My name is Eve. I am a knitter and I have a stash problem. I'm not the only one.
Essentially I have too much yarn. Thankfully I have not yet reached SABLE level (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy) so there is hope. If I am very good and very focused it will gradually shrink as skeins become socks, shawls, sweaters, and other goodies. I may need to do some goal setting ...
I blame the year 2007 ... which is when we moved to DC, I started listening to podcasts that introduced me to indie dyers, joined Ravelry, and lived way too close to two yarn stores. I also might have joined a club or two. It was gradual though ... a purchase here, a purchase there. The misplaced confidence that I would knit each skein as it arrived.
There also were some fiber fairs that where I had very little willpower ...
From MDSW 2010 |
From MDSW 2011 |
The cumulative result is that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by what I have and by the idea that I need to do something with it all other than add to it. I also may periodically be mocked by my very supportive and enabling husband. So there are lots of motivations to work on knitting down the stash. Which I've been doing for this past year ... and so far most of my goals are in sight so that's something!
One key goal is that I have to knit more yards than I acquire ... which sounds easier than it is. I know myself well enough to know that I can't not buy yarn. It is much easier for me to set some limits and exceptions and make mindful purchases then it is to arbitrarily deny myself something. No idea why it works that way for me but it does. The mighty power of asking "do you really need this?" coupled with "what are you going to do with it?" They both sort of negate the "I want it because it is pretty logic."
Sierra and a BNK package |
Three Bags Full! |
It's going to be interesting when it's time to set 2013's goals to see what projects rise to the surface and how I sustain momentum. It's a good thing that I have a lot of project bags!
As I'm managing the yarn stash I am realizing that I have other stashes ... of books I want to read "someday" and assorted paper (apparently I have a hard time letting go of cards and letters) that I need to address. Nothing like more challenges. The time for them has come though ... I'd like to find good balances with all of my/our stuff and get to a point where it doesn't feel like too much stuff ... we are there with some things but not quite there with everything but we are inching closer.
The fun thing about playing with the yarn stash is that when the yarn tells you what it wants to be and you can make it happen the results can be amazing...
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