Be honest. What does your yarn stash look like right now? As crafters, especially in the age of “unboxing” videos, it has become a common practice to build an almost unusable stash. I’m just as guilty as the next on this one, building a backdrop of two shelves filled to the brim with yarn.
Honestly, even if I spent every waking moment crocheting or knitting, I doubt I could make a dent in my stash within a year.
What is Stash Bust September?
Stash Bust September was started a few years ago as a small challenge I put out to my TikTok following. The ask was simple — use up your stash and post about it to encourage others to do the same.
It went semi-viral, with a few hundred crafters following suit. People used the hashtag #sbschallenge and it was so exciting to see everyone really embrace this opportunity to not over consume for once and instead to become part of the solution of using what we have.
In 2023, Lea from @kouzikrafts and I teamed up to galvanize the challenge with a true challenge, where each day was a prompt to make something specific using your stash. And so, the challenge grew even more.
There are a few rules to Stash Bust September:
- No buying yarn for the entire month of September. You can extend this to any craft supply, not just yarn!
- Don’t take it too seriously. There are enough rules and restrictions in daily life. This is just a fun way to get yourself out of your comfort zone and to use up all that beautiful yarn you’ve bought.
- Share your makes and inspire others! The movement would go nowhere without engagement, so if you participate, use the hashtag #sbschallenge. Follow up with @kouzikrafts on Instagram if you want fun prompts to try out. Come hang out with me on TikTok or Instagram to show off what you’re making. Let’s make this bigger and better each year!
Ideas to bust your stash
You may be racking your brain trying to decide what to make with your current stash. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite projects to get you started!
Dish cloths
Crochet, knit, woven, doesn’t matter. Dish cloths are a super easy, beginner-friendly way to use up small amounts of yarn. They also make fantastic gifts, and with the holidays right around the corner, it’s never too early to start making!
Pro Tip: This is the perfect project if you have cotton yarn in your stash. I would avoid using Acrylic or Wool in this instance, as those will not hold up well with vigorous scrubbing and soap. Cotton will last you years!
Here’s a quick TikTok tutorial I made a few years ago on my favorite way to make a crochet dish cloth.
I also love this knit dishcloth tutorial from Whileberry.
Hats, hats, and more hats
Hats are one of my go-to makes any time I need a quick dopamine hit. They also can be made in virtually any fiber and weight. I did a fun experiment a little while ago where I compared how much yarn and how much time it takes between knit and crochet using the same chunky yarn. This can also help you determine if you have enough yarn to use for your particular hat you want to use.
Here are some of my favorite easy hat patterns for you to try!
I have used this ribbed crochet hat from 365 Crochet multiple times. It works up SO quickly and looks really cute. Great for a quick baby hat gift!
Another one of my favorite hat patterns is this knit hat from Ashley Lillis. It works up really quickly and I love the ribbing on the brim. The pom pom, of course, is optional.
If you’re just not in the mood for crocheting or hand knitting a hat, a great way to crank (literally) through some hats is to use a knitting machine. I have found each of these take roughly a little more than half a medium skein of yarn, so it’s also a great way to use up multiple half skeins together in one hat.
Scrappy projects
Don’t lie… where is your pile of yarn scraps that you’ve been saving? You know, those ones that are about 5 yards of yarn that you couldn’t bring yourself to throw away. These projects are perfect for using up all of your scraps so you can have a really cool eclectic piece.
This stunning scarf from LoveCrafts.
Check out this Ultimate Stash Bust Sweater from Mae Crochets!
And here is one of my favorite ways to use up those scraps. Throw them all into a blanket and make it quirky! It’s a fun exercise in letting go of control so you can just add yarn as you go without overthinking the colors.
The cutest way to use up your stash
Amigurumi is one of the cutest ways to use your scraps. They typically don’t use up too much yarn and with all the color changes, it’s a great way to get scrappy with it.
Look at this no-sew cat from Stitch By Fay.
I absolutely love birds, and this little chick from Lea at Kouzi Krafts made me audibly gasp!
More patterns and ideas than I can even list
Truly, the possibilities are endless for Stash Bust September. My advice- get creative, check out Pinterest for more ideas, and follow the hashtag on social media to get inspired to create from your own stockpile. Can’t wait to see what you make!
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