Part 2: The Stash Whisperer (Or: How I Learned to Love Secondhand Yarn and Fear the Moth)
Let’s talk about something most crocheters don’t like to acknowledge: we all have too much yarn. “There’s no such thing” I hear you cry, and I’m crying along guilty as the next in this particular conundrum.
I’m not judging. I’m sitting here with seventeen balls of 4-ply in subtly different shades of grey because apparently I was going through some sort of architectural phase. The yarn acquisition problem is real, it’s widespread, and it’s actually an opportunity.
The Art of Stash-Busting
Stash-busting isn’t just “using up yarn” – it’s a creative constraint that can genuinely improve your making. When you can’t just buy the “perfect” yarn for every pattern, you have to think differently:
You modify patterns. That shawl calls for fingering weight but you’ve got DK? Recalculate. Use a bigger hook. Make it shorter. Suddenly you’re not just following instructions, you’re actually designing.
You get weird with it. Scrap yarn projects – temperature blankets, granny square bags, planned pooling experiments – become genuinely exciting rather than just “making do.” Some of the most interesting crochet I’ve seen has been born from “I have all these random balls and I’m going to make them work.”
You develop an actual relationship with your materials. When you’re not constantly acquiring new yarn, you learn what’s actually in your stash. You remember why you bought that sparkly mohair blend (it was on sale and you were feeling fancy). You make decisions about whether you really, truly love it enough to make something with it.
The question isn’t “what can I make with this yarn?” It’s “what can this yarn become?”
The Secondhand Revolution
Charity shops. Car boot sales. Facebook Marketplace. eBay. Destash groups. The secondhand yarn ecosystem is thriving, and it’s where some of the best yarn deals (and most interesting finds) live.
Vintage yarn is having a moment. And not just because it’s cheap (though it is). Vintage acrylic often has a different feel than modern acrylic – some of it is genuinely nicer. Old cotton yarn might be mercerized in ways modern cotton isn’t. And wool from the 70s and 80s, before ultra-soft became the only acceptable texture, often has more character.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about rescuing yarn. Someone’s aunt bought this in 1983, never used it, and now it’s going to become something loved. That’s not just sustainable – it’s practically poetic.
The thrifted sweater unraveling rabbit hole. Buy a 100% wool sweater from a charity shop for £3, unravel it, and suddenly you have yarn that would have cost £30+ new. Yes, it’s crimpy. Yes, you’ll need to wind it and possibly steam it. Yes, it’s a bit extra. But it’s also deeply, weirdly satisfying, and the resulting yarn has history. Plus you’re learning about garment construction, which makes you a better maker.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MOTHS?!
Right. We need to talk about this because it’s the legitimate reason people fear secondhand yarn.
Moths – specifically clothes moths – are the bane of natural fibre enthusiasts. They’re small, they’re sneaky, and they think your vintage wool is an all-you-can-eat buffet. The larvae do the actual damage, munching through wool, silk, and other protein fibers with gleeful abandon, leaving behind holes, webbing, and tiny casings that make you want to burn everything you own.
Prevention is everything:
- Freeze it. When you buy secondhand yarn, especially wool, stick it in the freezer for 72 hours. This kills any eggs or larvae. Yes, your housemates will ask questions. And yes, my freezer is already full of peas, and fish fingers and all my leftovers in cleaned out yogurt tubs. So whilst that is an option who has freezer space for yarn?
- Cedar is your friend. Cedar blocks, cedar rings, cedar everything. Moths hate it alledgedly. Your yarn storage will smell like a woodland cabin, which is either delightful or overwhelming depending on your tolerance.Personally I love this smell but I know it’s not everyones cup of herbal tea.
- Lavender, but realistic. Lavender sachets are traditional, and moths do avoid them, but they need to be strong. Weak lavender sachets are just decorative. Make your own using 110% pure lavender essential oil, and make a pillow sachet whilst your at, win, win.
- Airtight storage. If you’re serious about natural fiber, invest in proper storage containers. Moths can’t eat what they can’t reach. But, thats probably plastic again!
- Regular inspection. Check your stash. Yes, all of it. Make friends with your yarn. Notice if anything seems off.
If you do get moths: Don’t panic, but do act. Freeze everything. Vacuum everywhere. Wash what you can in hot water. Accept that some yarn might have to go. It’s devastating, but it’s not the end of your crafting life.
The moth situation is genuinely the only real downside to vintage and secondhand natural fiber yarn, but with proper precautions, it’s manageable. And honestly? Acrylic doesn’t have this problem, which is one of its genuine superpowers.
The Destash Economy
Here’s something beautiful happening in the crochet world: people are sharing yarn. Not selling – though there’s that too – but actually giving it away or swapping it.
Community destash events. Yarn swaps. “Free to a good home” posts in local crafting groups. The philosophy is shifting from “I must own all the yarn” to “yarn should be with people who will actually use it.”
This isn’t just sustainable in the environmental sense – it’s sustainable in the community sense. It builds connections. It means beginners can access materials without huge upfront costs. It means crafters downsizing can see their stash go to people who are excited about it, rather than just throwing it away.
Participate in this. Destash mindfully. Acquire secondhand enthusiastically. Be part of the circular yarn economy that’s emerging.
Ready for the next part now? https://indieheartcrochet.com/the-crochet-sustainability-deep-dive-a-4-part-love-letter-to-yarn-that-doesnt-wreck-everything-3/ or you off to organise your stash? I don’t blame you and will probably join you. I find immersing myself in my stash very stressbusting!