Yarn Diet starting January 1, 2020: 1 year without buying yarn / overcoming your inner slacker. Who’s in?

Read more here:
Yarn Diet starting January 1, 2020: Defeating Your Inner Slacker (No Advertising)

Dear users, dear authors,
who would like to join our group yarn diet starting January 1, 2020, with the goal of going one year without buying yarn / overcoming your inner slacker / earning the honorary title of “Inner Slacker Conqueror”?
--> The awards ceremony will be held in late December 2020 / early January 2021.

Wollefaden, are you in too? Of course, there will be extra titles and points for you.

Haekeltrulla, I heard you’re joining us?

If you don’t want to stick to the diet for a whole year, you can also do it monthly, quarterly, or for half a year—and then receive the title “Yarn Empress of the Month,” “Quarterly Empress,” or “Half-Year Empress.”

YES, I’m in! :) I’d love to join, and this time I really want to stick with it—the whole year.

I’ll stock up my supplies accordingly, especially with different colors, so I’m well-prepared for any situation. And then we’re good to go. Next year, I’ll also weigh every finished piece so that by the end, I’ll know just how big those mountains of knitted wool are.

If I’ve managed 10 months, the whole year will definitely be a breeze. ;-)

I’m definitely in.
Starting January 1, 2020, I’ll only be crocheting projects for which I already have the yarn.

Since I’ve already bought yarn for various projects but haven’t
started them yet, I’m sure I’ll be able to stick with this for a long time.

I’m looking forward to lively discussions here during the yarn diet.

Best, Heike

I can’t manage that :-)

I can’t walk past yarn. I often even give some away to
make room for new yarn.
I’m a yarn addict, so to speak.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you all stick with it!!!

Best regards
Birgit

I’d also like to try going a whole year without buying any yarn. 

A year without buying yarn is simply not feasible for me—it's almost unimaginable. And I don't see the point in it, either. Other women buy shoes; I buy yarn. I simply enjoy it, and sometimes I knit or crochet with it. All the rest wait until I choose them. These are my collected treasures—and new treasures can always be added.

I wish everyone who wants to deny themselves this joy for a year the best of luck!

I’ll be joining again starting in January—my stash should actually still last.
But I might buy a little more before the end of the year.

It’s nice that I’m not alone this time.

I, too, don’t see the point in going on a yarn diet. After all, I’m not addicted ;-))

I only buy yarn when I need something for a specific project, and I don’t want to limit myself when it comes to color or material.  That does mean I end up accumulating quite a bit, though, because I always buy a little extra (just to be safe). But since I mainly make small items that can be created with leftover yarn anyway, those leftovers will eventually be used up again.

Ina, that’s a great attitude—seeing the yarn as treasures. Yes, that’s how I feel, too. However, I really do have a lot of stash, and I want to work through it properly now. I feel like I’m in a store, and I actually like that. Still… I want to make some space. For what, you ask…? For new yarn, of course. But not until 2021.

Before that, I’m going to go on a real shopping spree in December. And I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest. After all, the “Shopping Queen” in me needs to be lived out—and she’s allowed to be. ;-)

I’ve been very restrained this year when it comes to buying new yarn, and my stash hasn’t really shrunk much. But somehow I feel like I’m missing out if I don’t go to a yarn shop to look at and touch all the wonderful yarn. But I just can’t bring myself to look without buying.

The last time I bought yarn was in the summer; I needed a specific color for a baby gift. This year, I bought 3,250 grams and used 3,210 grams (yes, I weigh everything).

And I’m looking forward to the time when I’ll be working less again, because then I can spend an afternoon at the yarn shop and enjoy picking out yarn for new projects.

I guess I’m not really part of the big “yarn diet.”

I definitely want to use up all my “old” yarn, but I don’t know if I’ll actually manage to get by without buying more… I’d like to try, though. The only tricky part would be if I ran out of yarn before the year is over…
There isn’t much left. Enough sock yarn for 5–6 pairs of socks, enough yarn for 3 different sweaters, enough for 1 shawl, as well as various scraps and single skeins of mohair, alpaca, sheep’s wool, acrylic, and cotton yarn.

The titles “Quarterly Queen” for three months without buying yarn and “Half-Year Queen” for six months without buying yarn are also a great honor.

I think I can pull that off!

Exactly :-)

Sorry, not a chance for me, but I wish all participants the best of luck!!

Not buying any (more) yarn—then I’ll get around to continuing to turn my giant yarn cake into a big tablecloth.
Right now, the project is on hold because I can use it as leg warmers at the same time, and it’s not cold enough for that yet.
Otherwise, I still have yarn left for various other projects.

A whole year without buying any yarn—nah, that’s not for me, and I don’t see the point of it (for me, anyway!).

Maybe I’ll try a month or so… We’ll see :)

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for everyone who sets this goal. I’ll do the yarn shopping for you too ;) 

Mel, you can still stock up properly this year. ;-) I’m doing that, too.

Well, there’s no shortage of good intentions! I’ll do my best starting next year—I have more than enough wool and yarn, but sometimes it’s just not exactly what I need at the moment. Maybe I just need to get a little more creative...

That wouldn’t work for me, since I now shop based on specific projects… At first, I used to buy whatever I liked like crazy, but then it never really fit—I thought that was a bummer.

I have a few good stores around here where I can buy the right yarn for a new project at any time. I just prefer it that way.

Oh dear, that’s completely unthinkable for me right now ;-) I already have a ton of yarn in stock—but when I need a pick-me-up or am in a bad mood, I just go downstairs and look at my wonderful yarn… yeah, it sounds weird, but that’s how it is… hehe. And it’s the same for me: other people buy shoes or bags; I buy yarn. I guess I’m a hopeless case...

How’s it going with buying yarn before the yarn diet starts in January?

I just got some yarn yesterday... and now I’m eyeing a few skeins of an alpaca-silk blend...😊

I’ve stocked up well over the last two months. In December, I’ll order a few more skeins of a certain type of yarn. And then I’ll be all set for 2020. :)

I’ll probably buy some more yarn in December.

I’ve already bought a lot for specific projects—including Christmas gifts, though I probably won’t have them ready until Easter because I don’t have enough time.

For specific projects, here’s what I’ve bought in the last two months:

30 skeins of Bravo for 2 dragon lamps
1 yarn cake, 2,500 m, for a poncho
14 skeins of Catania for a Christmas arrangement
16 skeins of Lenja Soft for 2 Glitzer Glotzis

That’s all project-related.

Then there’s my full closet and the drawers as well.

So actually, I should be able to get by for a long time with what I have.

Starting January 1, 2020, I’ll also keep exact track again of what I use and how much.

Best regards, Heike

Wow, Heike, you’ve got big plans! And then there’s sooo much yarn in your stash. You’re really well-stocked for 2020.

Have you already stocked up so you can start dieting on January 1, 2020?

@mowi19
Yes, I’m well-prepared. I just need a little more time.

I haven’t stocked up yet. But I’m only going to buy a few more colors and skeins.
Not much more.

Oh yes, that’s a good idea. I’d like to try sticking to this yarn diet this time, too. I can’t promise anything, but if doing it for 3 months or 6 months is also possible, I should be able to manage that.
By my standards, I also have so much yarn that needs to be “used up.” I’m not the only one here, and with your support, I’m sure I’ll be able to do it.

I’m in.

I’m also convinced you can do it, Bastelfan. Without these threads here, I don’t think I’d even think of it. It’s great that you’re joining us! 

So, how’s it going with you guys?

I’m just stocking up on supplies in December… then I’ll easily manage it next year.

Since I still have quite a bit of yarn, this “diet” should be a breeze for me.

Are you up for it?

I’ll get a few more skeins by the end of the year, then I’ll be all set.

hahahahaha no, I’m not going along with that xD I don’t buy that much yarn, but I don’t want to go without it for a whole year either ^^'' and my stash isn’t that huge...

I won some beautiful yarn in December—it was in an Advent calendar. It was a gradient yarn and a microfiber blend yarn. I also gave shelter to 3 skeins of Springgarn, and yesterday 2 more 100g skeins of sock yarn had to come home with me too. But that’s it now! (I hope.....)

I just ordered a big batch of yarn.
My coworkers gave me a €70 gift card from my yarn dealer, so I ended up spending about €100. I don’t think I can make it a full year—I don’t have that much yarn. But half a year might work out :-)

I’m in....I just have to go down to the basement....and the yarn costs me NOTHING!! And there’s even more of it on the first floor...just in boxes....Yay! 

Petra, that’s a dream come true! :) If I had that much space, it would be a land of milk and honey for me.

Dear Monica, you can believe me… I’m enjoying every day and am so grateful… that everything turned out this way! I moved from a small three-room apartment in the city center… to a house by the forest! And now I have five times as much space!… I’ve ended up in a place where my creativity has been given plenty of room to flourish! That’s exactly what I wanted… Inside the house in winter and in the garden in summer! I truly wish that for everyone! Warm regards and have a lovely evening!

Did you get off to a good start in January?
How’s the yarn diet going so far?

You can commit to a whole year = “Conqueror of Your Inner Slacker” or even two years = “Conqueror of the Yarn Mountain.”
If you don’t want to diet for that long, you can also aim for three months, six months, or nine months—that earns you the titles of “Quarterly Empress,” “Half-Year Empress,” or “Three-Quarter-Year Empress.”
Of course, we also have the one-month yarn diet = “Wool Empress.” :-)
Have fun and good luck!

I’ve gotten off to a good start in January.

I’m going to tackle the yarn diet bit by bit—month by month.

I’m in! I haven’t ordered anything in the last 2–3 weeks either, because after all, I have enough yarn.

My goal is to stick with it for the whole year. Let’s see how far I get—I’ll tackle it month by month. That’ll definitely make it easier.

At least I was able to walk right past the mountains of yarn in the stores in December. ;-)

I’m in too, but I don’t think I can stick with it for a whole year. We’ll see.
I’ve already started crocheting away some unloved “stepchild yarn.” Just one skein—it was a bad buy (color-wise). The crochet project isn’t quite finished yet; I’ll post a picture later.
It actually feels good to clear out some space.

Together we can do this, and I wish everyone a healthy New Year, full of new ideas.

How’s it going?

I’m still firmly on my yarn diet—for now.

Last week I crocheted up 200 grams of well-stored cotton, and yesterday I even used up yarn from 2014. But unfortunately, you can’t even notice this slight reduction given the amounts of yarn I’ve stockpiled all over the house.

Petra: Unfortunately, that’s exactly my problem too: You knit and crochet, and your stash doesn’t get any smaller (especially not if you keep buying new yarn!!! But that yarn cake was just too tempting—and somehow necessary for the shawl I’m planning!)

The year is only a few days old, and so far it’s going just as well as my January project.

How’s it going?

It’s going great! I’m thrilled about the wonderful finds I’m discovering in my mountains of yarn. I’m even using up my leftover yarn. I definitely plan to stick with this for a long time.

I definitely want to stick it out too, like Monika. So far I haven't had any problems, although it is tempting sometimes. Then I tell myself: "no, you're going to crochet up what you already have first".
Right now I'm crocheting with very thin yarn, hook size 1.75. That yarn has to get used up sometime too.

Have a pleasant week, everyone; I have 2 days off, so I can keep crocheting.

It’s off to a good start. I used almost 300g of yarn for my pillow.

I originally bought it for a jacket, but some of it has now been turned into a pillow. I’m sure I’ll think of something to do with the leftover yarn (other colors) too.

How’s the diet going?

I just calculated how much yarn I’ve used so far this month. It’s actually about 600 g of yarn. That’s more than I would have thought.

I haven’t re-weighed it yet, but I’m still bravely sticking with it and have held out so far.

Have a great work week, everyone, and have fun “dieting.”

So far, I’ve managed to stick with it. Since I’m also sewing right now, the yarn mountain is only slowly getting smaller.

But I’ll definitely stick with it through January. 

I still have enough stash for the next two months, depending on how much I can get done. After that, things will get tight because some of the leftover yarns don’t match in color, thickness, or material. But I’ll probably part with the rest of my mohair yarn—I just can’t stand it. My fingers itch when I work with it.

Oh, “UNFORTUNATELY” I’m already one month too late :)

@christine-obwaller
You can still join in at any time. Shorter periods and shorter “wool diets” count too.
Welcome to our group, and good luck!

A warm welcome, dear Christine, here with us in the forum! :)

No, you’re by no means too late, because you can start anytime. It’s only January, after all. If you start now, for example, your yarn diet will just last a little longer. That’s no problem. ;-)

Just join in. Everyone will be honored, whether they stick with the diet for 1, 2, or 3 months, half a year, or longer.

Best regards 
Monika

How’s it going?

Yeah, of course—I have plenty in stock and absolutely no urge to buy yarn. So the diet is going strong, and it’s actually getting more and more fun.

Oh dear, no, I’m out…

I ordered 30 balls of felting yarn online this week. Me and yarn online—actually unthinkable—but a friend said you don’t have to feel felting yarn before buying it.

I’ve never worked with felting yarn before and want to give it a try. My goal is to crochet three squirrel nests and then felt them.

So, no more dieting—I’m starting fresh in March. 

January and half of February are already behind us.

I still have plenty of yarn in stock.

So—the yarn diet is going well.

Yes, I’m still taking part too, and so far I’m doing well with it.
It’s easier with you guys too, yay!

 I’ve only been doing this since mid-January—I’m curious to see how long I can keep it up! Sometimes you just really need a certain color or a specific material…

I started the diet on December 15. Let’s see how long I can keep it up. I think I can manage half a year. :-)

How’s your diet going?

I’ve successfully completed my second month on the “diet.”

Me too :-) 

Me too. :) It’s really fun when my stash is still so plentiful that I feel like I’m in a yarn shop. Let’s keep going.

The diet is going really great. 

Realistically speaking:
How long would your stash actually last if you consistently used up everything you have and chose patterns that match your yarn?

My yarn will definitely last until the end of the year.
I think it might even last a little longer.

I generally don’t believe in diets… you all know about the yo-yo effect, right?

Great answer! That’s exactly right.

Oh Claudia, you are so right! :-) :-) 
I couldn't control myself again and ordered a few more beautiful gradient cakes from Yarnarts ...

Is it going well?

I’m keeping a close eye on my stash, and one ball after another gets to meet my knitting needles. :) I’m sticking with it and hope to clear out a few cabinets and drawers by the end of 2020.

Are you all being brave with your dieting?

That’s right. I haven’t bought any more yarn since February 26.

Two months on a “diet,” and I’m still well-stocked :-) 

I’ve been participating since January 1, 2020, and I’m still holding up well.

My stash is still enough for my upcoming projects.

Are you all bravely sticking to the yarn diet?

I’ve sinned… I bought Woll4 for the kings in mid-May, and since I didn’t know exactly what they should wear, I bought a little extra. But it was only 7 skeins. 

I’m still in it and have been sticking with it for almost 6 months now—since mid-December.
And I’m not stopping. I’m knitting like crazy to work through my stash. And there’s still plenty left. It would last me at least 2 years.

How’s it going?

Yes, I’m sticking to my plan to keep this up for at least a whole year. My stash has shrunk again, but it still feels like there’s a huge amount of yarn left. There’s still plenty to knit with. 

Hi everyone,
compared to your yarn stash sizes and workload, I’m probably just small fry, but I’d still like to shrink my yarn stash a bit so I can stock up again with a clearer conscience. 😁
For a 1-month yarn diet like this: Can I join in here, or are the short-term diets organized in a different forum post?
Warm regards to all the hardworking artists here!

@oraetlabora,
just join in on this thread, and you’ll be part of the award ceremony for the Yarn Diet.
Final Sprint and Award Ceremony // June 2020 Edition
There’s an award ceremony every month where participants are recognized for their Yarn Diet and all their other achievements.
Have fun!

I’m still hard at work on my “wool diet.” It’ll last a while longer, and I’m doing just fine with it.

I’m still on my yarn diet and I’m not worried about running out of yarn. .

Even after seven months, there’s still plenty of yarn left here.

How’s your yarn diet going?

Simply wonderful.😉😉😉

I’m still in it too, and I’m really proud of myself for resisting every temptation. And there’s still enough yarn left that I could even keep this up for two years. 

Are you still dieting?

Yes, I’m still in it and have used up a lot of sock yarn. At least with my next projects, I’ll use almost all of it up, leaving just a tiny bit. My goal is at least one year—that would be until mid-December.

Yes, I’m still in on the yarn diet, too. Little by little, I’m crocheting up leftover yarn, or using up yarn I don’t like in various projects.
I’m doing well with it—it’ll last until the end of the year, if not longer.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

I’m still in on this, too.

Right now, I’m working a large skein of synthetic yarn into a pair of socks.

How’s your yarn diet going?

By mid-December, I’d made it through a whole year, and I’m really proud of that.
And—I’m going to keep going for now and see how long I can stick with it. My stash is still big enough to last another year. 

Read more here:
Yarn diet starting January 1, 2020: defeating your inner slacker (No advertising)