I did a yarn stash cleanout yesterday. Yarn? You wanna talk yarn? I had yarn from oh, forty years ago. For someday. When. You never know when I might need this colour, this texture. So I dragged it around with me through various moves. My storage has been crammed with the stuff.
And it's always one thing that triggers a release of some kind. So the one thing that had me moving in the direction of releasing stuff was the gift of this jumbo screen from my beloveds.
And as lightbulbs flew off I thought of all this yarn taking up most of my locker space that I will, oh heartbreakingly for a second there, never ever use.
So I piled a lot of it into 4 bags (there's still more but I will deal with it.)
And I threw a notice on my facebook page that I had this for sale for $5/bag and proceeds would go to charity.
I sold the lot of it immediately. And get this: the buyer texted me she was so happy as she knitted exclusively for The Gathering Place a form of shelter for the homeless and lonely not far from me where they are fed and clothed.
And the stash was picked up this morning and the $20 handed over which immediately flew out of my hands and into the Vancouver Rape Relief And Women's Shelter.
So one small thing is like the wings of a butterfly: tiny ripples touching so many other lives.
Do you have any little things stories?
This is a great inspirational story. I always say I need to Bless someone with this .when I get rid of things . You really did Bless someone!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping it was many, AW and I'm sure it will be with the knitted garments for the homeless.
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Great way to pass on the love! I have a bulky Aran sweater made -BUT! I had tried to make a cardigan style instead of the jumper in the pattern and something went terrible wrong. It would stand up around the ears of anyone wearing it! I'm loathe to rip it out but think that's the only solution, and then knit again for one of my sons. Can you rip out something from, oh, decades ago, and would it still knit up nicely? The stitches are gorgeous but it's unwearable! I will also have to face the fact that I'll never use up all my quilting fabric so will plan on a solution such as yours. Enjoy the added space!
ReplyDeleteMolly - one thing I did years ago was slice the jumper down the middle - be sure to stitch tightly (machine if available) each side of the middle before slicing though so there's not another disaster. You can always contrast the ribbing then for the buttonholes if original yarn not around. Tweedy maybe. Another solution would be to cut and make a gorgeous cushion - but again stitch tightly before the cut.
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Molly above. Google's at it again!
ReplyDeleteThis is SUCH a heart warming story. Serendipity at its very best. And yes, the little things are huge in my world.
ReplyDeleteYes they really are and I am so glad we notice them.
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A good story on so many counts.
ReplyDeleteYes Andrew, I must have more of them.
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I remember doing the same thing a few years ago. It started with many knitting books including some lovely Rowan magazines. I decided to bring them to the library. They have a room where people can buy these discarded items and the proceeds go to children's programs. On the way out I got talking to a lady who told me how she helped with knitting at a home for the elderly and I opened the trunk of my car where I had the yarn I was parting with. I was so glad it went to a useful cause. Now a few years later, I have not quit accumulating. The one good thing is I taught my 21 yr old granddaughter to knit when she visited this year - and going through the stash with her was delightful - not to mention that she took many of my old sweaters back with her. And I feel so relieved they won't end up in the trash one day!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand Mary, we are so glad to see our treasured crafting supplies land in a good place.
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I have lots of little things that I need to let go of, but I'm not ready yet. Yarn is a different matter, I don't have much, just a few balls that I bought to knit tiny things for tiny dolls, but the arthritis in my thumbs won't let me, so the yarn is bagged and in my wardrobe. I shall offer all of it to a friend who knits, even the needles which I don't really want to let go of, I've had those for fifty years, but they are no use to me now.
ReplyDeleteI still have all my needles River but I need to think about those too. Arthritis is a bummer isn't it. I do love your doll knits.
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This is de-stashing done right!
ReplyDeleteKind of all accidental Kylie. I just needed to dump it. How it all worked out is extraordinary.
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I donated all my sock yarn to a friend in a sock ministry for the homeless.
ReplyDeleteOh Joanne I love that. Homemade socks are the best. I still have so many of mine and now Niece knits them for me.
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For me it was books...and magazines like MS. It was hundreds of books some 1st editions mostly literature but not all the stacks included cook books. I thought I'd die without them. I called a local bookseller and he came and took boxes and boxes. I was the charity. With grade 10 I took my daughter and dog and went to univsity. I didn't die.
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ReplyDeleteOh Emma, the libraries I have given away in my time! Now I am ruthless with books, I read them, think if anyone else would enjoy them but the plan is get rid of them. I often donate to our two little libraries here.
DeleteGood for you in securing an education!
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Sorry to hear you're almost blind in one eye. Hopefully the large screen will help with that. Good to know all the old yarn has been put to good use and also led to a wee donation. As for little things stories, I'll have to think a while about that!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you have some Nick! Even the travelling of a kind word sometimes. I've been astonished when people come up to me years later and tell me something I had told them that helped them and I can't even recall it.
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I had to 'let go' of most of my stashes - wool, material, craft supplies. books etc when we moved back to the uk, mostly to charity. It was freeing in a way to lose all those 'someday' projects! However I then inherited Mums projects that she didn't get to finish - most of which are now completed, and very special to me. I do admit to keeping some of my favourite things in NL for when we get there in the summer , along with my new collections of shells , beach glass and driftwood!
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DeleteI imagine there must be some security type feeling in the stashes we have. Like a larder filled with food, some shelves filled with possibilities. Love that you have treasures from your mum and have finished them :)
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I think you're right about security but also looking to the future with lots of plans and dreams - even if we don't get to accomplish them all.
DeleteI have nothing to offer but my congratulations and appreciation. You do this for all of us who care and make us realize that we too need to do more for those less fortunate. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and beneficial transaction!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. When our health allows, we're decluttering. Our living spaces are fine, but closets hold genealogy studies of mine, old manuscripts that I keep winnowing but can't yet discard, and records that need to be purged. When we get rid of furnishings, we always call around to the local churches as some are helping furnish spaces for abused women or refugees setting up households from nothing.
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