The Great Stash Reduction Challenge came about as an alternative to counselling for those yarn hoarders amongst us who need help to get their stash under control. All of those who participated deserve recognition for making their small part of the planet a better place to live whether they cleaned out a closet full of fiber or a bag full of yarn.
The objective of the challenge was to create a finished piece of fiber art that was made primarily from your existing stash of yarns and fibers. The piece had to contain at least one item that had been in your possession for 5 years. Also, the piece had to be finished in 2011.
Now most people used the opportunity to make or finish an item that had been in an extended and I do mean extended planning phase. Audrie topped us all by (a) creating this lovely top from hand spun yarn and (b) donating her horde of yarn to make a chenille rug that the guild will use as a door prize in our annual show and sale.
There were 3 categories, the volume discount category for the greatest amount of material (by weight) used up, the longest time sitting on the shelf category (longest time in your stash) and the most imaginative means of using up stash category. Items that were produced as a result of the challenge included tops and jackets, a wall hanging, a rug, afghans, runners, a ruana, blanket, scarves and a sculpture.
There was a tie for the volume discount category
Anita's endless afghan was by far the largest item. It will cover a queen size bed. This colourful piece contains purchased yarns and various examples of Anita's hand spun yarn. It was a great way to use up small amounts of yarn. Anita claims that it didn't even take up half of her existing stash so there is the potential to create another one.
Linda's wool rug tied with the endless afghan for the volume discount prize. Linda purchased the fleece for this rug eons ago but just never got around to doing the weaving. The tips have been laid in using a twill treadling so that they form an all over pattern on the face of the rug. It must be 4 inches thick and just begs you to take off your shoes and walk across it bare foot. You may have to click on the picture to see the detail.
For the "longest time sitting on the shelf" category we had many contenders. The starting point was yarn or fiber that had been acquired at least 5 years ago but it quickly became obvious that most people had been holding on to items for at least 15 years. Some folks have been
hording yarn for way way too long. You know who you are!
Pat's memory blanket, complete with photos, was made from yarn that had been hand spun through the ages or at least from the 1980's. Each section was a record of an item that Pat had created then either sold or given away. What a wonderful way to record your creations.
hording yarn for way way too long. You know who you are!Pat's memory blanket, complete with photos, was made from yarn that had been hand spun through the ages or at least from the 1980's. Each section was a record of an item that Pat had created then either sold or given away. What a wonderful way to record your creations.
Mary finally got around to using up her stash of fine threads in this lovely light weight ruana.Jo created a spaced warp wall hanging with attached antique bobbins. It was made from yarn that her mother had given her.
Pat c made a Dollie from crochet cotton she purchased in a thrift shop in the 1980's
But it was Julia who won the prize for her top made from bits and bobs, some of which, she had been storing for 30 years. Way to go Julia!
The prize for the most imaginative means of using up stash went to Sylvia who needle felted a trophy bear head.Even if we didn't win a prize we gained more storage space, made something for the fall sale and have an excuse to shop again for yet more yarn. However, we swear this time that we really do have a project in mind and that we really intend to get started on it right away and for sure it will be finished in time for that birthday or failing that maybe Christmas.
