5 Surprisingly Productive Things To Do (With Yarn) When You're Bored

Feeling bored and feeling unproductive? Here's 5 surprisingly productive things to do with yarn!
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[@kaytiej8311]

As someone who has been a stay at home wife and mum it was so refreshing to hear someone of your generation say that productivity is not a measure of worth. Thank you for reminding us all of that one. It bears repeating; often!

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

I’m glad you agree with me! I think we all need a reminder of that from time to time! ❤️ Take care!

[@sarahpeterson2813]

Agreed, we all need to say this and hear this more!

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

💯

[@MMHay16]

Thank you for saying that it's OK to take apart projects you know you'll never finish. Creates so much peace of mind to just be able to do that but it's so hard to commit to.

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

It is hard to do but I’ve really come to terms with if I don’t like a project, for whatever reason, I just won’t finish it! I guess I’m stubborn lol. 😂 But at least I can use the yarn elsewhere if I frog it!

[@Baselle]

I've frogged completed projects that I couldn't wear and I tried to fix. This is a little weird, but I took a page from Marie Kondo and thanked the yarn and the project and told it how much I learned but that you have to come back in a different form.

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

That’s not weird to me at all!!! I totally believe yarn can serve its purpose just by it being a learning experience!! 💯

[@jlklbr56]

Thanks for these great tips, Shannon! My favorite boredom activity is winding yarn… a neat stack of cakes makes me smile inside. 🧶🥰

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You’re welcome! I agree there’s something super satisfying about them!!! 😃

[@miriamjenkins3560]

I do the same thing. Or rearrange my yarn

[@monicaanderson7694]

When I’m feeling a lack of motivation (and wasting a ton of time on social media) I set a timer for 10 minutes and start doing the thing I need to do but lack motivation. When timer goes off, I ask myself if I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I give myself permission to stop whatever I’m doing if I’m not enjoying it. I try again another day. I think I’m going start setting a timer when I’m mindlessly scrolling on social media and apply the same question.

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

I think that’s a great idea! And you’re making progress every time. I think it’s easy to overlook how much we can actually get done in a short time!

[@nancyb483]

I feel so seen, lol. I needed this video, and thank you!

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You’re welcome! Hopefully you have an awesome and “productive” weekend! 😃

[@QuiltedCupcake]

Samesies! ❤

[@sarahpeterson2813]

Agreed: too much time on the screens/scrolling leads to feeling icky inside! I often just need to stop scrolling, simply pick something to listen to and crochet as a kind of reset. 👍 Best wishes to you tonight! ❤️

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Yes so icky!!! I’m glad you’ve found ways to redirect your attention! 😃

[@premieryarns]

Excellent Ideas! Thank you!

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You are so welcome!

[@sweetmomentsbyjessie]

I always feel better when I find more productive things to do rather than scrolling social media. That is such a great idea to organize yarn when bored! I have a few piles of scrap yarn that I should put into cakes 😁 Thanks for the great tips, Shannon! 🙂

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You’re very welcome Jessie! It’s just so easy to waste time lol. Hopefully this can help 😃

[@eujackmac]

Your store looks like my two stores. I asked the salesperson when the new colors of the Red Heart Granny Square would be in. She said it was not on their list to receive any. I guess we have to order online from Yarnspirations.

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

It must be selling out everywhere, I just checked Walmart.com and they only have citrus twist and pink punch left in stock! But it is $2 cheaper per skein there. (On 6/11/24)

[@Iamlynie1]

All good advice, scrap balls are great fun. 😊❤

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Thank you! And they really are, aren't they!?!

[@Iamlynie1]

@@ShannonTalksYarn oh yes 😁

[@slowcrochet]

Tangential thought - my phone has a setting where I can set a timer for different apps. After 15 minutes (or whatever you set it to), it will close down for the day. This has helped me become more aware of the time I spend scrolling and helped me be more intentional with how I am using the time on those apps. I don't know how long it took me to realize my phone had that feature, so just wanted to drop it here in case it helps anyone else!

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

That is an extremely helpful tip, thank you so much for sharing it!! It will help me for sure 😃

[@SweetpeaCydsInspirations]

I find myself rewinding cakes when I’m bored but don’t want to “work” on anything. Sometimes just “admiring” my yarn stash is being productive to me. It helps me realize what I have and in the future what I can design. Another is flipping through knit/crochet books. Pinterest is my worst enemy at times. I can spend a good amount of time scrolling to find inspiration but at a point it becomes overstimulating. Can tell you though, after doing such I’ll have 5 new designs worked up in my head😂 Pen and Paper is best way for me as well. Writing what I need to accomplish not only makes me feel more productive but also organized which leads to more willing to get things done. I have to remind myself just because I’m not working on a project doesn’t mean I’m not being productive. And No, it doesn’t measure my worth. Great points in today’s video. Thank you for sharing Shannon! Enjoy your topics and you reaching out the box☺️💛

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Once again you and I are on the same page!!! Excited for our Live in the 15th!!! ❤️

[@VJAbdool]

I love your tip no 5. I've been doing exactly that and applying it. It's winter here and I've been busy with my crochet work and thank you for the positivity. I suffer from a lot of chronic conditions but hearing there's someone who relates and knows genuinely is inspiration and motivational. Thanks a lot

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

I’m glad that it’s helping for you! I know I have to be super careful what I watch or listen to, negative stuff really affects me deeply. That’s why I enjoy the yarn community so much!

[@cocoscrochet6380]

Hi Shannon 🤗 I really like the idea of making our own cake of scrap yarn! I love pen & paper too! 🥰🧶🤩

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

I know this about you my friend!!! I expect your clipboard in hand! ❤️❤️❤️

[@cocoscrochet6380]

@@ShannonTalksYarn 😂🤣😂

[@janismadigan6178]

I love your suggestions!! Thanks! 🧶🧶

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You are so welcome! 🤗

[@bellanovia1648]

I don’t just come here for crochet advice, I come here for life advice too. 🥰

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

I love that!!! 🫶🏻

[@christineiscrocheting]

I always enjoy the tips you share 👍😊

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Thank you and I appreciate you watching! 😃

[@LyraStitchery]

I have two Crochet WIPs. I am working on a filet crochet. Actually it is my profile picture. And the other is a giant squid that I am making with a Caron Anniversary Cake yarn. Let's not talk about my quilt WIPs and my clothing WIPs.

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

lol, you’re secret is safe with me! 😂 That’s a beautiful wip by the way!

[@wildflower-spirit-creations]

Great ideas. I was just telling Carrie Penny over @ the crafty homemaker, that she has shown me the joys of going through my yarns and matching single skeins to make projects that light up your creative juices. You can also do this by frogging old projects.

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Carrie Penny is so great! I love her channel ❤️

[@dismith3888]

Such great suggestions .. thanks so much 😊

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You’re very welcome!! 😊

[@NonaMaryGrace1952]

Thank you.💕NonnaGrace 🐓

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You’re very welcome! ☺️

[@QuiltedCupcake]

New follower here! Just discovered you and I feel like we could be besties. This video popped up on a day I was needing to bring some clarity and organization to my yarn room/living room. Thank you for the inspiration and knowing that I’m the only one who holds onto things because I just can’t make a decision about them. ❤🧁🧁

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Hello and welcome! I’m so thankful you checked out my channel, I really appreciate that 😃 I hope your reorganizing goes well! It is just way too easy for it to get out of hand, for me anyway, lol! You are definitely not alone with project indecision!!! The funny thing is, I think deep down I know what I should do, I just don’t listen to myself 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Anyway, I hope you have an awesome day! 😃

[@kellycarter2497]

Hi Shannon. My Mom was a list maker (pen and paper) and so am I. Lots of good ideas here. I can definitely go down the rabbit hole and lose track/waste time. I get more done with my lists. I'm going to put my yarn stash on my list regularly. It's out of sight, so I don't think about it unless I need to go grab a skein. Good to talk to you!

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

Hi Kelly! I appreciate you talking with me! I’m am totally the “out of sight out of mind” type of person! I’ve found lists help me too 😃

[@katieduffy593]

You're so wise

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

I might have a few moments here and there but some days, it’s another story lol! 😂

[@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

Great tips! Thank you😊

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

You’re very welcome! 😃 Thanks for watching!

[@CrochetKrisMI]

😀

[@ShannonTalksYarn]

🫶🏻