Creating Beauty with Ugly Yarn

I have been working really hard this year to eliminate some of the unwanted yarn from my stash. Originally, I picked some yarns out of my stash that I wasn't exactly fond of:

A few beautiful projects came out of the challenge box. But when I pulled all my yarn from every nook and cranny, I realized this box was not an accurate depiction of my actual challenge yarns.

What Does an Ugly Yarn Look Like?

Well, it's easier to show it than explain it. I tend to take pretty photos of pretty yarn. And, sloppy, discombobulated photos like this when working with a slightly hideous yarn.

You can just look at that photo and tell that I'm not having fun on the project, right?

But, every skein of yarn can be redeemed! I truly believe that even ugly yarn can be turned into beautiful art. That photo above is the WIP photo of this cowl below. I honestly love this cowl and wore it for days after I finished it.

Chunky Braided Cowl

And then there was this yarn...

Image source: TooManyBooks (Ravelry)

Generally speaking, I like earth-tones and muted colors. Why did I buy two skeins of Yarn Bee Whimsy Bulky in the colorway Creamsickle?  I'm really not sure. I bet that I bought it during a retail therapy session where my therapist (that'd be me) thought some rainbowy fiber might cheer me up. I should have gone for a Creamsickle ice cream instead.

But, if I had gotten ice cream, then I wouldn't have this Alien/Monster! 

Ruffle Alien

Those two skeins sat in my stash for over a year before I finally tackled them. I definitely think I won the battle with that yarn and turned it into exactly what it needed to be. My younger son (he's 3) and I both love this guy so much! 

I thought I was going to sell him. Maybe I will at some point, but for now, he keeps watch over the new plushies who are waiting for their forever homes.

Beauty Belongs to the Creator

I hope this inspires you to look at your yarn a little differently. What can you create with that ugly yarn you have been avoiding?