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OMG! I’M SWIMMING IN YARN……

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I’ve just learned that my beloved mother in law is coming to stay for several months.  Have to make room for her.  Seriously.  What to do with all the yarn/books/hooks/magazines/print outs/etc in the ‘yarn room’ that will be her bedroom?  I’ve spent the past TWO days – no kidding, hours and hours – organizing, boxing, winding, cutting, sorting, etc this mess.

yarn-mess-1-0809

Does it help to know that I have ADD?  Does it help to know that I’m a rotten housekeeper?  Does it help to know that I’ve been working way more hours lately than my supposedly part time job usually calls for?  Does it help to know that much of the stuff in this room was given to me?

No!  None of that knowledge is either an excuse or a solution to this mess.  So far, I’ve sorted and boxed many skeins of yarn, way too many computer print outs of patterns, and an astonishing number of UFO’s that have simply been abandoned.

The ADD part for an adult who is supposed to be the main housekeeper is this:  If I can’t see it, I don’t know I own it!  Well, I know in a vague way that I own lots of yarn, patterns, hooks, etc.  And, I may recall in a more specific way that I have lots of red and black RH yarn.  But, for the life of me, I cannot tell you -even having recently culled through this mess – if I have enough of anything to crochet a sweater or if I have a G hook in rosewood or even if I have a pattern for a Christmas doily.  I’m sure I have all of the above, but I don’t KNOW it.

So, forgive my mess and know that it will be to the advantage of my readers that there will be lots Lots lots of contests soon to receive the overflow of my yarn trove, hooks that I’ll never use, and duplicate pattern mags and books.  Don’t go far.  I’m gonna unload these things over the next few months and you’ll ALL have a good shot at winning some.

Note:  In the interest of full disclosure, the picture above is from an LB blog.  I CANNOT find my camera in all this mess.  Surprised??

Comments

  1. Holy cow. I could have written this post a few weeks ago!!!! I just cleaned out my room for my MIL and discovered the same situation. I don’t know what I have without it being out in the open. And I certainly don’t have enough of anything to finish a project of significance. And now that everything’s clean, I’m almost frozen with fear to let it all explode again. But I have to dig things out somehow and pack a few knit/crochet projects to take on the go for traveling and don’t even know where to begin.

  2. I’m in a similar state as we’re converting my office/craft room into the nursery for our first baby – due in early Nov. – I know I have some time yet, but we started tackling it this weekend and- whew! where do I move it?! Good luck to you and keep your head … above the yarn!

  4. My yarn collecting obsession has become so huge! The first thing that came to mind as I was rushing home the other day (after an ADD episode where I left the oven on with sculpey clay in it and left the house for 3 hours) was, what if the house is on fire? How will I replace all of that yarn?? My goal now is to use up what I’ve got and try to resist collecting for a while. 🙂

  5. Me too! I’m the same way–if I cant see it it doesn’t exist. The house is always a little messy–not gross, just messy. Yard and minivan too because I have to have everything out where I can see it.
    I even took the doors off the kitchen cupboards so I could find things when I cook (it looks a little weird but it works for me). I didn’t know this was a symptom of ADD and I really didn’t know anyone else had the same problem (I’m an enigma in my family). Thank you for sharing and please dont let me win any of your contests–you know why : )
    Jill

  6. Are you my twin?? I do have the yarn semi-contained, but it is stuffed in nooks and crannies everywhere the bags (and boxes) will fit. Plus loosely contained WIP bags…

    I also have about the same volume of beading “stuff”…. A patio full of those containers, etc., and WIPs on the dining table… my dresser… bookcases……

  10. Don’t feel you’re alone. I finally got my yarn stash organized – and now I won’t allow a yarn to go into my closet until it’s on the list. It’s the only way to keep track.
    Now as for patterns and books … um, that’s a whole ‘nuther situation.

  11. If you really want to hang on to some of that “stuff” then try underbed storage boxes for every bed in the house. And bed skirts ( a simple 10-12in. strip of fabric pleated and pinned to the box spring) work wonders. Then there are the slyly disguised double stack sofa table (4 bins) and the end tables from those nice storage boxes. Of course they’re covered with a lovely coordinating drapery/upholstry remnants or clearance fabrics from JoAnne Fabrics. Those bigger bins also fit nicely under your hanging clothes in the closet and as a bonus you can put your shoes on top so you don’t have to bend over so far! : ) If it were fall I’d suggest the attic. Who needs a linen closet? Turn it into an organized stash space by putting the towels under the bathroom sink and giveing everybody the sheets that fit their bed to put in a drawer in their room. I have lots more ideas! Ever seen a boys room that had a train shelf running the perimeter of the room. Then what’s wrong with a lovely collection of the same size plastic shoe or photo boxes bordering a room? Makes sense to me. Ok, Ok, I’ll stop. Can you tell I’ve been through this a few times? : )

  12. Well gal this really makes my day here.. we too had company the last two months and I really cleaned up things too and found stuff I didn’t know I even started… I do have two of those unfinished projects done now and another one to be done soon… then I have one more that a friend started and her eyes got bad so will work on that after the one afghan I have going for myself… then not sure what after that… so I truly think we are all alike in so many ways… so when I read stories like this one.. I dearly love it and it really makes my day… Nancy

  14. I’ve just moved and have finally put all the yarn in one place! Since I am a stasher I seriously didn’t know how much I had since it was under every bed, in cabinets, closets – the car! It’s out of control. My mom had yarn that was twenty years old in the back of her stash (nice stuff too!) Nice to know the rest of the knitting world has this stash problem!

Have you read?

How to Crochet the Suzette Stitch: An Easy Textured Crochet Stitch for Beginners

Learning a crochet stitch is much more satisfying when you have an actual project waiting at the end of it. The Suzette stitch is especially versatile because its dense, softly textured fabric works for everything from practical cotton washcloths to cosy scarves, hats and blankets.

Here are some Suzette stitch crochet patterns worth adding to your project list.

Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The free Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket pattern from Premier Yarns uses the stitch to create a softly textured crochet blanket with a subtle tweed-like appearance.

This would make a lovely handmade baby shower gift, particularly when worked in a washable baby yarn. The stitch creates more visual interest than plain single crochet without introducing large holes that may catch tiny fingers.

Easy Suzette Stitch Blanket

The Suzette Stitch Blanket pattern by Stitching Together is another approachable blanket project for crocheters who enjoy a relaxing stitch repeat.

This is the sort of project you can keep beside the sofa and work on a few rows at a time. Just keep an eye on those skipped stitches—television crochet is wonderful until an extra stitch quietly sneaks in three episodes earlier.

Casey Suzette Stitch Scarf

The free Casey Scarf crochet pattern uses the Suzette stitch through most of the design, producing a cosy scarf with a softly scalloped, zigzag-like texture.

It is a good first wearable project for beginners because scarves do not require complicated shaping. You can also adjust the length fairly easily or use a self-striping yarn and let the colour changes do the decorative work for you.

Quick Suzette Crochet Scarf

For another scarf option, try this free Suzette Stitch Scarf pattern from Hooked by Robin.

The designer includes written instructions and a video tutorial, making it helpful for visual learners who prefer watching the stitch placement before beginning. It is designed as a quick project and would make a practical last-minute handmade gift.

Suzette Colour Block Scarf

The free Suzette Colour Block Scarf pattern is a cheerful option for using several coordinating yarn colours.

Colour blocking also makes this a handy stash-busting crochet project. You can use leftover yarn from other makes, although it is worth choosing yarns of the same weight and similar fibre content so the sections behave themselves after washing.

Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie

The free Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie crochet pattern turns the textured stitch into a warm winter hat.

Chunky yarn helps the pattern work up quickly and makes the raised texture especially noticeable. This would be a useful project for craft stalls, charity donations or quick handmade Christmas gifts.

Hazel Textured Crochet Beanie

The free Hazel Beanie crochet pattern combines simple ribbing with the Suzette stitch.

The ribbed brim gives the hat a neat, finished appearance while the Suzette stitch adds texture to the main body. It looks more complicated than a basic crochet beanie but is still built from familiar beginner stitches.

Suzette Stitch Washcloth

For a small practice project, try the free Suzette Stitch Wash Cloth pattern from The Purple Poncho.

A washcloth is one of the best ways to practise a new crochet stitch because it is small, useful and not terribly demanding. Even if the first one is slightly wonky, it will still wash perfectly well.

Use a smooth cotton yarn so the cloth is absorbent and the stitch texture remains clearly visible.

Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth

The free Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth pattern adds another layer of texture to this familiar stitch combination.

Make several in coordinating colours and pair them with handmade soap for an easy spa-style gift. They are also useful little projects for testing unfamiliar cotton yarn before committing to a larger set.

Corner-to-Corner Suzette Stitch Washcloth

The free C2C Suzette Stitch Washcloth pattern gives the stitch a slightly different construction by working it from corner to corner.

This is a good next project after you have mastered ordinary flat rows. It lets you explore increasing and decreasing while still using the familiar Suzette stitch combination.

Suzette Stitch Afghan Square

The Suzette Stitch Afghan Square pattern turns the textured stitch into a smaller crochet block.

Afghan squares are useful for charity blankets, sampler blankets and portable crochet projects. You can make the squares individually, use up leftover yarn and join everything together once you have enough—although “enough” has been known to become a surprisingly flexible number in my craft room.

More Suzette Stitch Crochet Pattern Ideas

Once you are comfortable with the basic stitch, you can also use it to make:

  • Crochet mug cosies
  • Ear warmers and headbands
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Cushion covers
  • Tote bags
  • Baby rompers
  • Crochet cardigans
  • Lap blankets
  • Double-thick potholders

You can browse additional Suzette stitch crochet patterns on Etsy, including sweaters, baby blankets, beanies, mug cosies and accessories from independent crochet designers.

When choosing a pattern, check whether it uses US or UK crochet terminology. Also check whether it uses the traditional Suzette stitch—one single crochet and one double crochet worked into the same stitch—or a designer’s variation of it. That quick check can prevent a great deal of confused unraveling later.