Yarn Hoarding [or, the stash]

The stash. 
It's a lovely thing. It means that, at any given moment, a project can be started. It means that trips to the craft store aren't always necessary. It means that I have the ability to pull it all out and surround myself in all it's colorfulness.

But it also takes up a lot of space. And it also tends to, well, never be what I'm after when I want to start a project.
From what I understand, this is how the stash works for everyone.

That bottom drawer (the red one) is only cotton. Yes, I have a problem. Also, had to share the Darth Vader lamp, because reasons.

While I do not have the largest yarn stash in the world, it does take up a lot of space. And it is a lot of yarn that needs to have something done with it.

For a while I was under the impression that I would use up all the random skeins of Caron's Simply Soft that I have (which is a fair amount, as I love that stuff) and turn it into a blanket. Except the colors didn't go together well at all and I was tired of it within a few days (it wasn't bright leftovers like the cotton star blanket, but yellows and browns and blacks - ugh). So now not only did it not get used, but I have to frog the progress as well!

Really, I just didn't think the colors through. Because this is quite hideous - and I like a missmash of colors!

Seeing as I've got Christmas presents to work on, I also have even more yarn coming into the house - projects that require colors I just don't have, or in quantities I don't have. Which is alright, as it's going to be used up, but what about the left overs? There's always left overs - and it will all get added to the stash.

What's a lady to do? 
Probably, use it up. I'm just not sure how yet, but "use it up" is the plan.

I've no idea what to make. However, seeing as I'm knitting as well as crocheting now, that adds a whole new selection of things to make. So that's a plus. And who knows, I may end up with another giant multi-colored blanket (for which I will not complain!), but I'm thinking more along the lines of smaller projects.
Then again, a proper granny square blanket has been on my wishing-to-make list for quite a while.

One thing I will say, for the case against using the stash - my collection will be gone, and I will always have to be out at the store buying more yarn. Darn.

If you've any suggestions for using up a stash of yarn, please share them!

~Havok

P.S. When taking these pictures, I had a bit of fun. First, took the first photo, thinking I really didn't have that much. Then remembered the tote in the second photo. Okay, still not too much. Then had a moment of "wait, that can't be everything, where's the rest?!" and searched the house for any bags or boxes or totes that could have yarn in them. Luckily, I didn't find any!