Category: Stashbusting

  • It’s all in the timing

    It’s all in the timing

    The last few blog posts I have written highlight my personal goals for 2025 of shopping less and getting into the habit of using what I have on hand, specifically as it relates to yarn and craft supplies. I have worried about my tenacity in sticking to this, and how best to balance those times…

  • Retail manipulation (recognizing & resisting it)

    Retail manipulation (recognizing & resisting it)

    In general, I have no beef with companies that are in the business of selling goods. I adhere to the adage, “Buyer Beware” which means that as long as the sellers are complying with laws and ethical business practices, it’s up to ME to shop smart. Shopping SMART requires a couple of things, including mindfulness…

  • My conscience and my stash

    My conscience and my stash

    In pre-holiday housecleaning this weekend, I finally faced a hard reality: I have more yarn that I could reasonably use in any knitting or crocheting projects, even if I knitted and/or crocheted for hours every day for the next 30 years. In addition to this, I had to ALSO admit to myself that I will…

  • The consumerism of crafting

    The consumerism of crafting

    I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, and on social media sites where I post about my fiber arts projects (check me out on BlueSky: @StitchnDish) that I have been making a concerted effort to use fabric and yarn that I already own, in lieu of buying new, and have even done some shopping at thrift…

  • Forgotten treasure

    Forgotten treasure

    Earlier this year I made a commitment (to myself) to shop my stash FIRST when beginning a new project. As part of that initiative, I ALSO committed to finishing in-progress projects that I find tucked away, or rewinding the yarn into a ball/skein if it’s one of those “I have NO idea what this is!“…

  • Healing through giving

    Healing through giving

    When I was but a kid and rock music was a never-ending stream of talent, Supertramp released the song featured in the video above. I can still sing it from memory. I was driving, pondering life and yarn (a typical daydream for me) and this song came on my Sirius radio station. It made me…

  • Challenge of the STASH

    Challenge of the STASH

    In my crafting communities, a lot of the conversation of late has been around our yarn or fabric buying habits. Almost all of us shared that we have more yarn or fabric than we’ll ever use – and we are a group that includes a wide range of ages! We know that continuing to purchase…

  • My Emotional Support Chicken (ESC)

    My Emotional Support Chicken (ESC)

    I’ve officially joined in the ESC craze, and finished my first hen. “Fluffy Freda” – pictured above – helped me learn the pattern, think about how I might want to adjust the pattern, and perhaps most importantly; fall in love with these chickens! My interest in the many benefits of knitting and crocheting have taught…

  • For no particular reason

    For no particular reason

    Sometimes I get into a funk and wonder why I’m spending time and energy making things that don’t seem to have a specific purpose. I also sometimes get down on myself about the mountain of yarn, yards of fabric or tubs of supplies. I know I’m not alone in having an occasional moment of despair…

  • Some favorite sites

    Some favorite sites

    I have been thinking about the MANY sites that are out there for fiber artists that provide patterns, tips, tricks and more and wanted to highlight some of the ones I have found in my travels. NOTE: this is NOT to suggest that I know it ALL about great sites – there are MANY out…