Overwhelmed by too much yarn? 7 tips to let go and improve your well-being

Is it really possible to have too much yarn? If the size of your stash is impacting your quality of life, then maybe it is. These actionable tips will help you get a handle on your stash and experience the freedom that comes from letting go.

How to Let Go When You Have Too Much Yarn

Collecting yarn is part of the whole crochet experience. If you’ve followed any crochet communities on social media for any length of time, no doubt you’ve seen cutesy memes that joke about having too much yarn (or never having enough). But when your yarn stash begins to affect your quality of life, it’s no laughing matter.

Most of us have seen this one-liner, and probably chuckled to ourselves. It’s funny because it’s true, right? But perhaps it’s time we do start talking about it. It begins with a little tough love and asking yourself some difficult questions. Do you really need all of that yarn? And more importantly, is the yarn you have serving you? If not, maybe it’s time to let go.

How do we end up with too much yarn?

It’s easier than you think to accumulate too much yarn. Rarely does a project use exactly one, two, or five skeins. Now you’re stuck with bits and bobs of yarn in random lengths that surely would be good for something.

What about that beautiful luxury hank that just looked too pretty to pass up? You don’t have a plan for it—yet. But wouldn’t it make a gorgeous shawl? Or maybe you found an amazing clearance deal on variegated yarn and you bought every skein, planning to try color pooling someday.

No matter how you ended up with too much yarn, once you have it, it can feel almost painful to let go. The common thread among all these factors is possibilities. That yarn represents so much potential. Maybe you don’t even have an exact project in mind but you know that whatever you do make will be fabulous. Getting rid of yarn feels like wasted potential.

It’s a relatable problem—so much so that even large yarn companies like Yarnspirations are talking about it. Maybe there’s some truth to this quote. But when you will never have enough “stitching time” to use up all of your yarn, even if you crochet full-time for the rest of your life, you’ve reached the state of SABLE (Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy). Since you can’t create time out of thin air, the only solution is to examine your yarn stash.

How do you know you have too much yarn, and if so, how can you learn to let go? Keep reading to find out!

How much yarn is too much?

Having “too much yarn” is not about some arbitrary number of skeins. Instead, it’s about how it affects your quality of life. Here are some signs you may have too much yarn:

• Living with your yarn stash is causing you stress. Do you have to move a tote of yarn out of the way every time you want to access something else in your closet? When unexpected guests come knocking, do you have to quickly hide bags and boxes? Dealing with clutter takes time and energy that could be better spent elsewhere.
• Your family members start to mention it. Maybe being surrounded by yarn is perfectly fine for you. But if your spouse or children are complaining that yarn is in their way, perhaps it’s time to take an honest look at your stash.
• You haven’t used it in a significant amount of time. Opinions vary on how long to keep something you aren’t using—anywhere from six months to five years—so there’s some nuance here. But if yarn is sitting unused for a long time, you should consider letting it go.
• You’ve tried to declutter your craft room but it’s still overwhelming. Good organization can help you manage your stash. But if you’ve organized your yarn and you don’t have room for it—or if you’re struggling to organize it at all—it’s time for a destash.

How to let go of yarn that doesn’t serve you

1. Have a tough discussion with yourself.

Ask yourself—and answer honestly—will you really ever use that yarn? Do you have a specific project in mind? Have you already purchased the pattern? If you have not started crocheting the project, do you have a concrete plan to do so in the immediate future? If not, maybe you don’t need it.

2. Re-frame the possibilities.

Earlier, we talked about how we hold onto yarn because of the possibilities it represents. If that’s a factor for you, it can help to brainstorm different possibilities. Think about the smile on someone’s face when they discover your yarn in a thrift store—a small luxury they could normally not afford. Imagine children expanding their creativity with craft projects after you give your unneeded skeins to your local elementary school. When you donate it to a worthy cause, your yarn has so much more potential than if it’s packed away in a box.

3. Join yarn destash groups.

There are groups on Facebook (like Yarn Hoarders Destash) and Ravelry designed for letting go of yarn. You may find someone who needs that small amount of discontinued yarn to finish a project. They’ll be happy to pay for the privilege! If you’re destashing yarn, just be careful not to adopt someone else’s stash while you’re there.

4. Commit to a stash-busting project.

This is not the same sentiment as “maybe I will use it one day.” Actually select a project, like this beautiful stash-busting flower blanket from Annie Design crochet.

If you need extra encouragement to get it done, join a crochet along (CAL), like my 2024 Granny Stitch Sampler CAL (pictured below). Often, designers will offer giveaways and drawings for people who complete the CAL. Then, set milestones and stick to them!

You don’t have to commit to a whole blanket, either. You can also try one of these small scrap-busting crochet projects that you can finish in an hour or two.

• Happy Scrappy Potholder
• Frilly Coaster
• Granny’s Mug Hug and Coaster Set
• Teething Ring Lovely Blanket
• Christmas Wine Bottle Sleeve
• Wattle Stitch Washcloth

Choose one of these quick and easy crochet projects. Then, instead of too much yarn, you’ll have a stash of thoughtful handmade gifts on hand for a last-minute holiday party, housewarming, or baby shower.

5. Consider its monetary value.

A quick search on eBay or Facebook Marketplace will show you how much just random balls of yarn can be worth! So when you’re dreaming up possibilities, also imagine what else you could do with that extra cash—like a movie or ice cream with your grandkids. If your yarn is listed for several months and doesn’t sell, at least you’ve come to terms with letting go. Now it’s time to consider donating.

6. Put it in time out.

If you can’t let go right away, put the yarn away in a designated place for a designated period of time. This could be six months, a year, or even five years. The important thing is to pick a length of time and stick to it. While the yarn is put away, you may realize you don’t need it after all. Then, when time is up, if you haven’t touched it, commit to letting it go.

7. Avoid buying more yarn.

If you can’t let go just yet, at least avoid buying yarn that you don’t need. If you have organized your yarn stash, you will be able to easily find an appropriate yarn for your next project. Don’t have the exact yarn? That’s okay. Michelle from Two Brothers Blankets shares some great tips for substituting yarn. If your yarn stash is big enough to be overwhelming, chances are you already have a great yarn on hand. If you do need to buy a specific yarn for a project, consider a one-in, one-out rule, where you get rid of one skein for each new skein you buy.

The freedom of letting go

None of this is set in stone. Ultimately, when it comes to having too much yarn, as well as the process of letting it go, you have to decide what works for you. But hopefully, these simple suggestions will inspire you to clear the clutter and create an inviting space from which your creativity can take flight. When you let go of the yarn that is no longer serving you, you free yourself to enjoy the yarn that is!