One thing I heard from a few people is that having a yarn stash helps stretch their budgets. When there is a good deal on a yarn that a knitter knows they love and work with often, it can make sense to stock up on that yarn. It means there is more of an up-front expense, of course, but it averages out to less on a monthly or per-project basis. This means knitting projects become more accessible for knitters who are able to build a stash on a budget and then draw from it for projects.
Several respondents told me that they found the size and variety of their yarn stash pretty overwhelming. Many of them were actively working to reduce the size of their stash because of that. Whether it’s because of space issues or the overwhelming range of choices, a lot of us can find a large stash stressful. That’s okay! What’s important is that you are aware of yourself and your needs. Then, you can tailor your stash to those needs.
I heard from some people who said that they really wanted more options for using up their bits of leftover yarn. That’s part of why I love designing fingerless mitts. It’s also helpful to use leftover fingering yarn bits as cuffs, heels, and toes on socks, or to do colorwork with them. Those yarn bits, though, can be hard to organize. It’s especially tricky when you don’t have the labels for them anymore. I like to keep my leftovers sorted into gallon bags with notes written on paper and stashed inside.
I heard from a few of you who keep very careful stash logs, and the consensus among that group was that organizing your stash can feel good. It’s a way to assert some control when other parts of life feel chaotic and to have a pretty collection to enjoy.
All this conversation confirmed for me that stashes are as varied as knitters themselves. And the only way to really know what to make of our own yarn stashes is to know ourselves. It helps to check in periodically and ask ourselves a few key questions: 1. What do I want from my stash? 2. Is my stash serving my needs? 3. If my stash isn’t serving my needs, what can I do to change that?