Last summer was a great process for me. I focused on knitting and creating, and not on buying more yarn. I curbed my desire for the new while rediscovering the yarns I had. I made some great pieces. I edited the stash by releasing loser yarns, finishing UFOs and got rid of yarns with negative associations. I found a balance between inspiration and acquisition, and know how long the queue can reasonably get before I begin to feel uncomfortable.
I made peace with my stash.
I am not naturally a hoarder, nor am I much of an impulse shopper. I've never blown the grocery budget for a great deal. I do not haunt local yarn shops. I have enough self control to keep the stash at a manageable size, and have a real sense of when I want to buy, and when I just want to knit with what I have. I love the yarn in my stash, and when the stash gets too big, I feel like it takes me further away from yarn I really want to knit and projects I really want to make.
I finally figured out that I will eventually use most of the yarns in my stash. I buy a lot of sock yarn, but I knit a lot of socks. I'll knit those oddballs into something. I'll find the perfect project for the sweater yarn. I'll be inspired to knit a lace shawl or a cotton top. Someday, I'll want to knit a linen handtowel, and I have just the yarn for it. If I know I'll never use it, I'll give it away or relegate it to crafts for the kids.
Other uses for yarn: party games for kids!I just have to give it time.
Thus I have no guilt or pressure about my stash, and do not need a Summer of Stash to control or organize it anymore. I am feel blessed with an abundance of yarn and inspired by the yarns I have, and though I will likely be taking the summer off from major stash enhancement, I am planning on buying yarn within the constraints of my budget and that's about it.
Instead, I have planned a Killer Queue of (Mostly) Stashed Knitting to organize my summer knitting. A lot of it is new yarn, purchased at MDSW. Some of it is long-stashed. Some are oddball knits. Some will have to be newly acquired. Next post will be the details on the Summer Queue, but here are the yarns I'll be knitting this summer.
It looks like it is going to be a great summer. Tell me, what's in your queue for the summer?
I in no way feel like the SoSKAL is the personal domain of XRK, although we did co-host last year. I am in the process of passing the mantle onto another knitblogger for hosting the SoSKAL 2007, but if anyone wants to help out, please let me know.
20 comments:
Summer is Festival season...no way would I join a Stash Along! LOL
Mmmm, looks like some nice stuff coming up! I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll be doing with it.
I've also made peace with my stash. I also have a savings tin that I put a fixed amount into every pay cheque. and I take out of it for every yarn purchase. So I'm at peace with my budget now too.
The lovely thing about this system is that I now feel free to buy something if I love it. I used to look with longing at things and think "Maybe someday.... " Now I think, "Hmm... is this worthy of taking money from the tin?"
Sounds like the right attitude. I'm about to start cataloging mine for Ravelry, so we'll see if I feel the same way after I actually look at all my yarn, but I think I'm right there with you: I've got some yarn, but not whole roomsful, and it's got a purpose. Yay for a healthy stash!
I'm at peace with my stash too. This summer I'm hoping to find time to do a Rusted Root (that's new yarn for me) and the Tulips Cardigan from Knitscene 2006 in some stashed bamboo. A striped vest for my boy and the requisite travel projects like socks and some market bags and that might be it! After I finish my CPH... Grr!
Summer...I don't really have any plans. I'm knitting/crocheting what interests me at the moment. I do plan on doing some serious stash busting and using up all thelittle odds and ends...granny squares!
These kind of things take a lot of time to coordinate - that is something I understand! I don't blame you :) I have great plans for the summer, and I am planning to clear out some room in the stash.
Looking forward your knits, Liz!
I have a healthy stash too. It seems like quite a lot having photographed it and attempting to start cataloging it in Ravelry; but it was mostly all purchased with purpose (I wish I remember what all those purposes were though). This summer I am working on socks and shawls, maybe a few sweater vests. There is something about my family and the sweater vest.
summer knitting - let's see...my kimono jacket, a sweater for todd, another kimono jacket for a friend.
that would leave me with 6 projects not yet started, but yarn obtained.
not too shabby!
anne marie in philly
Great stash for your summer of stash! I have no willpower so it'll be socks and more socks for me! My LYS is having a sale this weekend and it's also the yarnshop hop this weekend. Yippeee!!!! More yarn.
You've got the right atty-tood, woman. It's good to be at peace.
I'm going to finish my Green Gable, Puzzle Scarf, Zen Garden Stole, and leg warmers. I'm going to make at least one ripple afghan, and probably another B.A.G.S afghan. I going to crochet the Cropped Cardigan from the CAL and knit the Rusted Root. I'd really like to make the Summertime Tunic from Summer 07 IK. That oughta tide me over for a while, don't ya think? ;o)
Beautifully worded post, Liz. And lovely yarn you have waiting; I look so forward to seeing what you're going to be knitting in the coming months.
I'm totally in love with my stash. I've also somehow managed to spend this year's yarn budget already - *gasp* how did this happen?! - and am having to put the breaks on. It'll be a great opportunity (look! spin!) to rediscover what yarns I have waiting for me. Probably lead to all sorts of personal growth, deeper maturity and my third eye opening a little bit wider. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm freaking out!
*ahem* Let me get back to you on the summer knitting, okay?
My stash is a disorganized, muddled mess. I plan on setting free some yarn, knitting lots of long-awaited projects, and continuing to buy "as needed." I've got socks to knit and, as we are expecting 4 new babies on our block, lots of baby knits! A summer of focused knitting ...
What a great idea, to line everything up! I've been trying to use my sidebar to prod myself into productivity, but I think your idea is even better!
Documenting my stash on Ravelry has been a real eye-opener for me. I love my stash and am ready to knit from it. I feel like what I want right now, I already have.
Time to cast on!
I like your balanced and sensible approach to your yarn. Every spring and fall I seem to have a yarn purge and get rid of yarn and projects I know I won't knit. It's quite cleansing, and I feel quite light and virtuous!
But then I go to work in that damn yarn store.........
Those are some beautiful yarns. I especially love the bottom right combo of colours. I can't wear that colour of pink, but I really like it.
I really look forward to seeing what you come up with.
My stash does not control me...not that I control my stash! I'm slowly making my way thru a bit of it and that makes me feel good.
Hey Liz! Were you in NJ on Friday, by any chance? I passed someone that looked like you!
Acceptance is the final stage, right? :)
Can't wait to see what you're planning!
I can't wait to see what you knit with the Jamaica...I'm so interested in that yarn but have not bought any yet! Jane
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