Swap a Knitting or Crochet Yarn Stash
How to Trade Knitting Yarns for Free, Installment One of Two
Oct 15, 2009
It's the moment of truth. Face it. Knitters and crocheters have too much yarn. "But it's yarn," they explain, hoping that this is enough justification for filling every drawer, box, bin, closet, cabinet and shelf in their homes with those special fibers they "just had to have." However, some of these yarns probably haven't been out of the box or off the shelf for several months, maybe even years. If this is the case, it might be time to give these yarns a chance to become a project with another knitter or crocheter through a yarn swap.
This first installment of two covers how to determine who to invite to a yarn swap and where to hold the event.
What Is a Yarn Swap?
A yarn swap is a simple process of trading unused yarn for yarn that someone else has, and here are some easy guidelines to follow in order to host a successful yarn swap. To begin, it needs to be planned thoughtfully, the same way a party or an event would be planned. If attendees are unsure of when to come, where to be or what they're supposed to do, they won't come.
Who Should Come to a Yarn Swap
The first step is to determine who should be invited and where the yarn swap should be held. It's important to decide if only friends should come or if an open swap is more desirable. An open swap is where anyone who's seen your notice can RSVP. The number and type of attendees will help determine where and when to hold the yarn swap. If a limited number of known guests are invited, the swap can be held in someone's home or at a local yarn store that has space available and has granted the group permission to be there.
Good Locations for a Yarn Swap
If an open swap invitation is posted, where anyone who sees the notice can attend, an RSVP should be requested in advance of the event from attendees and the appropriate location should be determined based on how many people have responded. For instance, if 37 guests RSVP to the yarn swap invitation, that's enough people to justify checking out available space at local libraries or colleges.
These locations generally have spaces available for a nominal cost or sometimes no cost for that size of group. It may also make sense to check with a local yarn store to find out if they hold classes or workshops at other locations and use their referral to get space there. It's extremely important to leave at least two weeks between the RSVP date and the date of the actual event so that an appropriate space can be booked for the event in plenty of time.
How Yarn Swap Attendees Trade Yarn and Fibers
The next steps, including how to handle the actual swapping process and how long your event should be, will be covered in the next installment. Until then, it's time to start thinking about who should be invited to your own yarn swap!
 |
