Using Yarn I Already Have!

I'm feeling pretty good about dipping into my huge yarn stash these days for my current projects. I've been too easily tempted to purchase new yarn when I wanted to knit or crochet something, rather than seeing what I have in my stash that would be equally as good! Here's an afghan I've started using Mission Falls 1824 cotton, which I bought about 4 years ago with the thought of knitting a baby afghan with it....NOT. I've been enjoying my crocheting too much to knit many more afghans and crocheting the afghans goes so much quicker too...gotta' love that!

This is the most recent afghan I knitted using Manos wool and knitting 3 strips of 4 squares each, then sewing it together. It is a classic design (from the Manos 'Seasons' booklet) and I do love it but it seemed to take forever. So, from now on, it's strictly crocheting for my future endeavors.

I'm still working on the gift for the lovebirds but that doesn't have to be finished till March of '07 so I have about 4 months to complete it. I'm using Rowanspun Chunky from my yarn stash and it feels really good to be using this up. I've had this for quite awhile also but it's such good quality yarn and it's working up to be a lovely afghan using the shell stitch.

Mind you, I have tons of good quality yarns left to use up (about six, 13 gallon bins full) and I'll be lucky to make a decent dent in all of it, but by golly, I'm gonna' give it the ole' college try, let me tell you. I feel kind of guilty for buying all this and letting it sit unloved and unused so this is now my goal....use up at least half of it before even thinking of buying anymore! What about all of my fellow crocheters....do you have this problem too or am I all alone here?? Tell me how you feel, if you have a large yarn stash, and if so, how do you use it up?