Liz's Summer Knitting, Part 2: the Summer of Stash

Warshrags, anyone?

Dear co-bloggers Ann and Mo,

You two are my dearest friends, and my greatest knitting compatriots. So it is before you that I lay my soul bare and admit that I have problem. My stash.

When I first started knitting, I would go to the LYS, select a pattern, and buy the appropriate amount of yarn to complete the project. When the project was done, I would go back to the yarn shop, pick a different pattern, and buy more yarn. In the life of a very monogamous knitter, stash then was the leftover balls of yarn, since I always bought an extra, just-in-case ball.

I began knitting during Mr. S's and my lean years. When I first quit my job, and Mr. S was going to school and working, and we had our first Rosebud baby. I was very focused on efficient use of limited resources. These oddballs of yarn really bugged me. What in the world was I going to do with these oddballs of yarn?

Mo then mentioned that she actually returned these balls of yarn. So smart! I began doing this too, returning any unused balls to the store. This felt so virtuous, and so efficient. No waste yarn laying about, and the limited resources were being used towards projects being knitted.
Now I realize how dumb I was! How many hats, booties, striped sweaters, or log cabin strips did I return?

I think the stash began exploding as the knitter in me began to develop. Less focus on product, more on process, and love of materials. I became willing to rip out or abandon loser projects, and began to buy yarn at yarn sales without particular projects in mind. I came home with bags of un-designated yarn, bought for cheap, and since I learned general yardage requirements and bought those Ann Budd books, I knew sweaters lurked in those bags of yarn.

Well, since Mr. S made the transition from humble research scientist to full blown Corporate Guy, the yarn stash has exploded. The resources are a bit less limited, and I have had to visit a lot of new yarn shops. That meant a lot of occasions to buy yarn. Especially sock yarn.

Sock yarn is an addiction. There are 14 pairs of socks here.

The stash is now officially BIG ENOUGH. In fact, it may even be too big.

I find it has begun to distract me. The constant new infusion of yarns has detracted from my ability to finish projects. Or even start projects I really want to knit. I am being hampered by too many options, too many ideas.


Thus, I declare this summer my SUMMER OF STASH. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I will not purchase any more yarn. I will dutifully use what I have, knit the beautiful yarn I have, creating sweaters and other items that I want. I will find ways to creatively reduce my stash.

You will be an Orangina, my precious Rowan

There are two exceptions to this rule:

1. Exception #1 -- there is a sheep farm near where I go down the shore. I have never been there, but plan to visit this summer. Handspun from the sheep farm must be purchased. It is the 11th commandment.

2. Exception #2 -- last week, I signed up for Sundara's Petals Collection Sock Club. Thus, I will be receiving yarn once a month throughout my SoS, although I purchased it before the SoS officially began. Hopefully, this will be my fix through any rough patches.

So, My XRK friends, this Friday, when we have the XRK Summit in Richmond's Yarn Lounge, that will be my final yarn purchase for several months. I am glad that I will have you to share the moment with me.

And if either of you or our readers would like to participate, we can be a support group for each other, giving each other creative ways to use our stash, and to talk us away from the credit cards. Leave a comment and let me know if you are interested in joining the SoS team!


ETA: I have set up a new blog for our SoS. Please go to the Summer of Stash blog for instructions on how to sign up for our project.