Monday, January 2, 2012

It's Official: 2012 Knitting & Crafting Stash-busting Challenge

Happy New Year, everyone!  And thanks for staying tuned for more information on our 2012 Knitting & Crafting Stash-busting Challenge.  (In case you missed it, I initially introduced the idea here.)  Read on for more info, a graphic for your sidebar and a link up!

What are your crafting plans for 2012?

Are you looking around at your stash and feeling a twinge of guilt for all the money you had spent on yarn or crafting supplies that are still crammed in your craftroom or studio? 

Maybe you're feeling the pinch of the economy (I know I've been feeling it lately), or you're in the mood to be especially thrifty and creative (this is me, too!).  I'm also feeling the pull of WIPs that I set down years ago and finally feel like finishing.


This year I want to challenge myself (and anyone who cares to join in!) to use up as much of my yarn stash as possible in 2012.  This goes for other types of crafting and crafting supplies, too.  My goal is to finish all of my WIPs and knit only from my stash for as long as I can in 2012.

So whatta ya say?  Will you join me in a stash-busting challenge in 2012?  Not to say that you can't buy new yarn or supplies (you can) -- just don't use it.  Yet.  Instead, let's see how long we can go just knitting or crafting from our stashes. 

Do you think you can make it a full year or just a few months?  What will you make?  What WIPs are you remembering about that lurk somewhere deep in your stash?

Almost all of my stash is leftover yarn from other projects (plus some yarn that I bought for a project or two and never knitted) and I know I can make much better use of it, especially if I get creative.  Before I've even torn apart my stash (I still haven't done it yet!) I made a list of 22 things I can make or finish with the yarn in my stash -- and this is just from memory.  And I don't consider my stash to be very big! 

I'm excited to see what I can make of it all -- and I'm really excited to find out what you'll be able to make from your stashes, too.  I'll share my list of projects in an update post soon -- maybe some will inspire you.  For now, Ravelry users can peruse my queue for fun if you're so inclined.  I can make almost all of the projects in my queue from my stash -- the rest I'm keeping in my queue for when I actually run low on yarn and feel like I've earned the right to buy more.  (I'm still wondering if that will ever happen, but I guess I'll find out soon enough!)

Ready, Set...

Go!!  If you'd like to join in, you can sign up using the linky list below.  I'd love to see who's taking the stash-busting challenge and what you'll be making.  Every so often I'll do an update post where we can link up what we've been knitting up from our stashes.

Also, feel free to grab the graphic below for your sidebar (you can copy and paste the code beneath it).  Please help spread the word about the challenge!  I'm looking forward to a very crafty and creative year.  Thanks for joining along, and may you have an especially creative and resourceful 2012!


UPDATED:

Select and copy this code into an HTML gadget or the HTML tab on a blog post:

<a href="http://www.creatingafamilyhome.com/2012/01/its-official-2012-knitting-crafting.html"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu7k2anAcVym4o_pVMl9Om4XxATBnkgscGal-ObL7lyIGHgi0cfr1Ep1SRUr1OqvM_pTzWQYz6rYxdDxByX4QvxivJQcTPQxTXeVVTkDXDS7TrQbbXZNZzoJVqhdnBMq0BEngG33ufjQv/s1600/2012+stash-busting+challenge+v2.jpg" /></a>

OR

Select and copy this link into a photo gadget:

 http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vWHaF9FeKo/TwJhCFk9RoI/AAAAAAAABtE/zGm-RDQj-SE/s1600/2012+stash-busting+challenge+v2.jpg

And link it to this address:

http://www.creatingafamilyhome.com/2012/01/its-official-2012-knitting-crafting.html

38 comments:

  1. I dont have a blog to link to but would like to join the challenge. I started a baby blanket yesterday with some of my stash. Its to be donated, as Im hoping most of the items made from my stash will be also.

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  2. I'm in! I need to finish work on all my ideas and then I'll post about it.
    I can't seem to grab the code, but then I seem to be having all sorts of problems with Blogger [that's why I no longer have a header] oiy!

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  3. I've already sort of started this. My first finished project of the year was a pair of scrappy longies. I'll admit that I had to buy another skein of the main color to finish them, but now I'm using that bit to make *another* pair of scrappy longies.

    My one deviation is a project for a friend's mother. She's starting chemo this month and needs a new hat. The yarn for it is soon to be ordered. I think the challenge will forgive me for that offense, right? (:

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  4. I am so excited about this challenge. I had kind of started this with my yarn for 2011, but I plan to continue, and especially, the fabric. Oh, my...the fabric!
    I plan on making socks, slippers, and mittens to start. Oh, and finishing my sweater. I also have plans for lots of sewing projects.

    I look forward to our first challenge update. Thank you so much for hosting.

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  5. Oh, WOW. Hitting that "button" was a committment. Now I've got to stick with it!!! :)

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  6. I'm going to post a picture of Trunk #1 that I will be knitting out of tonight! Holy Cow I'm going to hopefully clear out so much space. It's not a question of running out of yarn, that's for sure!

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  7. I'm signing up to this venture! I've made a link to my blog, and a brief entry, but will explain more there tomorrow - and have a look at other peoples stash busting! It's exciting!

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  8. This has been my New Years resolution for several years now. The only drawback is shopping with my daughter. She finds beautiful yarn I just have to buy. I'll try again this year.

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  9. This is just what I need to make my stash smaller and finish UFO's!

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  10. Great idea! I also noticed that Crunchy Catholic Mom is doing the same thing...maybe I will link up to both of you?

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  11. I really need to do this! Every time I look at my stash I feel all warm and fuzzy, and then a bit guilty because I haven't knit with all that lovely yarn yet. Thanks for the challenge!

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  12. Great timing! I've been organizing my stash just with the intention of only knitting from yarn I already have. I do need to make a lot of socks, though, so I may need to make an exception.
    I am just trying to get a blog going, but the learning curve is making it very slow. I want to join the challenge and will post what I get finished.
    Thanks for organizing the challenge.
    Prairie-rose

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  13. I just found this. I have been trying to use up my stash, but your challenge is motivating me even more! I have linked to my blog. I am using up my yarn and fabric stash.
    Thanks,

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  14. A friend sent me the link to this, as I posted yesterday about my stash busting intentions for 2012. So glad to have a motivational group - thank you xx

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  15. Jumping in with both feet. Thanks for the challenge. Looking forward to crafting together.

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  16. I wish my stash was limited to just one thing!! lol I like to try a little bit of everything so my stash is really bad!! Thanks for the chance to link up and I look forward to seeing what everyone else is up to! :)

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  17. What a great idea, I too have felt the desire to work through my supplies, as well as crafting to create things more frugally. My craft supply stash consists of lots of wool and wool felt, which I will happily be sewing and needle felting with this year. Fun challenge!

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  18. I love this idea. I just got a huge bunch of fabric from a fellow Freecycler & was saying to my husband this afternoon that with all this fabric I'll likely be able to sew almost exclusively from my stash this year. So this challenge is perfect timing for me! xo

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  19. You must have read my mind! Trying to whittle down the yarn stash (so I can justify buying more possibly?)

    Except for the yucky, scratchy synthetic yarn, I'm not touching that one...

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  20. I'm up for this, it was my plan for the year to use up my every growing stash, it will be so lovely to share the project with you all!

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  21. Ok, ok. I already told my husband that I was going to use the yarn I already have so I might as well just commit to it (I will admit that I almost commented here already but then decided it was time to get back to my real job and didn't commit).

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  22. What a perfect challenge for me! I just reorganized my stash and I'm trying to come to terms with the number of plastic totes I've got piled up and FULL of yarn. I think I can make it until at least my birthday (April 20) without buying new yarn. Let's see!

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  23. Oh I'm so in! This is exactly what I need! I've got too much around here that deserves to be knitted into something beautiful.

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  24. I have just discovered your blog via The Barefoot Crofter. What a great idea! I would like to join you in this year of stash-busting!

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  25. I have a tub full of yarn that was given to me by the local chapter of the Linus Project. After I finish my current projects (a felted handbag that was a Christmas gift, the second sock, and a hat for my daughter) I am going to tackle the tub of yarn and make blankets for the Linus Project as was intended all along! Not too challenging, but a good use of the yarn. And by signing up for the challenge, I will actually clean out my craft room/office!

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  26. I just found your blog and this idea falls right in line with my 2012 To Do List. I have enough yarn to knit 30 pairs of socks. I'm not buying any more sock yarn until that stash is gone!

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  27. Just found your blog and linked up!! Thanks:) I love this idea so much!!

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  28. I love this. It fits in perfectly with my "drop n the bucket" list and my 365 Days to Simplicity challenge! You can check them out at http://twyste.com or for the post about the Simplicity Challenge, go to:
    http://bit.ly/wtt65v

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  29. I have joined your Stash Busting Challenge as I am another who really needed it! It would be good to get some cupboard space back and not have to hide yarn in every little corner so it doesn't look like I have way too much!

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  30. What a challenge! For me is not a problem to use what I already have, but do not buy anything new! I hope I will succeed. Regards to all!

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  31. I saw this post earlier in the year, but forgot to post. I haven't bought any new yarn, but have been happily working away on my stash. Not making much progress, as I am a slow knitter, but I am working on it. I have several tote boxes of yarn to go through, so maybe this challenge will go one for awhile for me. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  32. I've been verbally (or bloggily?) linking up with this complete with the image and ling, but not actually connecting to a Linky for it. You have have a place for that, or is just linking to this blog post ok? THanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sally,

      This post has a linky on it, so you're all set. Thanks!!

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  33. UFO's abound here, living in my cupboard and under the bed and hiding in shoe boxes. What a great idea even if i did find you all a bit late. (Better late than never!)

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  34. I know this is late to the challenge, but I just found you. I have many, many needlework projects that I'm going to commit to working my way through. Thanks for the link up!

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  35. Just found you, but am joining along since I've been stash-busting all year after a self-imposed ban on purchasing yarn. Thanks for hosting! I'm off to check out the other stash-busters. Blessings on your impending birth!

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  36. I'm really excited to see what you and other people make.

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