need to feel guilty about having a stash. You get to define how large or how small a stash feels right for you. Maybe your stash is extensive but that’s no reason for guilt or shame. You are allowed to have a stash as large or small as you like, so long as it brings you joy . Enjoy it as part of your knitting practice. Savour the colours, textures and possibilities. Use it as a source of inspiration and a way to knit sustainably. Most importantly, remember that your stash can bring you happiness, it does not have to be a source of stress!
Till next time
I love the thought that my potential future children might use some of the yarn I have in my small but growing stash! And my grandkids too someday.
Alas, after decades of joyful stash acquisition I have now reached that point in life where I realize the burden I am placing on my loved ones. None of my progeny are fiber fanatics so my stash of fibers, yarns and threads will most likely find its way to a thrift store or to the garbage can. So I’m going to try to unburden them in whatever ways I can before my crafting days are over. This will mean opening all the mystery project bags, touching the project, making that heartbreaking decision to let it go, and either cutting the yarn and tossing the project or frogging the project to salvage the yarn. Then I’ll need to decide for myself which yarns can be relinquished to the local thrift store-not an easy decision for a stasher. Most likely I’ll convince myself that I can use it in a scrappy afghan or blanket and will keep it instead of donating it. I can honestly say now that I wish I had been a yarn minimalist instead of a stasher. I might have many more finished projects and would certainly leave behind a lot less inventory.