Why I Love Freecycle

I picked up a box of yarn today from a stranger who met me at a Waffle House.

“I always meant to take up knitting,” she said. “But you know how it goes!”

I do. Over the years, I’ve given away boxes of scrapbooking supplies, a pasta maker, three different sets of workout equipment and a cake decorating kit that never even made it out of its plastic wrapping. I’m usually pretty good about not buying things that I don’t need, but every once in a while I succumb to the lure of something that seems irresistible. Surely, if I just have a set of hand weights I’ll work out every day or not.

And that’s why I love Freecycle. It gives those dusty dumbbells and unopened pasta kits a chance at a home where they will be welcomed and used. Basically, Freecycle is a site where people can post their unwanted stuff for other people to check out. It’s divided into a bunch of local sites so you¹re regularly alerted to freebies in your neighborhood.

It’s also a great resource for shopping without spending a cent. In addition to this week’s haul of yarn, I’ve scored a ton of great things from Freecycle. I got my first set of canning jars (and a lot of friendly advice) from a Freecycle post. My daughter’s desk was a Freecycle find that we cleaned up and painted. But even better, I’ve given away a ton of stuff on
Freecycle that might otherwise have ended up in a landfill or as permanent clutter in our house.

Now I’m sorting through a box of yarn, delighted to find a hank of perfect pink for Annie’s new winter hat. At the bottom of the box is a pile of old quilting magazines, something I always thought would be fun to get into.

You know how it goes!

- Lucy