WIP updates

The background on the poppy scarf is coming along nicely.

Nearly done making pieces for the brown scarf.

little scrap flowers

I'm trying to use 25%of my yarn stag this year.  Starting with the leftovers from past projects.  I used some yarn leftover from hats to make little flowers.  I'll put them on future projects.

_____

Start with a sliding ring.

In the ring make 5 petals.

Each petal is

sc, hdc,DC,hdc

Join last petal to the first sc and fasten off.  I leave a long talk for sewing later.

Pull ring right and secure.

Leftover bits of yarn

Every person I know who knits or crochets has little bits of yarn left over.  Sometimes it's only inches.

I do this with some of mine

Just put it in a suet feeder and set it out as nesting material.  I've tried other ways of putting it out, onion bags work well, but I didn't care for a braid made from old plastic bags.  Held onto water and made the yarn yucky after a rain.  Drainage is important.    So it cutting the yarn into pieces 4 -6 inches long so that it won't tangle up around any wild life.  I tend to cut closer to 4 inches, though some is already shorter than that when I start.  There's not usually much left over after weaving in and trimming.

However much I enjoy seeing yarn in nests, there are only so many birds and they never use all of the yarn so I don't need 2 dozen feeders full of yarn  in my bushes.  That leaves more yarn that I could just toss - I guess.   ......Probably not.  Like most crafters I have a pack rat personality .   Some people knit these glorious tiny tiny little creatures - like these

That is never going to be me.  They are amazing though.  Google tiny knitted or do a Pinterest search for the same - some wonderful creations out there.

So what do I do with little bits of yarn?  Mostly I save it for stuffing.  Things like dog or cat toys where the quality of the stuffing isn't as important as with people toys or pillows.  I have also used it for packing material.    Now I'm curious  - What do you use your yarn scraps for?

Pipsqueak Yarn

Bernat's Pipsqueak yarn isn't new at all.  I've had some in my stash for years.   That's actually why it's on my mind.  Right now I am going through my stash trying to sue stuff up.  The pipsqueak yarn I have is mostly giant balls, so going through that will make a real dent in my overflow of yarn.

I love working with it and I hate working with it.  It's so lush and soft and wonderful - especially crocheted.  It's nice knitted too, but the density of crochet really brings out the plushness.  All of that wonderful makes it a NIGHTMARE to work with sometimes.  Trying to figure out where the hook goes for the next stitch can be a pain in the rear.

Is it worth the headache?  Yep.  I adore the stuff I make with it.  I've started using the little bits left on the end to make eyeglass cleaners.  Just crochet it into a circle or square and you're done.  It's the perfect yarn for that.  When there isn't enough left for that I'm adding the tiny pieces to my bird nesters.  (Suet boxes with yarn in them for birds to use) Now some little baby birds will get the cuddly softness too.

Makes sense to me!

Sadly Funny - but way too true

I saw this and it was so true

One of my resolutions for the year is to use 50% of my yarn stash

WITHOUT BUYING MORE TO REPLACE IT.  I've spent a couple of days turning boxes into this yarn storage.  Small sized moving boxes taped on one end with 3 top flaps folded inwards and the 4th taped up to make a wall.  Top ones have all 4 folded inward because I am short and I can't see what's there otherwise.  Best part is that I still have an intact box when it's time to move.  The yarn packing will go quickly.

Ponchlet/Shrug

I finished up the poncho that I was working on.  Decided to make it short, more of a shrug.  I can picture it over a tank top or t-shirt and the shorter length just seemed right to me.  I love love love that yarn.  Caron Spa bamboo blend.  So so soft.    I'm happy with the final result.

I have decided to quit hoarding yarn.  Ok, that's not true.  I have decided to hoard LESS yarn.  Still going to have a ton, but it won't be 2 tons anymore.  I'm doing a major de-stash in my 2nd Etsy shop.  Link should be to the side there if you're looking to adopt some of my lonely babies.  I love owning the yarn, but there comes a point where I have to admit that I'm not going to actually make anything from it, so it's time for it to go someplace where it can be useful.