It’s that time of year where we welcome the new season, and immediately start seeing new collections, inspiration, and beautiful projects that we want to create. But if you’re like me, you may feel guilty pouncing on all the tempting newly-released offerings – like our Spring Magic collection in Vireo, or our sinfully smooth yarn Magnolia – before using up your current stash. So, let’s take a look at some fun quick projects that may help you clear out some room to make way for all of the new yarns that you’re sure to acquire.
First, lets check out the recently released freebie Color Blocked Scarf. It’s made using just three balls of Minou in colors 106 Panther, 105 Squirrel, and 104 Kitten, and has that coffee shop chic look that can transition to spring in that effortlessly cool kind of way. Even with it being a fluffy yarn, it’s so lightweight and soft, made of 40% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino Wool, and 52% Nylon, that it’s not overwhelming enough to be a strictly cold-weather piece. It can also be fun to do this one mixing and matching with other colors in your stash to create some truly unique pieces!
Next up, lets look at the Cotton Candy Swirl shawl. This one-ball-wonder uses a 200g ball of our Cobblestone in the color 107 Cotton Candy. The yarn is made of 100% merino wool and has a lovely handspun feel to it, using one solid ply and one variegated ply to create a stunning color effect when worked up. It’s the kind of yarn that gives any project that “wow” factor, even when the pattern is ridiculously easy like this one! This is a wonderful pattern if you are a beginner to crochet, or just want that quick/mindless project to work through because it’s a simple stitch working increases along one side. You’ll have this one done in a snap – having a sweet accessory to show off while you shop for new yarns to replenish your stash, of course.
The Edisto Shawl is sure to be an addictive go-to for using your sock yarns if you aren’t in the headspace to make socks. It’s made with two balls of Bamboo Pop Sock, a wool-free yarn perfect for summer made of 37% cotton, 55% bamboo, and 8% PBT. We love this pattern so much, we made it in two versions, one in colors 505 Tide Pool and 507 Breeze (version 1), and the other in 502 High Tide and 503 Jetties (version 2). Named for Edisto Beach in South Carolina, these colors bring to mind the quintessential coastal sand, shells, water, sunsets and cottages of the town. You can of course use any color that your stash holds – perhaps your project will represent your ideal vacation destinations for the season! I personally will use up my stash of 401 Overcast and 407 Muscadine – Wine Tour anyone!?!
Lastly, lets consider the Talya vest made with 3-7 balls of Posh Alpaca, depending on the size you make. This one is a size small, using 4 balls in color 103 Wolf. You may think it’s a strange suggestion to make a plush vest for a Spring Cleaning project, but what’s so fun about a popover piece is that you can opt to wear it on its own as a top instead of layered as a vest! The yarn is made from 45% wool, 30% acrylic, and 25% superfine alpaca, and it’s roving style spin makes the most plump, beautiful stitches. This versatility takes this project from your fall/winter wardrobe well into the early months of spring when there is still a touch of chill in the air. This is again an easy and fast project to make, working from the bottom up seamlessly to the underarms, when you separate and work flat to join the back and front at the shoulders.
Happy Stash Spring Cleaning all!
Ashley Jane
