Stash Knitting Made Fun: Use What You Have and Love It Again

The Case for Stash Knitting: Why It’s Time to Embrace Your Yarn Hoard 🧶✨

Let’s be real—if you’re a knitter, chances are you’ve got a yarn stash that could rival a fashionista’s shoe closet. And while it’s so tempting to buy that new skein (or three), there’s something magical about diving into the treasures you already own. Stash knitting is more than just frugality or making space—it’s a way to fall back in love with the yarns that first made your heart skip a beat. So, let’s make the case for giving that yarn stash a second chance at glory!

A box of 6 hanks of The Yarn Collective Bloomsbury DK in a rainbow of colours.

The Secret to Sock Bliss: 9″ Circulars 🧦✨

If your stash includes some beautiful sock yarn, but the thought of using DPNs makes you yawn, it’s time to embrace the game-changer: 9″ circular needles, the ChiaoGoo needles are the best we’ve ever used. Find them here in Canada, here in the states and here in the UK. Trust me, it’s a whole new sock-knitting experience. Gone are the days of juggling multiple needles and fearing dropped stitches. With 9″ circulars, you can get into a smooth rhythm, flying through rounds without a second thought. Plus, your yarn stays in the spotlight without the interruption of switching needles every few stitches.

Socks knit in paintbox yarns sock yarn
Socks knit in paintbox yarns sock yarn

Not only do circulars make sock knitting more enjoyable, but they’re also a great way to use up those stunning skeins that have been sitting in your stash. You know the ones—the sock yarn that’s just too pretty to part with. Now’s the time to knit it into something just as amazing as you imagined when you first bought it.

Rediscover Your Stash’s Potential ✨

Remember when you bought that soft-as-clouds merino or that hand-dyed skein with the colors you couldn’t resist? Stash knitting is like going on a treasure hunt without ever leaving home. One way to breathe new life into your stash is by pairing your yarn with something extra, like holding a strand of mohair with your main yarn. Mohair adds that dreamy, fuzzy halo to your knits, turning a regular project into something that feels luxurious and fresh again.

12 cakes of Debbie Bliss Nell mohair merino wool yarn
A pile of Berroco Aerial mohair silk yarn

Or maybe there’s a pattern you’ve had buried in your Ravelry queue, just waiting for the perfect yarn. Well, guess what? That yarn is probably already in your stash! Rediscovering patterns you were once excited about can make your yarn stash feel brand new. Take a look at those patterns you couldn’t wait to cast on months (or years!) ago. That sense of excitement can reignite, and suddenly, your yarn looks as tempting as when you first brought it home.


Stay in the Loop with Mrs Shank Designs


Make Your Stash Fun Again 🎉

If you want to shake things up, try mixing different yarns for an unexpected twist. Hold two variegated yarns together for a marled effect or blend fibers for extra texture. Think of it as giving your yarn stash a makeover. Or challenge yourself to knit a colorwork project with stash yarns (like Arcade Nights or Personal Space Invaders) —odds are you’ve got a rainbow of choices hidden away!

You could even set a goal to finish a long-abandoned project or use up every last bit of a special skein in a stash-busting project like a cozy hat or scrappy blanket. The sense of accomplishment? Absolutely worth it.

Your Stash Deserves a Second Chance ✨

Stash knitting is a chance to reconnect with the yarns that made you fall in love with knitting in the first place. It’s not about settling or making do—it’s about transforming those skeins into something beautiful and exciting, just like when they were new. Whether you’re casting on socks with 9″ circulars or turning mohair into magic, embracing your yarn stash is an adventure worth taking.

So, dive into your stash, dust off that dreamy skein, and let’s make something unforgettable together. After all, knitting is about creativity, joy, and a little bit of stash-love!


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