Decluttering Your Yarn and Needle Stash

Posted by Knitters Pride on March 7th, 2024

A lot of us like to see the New Year as a clean slate.  If you’re a knitter, you may  think of it as a good time to  clean up your yarn and needle act. If you have been knitting or crocheting for a while, chances are that you have acquired a lot of leftover yarn.  Whether it’s because it is  too beautiful to part with or too expensive to toss, it can be very hard to let go.

The same may be true of your needle stash.  Extra double points, more than one of the same size crochet hooks, a few too many same-size circulars – whatever the case, it all leads to clutter.  Since most of the knit and crochet people we know are very generous souls, we thought it might be useful to let them know about some places that would be very happy to relieve them of extras.

So, we did a little detective work on your behalf!  One thing to be aware of is that you should only be donating yarns that have sufficient yardage.  Very few places can use tiny amounts and it’s not worth it to give away skeins or balls of yarn that are less than 200 yards or  have been in homes where smoking takes place.  Clean is the order of the day.

Your local library.  Start here!  It’s worth it to ask if they have a knitting,  crochet or handwork group of any type that meets at their facility.  A local library is often a hub where affinity groups like to get together.  A lot of charity knitting is done in these groups and often they can use extra yarn and materials, like knitting needles and hooks.

Scout Groups – Lots of young people get their first exposure to crafts at brownie or girl scout troops. Since home economics classes are pretty much a thing of the past, scout troops are often the best way to learn some crafts.  They are a good place for contribution of needles, as well.

Retirement Communities – Like the library, retirement communities often have groups where people with specific interests can gather.  These include bridge, exercise and crafts.  Many of these groups knit or make things for local charities.  It’s definitely worth it to ask if you know of a good one in your area.

Charitable Organizations – Places like The Salvation Army are able to take yarn as long as it is full skeins – preferably with labels intact.  It’s worth it to ask  so call ahead to make sure that it’s ok to bring it. 

Ok, so let’s say you have found a good home for all your unwanted, but still useful yarn, it’s time to tempt you with some new yarn!

This new line of woolen yarns comes from India where it is hand-dyed by artists whose birthright includes the love and appreciation of color. Dye experts have created a range of color encompassing over 60 hues. 

Symfonie Yarns comes in 4 distinct offerings:

Viva:  A beautiful dk weight 100% merino yarn available in over 60 machine washable colors.

Luna: A dk weight blend of merino and silk (75/25) in 16 luminous colors.

Terra: A sumptuous sock yarn blend (75/25) of washable merino/nylon in 25 unique colors.

Flora: A lightweight yarn, dyed with  natural, plant-based material; available in 6 colors

Find the catalogue that will tell you more about these yarns and how they came to be, then click here to learn where this yarn can be found. 

Please Note:  If you are in (or near) the New York City area, please know that Vogue Knitting Live will be running from January 25-January 28, 2024.  Click on the above link, to read about it and make your plans accordingly. There will be shopping from January 26 through Mid-day January 28, and the Symfonie Yarn staff will be there to show you the goods in person.

A New Craft in ’24?

The beginning of the year is also a fine time to explore some new types of projects and crafts. The colder weather and the quiet time that often  comes in January may lead us to a discovery of new passions. Lately, we have noticed a big interest in a craft call Punch Needle Art.  (Some people refer to it as Punch Needle Embroidery.)  Whatever you call it, it seems to be a thoroughly enjoyable craft that results in tufted wool art pictures which can then be used as decoration on accessories, pillows or home décor.  The information you see via the link above will explain more and show you how it’s done. 

Why not make it your January resolution to try something new that allows you the fun of trial and error with no recriminations? We also hear that this craft has a meditative benefit – much like knitting and crochet.  That sounds like a good benefit to us!

We will return shortly with more ideas for the New Year.  May yours be filled with health, new discoveries and peace.