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Yarn Stash – A Crochet Hazard

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Now do you see what I’m talking about when I say that I am:

A) disorganized

B) have a large stash

C) need helpppppppp.

These pictures are only part of the problem.  The stash grows ever so slightly when I’m not looking.  At night.  In the dark.  In the basement.  In the extra bedroom.  In closets.  In boxes.  In bags.  Everywhere……

Do you think a New Year’s Resolution would work on this problem??

Comments

  1. I would go for a goal rather than a resolution, because goals are easier to stick to and work with…. maybe a few stash buster projects? 🙂

  3. We’ve all been there. I’ve professionally helped organize more craft areas than I can begin to remember. First, make the organizing simple and something that you feel YOU can manage. What works for some doesn’t work for everyone.

    I’d suggest is 1 and 2 gallon zip lock bags. (A dollar store is great for this and is super inexpensive way to solve your problem.) Sort your yarn with like skeins together. You can squeeze the air out of each bag to make them flat and they will stand up like books on a bookshelf. Sort them on the shelf by color, yarn type etc.

    For partial skeins wind into a ball or get a ball winder. You can mark bags a Sharpe if it helps. This a great way to organize future projects too. Once your yarn is all bagged up you will be able to see what you have and do some stash reducing projects. In addition, you will have a good idea of what is in your stash on a regular basis and no doubt can saver yourself some money in the future.

    Don’t look at it as a chore. It’s fun to go through our stash!

    Happy stash sorting!!

  4. It IS fun to go thru my stash – but also frustrating for reasons that are obvious, I’m sure. Thanks for your great ideas and encouragement!
    jd

  5. It can be frustrating for me too. I had a mess to deal with once and recruited two friends to help. It didn’t get done in one day, a week or even a month. The project took me almost a year to get through. Give yourself small goals such as I’m going to make 1-3 bags of sorted, labeled yarn per day. It will be done in no time with little to no stress! If you were close to me I’d volunteer to help. 😉

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.