Three Ways to Rehome Unwanted Fiber Gifts

Your friends and family know you LOVE fiber. You enjoy creating from all things yarn; who doesn’t need another themed stitch marker and there is no such thing as too many project bags … except maybe there is. What do you do when you receive that super-thoughtful fiber-related gift and you know deep down that you will likely never use it?

Above: Image source – Adobe Stock

It is hard. Let’s face it, creating art from yarn takes time. It takes a lot of time. And if we are not in love with our tools, we will probably not opt to spend that time with them. But we can honor the thoughtful love of these wayward fiber gifts without using them ourselves.

It is possible to regift or rehome a gift without feeling bogged down with guilt. Remind yourself that the person gave you the gift to make you feel good, and passing things on to other makers is one way to communicate the positive feelings of the thought behind the gift given to you.

Targeted Rehoming

Donating supplies is a great way to share joy. However, just boxing up your unwanted fiber and dropping it off at the nearest donation center is not the only way to pass along these supplies. Sometimes more targeted donations might ensure that your unused gifts land in the hands of someone you know will really appreciate them.

Check with your local fiber guild to see if they know specific groups in your community that could use the supplies. Public libraries and community centers often sponsor knitting and crocheting events. Many assisted living communities and afterschool programs for children could use fiber supplies.

And don’t forget, what we see as a project bag is really just a bag to most people—there are a lot of people that would love a llama-printed shopping bag.

Host a Yarn Tasting Party

If you are dealing with more than one skein you’d like to part with along with notions, perhaps hosting a fun yarn-themed party is the answer. Divide your yarn into mini-skeins for each person you invite and split your notions between goodie-bags. These easy-to-transport favors could even find their way to a knit night or fiber meet-up.

Party “games” could include swatching a new stitch with a mini-skein, racing to wind the skein into a ball, or pinning the mini-skein on the unicorn. If you have an item to rehome that is hard to divide, such as a project bag or a set of needles or hooks, include a raffle at your yarn tasting party.

While the physical gifts you were given might not have been to your taste, a fun time with other fiber-loving friends is priceless and would definitely honor the intent behind the gifts.

Teach It Forward

Another consideration for unwanted gifts is to make it a supply for teaching someone else. This could look very different depending on your own skill level, availability, and confidence. Teaching a class could be a formal affair where people sign up and there is a designated time and location. Community centers, schools, libraries and fiber guilds would all be great places to look for teaching opportunities. However, teaching can be a more intimate thing where you offer to show an interested friend or relative your craft, letting them know you have supplies ready. If you choose to teach, you are giving your knowledge and time, and that would make any yarn or notion a beautiful gift.

There is no need to feel bad if a gift is better suited for another home. Remember, it is the spirit of giving that matters and if you give a gift forward in a mindful way, that spirit continues.

Have you received a gift you are grateful for but know you’ll never use? We’d love to hear if these ideas inspire you! Please share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you host a yarn tasting party, be sure to send us photos!

Rachel Simmons lives in Huntsville, Alabama with her wonderful family.  She enjoys knitting, weaving, and eating chocolate.