Look, I’m not saying January is the worst month of the year, but if months were sweaters, January would be that scratchy acrylic turtleneck your aunt gave you in 1987. The decorations are down, the credit card bills are arriving, and somehow it’s dark at 4:30 PM. But fear not, my fiber-loving friends: we have yarn, we have needles, and we have the perfect excuse to ignore reality for a few more weeks.
New Year’s Resolutions for Your Yarn Stash (That You’ll Actually Keep)
Nobody keeps resolutions, right? If you are a knitter, here are three you are sure to keep! Enjoy!
Resolution #1: The One-In, One-Out Rule (Sort Of)
We’ve all seen those minimalist resolutions about not buying yarn until you finish your stash. That’s adorable. Really. But let’s be realistic here. Instead, let’s try this: for every three skeins you buy, knit up one project from your stash. See? Progress! Is it slow progress? Yes. Is it still progress? Also yes. Mathematics is on our side here. And anytime you can get math on your side is a WIN!
The key is acknowledging that your stash is not a problem to be solved—it’s “a carefully curated collection of future joy.” That variegated sock yarn you bought in 2019? It’s been aging like fine wine. Those bulky skeins taking up an entire bin? They’re just waiting for the right February blizzard. You’re not a yarn hoarder; you’re a yarn curator. There’s a difference, and it’s very important. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade, folks!
Resolution #2: Organize Your Stash (This Time For Real)
January is the perfect time to actually see what you have. Dump everything out. Yes, everything. Even that bag in the back of the closet that you’ve been avoiding since you moved. Organize by weight, by color, by fiber content, or by “things I’ll totally knit someday” versus “why did I buy this.” I prefer to organize by weight. Maybe someday I’ll include color in that organizational style…or maybe not.
While you’re organizing, you’ll rediscover at least four projects you completely forgot about. That half-finished sleeve? The baby blanket for a baby who’s now in kindergarten? Just frog it. Let it go. Turn it back into yarn and give it a fresh start. It’s not quitting—it’s strategically redirecting your creative energy. After all, we only have so much time and energy, and so much yarn!
Resolution #3: Knit From Your Stash First (At Least Once)
Before you start that new pattern, take fifteen minutes to see if you already have the yarn for it. Groundbreaking, I know. But here’s the thing: you probably have something that would work beautifully, and you’ll feel like a genius when you start a new project without spending a dime. My LYS is doing a KAL on the Musselberg hat, currently all the rage on Ravelry. I’m so proud that I found two different but wildly coordinating yarns in my own stash! Two skeins down, 58,942 skeins to go!
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about shopping your own stash. It’s like finding twenty dollars in your coat pocket, except it’s four hundred yards of merino that you forgot you owned.
5 Cozy Quick Patterns to Knit While Pretending January Isn’t Happening
Now that we’ve sorted out our yarn situation (or at least pretended to), let’s talk about what to actually knit while we wait for this month to end.
1. The Chunky Cowl of Denial
Grab your bulkiest yarn and size US 15 needles. Cast on 60 stitches, join in the round, and knit until it’s tall enough to hide your face in. This takes about three hours and one good movie. Bonus: when you wear it, people can’t tell if you’re smiling or silently screaming. Perfect for January. And for hibernation. For inspiration, here is a great place to visit!
2. Fingerless Mitts for Doom-Scrolling
Because your hands get cold while you’re on your phone, and regular mittens make it impossible to refresh your feed every thirty seconds. Quick to knit, endlessly useful, and you can make a pair in an evening. Make them in a cheerful color to counteract the seasonal sadness. Stripes are always fun, too. Or better yet—try out that cute new Doodle Deck that you received in your Twice Sheared Sheep Advent Box!
3. The Emergency Blanket Square
Not a whole blanket—just one square. Then maybe another. Before you know it, you’ll have a lap blanket by March. Use whatever worsted weight yarn is languishing in your stash. No pattern required: just cast on 50 stitches and knit until you have a square. Repeat until spring arrives or you run out of yarn, whichever comes first. Need some variety/challenge? Try this post on Ravelry!
4. A Hat You’ll Actually Wear
Simple beanie, chunky yarn, done in a weekend. No pom-poms, no cables, no complicated decreases. Just a basic stockinette hat that will keep your head warm and make you look like you have your life together. You don’t, but the hat doesn’t know that. This pattern comes in several sizes. Make a whole set for your family!
5. Stress-Relief Dishcloths
This is my total “go-to” when I’m dying to knit but don’t want to get set up on a large project. Hear me out. Cotton yarn, size 7 or 8 needles, any stitch pattern that doesn’t require thinking. They work up in about an hour, they’re actually useful, and when January really gets to you, you can scrub your frustrations into a dirty pot. Therapeutic and practical. Picture above, and pattern here
The Bottom Line
January is long, dark, and generally exhausting, but it’s also the perfect time to hunker down with your yarn stash and knit something cozy. Whether you’re resolving to organize, destash, or just survive until February, remember: every row is a row closer to spring. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a dishcloth to knit and some denial to practice.
Happy New Year, and Happy Knitting!
Anita