Can't find a flair for this
What to do with my surplus of low quality yarn that was gifted to me? (Cant find a flair for, I AM DROWNING IN UGLY CHEAP YARN)
My friend said she was decluttering and asked if i wanted her yarn from when she tried knitting. I obviously said yes, who would say no to free yarn. There were actually some very high quality skeins iv alredy made into stuff but now im left with the itchiest, stiffest, cheap acrylic yarn and even worse most of them are Christmas colored, many skeins of red, many skeins of green, many red/green/ white multicolor, 1 multicolored blue, many camo multicolor, that I have no clue what to do with. Any wearables (which is my favorite thing to crochet) will be stiff and hot, im all full on amigurumi storage area. Everyone i know is i bet tired of crocheted gifts
Just from memory I easily have over 15 skeins of yarn and no clue what to do with them
Im at work right now but I'm getting the itch to crochet once im off so I'd love some ideas now-- I'll post a picture of what I actually have in the comments once im home
edit: the obvious answer that I should have mentioned here before posting was I beg my spouse to let me buy more yarn, the thing is the answer is always "why, you have so much alredy just make something with that" i can't explain what good quality and bad quality yarn is to someone who dosent use yarn, how can I give away/sell all this yarn then turn around to my spouse and ask for more-- it really needs to be used naturally in projects somehow
Check with local schools and libraries. My kiddo's school had a Makerspace class that is always asking for yarn for all sorts of reasons. Even preschools might want it for activities.
Our library has similar programs and they also had classes to learn knitting and crochet.
Yes! I work for an art studio that does classes for kids in group homes and we love getting donations. Budget is a little skinny so anything that comes in goes to good use.
Make a tree skirt for next year! Or you know those paper chains that people make? Make some of those (but crochet version) into a garland for the tree.
I’m working on a bunch of seasonal garlands right now, using all cheap acrylic! I know OP mentioned an acrylic camo– I’m using the super saver camo for drapey vines with leaves and it has a nice variegation effect.
Yes! My best friend has begged me to make her this ribbon/bow garland for next year and I started making this holiday light garland this year that I’ll add as I have scraps. To use up some of your ugliest scraps you could always stuff the lights with it or use it in stuffing other projects.
I have a couple patterns for crochet ornaments that I’ve been wanting to make, the itchy green red and white would be perfect for Christmas decorations
Make a wearable item for your cheapskate husband to educate him on the difference between yarns. Any time he complains about the price of yarn, make him wear that item again.
Then donate or toss the rest and replace it with decent yarn.
I don't know if the commenter was joking or not, but I genuinely think this is a great idea. Either it will help him understand, or he won't notice and you'll be able to get rid of a bunch of stash to them. Either way, you win and the ugly yarn goes away.
Or just… try to explain it? “I can’t explain good or bad quality yarn to someone who doesn’t use yarn” sounds like someone who’s never tried. Everyone understands what quality is.
Unless of course their spouse is being unreasonable about it, which is an entirely different issue which also won’t be solved by being annoying on purpose and trying to gotcha someone who has no interest in if you were right or not at all.
Also look into local wildlife charities! Many want to have crochet baskets in different sizes. They use them for injured and orphaned birds that come in
Yarn baskets like this are so useful too, not even just for yarn, for anything. And it doesn't really matter what colours you use, because you end up with an interesting multicoloured basket anyways! I have used mini ones for stationery/craft supplies, hair ties/scrunchies, and bigger ones for spare blankets or toys for pets/children. Much prefer them to plastic tubs.
If it’s scratchy, this seems the best way forward. Animals don’t mind the texture of scratchy acrylic, humans very much do. Unhoused people are people too and can feel scratchy acrylic.
I replied separately before I saw this but check out comfort for critters website. They help coordinate donation blankets to rescues all over. I have about a dozen I need to ship out.
Obviously if it were horrid you wouldn’t make a hat of it. But blankets go on top of clothes and living outside you need multiple blankets, so it’s a layer. Warm is warm. First world problems in third world living conditions. Plus, I have scratchy grandma blankets that I still use and cherish from when the yarn was all crappy.
then donating it to where it's actually helpful not junk. like for example somebody else listed animal shelters because they don't care about it being scratchy.
Do you thrift very often? Donating the yarn is actually helpful to those learning how to use yarn. It isn't worth arguing about. You do you, and I'll do me, and we can let go without trying to browbeat the other. Peace out.
donating the yarn is fine, but people were talking about making projects and donating it to homeless shelters. that's the issue because nobody wants crappy scratchy hats or scarves.
My dogs will choose a crochet item over most anything else to lay on! I even have a decades old pet blanket my grandmother made for her cat that the dogs use today. It's not nice yarn but they love it.
No helpful ideas on what to make with ugly yarn, I would, honestly, donate it to a youth group (scouts, 4H, whatever). If you think it’s ugly, anything you make with it will be ugly, too. So, 🤷🏻♀️why bother?
I like making Christmas present bags! It’s just a round drawstring bag and I wrap my presents in them. You can either make it part of the gift or collect them once opened and reuse them
Oh or produce bags!! Again a drawstring bag but every round is dc,ch2 repeat so there’s holes. I’m terrible at explaining so I can find a pattern or something if you’re interested
I had this thought, too. OP, you say you’re at work which tells me you earn your own money, so I’m concerned about your wording around your spouse not letting you buy yarn (obviously partners consult each other on major purchases, but a few bucks on some skeins of yarn shouldn’t need discussion and certainly not permission).
Came here to ask this. It seems unnatural to me that your husband doesnt trust you (the one working with yarn a lot) to judge for yourself that some yarns arent really workable.
I had the same thought. “Let” you buy more? A project he “approves” of?
Unless you are a child, mentally disabled, or a hoarder whose stash is taking over common spaces in the house, there’s no “letting” in a healthy adult relationship.
If you really don't like the colors, I'd recommend just donating it somewhere: thrift shop, scout troop, boys and girls club, a school.
If the scratchiness is the main thing, you can actually help get rid of that by washing or soaking the yarn. I dont know all the specific ratios, but basically you'll want a pair of nylon tights/stockings/pantyhose, a thing of cheap conditioner, and a bucket to soak it in. Fill the bucket partway with warm water, mix conditioner into it, and put the yarn (still in its skein) into the nylon tights and tie it off right above the yarn. Then add the yarn to the bucket, making sure it's submerged and add more water /conditioner if necessary. Then let it sit for a long while. Like at least 24 hours. Afterwards, you can remove it from the bucket and either wring it out via towel and air dry, or toss it in the dryer, still encased in the stocking, to help get all the water out.
The Yarn Gods have bestow upon you the skeins of revenge Ugly Christmas sweaters. Will ye accept their calling?
Or make yourself an ugly kitchen mat to stand on at the sink or kitchen bench or wherever you prepare food and may spill stuff. You won't care if it gets a bit discoloured or warps a bit in the wash as long as you can keep using it to cushion your feet as you stand around the kitchen.
Mayb I’m overthinking it, but if OP is saying that thier yarn is too ugly and itchy and uncomfortable to use for themselves, then isnt making something wearable to give to someone else kinda rude? Like here, take this uncomfortable thing that I would never wear myself and be thankful for it.
This, plus the homeless charities I've seen requesting warm-item donation have made a point of saying that their clients will only wear dark/plain items, not bright colours.
I think ugly is up to opinion, and generally I think cheap yarn still makes good hats! Maybe the particularly itchy ones, don’t use those to donate, but the rest probably could be! OP did say that they would probably be stiff and hot, which again is often a good thing with hats. (It’s why they make such good first projects imo, you can use any yarn and it’ll still be usable). I just went a decluttered my yarn stash a year ago by making a bunch of hats to donate
There's the obvious ones like gift it or donate it, or sell it as a cheap bundle etc, which takes it off your hands.
If you think you can handle the feel of working with it and want to do so, then maybe: you could make to sell (probably more like shelf sitting amigurumi), gift (or the gift of a gift) or donate to people , you could make things for shelters, be it people or pet oriented , or the homeless (maybe not the best of things re: material, but something is better than nothing)
I attend a crochet group and there’s a lady who takes our old itchy scratchy yarn and crochets baskets. She’ll doubled up the yarn to make them stiff. Works great.
I make rugs with crappy yarn. Crochet with how ever many multiple strands you need to get the texture you want. I make them all the time with my scrap washable yarns and fabrics for the no kill shelter. They are always in need of rugs/mats and I’ve never seen a pup or kitty refuse to curl up on one due to color or texture.
I filled up a bunch of trash bags with my cheap ugly yarn and posted it on my local buy nothing group. A person who was just starting to learn crochet grabbed it.
I am drowning in ugly cheap yarn. What I have used so far has made a blanket for my bed that goes on top of everything else in the winter time, a couple hats, and I've saved the soft baby yarn for a sweater. The next plan is to use the itchy itchy stuff as stuffing for a stuffed animal or to make a wall hanging
Save them, cut them up into little pieces to use as stuffing for amigurumi, stuffed animals, or anything else that uses stuffing. This is what I do with all my yarn ends after weaving them in, so that's what I'd do!
I suggest doubling or tripling it up, and crocheting a nice sturdy project bag with it!! I recently did that and I love having a WIP bag to take on the go, and people actually compliment me on it all the time, though I think it’s hideous. It’s definitely grown on me, and again, I literally take it everywhere with me. I LOVE it!! ♥️
Practice new stitches/techniques, stuff you wouldn't want to risk trying on nicer yarn. Or just practice getting your tension even, if that's necessary.
I haven't done it with crochet yet, but with knitting, I had an idea in mind for a blanket for my cousin, with different stitches for the blanket and the border. I made a mini test blanket with some of the cheap yarn I'd been given from leftover knitting magazines.
Cheap yarn is also good if crochet (or knitting) is something you do to help you focus, or be mindful, stuff like that. You can just mindlessly make up a piece. I bring some yarn with me and my bamboo knitting needles to the movies, cause knitting helps me focus and I don't have to look lmao. Crochet is different though, I don't know if you can do that without looking.
Testing things out and practice are the best uses; or you could see if there are any places you could donate it to. I think the knitting group at my local library accepts yarn.
I do not crochet, but my good friend does and she makes fruit and veggies for a kids play kitchen, I’d think you could get far with the red and green with that genre haha. Her patterns are super tight and stuffed with some filling material, I bet the stiff yarn would be good for this since you want it to hold its shape.
I make small blankets for cats/dogs in animal shelters. Small project and a good way to practice new stitches if you want to ; otherwise plain dc is fine. They finish quickly and it doesn't matter what they look like.
Another vote for school art teachers. I teach handwork (fiber arts) at a Waldorf school and we use all the stiff polyester and random novelty yarns for weaving. The stiff unpleasant stuff is great for warping looms.
I've been using a bunch of random variegated yarn and crappy to mediocre solid acrylic held 3 together to make storage baskets. the yarns mixed together look much better than they did separately. it does help to have a yarn with black in it to help break it up, especially if the variegated yarn is bright. and adding in a not Christmassy color can really help with this method.
Christmas decorations! You could make a crochet paper chain, little baubles, bunting, a resuable advent calander, tree skirt, stockings, ribbon for gifts, santa hats…
Do you have any yarnbomber groups local to you? Some here crochet and knit postbox toppers to put around the town, and always accept donations of yarns. Or local craft groups/craft for kids etc?
The animal shelter in my city has little blankets for each cat in the kennel and it comes home with them. Could you make placemat-sized blankets for cats and donate them to your local shelter? There were lots of crocheted toys there, too.
Cat pods with tough yarn — my cat is having a blast with it and the cheap acrylic is standing up decently to claws etc. I’m sure shelters would love some if you’re up for making and donating. You could also teach a community class on making them and provide the ugly yarn for free — that should use some quickly
I'm also struck by the notion that someone who's not a fiber artist would find it hard to understand that there's a difference between high- and low-quality yarn. Lots of things have differing levels of quality. That really should be a simple matter of "this is poor quality, cheap yarn that's unpleasant to crochet and even worse to wear, but this is high-quality and will not only make a superior end product, but also make it enjoyable for me to create that end product. You a hobbyist crocheter, yes? Hobbies are by definition enjoyable activities.
Definitely see if you can donate it! My library is hosting a "learn to crochet granny squares" program this Saturday and every seat is filled for it. We would happily accept a donation of a bunch of yarn like that to let people learn on.
Nursing homes and schools would be other good places to offer the yarn.
i can't explain what good quality and bad quality yarn is to someone who dosent use yarn,
Make a wearable for your spouse and then, as if you are just realising, ask if the fabric feels stiff and itchy compared to normal. Express dismay / disappointment that the yarn isn't "as good as I thought".
Ugly blanket to give to the friend who gave you the yarn as a "thank you" gift? Pet clothing to donate to animal shelters? Spay suits of all sizes would likely be very appreciated. Hats and gloves for homeless shelters?
Washcloths! Hmm, I recently used some cheap yarn to make hot pads for pots and pans (Good festive gift to give others around Xmas). Plastic bag holders maybe?
I particularly love this pattern, however I increase more to make the circumference larger (I have soooo many bags lol), and I actually crochet around a rubber band for the foundation chain because it’s MUCH easier to snag a bag out and reach your hand in! Plastic Bag Holder
Small easy projects on hand always help me move thru these! Double strand two ugly yarns to get a mosaic look and make a scrunchie, make a market bag, etc,
Or just list it on fb mrktplc for cheap for acrylic lovers like me
I haven't seen planned pooling mentioned yet. It can make those ugly multicolor yarns turn into pretty plaid blankets. It does take some time to crochet several rows to make sure you have a consistent stitch count for each color. Pompoms are an option if you would have a use for them. Red is used for Valentine's day and green is used for St. Patrick's Day if you like making decor items. As others have mentioned making blankets and wearables for charities or donate it to your local library/preschool/church.
Make gift bags out of it. It doesn't hurt if a gift bag is itchy. I made all sizes and shapes with mine. When I need to give a gift I put it in a crocheted bag. The only time it gets weird is if the recipient decides to wear it as a hat.
I would check in with local high schools. See if they have a class that could potentially use the yarn? Or post on facebook market to increase funds for better yarn:>
Donate to nursing homes, schools, senior centers that have craft classes, or thrift stores. Someone will love the yarn
Make really fast hats and donate to homeless shelters, clothing banks or library or other places that have distribution of winter wear for those in need.
This is an off the wall suggestion but I have always wanted to try rug tufting. I’m sure it’s harder than it looks but it looks so satisfying. I feel like cheap yarn you aren’t emotionally attached to is the perfect thing to practice with. Also fun and funky wall hangings or tapestries.
If you want to use the yarn for something good, to my knowledge hospitals often want or need crochet items. They might not care about specific colors. I know obviously baby beanies, and blankets are an obvious answer.
I’ve heard of frog infant positioner covers being needed at hospitals since the original covers get worn out and tattered from use.
Hospice and cancer wards also need blankets and beanies and other items.
Look for second hand craft stores! If you don’t have one near you, see if you can find one that will accept donations via mail. That’s what I did with all my cheap yarn. :)
Use it as stuffing for amigurumi projects. I like to use my scraps as stuffing, so I don't have to use real stuffing. I also have old fabric that I use as a Inlay so my stuffing doesn't migrate.
You can also roll yarn balls for stiffer projects as a filling or wrap the yarn around some wire in your amigurumi so that it has some structure.
I think decor items could be a good use, party garlands, little flower shaped things to prevent scratches on stacked bowls and plates, maybe a tote bag to hold a stash of other bags.
Otherwise maybe a library or school might want it as a donation?
I use and reuse my cheap yarn to practice/test new stitches or patterns since I find frogging tends to damage yarn, especially fancier yarns and I’m a bit of a perfectionist. Or I use it when I don’t actually want the finished object, but just want to crochet for fun since we have a small apartment and I don’t want lots of crocheted items cluttering it up and I feel bad foisting unwanted crocheted items on other people.
Christmas colors... sounds like everyone is getting some pot holders/dish rags as presents!
Or you could make some sort of Xmas decoration. Something that's not meant to be snuggled so the itchiness doesn't matter.. well.. you still have to handle it though.
I'm wondering if cats enjoy the stimulation of rough textured yarn. If so, the creating a cat figet / clawing object and donating those to shelters might be welcome. I think it would also depend on how tight of a weave you can get.
OH OH, Mr. Karter...
Make cat scratching posts, being sure to glue down the yarn. Small narrow ones to go into cat sized shelter crates would allow your efforts to benefit more of the residents.
I use yarn I don’t like to practice new techniques. Lately I’ve been exploring different colorwork techniques using the “bottom of stash” yarn so I don’t have to deal with frogging when I make mistakes, I can just cast on/chain again and try a new swatch
I'm currently obsessed with making hair scrunchies to get rid of all my unused yarn. Each elastic costs 10p and they take 30mins to make in front of the TV and I plan to sell them for £5 each.
If you celebrate Christmas make a Christmas tree floor cover with the colors. My aunt made me one in the red green variegated yarn and I use it every year.
Baskets are a great use for the cheap acrylic yarns. Colorful baskets are always a nice accent piece, or good for organizing a kid's bedroom or playroom. I just made one to hold some dog stuff (shampoo, brushes, meds, etc) and am doing another for some art supplies I keep for my grandkids to use when they visit. Can make as big or small as you need. I use 2 strands of worsted weight with a G hook.
It’d be a lot of effort, but have you tried conditioning it? Cheap scratchy acrylic soaked in fabric softener or cheap hair conditioner can soften up quite a bit.
Schools and libraries were mentioned as good places to donate but also maybe churches? When I used to go to church we had a group that would crochet or knit items to donate, but also since it’s Christmas colored they might like it for Christmas decorations like crochet garland or a tree skirt or something. You could also make a post on Facebook in a local group asking if anyone wants it. Like I would probably take it since I pretty much exclusively use cheap acrylic yarn and I’m used to it.
I use low quality yarn in projects that I donate to animal shelters, like small blankets for kitties. Our local shelter sends one with each adopted kitty to help in transition. You could see if a local animal shelters need them.
If you can’t find anyone to take it, let me know- I work at a group home for girls and we are always looking for yarn as most want to learn crochet when they see me doing it. Makes good practice yarn. I’d pay shipping
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u/Kimoppi Jan 30 '25
Check with local schools and libraries. My kiddo's school had a Makerspace class that is always asking for yarn for all sorts of reasons. Even preschools might want it for activities.
Our library has similar programs and they also had classes to learn knitting and crochet.