Summer of Stash

2007 Summer Stash Out

2007-05-18T09:36:00.003-07:00

For those of you that would like to continue with the summer of stash. You can go to the new 2007 Summer Stash Out blog at: http://2007summerstashout.blogspot.com/

Everyone is welcome looking forward to having a great time this year like we did with our hostess last year. I changed it up abit but the concept is still the same.

Happy Knitting!

SoSKAL 2007 - New Hosts?

2007-05-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

Calling all knitters desperate to Knit their Stash in Summer 2007:

The knitters at Crossroad Knits are looking for another knitblogger to host the SoSKAL for 2007. We are planning on buying yarn this summer!

If you are interested in hosting the Summer of Stash 2007, let me know. I can delete this blog, pass the admin duties onto someone else, or keep the blog active and someone else can start a SoSKAL 2007.

Have a great summer, y'all!

I'm Up for It

2007-05-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post and say that if we go for this another summer, I'm in!

It would be cool to have an annual SOS to get ready for winter and holiday knitting (by stash diving!)

Its May is there another SOS

2007-05-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Its May 2nd is there going to be another SOS? I enjoyed the last one alot.

What was your reward?

2006-09-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last June I saw sock yarn for $2 a skein...I tried talking my daughter into getting it for me before the sale went off...but she didn't want me to break my diet. (You all know the logic I used on her, as I wasn't the one purchasing the yarn ;~) ] Anyway, as I waited for my son's to come back to the apartment so that we could carpool home, I went back to the online store and saw I was still able to get that cool yarn! Not only that, I picked up some yarn for a multidirectional scarf and a pair of socks for my hubby's Christmas present. I am so thrilled I was able to make it through the summer, and I learned I have a lot of great yarn I can use.

Thank you for the challenge!
dobarah

More yarn!

2006-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I thought of some other small businesses:

Lisa Souza
Crown Mountain Farms

I did it!!

2006-09-05T07:32:00.002-07:00

Hello all!
I survived the Summer of Stash!

I've posted the details on my blog, The Crafty Weasel, come take a look!
Claudia.

I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IT!

2006-09-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Go me! I cant' believe I didn't buy any yarn from Memorial Day to Labor Day!

I think the most shocking part of participating in this event is the fact that not only did I not buy any yarn for three months but the size of my stash hasn't decreased one bit. Yep, I spent the last three months attempting a Saunshine jewel vest which saw little progress and evetually got completely frogged. Then I toyed with idea of making a sock, uh-huh, that's right, just one. But it's not working out either.

Actually I don't think I finished anything in the last three months? Hmmm, we'll blame that on moving and setting up house for the last two of them.

So, I must say that I proud of myself for keeping my commitment. I am also quite happy that at the same time I was participating in this fine event I was also participating in Secret Pal 8, this way I managed to received new yarn every month without spending any on myself!

Good for me!

Baa Baa Black Sheep Have you Any Wool?

2006-09-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Yes Sir, Yes Sir, A Garden Tub Full

Well, despite hitting the 50 FO mark, my stash is still huge. I'd really hoped to get it at least level with the top of the tub. (It would have helped if I'd made more sweaters and less hats.) There are improvements. If you check out the pics from my first entry, you'll see that there is no longer a pile on the floor, and the yarn isn't spilling out of the tub. The FO list-

21 Critter Knitter Blankets

An Ab Fab Afghan

25 Hats

A pair of baby socks

An Afghan for my son

A Sweater for my daughter

back from holidays

2006-09-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well I did make a dent into the stash but unfortunately I added to it as well. I did take back 800grams of yarn that I know I wouldn't use. But here is what I made in the last 10 days:

1 scarf - in browns, libra and aquarius yarns
2 figure eight dishcloths in dark and multi colour yarn
1 baby blue mini cable dish cloth
1 lilac dishcloth - not sure of the name of it
6 (3 orange and 2 in playtime, 1 in creamcicle) trefoil dishcloth. Only need 20/25more.

Mostly bought the orange, playtime and creamcicle yarns for Brownie washcloths/dishcloths. I always like making or doing something special for the girls (sparks, got painted little clay pots and flowers, and their names on ornaments).

Well I have had fun and will try to work on this stash. I am going to do an inventory and see what I have and arrange it by type and weight an such as someone else has set up. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

Leigh Ann

Summer of Stash

2006-09-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

I did it - I did it - I did it did it did it! I am so unbelievably freaked out that I made it. And while technically I used both of my exceptions, I don't yet actually have the yarn from exception number 2, so the amount of yarn in the house is definitely less than it was at the beginning of the summer. I have really just stayed out of the yarn stores, and once when I threatened to cave (and even had my daughter's agreement to go along), I managed not to go. And when I said to her, "It's not like I'm going to run out of yarn any time soon", she just laughed her butt off, and agreed. But - both of the large yarn stash containers close much more easily than they did at the beginning of the summer.

I just counted, and other than exception #1, it has been 115 days since my last yarn purchase. These were my goals:

1. Finish at least 4 pair of socks, not including those currently OTN. DONE - 4 pair + 1 baby sock + 1 pair of "half socks" + 2 pair about to be finished.
2. Finish ArtFibers sweater currently OTN. NOT EVEN CLOSE - hasn't been touched in months.
3. Knit tank for OtherMom - promised for Mother's Day - 2/3 DONE - I'm on the plain stockinette top right now.
4. Find a pattern for and start LL sweater. NOT EVEN CLOSE - HAVEN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT.
5. Knit at least one purse from stash - either Manos del Uruguay or something else that's laying around! - NOT EVEN CONSIDERED!

I also completed a fair isle hat that was started in March. All in all it's been a great summer, and I'm so glad I participated.

What I've learned:
1. I can live without buying yarn (needles and books don't count, right?).
2. I have enough yarn to last me at least a few years, even if I didn't buy more.
3. I can even live without a trip to the brand new yarn store in town.
4. The people at my other LYS know me well, and tempt me too much! I really didnt' NEED to know that they thought of me when they got new sock yarn in!
5. Even when I don't buy yarn, people will buy it for me!
6. I don't knit nearly as fast as I think I do.
7. I am much less tempted if I ignore the yarn emails I get almost daily.
8. I can look at yarn online without buying, and will not die. I can even look at it in a store (though only somewhere like AC Moore, where I'm not all that tempted).
9. I don't need yarn from the dollar store just because it's so cheap.

Now Go Buy Some Yarn!

2006-09-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hi SoS-ers!

I wanted to thank everyone for participating in the Summer of Stash. What began as a simple idea to try to focus more on knitting and less on acquiring more yarn has become a chance to read a lot of new blogs and learn a lot from my fellow knitters.

I have loved reading these last posts where everyone has been sharing their successes, their disappointments and the lessons they learned from taking a break from knitting. I love how each of you have taken away something different from the SoS.

Something that I learned is that things out here in the blogosphere sometimes grow bigger than you expect. I am very new to blogging, having just started my blog in January. I certainly did not expect for this KAL to have over 100 participants, and at no time did I ever encourage others to get on any bandwagon.

I think one thing that we have all learned is to be a little more choosy with our yarn budgets. Many people talked about buying yarn with a purpose, and not just because it was one sale, clearance, or being discontinued.

With that said, I want all of you SoS-KAL-ers to consider supporting an independent yarn producer now that the Summer is over. The 100 or so of us taking the summer off from buying yarn certainly did not hurt the mega-marts, craft centers, large yarn companies, or even the bottom line of your local yarn shop. But please consider the impact that your yarn purchasing dollar has on an independent yarn producer. There are a lot of incredible yarn dyers and spinners out there making a beautiful product.

Here are a few that I could think of, in no particular order. If you have more to add, please post them in the next day or so, and please, support one of these small businesses if you can.

Sundara Yarn
Knitterly Things (the home of Vesper Sock Yarn)
Black Bunny Fibers
Sunshine Yarns
Sweet Georgia Yarns
Scout's Swag
Mama-E's C*EYE*Ber Fiber
Yarntini

Thanks to everyone for participating.

NOW GO BUY SOME YARN!

End of SOS--The After Stash Picture

2006-09-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

End of SOS
Originally uploaded by wavybrains.

Click the Picture and you can see my Stash on the first day of SOS. It IS smaller, despite a few additions. But, most importanly, I now feel it is much better edited, reflecting projects I really want to finish, yarns I enjoy working with, and the kind of knitting I enjoy.

I have enjoyed SOS so much! I have found many new blogs to read, learned alot about fibers and projects and the risks of becoming SABLE, and discovered a lot about myself in the process.

I'd do an SOS again, especially a Jan. 1st SOS--New Year, No Yarn?

Happy Knitting everyone :)

Please stop by www.wavybrains.com/auntie_esq/

The effects of stashbusting

2006-09-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

I didn't knit up a lot of things because I'm just not a fast knitter. But I did re-evaluate my stash and found a lot of stuff that I felt I didn't really need to hang onto. So I priced it, put it up on the Destash For Cash blog and made a healthy $50. That's more than enough for some really good yarn. Except I don't have an appetite for yarn at the moment. Stashbusting has also gotten me feeling I really ought to knit up what I have before indulging in fiber lust. Besides, spinning's where it's really at these days. ;)

And as Manda said, I really ought not to buy more than I have pretty immediate plans for, otherwise I'm overwhelmed, like a hungry diner at a large buffet.

So, many thanks for the SOS, it was appreciated. Good luck all on your seasonal knitting, it's starting to cool off out there!

Where am I?

2006-09-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

I have had a so-so SOS. I have indeed knit from stash (two bags, two baby sweaters, a hat or two, some socks) but I have also bought yarn (Sizzle from bought yarn; a little shawl from KidSilk Night). Yet, I suspect that less yarn was added than might have happened had I not been trying so very hard NOT to buy yarn. To end SOS on a good note though, I ended August with one last stashbuster:
A child-sized long-sleeved OSW knit from stash. She loves it and I love it. There are a few more details on my blog.

I have decided to carry the inspiration of the SOS with me further and have declared September my personal WIP month. This month, I declare that I will knit things that are already cast on without (I promise!) casting on anything else. Which will be tough since I love to cast on.

Thanks for all your inspiration and encouragement. Slowly slowly, the stash will diminish. If only I could resist peeking at that lovely blog: Cash for your Stash.

My SOS review

2006-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have to say that my stash doesn't feel substantially smaller since Memorial Day, but with the exception of that little bit of sock yarn when I visited Maryland in July (and my hostess DRAGGED me to her LYS, what could I do?) I have refrained from buying any yarn since the middle of May. I'm proud of myself about that, even if I haven't ripped through lots of projects of stash yarn throughout the summer. In fact, if anything, my knitting speed feels like it's been particularly slow this summer. But that's not the point. Except for that sock yarn, I've been good, and the only additions to my stash were gifts over which I had no control.

Have I learned anything? Well, I have learned that I certainly don't need to buy yarn all the time. Which is a lesson I knew before, but had lost sight of. I also have a nice selection of yarn already in my closet that really does deserve a chance to get out and be used. I haven't taken an actual inventory, because it's frankly more work than I care to do, pulling all those bins down from the top of the closet, but heaven knows my stash doesn't need to be any bigger than it is!

Am I going to rush right out (or right to a website) to order more yarn on Tuesday? Not necessarily . . . I mean, I'd say "No" straight out, but . . . my next project is going to be a felted bag with some Cascade 220 in my stash, but when I started knitting up a swatch last night, I thought it looked kind of boring. So I was thinking about knitting two colors together instead, and seeing how that looks when it's felted. Except the only other color I have is magenta . . .

Deb in NJ
www.chappysmom.typepad.com

Quality Rather Than Quantity

2006-09-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

Even though my stash has unwittingly grown since this KAL began, Summer of Stash has made an impact on the way I buy yarn. I recognized a lot of myself in Amy's Just because... list, with the addition of Just because it's there.

I live in a small town and don't have a car, so I'm lucky to see any kind of yarn store, even if it's just Michael's or Joann, more than a couple times a year. Online ordering is great, no doubt, but it can be a pain because you don't quite know what you're getting, not to mention the sometimes shocking S&H charges. As a result, I tend to go crazy whenever I see yarn in person. Eyelash yarn at Big Lots, fugly shaggy dog-like stuff at Dollar Tree, the clearance rack at Walmart.. I buy it just because it's cheap and it's there.

But I'm teaching myself to think in terms of quality rather than quantity. This week I finished a pair of socks that were started in January. This is not a typical example of my knitting speed (much procrastination was involved), but I'm not a fast knitter by any means. So I asked myself, what yarn would you rather spend 8 months knitting with: a fairly decent, inexpensive sock yarn (Lion Brand, KnitPicks) or something more spectacular (Regia, Trekking, Socks That Rock)? The answer is obvious. Instead of crowding my stash with "good enough" yarns that I won't get around to knitting for years, I'm learning to think more short term:

Buy less yarn but of higher quality
Keep the stash small
Only buy what I have definite plans for
Don't plan too far ahead, lest I lose interest or forget why I bought it in the first place

I can still substitute yarns and use my bargain hunting abilities to find the best deal possible, but I need to end my habit of settling for the absolute cheapest yarn that might conceivably work. I deserve better. :-)

-Manda

Side Effects of SOS

2006-09-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

I wasn't the best SOS'er, not by a mile. However, I have started to exercise my willpower and discipline. I'm not buying yarn just because.

You know, just because...

It's on clearance
It's on sale
It's being discontinued
It's interesting
It's pretty
It's soft

I've definately noticed a change in my thinking when I go to a yarn store. I don't go to browse anymore, I go with a purpose. I have a project in mind. I still have a lot (most) of my stash to use, but I no longer allow myself to buy without a project already in mind. I still have a way to go, but I'm getting there.

My summer of stash

2006-09-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

When I joined I had 498 balls of yarn. Today, I have 462, so I have managed to knit or give away 36 balls of yarn. Hence, according to my calculation, if I keep this pace, I'll be done with my stash some time in 2010:

That's four years worth of yarn, is not that bad, right?

Another Accomplishment!

2006-09-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Wooo! I made it through the summer without buying yarn just because I wanted it! I -did- buy a few odd-balls of cotton, but they were specifically for projects, one I've finished and one I haven't had time to knit just yet, and that was one of my exceptions, right?

Anyway, I haven't used up a lot of anything, really, but mainly because I got a job and started school sometime between now and when we started, and it's been hard to find time to knit. But I did finish a Booga Bag and almost finished another one, and knitted two skinny scarves to send to my nieces, and made a bunch of dishcloths, and got about hlafway done with the first of several shopping bags, and .. wow. Okay, lemme list this out.

Hooded baby towel & 2 washcloths.
Pink/brown Booga mini.
5 dishcloths for oldest niece gone to college.
2 skinny scarves made with random eyelash yarn.
Blue Booga mini (Just needs a strap and felting)
Knitted shopping bag (almost done .. it's my biggest project yet.)
August Dishcloth KAL.

I'd say that's pretty impressive, if you also consider I work 20 hours a week, plus I'm taking 4 classes for a total of 14 credit hours, and most of my 'off' days in the last month or so have been used up travelling to and fro.

I still want to create an inventory of what I have left, and my needles and such. The other day while I was at my LYS I found they have little business-card sized needle-inventory cards, which is nice to keep with me, but I want something a bit more substantial to put in the journal I'm creating.

The Rapture is Coming! Prepare!

2006-09-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

[cross-posted from my blog]

THE END IS NEAR!! Prepare and repent!

No, not really. No repentence here; just preparation. The Summer of Stash ends in what? four days? I think I can hold out until then.

But here's where the preparation part comes in. I have a list. It's a list of yarns I plan to buy at the end of the stashalong. What? You didn't think I was simply not buying the yarn without keeping track, didya? What if I need that yarn I resisted? And then there are all those projects that are languishing, un-done because I don't have the yarn for them (of course, in some instances, I haven't purchased the pattern either). If I don't keep track, I might not buy the yarn! We couldn't have that, now could we.

So, without any further ado, the list:
Kidsilk Haze
Kidsilk Night
Coloumart cashmere
Koigu
Seasilk
Noro Kureyon (for a mulitdirectional diagonal scarf)
Socks That Rock colorway "County Clare"
Embroidery floss for bracelets
Jo Sharpe Silk Road Aran Tweed (for my Ribby Cardi)
Yarn for the Dancing Woman socks from Knitty
Helen's lace in a solid color for a shawl or stole

As I read it over, I imagined all the yarn arriving within the space of a few days chez Fido, and my getting to luxuriate in it. Ahhh . . . the rapture!

But then a funny thing happened as I started the 'checking it twice' portion of the list-making process:

I don't have any particular use for Kidsilk Haze or Kidsilk night. No projects in mind; nothing I'm likely to get to soon, anyway. Those got crossed off.

Same for the Colourmart cashmere. Yes, it'd be nice just to have it, but really, there's nothing that needs doing. Crossed that one off, too.

Koigu got added to the list just because I read someone saying how much they enjoyed working with it. Plus, it's beautiful. But again, no project in mind. Another strike-through.

The Seasilk . . . I still plan to get that -- if only to pet it; I'm so captivated with the idea of it.

The Noro just got added to the list today (as a Christmas gift for my Brother-in-law).

I think I may still have to get the County Clare colorway sock yarn -- it's beautiful. I'll find something to do with it.

The embroidery floss was for those bracelets up on Knitty. I no longer have any interest in making them. So I'm not going to get it.

I still LOVE the look of the Dancing Woman socks, and will probably make them . . . but I can wait to get the yarn until the project gets closer to the top of the queue; otherwise it could wind up like Samus, languishing in the stash for a year and taunting me with "aren't you EVER going to knit me? you bought me for a specific purpose! What's going on here?"

As for the Helen's Lace . . . not until I find a shawl or stole I cannot resist. I own plenty of lace-weight yarn already. And it takes so long to knit with the stuff that it could be another two years before I go through the lace I already have. So, another item taken off the list.

Just look at the space, time, and money I've saved by waiting (and waiting and waiting) to buy the yarn!

And I've learned something else, too: I should work on de-stashing certain yarns to people who will love them as much as I once did, and who may actually use them to make something useful (or at least nice-looking. or at least fun to make. or something). Even with very little new yarn coming into the house, and even when I went stash-diving to come up with a project, these yarns did not call to me. I have some variegated lace that I just don't think I'll ever use; and some sock yarn that just doesn't grab me the way it once did; and maybe some other stuff as well. I try, in the rest of my life, not to be a hoarding pack rat (I don't always succeed, but at least I try), and it would definitely be a good thing to carry that over to my knitting stash.

So stay tuned . . . there may be a yarn giveaway coming up. But not until after I unpack from vacation, at the earliest.
========================

Editing to add: I just noticed that the seasilk is laceweight, too. For now, I have more than enough of that, so I'm thinking the sea silk purchase will wait for a while.

I've enjoyed this!!

2006-09-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of the blog moms for starting this up. I am going to continue on this road of not adding to my stash unless I have a specific project in mind that I will start right away. I haven't accomplished as much knitting this summer as I would have liked, but I am starting to make a dent in it now.

End in sight - but not!

2006-09-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Since the weekend plans include no yarn stores, I don't see any issues completing the SOS. And since I still have one exception left, technically, I would still be ok. But there will be no using it - I am too busy trying to figure out how I will be packing and moving what I have! (We're moving to NC at the end of October)

Actually, I have really enjoyed this whole working from stash experience - and have found myself really thinking about what I wanted to knit in the process. More than likely, thru the end of the year I will continue to knit from stash (between packing/moving/unpacking LOL) so thank you for letting me prove to myself I could do this =)

Many thanks to Liz K., Mo, Anne and Stuntmother for taking the reigns and making this happen!

-=Dani

The last weekend

2006-09-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

This has been fun! I went in several new yarn shops while exploring this new city that I now live in. I however managed not to buy yarn at them. It was tough, there was temptation. Being part of SOS and being on a tight budget helped from buying yarn. I did buy a couple of books, planned my Christmas knitting, which makes it feel better than buying a bunch of yarn for Christmas and then figure out what I want to do with it. I don't have a massive yarn stash but this was still a great exercise for me to do. Thanks to Liz K., Mo, Anne and Stuntmother for hosting this. Even if we bought yarn this summer, the purging of scraps and yarns that we won't knit with, the finishing of long standing UFO has helped our stash and others (schools etc).

Teresa

No Star

2006-09-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

So I was definitely no star in this experiment (I think my stash has grown, but I knit more than I would have otherwise this summer....) I did learn a few things.... Probably the most significant is that the more I knit, the less I buy yarn, and vice versa. So I am trying to get in the habit of picking up my needles instead of the computer mouse when I start to get fidgety fingers.

I did inventory the majority of my yarn stock and made a spread sheet for manufacturer, type, fiber, weight, and the needle size recommendation, stitches per inch and yardage and number of balls. (I was inspired by the postings here.) I though it would be an overwhelming project, but it didn't take as long as expected and gave me a chance to pour through my stash. And it is an EXCELLENT way for me to check my stash when a project comes up.... pattern calls for 450 yards of yarn on size 6 needles with a gauge of 5 stitches per inch. Hmm I could use this, this or this....

Next is the list of projects with much of the same info so that I know if I have yarn, or if I need more of something. (needles, yarn, buttons, etc.)

I have aquired some excellent books - ones that provide very basic patterns so that I can experiment with texture, pattern variation and embellishment. I keep thinking of things I want to make that I can't find patterns for, so I must be working myself up to design something of my own... And after hearing so much about it, I really MUST try socks....

It has been fun to see everyone's work and I am inspired by all the beautiful things I have seen. Thanks for putting this together!

Closing out the lazy days of summer

2006-08-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

I will continue to work out of my stash. I have so many ideas, have found so many patterns, to use it and give it away. This has been very helpful. I (in my own demented pride) think the recipients of my gifts will be very happy. If not, I tried.
I have already given away a felted scarf from a Knitty.com pattern, and that recipient liked it.
Everyone enjoy preparing for school and all of the holidays that come up during the next two seasons. I hope we meet up again.
J

J

Wrapping Up

2006-08-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well I completely finished the stash inventory last night. I had bogged down on a bag of unlabeled stuff I needed to weigh and measure. But over the weekend I got that done and the rest in the stash.

While I was at the computer a friend that is staying with me decided to take me up on the offer to use some of the zippered plastic bags I have to store stash in. Next thing I knew she was sitting in the middle of the upstairs hall, surrounded by yarn and holding up a couple of balls saying "where did this come from?" All I could say was, "welcome to my world."

So I'm thinking this is contagious - she's organizing her yarn that is stored at my house since she's in the middle of a move, I'm inventorying and destashing other craft stashes. Life is good.

I only used one exception, and I don't think I ever reported on it. When Colinette's new Parisienne yarn came to my LYS this summer I almost swooned. I'm a sucker for fingering weight mohair anyway, and what's not to like in their colors. But I could have resisted until September, but then the owner and I talked about me doing a KAL class on the beaded shrug from their pattern book, so I went ahead and got some so I could get started on the sample.

I didn't get a lot knit this summer (I don't consider it done until its DONE) - a couple scarves, a pair of socks and a dishcloth. I did get rid of almost 50,000 yards of yarn in various ways this summer.

I started playing with the numbers a little and I'm comfortably over my goal of reducing the stash by 10%. On the downside, I also calculated that if my rate of yarn knitting this summer is indicative of my average, I still have 83+ years of yarn in my house. Probably still a problem.

So then the contest ideas got posted. So I'm running a little "how many jelly beans" type contest of my own (i.e., how many yards at the beginning of the summer, etc.) and the winners will get some of the yarn. I'm also doing a few "What Would You Do With This" contests. Things that I couldn't remember why I had bought them (or maybe the only reason was "pretty"). It will be purely subjective, but the person with the answer I like best will get it.

Which I hope means I'll get a good running start on my own Autumn of Stash!

I am working at the LYS this coming weekend, so might get some more knitting time in, so my final numbers could shift a little. But I really feel I'm strong enough now not to be tempted to buy anything so close to the end!

So thanks for this KAL. It really was the kick in the pants I needed to start getting control of my stash!

Mary in VA

Progress Report

2006-08-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't had as much a chance to post here as I had hoped, since I was extremely busy for most of this summer with an intensive language class. But, now that it has ended, I've been turning out some long-lingering projects from the stash!

First up is the "Big Bad Zoe Blanket," a.k.a. "Big Bad Baby Blanket" from the first Stitch 'n Bitch book, but for my dog Zoe. She loves curling up on towels or small blankets, so I figured I'd make her a little blanket of her own. Despite the August heat she took to it right away!

I also recently finished this little crochet towel border, made with some leftover Cotton Classic, which (to my surprise) turns out to be a great yarn for this kind of project. The pattern is from the book Crochet Basics by Jan Eaton.

Hot off the needles are some bedsocks for my sister from Wendy's toe-up pattern. (Hey, when you make socks for your sis you know she won't mind your feet modelling them!)

And last but not least, I have made some progress on my cabled sweater, which I adapted from an old Classic Elite pattern. That's seven big skeins gone from the stash when I finish this one.

I've also made a few potholders from leftover cotton, both to practice my crochet skills and to use up some stash yarn. Also, I made up a bag of yarn to give to my mom - I have an overabundance of white and ivory-colored yarn and she is planning some projects in just those colors. All in all, I feel pretty good about my progress - but I am going to keep going with my own private "Autumn of Stash" (and probably Winter and Spring of Stash - let's be honest!) until I am down to a "clean slate" (aside from some of my grandma's yarn that I am saving for heirloom projects). I am determined!

It was lots of fun knitting along with y'all - here's wishing you lots of fun fall knitting!

Of Sorts

2006-08-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well, a stash enhancement, of sorts...

More like recycled/repurposed yarns from my own knit garments... goodbye Hourglass and Tempting, hello a few thousands yards of lovely "new" yarn with all sorts of possibilities. More about the recycling effort on my blog, LollyKnitting Around.

So, I didn't buy anything - I just changed it's form...

We'll see if I can stay strong at the LYS this afternoon!

Oops

2006-08-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

I joined Socks for Soldiers yesterday, and didn't have any black yarn for socks. So ... I ordered some (some? more like almost 3 lbs -- one ginormous skein = lots of big black socks). Why couldn't I have waited another week? I don't know.

And then I was reading Eunny's blog, and she was talking about spinning, and where she'd ordered some roving, and I followed those links, and ... ordered some roving, and some yarn got into my cart, too.

Julie

Holiday Time and temptation

2006-08-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

Well I have been to a few store that have yarn. Nothing much and to Joann's who had the majic loops on for $9.95 from $14.95. A heck of a deal, but I thought...... will I really use them? Probablly not. So I didn't buy them. Then I was at the Walmart in Lapeer and as going to get some Softee Chunkie by Bernat (not sure the right name off hand) but showed hubby colours I wanted to make for a hat and scarf and he said no. That he wouldn't wear it. Well that save me some more money. Hoping to hit the mother load at Hobby Lobby or Mary Maxum.

So far we are having a great time. Kids have come to swim in the pool and are staying with grandma and granpa.

Talk to you later.

Finished Projects

2006-08-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

Just finished a baby blanket and sweater--don't know where it is going yet.
Finished a Prayer Shawl--know where that is going.
Partially finished one scarf, another on needles and another in process.
Still working on those holiday gifts from the stash.
Received a very generous gift cert. to a local yarn store from my employer
This has been good. I still have a lot more yarn to use but I will think hard and long about using before purchasing any more.
JEG

Almost the end!

2006-08-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

Gee, this stash-bust-a-long is nearly done. Whew! Just in time for Rhinebeck, right?

I did gift the preschool/community center with a big bag of yarn I knew I'd never use. I also gave away some other stuff to folks at knitting group who will put it to much better use than I ever will. The stash isn't really visibly shrunken, but I know it's smaller and that's important, right? Of course right.

Back to my knitting deadline - the downside of designing is that I get sent bags and boxes of yarn even when I'm trying to get rid of it. Sigh. I'll probably have to go buy some more for some submittals due next week, too, darn it. Oh, well.

I'm not binging until tomorrow...

2006-08-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

... but my diet hit a little snag. I'd like to blame Glampyre. Or Stitch Diva Studios. Or maybe even Boy, who finally caved in to my incessant whining, arguing, and cajoling and said it was okay. But we all know whose fault this really is.

Craftster

What, did you think I was really going to blame myself for my yarn diet slip? I will have you know I've lost plenty of yarn weight over the last three months! I lost a whole garbage-bag load of crap acrylic, for the love of Mikey! and I am proud to say that I have done some serious knitting this summer. I have finished: two sweaters, six pairs of socks, one hat, and one wrap to date. But after reading the Knitted Bodice KAL, I'm afraid I cracked. But, all in all, I think I cracked sensibly:

Angora Soft by Knit One Crochet Too in Soft Turquoise. $1.50/skein at WEBS.

How freakin' awesome is that? It's still nice enough yarn for me think it worthy of the pattern, but the entire sweater, including shipping and the pattern I downloaded today, will cost me a whole 35 dollars and 65 cents. And don't worry about my leading you into temptation, I checked today and they were sold out...

Holiday Time!

2006-08-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Well its holiday time for me. I will be away for 11 days and I can't wait. I was done at 3:30 pm and went to the Chiropractor and then had a massage. What a way to start vacation!

Anyway. I need to pack, BUT at least my yarn is packed. I have packed yarn for 3 dishcloths, 2 scarves and to finish a baby pattern. This all for a holiday to the states. Then we come home change up and I will bring the yarn for the kids sweater and finish them when I am there.

Have a great week!

Leigh Ann

Reality Check

2006-08-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

I'm not wipping through the stash like I envisioned, but then again that was really not one of my true goals. One of my biggest goals was to get the stash organized. When we all first started this and everyone was figuring out their total yards and such, I was growing very envious. Not because I wanted the yarn, but because it ment that it was in at least a semi-organized manner. I mean you would have to at least know what you have to figure out the yards and stuff - right?

Well the painting of the room is finally done, and today was the first day I was able to start organizing stuff. It felt so good. In the process I also did de-stash quite a bit. Passed some on to my daughter (does that count?), mailed some out, and have a bag for the goodwill or freecycle. But with all that I got rid of at least 30 skeins.

Taking pictures in this very narrow (and very cluttered) area is hard. I can't get the full racks in a shot. Maybe when I'm totally done it will be easier.

I still have plenty of yarn left. This is the yarn from the numerous bags that never made it into one of the 40 gallon totes, and what's left from two 40 gallon totes. I still have a dresser to clean out, then it will all be in one place. It's so nice being able to see what I have instead of having to think :-) Plus I found a few surprises things I totally forgot about (like a couple of skeins of kid silk haze). I also found numerous WIP's but we won't go there. It was cool finding the needles along with the WIP's though.

On the knitting fron my airy cardi just needs to be seamed, and my lotus blossom tank just needs the arm holes finished. I'm so bad at getting to the finishing details.

Diet Deadbeat

2006-08-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

I have been spending the summer binging instead of dieting and I should probably gracefully withdraw. I shame the rest of you with my conspicuous yarn consumption.
It all started on my trip to Macon. Now, you have to understand that in the land of Florida there is hardly a yarn store to be found within a 50 mile radius of my house. To get to these stores one has to brave mind numbing traffic. I consume online, oftentimes tempted by projects that I see on blogs or that I hear about on the occasional podcast.
Being a fairly recent knitter, my stash was not so out of control. Having subscribed to a minimalist and simpler lifestyle in the last few years, I wanted to further reduce items in my closet to projects that I could actually hope to finish in my lifetime. The trouble started when I drove my son to camp and discovered a new shop in Macon. Upon my first visit, I left the shop reeling, dizzy and intoxicated by the many skeins of Tilli Thomas, Trekking, Munsch, Debbie Bliss, Plymouth...well, I had to make a return visit. Once back in the door I had to get “just a few things”. I left with a Lantern Moon tote overflowing with goodies and a coffee cup, gift with purchase.

The dam was broken. When I returned home, Yarn Market, Elann, and Little Knits called out to me. More, more, more...I was “off the wagon”. I have since binged on sock yarn in all varieties and colors, mohair blends and skeins of variegated cottons. Each package more bountiful than the next. The Habu silk should be hitting the front porch in a matter of days.
My behavior has been shameful and glutinous at best. As I hang my head in shame, I am listing for UPS to ring the doorbell. Burp!

A Well-Edited Stash

2006-08-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

I have knitted quite a bit this summer: a few pairs of socks, a couple of sweaters, some baby stuff, even a beach bag, a few ballband dishtowels, among other things. It represents close to 30 balls, skeins, or oddments of yarn that have been knitted into finished objects. I wish that I could have knitted some more of the stash, but this summer restored some sanity to my knitting, as my "to-knit" queue stopped growing exponentially, and some long-desired projects were finally tackled. Without the constant infusion of new yarns, I have been able to actually accomplish some knitting!

However, the most satisfying aspects of the Summer of Stash for me has been the "stash release." You may remember the big bag of acrylic-ness that I released to my kids' preschool at the beginning of the summer. I knew I would never knit with it. I also released some purple novelty yarns, purchased on sale when I first began knitting seriously 5 years ago. I had no idea what to do with it then, and now, 5 years later, I still didn't know what to do with it. I gave it to my friend, who loves purple, and is an extremely creative crochet-er, an expert at blending yarns.

I even re-purposed a long-languishing UFO, making a pillow from a cardigan. This cardigan was a knitter's failure, a loser of a project, as the sleeves did not fit around my arms. Keeping the yarn around was making me feel wasteful, and like a quitter. Now the pillow I made from the same yarn makes me feel creative and resourceful!

Sorry the pic is blurry. There may have been some apple martinis involved...

So last night, I released the last of the taunting yarns, the Plymouth Outback Mohair that has been lurking in the stash for three years. It had been knitted into a big fuzzy cowl-neck sweater, then immediately frogged, as it looked horrible on me. The pattern was for a lightweight mohair, a confection of a sweater, intended to float ethereally about the wearer. The Outback is bulky, the wrong yarn for the project, and it showed. My shoulders looked like a linebacker, and the cowl neck was so heavy it practically dragged on the ground. And so a sweater's worth of mohair, a knitting failure-in-a-bag was there in my stash. But last night, I released all of it to a fellow (blogless) SoS-er, Aileen. It is the perfect yarn for the Portland Pullover in the new IK, and this yarn is not emotionally loaded for her. For Aileen, the yarn is a potentially great project. For me, it represented a host of mistakes and bad choices, all typical beginning knitter mistakes, but ones I am still apt to make from time to time. The yarn will be loved with her.

My stash isn't significantly smaller than when I began this summer (remember my epic fall off the wagon a week or so ago?), but it has now been edited carefully, purging the guilt and failures and the useless, leaving only the loved and useful yarns behind. I now have a stash packed with potential and anticipation! What else can one ask of a Summer of Stash?

x-posted to Crossroad Knits

Make De-stashing Fun

2006-08-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, so many of us have used far more exceptions than we intended this summer. Some will be ending with decidely larger stashes than we started with. Cough. Cough. Cough.

In the waning weeks of SOS, I have an idea courtesy of Mason Dixon Knits. So, Anne is de-stashing her entire house, and wants readers to guess how many bags she will get rid of. The winner gets a bag of yarn from the de-stashing. What an awesome idea! What a great way to get more readers. Not that I am totally jonesing for more yarn (in serious, serious withdrawal right now), but if any SOS'ers want to try this way of destashing to lower their yard count by summer's end here are some ideas:

1) Guess the total yardage in the stash contest
2) Guess the amount being donated/destashed
3) Stash for Cash--Tie stash prizes to donations for your favorite charity
4) Guess the UFO's-- picture and guess contest
5) creative use of stash contest--show the yarn and have readers come up with ideas

If anyone has tried this or wants to try it, please post it here. SOS has been a bit quite lately--let's wake it back up.

Stashbuster Socks

2006-08-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

This yarn, Trekking XXL,has been in my stash for several months, and finally saw the light of day back in June (for Project Spectrum's blue month). I got a case of second sock syndrome, but managed to get sock 2 done very quickly once I started it!

More details about the socks (pattern, yarn, needles) on my blog, LollyKnitting Around.

Another 400 yards used up!

Wonder if I can do any more substantial stashbusting through the end of this project...

Can someone help me?

2006-08-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

It don't seems as though a can get hold of Spin Off Magazine Summer 2006 here in Norway. I should very much like to knit the estonian sheep on the cover.

Anyone up for a trade of some sort?

Two more projects from stash

2006-08-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

I just finished my Tivoli (6 balls of Debbie Bliss Cathay) and Shining Star (leftover from this poncho).

But my ball count is up from last time I posted, since I used my second exception to buy some SWTC Bamboo - too good of a bargain to resist (details on my blog tomorrow). But since I have a new niece, I am planning of using soon to make Samantha.

Lu

Cutie Pie

2006-08-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

I made the tiniest dent in a ginormous garage sale haul from '05 by knitting this little baby sweater.

I have to say that I have always been a procrastinator and now that the end of SOS is in site I am knitting my stash with a vengance. No ball, skein, or hank is safe :-) But My Golly, there is a lot there! I'm gonna be pretty busy over the next month, eh?

Never Say Never

2006-08-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Originally, I'd said no exceptions, but over the last two weeks I took my two. Pictures are on my blog. The damage was 39 balls total. Unfortunately, my output isn't keeping up with my input, and I only have 3 Preemie Project hats to show this week.

The voice of Reason

2006-08-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon, I went to A.C. Moore with my 3 year-old son to find a zipper for my latest knitted baby sweater.

Of course, since I was there I went to take a look at the yarn department and irresistibly started to fill my basket (notice that I didn't take a kart) with some yummy yarn! The feeling was delightful! Because of my "yarn diet", I haven't bought yarn in quite a while now... But I was ready to shamelessly betray my commitment to SOS!

I couldn't find any zipper though... Customer Service told me that they stopped holding zippers when they stopped holding fabrics... Great!!!

I was already earing my DH saying that I went in there for a zipper and came out with yarn and NO zipper! Oh well... He'll get over that (once again) right?

As I was talking toward the registers, I heard my son saying:

- "Are you sure you REALLY need ALL that yarn? You have a lot of yarn at home..."

Out of the mouth of the Babe, right? My 3 year-old brought me back to reality!!!

So, what would you do?

Well, I left the basket in the store and walked away empty handed...

Isabelle aka Tricotine

Now I don't feel so bad...

2006-08-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

...about the 2 skeins of sock yarn that have found their way to my house in the last couple of weeks. One of them was sort of an accident. How many times have you bid on something on eBay, and sat there refreshing your screen, watching the auction, and been outbid in the last 5 seconds? Well, I bid on a lovely handpainted sock yarn several hours before the end of the auction, then left to tour a gold mine (family vacation in Colorado), knowing I wouldn't be back before the end of the auction. And I won! So it was meant to be, right?
Then the other day, I saw another skein that I just had to have, and ordered it. But I'm good, now. Only 3 more weeks, anyway. Not that I'm going to rush out and release any pent-up yarn-buying urges.
Despite my less than perfect record, this Summer of Stash has helped me realize just how much yarn I do (still) have, and it has also caused me to slow down and really think about ordering/buying yarn willy-nilly. I still have too many works-in-progress. I think I'll spend these last few weeks of SoS focusing on finishing some of that stuff.

Julie

Cooperstown Trip

2006-08-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

I did use a vacation allowance in purchasing 3 skeins of Cotton Twist in orange and trash pink that will be perfect for a new scarf pattern for my daughter (which I will complete for a Christmas gift in a little LYS in Cold Spring, NY that I searched out on our trip. The owner was so nice and it was so hot that day (heading up towards the 100s in heat (and humidity)).
And for the Funky Scarf Swap, I was getting close to purchasing yarn because I don't have the color in my stash that my swap-name likes; but this is suppose to be a stashbuster project. I am going to chose the pattern and yarn from my stash for this project. And, whomever has my name, I want them to do the same.
JEG

300th Post!

2006-08-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

It only seems appropriate that for this blog's 300th post, that your hostesses should confess serious Summer of Stash offenses of an immense variety. Ann and Liz fell off the wagon very hard this weekend over on Crossroad Knits. Flog us or absolve us over on XRK, but be envious of the yarn we bought!

My UFO's

2006-08-11T21:25:00.000-07:00

Hat, Pillows, Baby Bee
Originally uploaded by wavybrains.

I photographed my UFO's to give me incentive during the homestretch of SOS. Where are yours? What needs to be done to up your FO and total stash busted count in the last few weeks? You can follow the link to see notes and the rest of the UFO collection.

I"m going to earn

2006-08-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

2 skeins of Mountain Colors Bearfoot Yarn will be mine when I make it to Labor Day without purchasing any yarn. (I also need to keep my Mom from purchasing any more for me...but that is another story.) I want the Flathead Cherry Colorway. My aunt and uncle have a small cherry orchard at Flathead Lake, so I need to get the skeins to make a special treat for my aunt and me. I had been tempted to order the skeins...but fate blocked that nasty thought by making that colorway DISAPPEAR when I refreshed the screen. I'm taking that as a hint to keep to my diet!

dobarah in Montana

Here are some of the knitting I have finished...a sweater that I had started for my DD about 8 years ago (perhaps my friends DD will be able to wear it now?) and then a shawl I used my vintage yarn to create...okay, the funky multicolored ladder yarn wasn't vintage, but it sure did add to the end product!

My Stash Reduction Knits

2006-08-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

I see a lot of you are doing great with the Stash reduction thing. I have been knitting some small cute things with leftovers of yarn that were in my stash. See them in my blog...

I didn't buy any new yarn! YAY me!!! LOL

My next project is Kate.

Isabelle aka Tricotine

Dos it count as breaking SoS...

2006-08-08T01:14:00.000-07:00

...if I order yarn now, but don't take delivery until November?

I'm one skein short of what I need to finish off an alternate pair of (plain) sleeves to go with my son's Skully (SnB) sweater. The Youngest Teen also wants a Skully. I live outside Knitpick's mailing area, but I want to make sure I can get the right yarn, in sufficient quantities.

I can order it now, have it sent to my NYC mailing address and pick it up next time I'm in town--early November. If it doesn't get added to my stash until then, it isn't really added now, is it?

Ingenious Idea!!

2006-08-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

I have hit on an ingenious idea!! My mother is visiting for 2 months & we don't want her to be idle now, do we? I have her helping me stash bust!! She is knitting Pneumonia Prevention Vests, she has made 5 so far. The oddballs of my stash are being depleted. WAAAA HOOOO!!!!!

CanadianKiwi
http://chezknit.blogspot.com/

Finished socks!

2006-08-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

I have so far done very poorly on SOS. Suffice to say that sales happened and I lost my resolve. *sigh* But I did still want to post my FO's since I am very proud that I at least am getting things done!

And of course, I also decided I hated yet another sock, and ripped out like 4 inches of knitting. Oh well, I get to love that yarn all over again, right?

Horray! Some FOs!!

2006-08-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well I have three dish cloths finished and I am currently working on a baby sweater. I am invited to a baby shower a week from tomorrow so I am knitting like crazy. thank goodness the heat wave is done. With temps up to 48C With the humidex it was not nice to knit in and I didn't.

Hoping to get more knitting done now as I am on a role.

Leigh

Horray! Another FO from vintage yarn!

2006-08-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

Back around 1980 I purchased 4 skeins of Brunswick Alaska Yarn in a Marine color. It is acrylic which looks like Mohair...yet there is a subtle shimmer of a metallic thread in with the hand spun look. The old label has a $3 sticker...I wonder what it would be now?

I had said that I would only purchase yarn to finish projects...well, I found that the 130 yards per skein wasn't going to make this shawl. I purchased 2 skeins of white Unger Fluffy and one of an Italian ladder yarn...I just LOVE it! I will upload a pic as soon as I get the ends woven in...this was a great use of my exception!

Need another stash busting excuse?

2006-08-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Exciting to see your stash busting efforts. If you want a great stash busting excuse post SOS, Scout is having a funky scarf SWAP KAL. I am so stoked about this---and I know a lot of you probably have one or two skeins of gorgeous, divine yarn just begging to be matched with a secret pal. This is also a great chance to try out new stitches or new patterns on a smaller-than sweater scale. Anyone else know of coming KAL that we can use for more stash busting excuses????

Now it can be told

2006-08-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

I finally sucked it up and took pictures of the whole stash. The stash lives in its own custom-shelved closet, under and on top of my worktable, and in two big drawers in the family room. Um, I also have a stash of knitting books and magazines. Hands shook as I photographed the full magnitude of the stash. Good grief. I have only fallen off the wagon to spend a gift certificate for my birthday, which I managed to spend mainly on knitting books rather than Yet More Yarn (sock yarn! sock yarn has, like, no mass and no volume, right?). There are... several pictures. I don't want to crash Blogger, so they're at my Flickr archive.

So far, so good!

www.flickr.com

Liz the Crazed Weasel's Stash photoset

466

2006-08-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

I am down to 466 balls of yarn from the 498 I had when I started this - whooo!

Recently and not so recently completed project from stash:

Yarn: Inspirations Yarn Chai and LB Cotton-ease.

Pattern from One Skein
Yarn: The Alpaca Yarn Company "Glimmer" in bronze

Yarn: Patricia Roberts Angora
Pattern from Jimmy Beans Wool

Lu

Girls Behaving Badly or How I fell Off the Wagon...

2006-08-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

I bought yarn.

If you want to read about my shameful lack of self control you can do so here.

Toodles,

Spidey

Wanna See the Fair goodies?

2006-08-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

This is how I have been using some of my stash...I guess it was okay that Mom has restocked my yarn shelves!

I have been busy with the Summer of Stash...and here were the Shelby fair results! First there is the Irish Scarf KAL. Then there was the poncho I made for Carly. Next there was the Felted Lopi Bag. I will take this to the State Fair...I bet it will have a better placing there as they will know more what they are looking for. Then there are the mittens,(adult was given blue, the childrens were given a red...in the larger fair there are actually 2 sections for mittens, but there is only one section here in Shelby)dish cloth, and pot holder. Finally there is a rolled brim hat, socks, and key hole scarf. Whew, there is even more knitting which didn't go to the fair, but that is for another post!

Well, at least there are the Exceptions...

2006-07-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

I went visiting to Maryland this weekend, and was dragged to a yarn shop . . . and, well, what could I do??

The good news is that I restrained myself and only bought this, two pairs of socks' worth of yarn. And not only that, I'm planning to give one of them to my Yarn Aboard sock pal. AND I've been good all this time AND the only exception I've used has been for my Sundara yarn Petals Collection club (which really, barely counts, since that was signed up for well before this started), I figure I'm still doing fine . . .

Right??

Purple Progress

2006-07-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

With the end of the month, I tallied all of the yarn I stashbusted this month. Both Project Spectrum purple projects this month were small - the Rasta hat was approximately 200 yds. of wool, and the Ballet Cami was about 600 yards. However, I gave away some yarn this month - specifically 3 balls to get my best friend Becca started on sock knitting - that was 890 yds (sock yarn packs a punch!) and I sent 3 skeins of yarn to my Swap Pal, and that about 515 yds, so I estimate my total stashbusting this month at 2205 yds.

76144 - 2205 = 73939 yds.

This is down over 3000 yards and 1.7 miles from where I started at the end of May. Pretty cool! I feel pretty good about this whole stashbusting thing, and honestly, I think I could easily continue it past Labor Day and possibly through November, when I will be going to Stitches East in Baltimore, and to California for vacation (everyone needs to find a yarn shop on vacation - yarn is the best souvenir!)

**Any other SoSers thinking about continuing the stashbusting past Labor Day? Techinally the Autumnal Equinox does not start until September 23rd! ;) So the Summer of Stash can continue a few more weeks! I am also planning to do a Second Annual Socktoberfest on my blog (did you miss last year's event? be a part this year!) and I personally want to focus on sock yarn stashbusting for the month of October.

Just some stashbusting thoughts to ponder...

And if you have some black, white, brown, or gray yarn that needs to be busted, please join us for Project Spectrum's Neutrals month - the whole month of August! :)

Project Spectrum Meets Summer of Stash

2006-07-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

Lolly's (now famous, mentioned in IK!) Project Spectrum has been a great stash-busting opportunity for me. I have made projects for each month so far, and only had to buy yarn once. I had a lot of choices for July's color, purple, because it seems I have bought a lot of purple yarn. I talked about my options on the blog last week, but I thought I would share the story along with the stash-busting FO here.

In the Winter of 2004, I knit this sweater, the Serendipity Sweater from Suss Cousin's Hollywood Knits using a bag of Crystal Palace Labrador I had purchased on sale. I finished knitting the entire sweater, but the sleeve caps were too small. So the whole project was put aside for the day that I would rip out and redesign the sleeve caps.

In the Summer of 2005, I moved from Richmond to Philadelphia, and this UFO moved with me. So in the Summer of 2006, the Summer of Stash, it was time to be honest with myself and admit the truth. I would never fix the sleeves. This two-year old project would never be finished.

It was time to repurpose the purple yarn, and quickly, too, as the end of July was drawing periously near. I hunted around the house for oddball throw pillows, and found one that fit the back piece of the sweater. I ripped out the cardigan fronts, the sleeves, and the shaped portion of the back, knit thick yarn on US11s furiously for two days, and I had a new pillow!

In other stashbusting, I have found more purple yarn that I am releasing to my crochet-ing friend who loves purple, and I am giving away my copy of Hollywood Knits. Leave a comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Winner will be drawn at random this week.

naughty knitter

2006-07-31T18:06:00.000-07:00

the road to hell is paved with good intentions

.... i think i'm a KAL flunkie. i seem to just gain and gain, barely losing grams, ounces, yards or meters ... or miles! what's a girl to do when someone tempts her with free yarn?!
any smart knitter would do as i did, ... snatch it up, and start knitting or crocheting it, use it up before anyone notices.

my weakness this time?

muench's string of pearls . 6 balls of worsted wt. red hot sizzling sparkling cotton, perfect for another chickami.

i cast on a couple of nights ago, and am knitting with ball #4. it should only take 5 balls + a smidge of #6.

if i were really sneaky, i wouldn't be posting this until it's finished!

i also ended up with about 10-12 cakes of classic elite's rockland cotton. this is an aran wt. cotton, each cake has about 173 yds. my initial plans for this yarn was to crochet or knit more washcloths, potholders, dishcloths, and hotpads ... in other words ... chickens and cows!

why did i let myself slip with these new (to me) yarn acquistions? well, because my stash is primarily wools. and it's summer. and i want to knit, or crochet, with cotton. there. i said it!

Summer of Stash

2006-07-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

Good news and bad news. Bad news first naturally, I fell off the wagon, and in typical fashion, I did it ALL the way. I recently went to Denver for a work trip, and like most places that actually have a winter season (with snow and everything) the yarn stores are plentiful! My intention was to get some yarn for a bridal shower gift for my best friend, knowing full well that just the right yarn is probably lurking at the back of my stash pile as I type, cursing me and whispering naughty things about me to the rest of my neglected yarn. Ah well, I did manage to find some yummy things, and the diet was busted. I'm still completely in support of those who are going strong though, but now even more empathetic to those who've been bitten by the "buy me" yarn bug once again.

Good news...I'm consuming yarn on the other end of the spectrum too, by actually using it. My last FO is a pair of Fetching hand warmers from this Summer's issue of Knitty. I liked knitting these enough to want to make several more pairs, and with just the right yarn, they are a One Skein Wonder.

Happy Knitting everyone!

Shrinking Stash!

2006-07-30T06:37:00.000-07:00

I have posted a lot in my own blog, but keep forgetting to post here. So, a quick update on my de-stashing!

First of all, Wavybrains posted a while back to say what she is learning from this De-stashalong, and I keep meaning to do the same thing. Since the house is still, and I have more podcasts downloading now, I thought I'd follow like the sheep I am.

I've learned that I really am picky about the yarn I actually knit with. I prefer yarns that feel good as I knit them .. I -love- cotton, and soft wools. I'm not-so-much for scratchy wool, and there are some novelty yarn I just can't knit with despite how pretty/fascinating/unusual they are.
However, despite that pickiness, I am easily drawn to any yarn that is pretty/fascinating/unusual.
I don't so much like knitting a plain-old-boring square. I have one that is -still- sitting, waiting to be finished for an afghan I want to make. I cannot bring myself to knit on it. I love the yarn . the color, the feel, everything. I just don't want to knit a boring square anymore.
I love the process of knitting far more than the finished product in most cases.
I love to knit in public. I take my knitting with me anywhere, and I simply don't care what people think when I pull it out and start knitting away. (Though, more often than not I get compliments on my work, and questions like 'Is it hard to knit?' and 'How long have you been knitting?')
I have pattern envy. I don't have a lot of money right now to spend on books and patterns and such, but there are so many I want to buy!

The 'not enough money' though ~~may~~ will change soon though, because I got a job, finally. It's part time, and will probably only pay for my car-payment and insurance, but that means more spending money! Yay!!

I finished my first booga and I think it looks pretty good. I'm afraid I felted the heck out of it, but it looks cute, and I lurve it. I'm already working on another one for Brandon, our friend/houseguest and my knitting flunky, out of some blue/black kinda-tweedy wool/angora I have .. I had a bunch of little balls of it and I've already used up two. When this is done I might make a couple more for gifts for people .. Booga's are fun!

I also used up an oddball of pink-pastel eyelash yarn making a scarf for my neice Savannah.
Very blurry picture of how open and airy it is. I love this scarf .. I should make my own!

Look how long it is .. I think it's at least 5' of pink fuzziness. Granted, my photo skillz aren't so great, but you get the picture.

I have had to purchase yarn, but it's all for the Yarn Aboard II swaps, not for me, so I am perfectly justified in it, because none of it is staying with me. Granted, being on Ebay and looking at all the yummy handpainted sock yarns and laceweights and stuff was very, very tempting, but I need to wait. And I can wait. There's only what .. 6 weeks left? That's enough time for 5 paychecks!! Wahoo!

Also, while my stash is decreasing .. I am as well. Hubby and I joined Weight Watchers around the same time as the SOS KAL, and I have lost 10.4 pounds in a month. I'm the incredible shrinking knitter! Soon I'll be able to justify making sweaters and such for myself once I'm at a healthier weight.

Giving it all away . . . . .

2006-07-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

I took two big knitting bags full of yarn to my SnB meeting last night and returned with only my WIP. What a great feeling. I said goodbye to some bargain and gift yarn that just isn't my cup of tea. I also made the painful decision to part with 3 huge Redheart skeins that were gifted to me by my MIL which she inherited along with an afgan in progress from HER mother. Ladies, as the Mason-dixon ladies say in their book, if you are feeling a bit peckish, FINISH the WIP's or allow for their demise in your will so that your kin can dispose of the yarn without feeling disloyal. I decided to turn the afgan wannabe into a shawl and gift the remaining yarn. Much of the yarn (2 cotton crochet threads, 6 random skeins, 3 red hearts) went to knitters knitting for Warm Up America. This felt good after my recent purchases to discard some yarn weight! Highly recomended. Also if you need an excuse to use up Sock Yarn check out Sock Wars! (Thanks Midnight Purls for the heads up about Sock Wars!)

I didn't request an exception but...

2006-07-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

We will be in the Cooperstown and Hudson areas this weekend. If I see something that I absolutely necessarily will need to have because it is the one and only in the whole world, I may consider breaking my rule of not buying; but I am taking plenty with me to work on. I copied Knitters' Review on yarn shops in the Hudson area and my DH is so willing about letting me roam in shops. He sits outside in the motorhome with his books and coffee or cold drink.

I did order some patterns though. I love the iKnitiative whirlwind scarf pattern and the little wrister evening bag and I also was able to get Knitting Millinery by Annie Modesitt at discount. I am hoping to make one of the hats for me, but we will use it in the Relay for Life "Dude Looks Like a Lady" contest next year.

When I finish some of the little projects I have going, I will get my DD to help me put up the photos. Haven't done that before but it should not be too hard (a learning experience, along with beading, modular knits, illusion knitting, sock knitting).

See you next week.

Feather and Fan

2006-07-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Two skeins of Cascade 220 plus a little bit extra for the contrast colors will get you one Feather and Fan Shawl.

The Feather and Fan or Comfort Shawl (as it is sometimes appropriately called) had been on my To-Do list for some time. This is a great stash busting project because you can use odds and ends, mix colors, or make it as big or as small as you wish. For the whole scoop you can check out my blog which has moved since the last time I posted. Happy Stash Busting :-)

My mother has gifted me

2006-07-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Mom called from her local Michael's store. She found 17 skeins of Suede in a moss green and wondered if I would like it for my birthday (in August). I explained how I was on a Yarn Diet...but if this was what she wanted to get me for my gift, well, I would be grateful. She also mentioned 80% off other yarns...so knowing my mom, I may have more skeins coming to live with me than I have used in this SOS. Sounds like good news/bad news to me!

Learning so much

2006-07-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

This week I took several books out of the library to see what interests me. Nicky Epstein does some creative things with edges. It started me thinking about different pattern stitches.. And as I travel the streets of the internet, I find so much more.

I want to do illusion knitting, bead knitting, edges, cables, fancy stitches; and I can practices on a lot of the stash that I have. I have finished the knitting part of a little evening purse that will be lined with a recycled neck tie. I am working on socks. I am working on a knitted cotton skirt. I have a pile of items to be used for gifts.

Through all of your blogs, pictures, writings, I have found so many things that I want to do.

Thank you all! Now I just have to give up work.....

Revealed!

2006-07-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my sister's birthday tank - I did not blog about it because she reads it, but now that I am done with it and her birthday has passed, I can show it off! It is the Ballet Camisole from the July 2006 Magknits.com. I used Phildar Reporter, a DK-weight wool blend, in the Violet colorway (for Project Spectrum!)

Approximately six hundreds yars to deduct from the stash totals - not too shabby for a tank! ;)

As always, many more details on my blog, LollyKnitting Around.

I broke.......

2006-07-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Last week, I spent two days working up at BMFA, getting sock club out. While there, Tina had several boxes of yarn that she had to get rid of. Colors that didn't take well, or items that didn't sell well. Anyways, the first day I brought home a shopping bag of yarn, fibers I have never used before. On my way home I thought about the sock yarn she had. No one seemed to be interested in it, the colors were not ones I would use either. But, if several strands were combined, they would make some great socks and vests for CIC. I told Tina about my idea, and the rest of the sock yarn came home with me. I have given some of it away, in fact probably half of it is gone now. AND I started on a vest for CIC right away.

I have learned this summer that I can curb my spending quite easily. Having the incentive here has helped a lot!! I haven't quite gotten as many projects done, but I am feeling good about the stash, and not too overwhelmed. I am going to try to continue this stash-busting into the fall. The only yarn that I absolutely need is for an afghan KAL at the lys, I have the yarn for the corner squares, but not the inside squares. I will go to the KAL this week, but will put off buying the yarn until after Labor Day.

Finished Green Gable!

2006-07-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

I finally finished something this summer! Green Gable. But, I can't take a picture because it's soaking in a bucket with vinegar and water to stop the dye bleeding. Hoping to have that all resolved today so it can be blocked and photographed.

Now working on Magknits Ballet Camisole. This one is slow going, even though I'm using 6's the yarn is a sport/dk and I can knit for an hour and only do an inch.

Still trying to come up with a sweater idea for my Knitpicks Sierra. I originally bought it for Knitty's Starsky, but I don't think I want to make that anymore. I want a pullover with this yarn, any nice, not overwhelmingly cabled bulky sweater ideas? Book, free, magazine, I don't mind.

More hats

2006-07-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

This week I finished 4 hats- 2 Lolas for my daughter and her friend and 2 fruit hats for Jeanne's breastfeeding awareness initiative.
27 FOs down

The main things I've learned this summer are that I want to reduce how much "stuff" we have in our house and I have much better self-control than I'd thought.

I used an exception

2006-07-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

Actually, I swapped and used an exception ;-)

Im not going to visit my aunt this summer as it turns out, so I decided to join some friends in a trek to Flying FIngers yesterday. The store is moving from Irvington, NY to Tarrytown, NY and they were having an in store only 50% off fiber sale.

I was rather restrained, especially when compared to my travel companions ;-)

And I already have them earmarked for a project, which is now #4 on my list.

I'm also almost done with another "from stash" project! This is a 1 piece baby cardi (the only seaming is the hood!) made from (so far) 2 balls of Cotton tots. I think I will need to break into a 3rd ball to finish the 2nd sleeve, but we'll see. If I do, I will probably use that and the full ball I still have to make another, 1 size smaller, as I have plenty of babies due to friends, and this is such a nice easy knit. (and yes, most of my knitting this month is abiding by Project Spectrum colors)

As wavybrains has pointed out, I am certainly learning more about my choices, amungst other tings. I have absolutely discovered a love of knitting baby stuff, but I have also discovered cotton is not as awful to knit with as some tried to convince me. I find that I am a combo knitter - Process AND Project. I love knitting just to knit, but I also enjoy completing a project!

I did also receive my July STR shipment, but I joined the club before I joined SOS, and it was all prepaid so it doesn't count. Details of all this stuff on my blog

-=Dani

What are YOU learning?

2006-07-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post at the end in Sept. all that I've learned by doing SOS, but then I realized that I have already learned so much that I wanted to share and hear what you all have learned. Deb's post made me remember that we all came to SOS for different reasons. I joined because I was discouraged at my expanding stash, and because I had reached a point in my knitting where I felt stiffled by the stash. I have realized that this may have been because of how little I knew about myself as a knitter and how much I was letting the almighty bargain controll my knitting. What I have realized by slowing down and doing SOS is:

I am picky about yarns. Very picky. I do not like yarns that spilt, yarns that fuzz, yarns that don't show texture and stitch definition, and yarns that make it hard to see stitches.
I like cottons, and wools, and high-quality blends. I hate mohair, cheap acrylic, novelty yarns for anything other than accent. I'm not a fan of fingering/sport weights and really really chunky stuff doesn't do it for me either.
This pickiness is NOT a bad thing and leads to better projects and a happier Wavybrains who actually enjoys what she is making.
I am very process orienated. It is ffrustrating wanting to make something and not having the yarn in the right amounts or weights for that project.
To that end, it is a lot of fun picking out the right yarn for that project and designing and making that project my own.
Yarn bought for a specific project tends to get used up a lot faster while the odds and bargain balls languish regardless of how good of a "deal" I got.
High quality yarn gets used up way faster than low quality stuff that is a pain to knit with.
My skills at swatching and switching yarns for a project have vastly improved out of sheet neccesity during SOS.
I like using up odds and ends, but honestly my bargain hunter nature is not as fullfilled as I thought by having to constantly come up with projects to use up an odd amount of yarn I got on clearance or had left-over or got gifted.
Too much of creativity by neccessity makes me feel stifled. It is freeing to have the right amount of yarn for what I want to do in a fiber and weight that makes the process a joy for me.
In the future, I think I will be more a project by project yarn buyer. This is much more satisfying for me.
This means taking a different approach to bargains: coming up with a project and then searching for the right yarn at the right price.
I like having multiple projects on the needles (right number seems to be 3-4), but projects left too long stress me out
I need a variety of projects--BIG long projects and many small projects and any future stash needs to reflect this and not be all onesie-twosie projects
I LOVE trying new things: socks, mason-dixon, sweaters, vests, baby projects, dying yarn and I can't let my stash get too far ahead of what my next phase may be. This summer has meant turning many yarns bought during the "scarf" phase into more complext projects with mixed results.

I feel so grateful (despite my few "slips") for SOS. I have grown so much as a knitter by having this time to focus on what I have and by seeing what you all are up to. What have you learned about yourself as a knitter so far? Chime in on comments or do your own list!!

2006-07-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

It didn't end up using as much as I thought it might, but I've finished my first Booga. I knitted it using two types of wool I've had sitting in my stash, and went though 1 skein of each, more or less. And since I managed to finish this in like, 3 days, I have no doubt I can finish several more pretty quickly and use up even more stash. I've already test-swatched and felted those swatches of the same yarns knitted together rather than striped .. not sure how much I like it ... and another type of Alpaca/wool I have on hand .. which will make beautiful Boogas. In fact, I'm about to start one for Brandon .. well, tomorrow. For now, I must sleep.

Hanging in there

2006-07-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

I finished my second baby sweater today, out of yarn I bought last Spring, and my next project is going to be a vest out of some Aurora 8 I got in February in exchange for my leftover Olympic Knitting yarn. This is pretty good, I think.

My goal for Summer of Stash wasn't so much to work through as much stashed yarn as possible--though the people who have been zooming through the yardage are darn impressive. My goal was simply not to buy any yarn for the duration. I needed the extra incentive. And so far, except for the Sundara yarns Petals Collection club which I was already signed up for, I have not bought any yarn since a week or two before Memorial Day, so I'm pretty happy about that. I got a little carried away at the beginning of the year, and I feel a little more under control now! The fact that I'm using up some yarn in my stash is just a bonus (grin).

Now, if only my lace project would move along faster so I could use up some of my lace yarn...

--Deb
www.chappysmom.typepad.com

Confession of a Yarnaholic

2006-07-23T15:31:00.000-07:00

Okay! I'm really not doing too bad in the buying yarn. Till I went to Zellers and picked up some Bernat cotton for dish cloths. Did I need it? NO!! The reason I bought is because I joined a dishcloth swap and some of the ladies like purple. Did I have purple in my stash. No!! Do I have other pretty colours that I could use. YES!! It was on sale so I didn't pay full price. Can't wait till fall I have seen alot of things that I'd like to buy...

Which bring me to point two. How is the stash busting going? Not to great. With temps up to and including humidexs of 33C and+++++ its way to hot to knit. Even with a/c! GASP!! I maybe going on with this challenge till Christmas.

I did complete the blue poncho and just have to sew it up. The kids sweaters need to be finished as well. Hopefully it will cool down and I can do them. I am doing a bunch of dish cloths though and may start some scarves for Christmas gifts to get them out of the way.

Hope everyone is doing great. Love reading all the posts!

Leigh Ann

Still Plugging Along!

2006-07-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I am still using up the stash and really learning about planning projects better. Joining this stash-a-long has given me a whole new perspective on choosing the right yarn and the right projects. Here's a couple shots of recently completed items:

Fair Isle Toddler Hats (I've done 3 of these, but only 2 pictured here):

Booga Bag

I look forward to catching up on what everyone else has been up to!

Some Serious Stash Busting!

2006-07-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Check out my latest creations!

I've been finishing stuff!

2006-07-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Check out what I've finished so far during my Summer O' Stash Diet:

Will I run out of yarn before Labor Day? Well, no... but it sure feels like it sometimes!

Strategic Stash Planning

2006-07-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of yarn in my stash slated for certain projects... and here is just a glimpse of the stashbusting I am planning for fall and winter.(Yes, I am already thinking about the colder weather - despite the heat and humidity settling over Maryland this past week!)

Some of these yarns have lived in the stash for a few years now, and they want to come out and play! I cannot deny them that! ;)

Stay tuned on my blog for progress reports... the question is just which one to start first!

Men Ruin Yarn Diets

2006-07-20T12:21:00.001-07:00

On the heels of my, "I am never running out of hand-dyed yarn again" spiel, I was determined to walk the straight and narrow. Salads and water so to speak. But, then, I had to have DH drive me to the LYS because my car was broken and I needed size three circs if I was to retain my sanity over the car thing. Well, DH has not been in many LYS and does not show that much interest in stash. BUT, he has made it known that he wants a manly cardigan for Christmas. So, imagine my dismay when the following conversation took place.

DH: "Oh wow! I love this yarn"
Me: "Yes, that is good stuff. Plymouth Encore is a good weight, and it's washable."
DH: "I want this for my cardigan."
Me: "Ok. I'll buy in October or so."
LYS owner/enabler "Oh those are the discontinued colors. Last I have. 10% off for you!"
DH: Is there enough for a cardigan here?
Me: No--
LYS: "Here is the last bag of that color right under the bin. This would be enough."
DH: "Should we get all 14 balls?"
Me:"I'm on a yarn diet. I should wait. My SOS friends would want me to wait."
DH: I want THIS yarn.

You see where this is going right? All 14 balls of the discontinued colorway 425 came home with us at an amazingly good deal after some haggling. DH is thrilled. I consider it "his" yarn and not stash but it is sitting there, mocking me. DH's christmas present is now out of the way, but the guilt. I totally get the person who posted earlier about getting others to buy yarn for you--it is such an easy way around the no-yarn rule that part of me wonders why I didn't think of this sooner. The other part of me says that those 14 balls are going to totally ruin my "after" stash picture.

Men Ruin Yarn Diets

2006-07-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Forgotten Exception

2006-07-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

OK, I didn't really forget to make this exception; I was going to be good, and wait till after Labor Day to get two hanks of Euroflux linen for the Mason-Dixon Knitting bubble curtain. But, two weeks ago, I caved. And it still took me all these days to confess~ Forgive me, Liz, but you've been to the Lounge, you know how Stewart and Homer can tempt a gal! Details at my blog ~

Back from vacation & checking in

2006-07-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Well I'm back from my vacation. This was one of the exceptions I had listed but I'm happy to report that no yarn came home with me. I went to one shop in Sandpoint that had some local yarn, but after thinking about it I decided that I'd really only be buying it because I could, not that I really needed and/or wanted it. At which point it was easy to resist. I'm hoping some of that will stay with me long after the summer!

Before I left I managed to get 2 of the 3 rooms where yarn is stored inventoried. So here's the status of the inventory to date:

264,409.26 yds of yarn!

Plus since I initially didn't inventory the content of kits (though I do plan to go back to that), the following kits:

5 cardigans
2 pullovers
2 vests
6 hats
3 mittens
1 hat & mittens
7 scarves
1 shawl
11 socks
4 novelty items
1 pillow
4 purses
1 throw

To date, I haven't finished any projects, but....

I have otherwise destashed 10,274.7 yds of yarn (with another 2850 sale pending), the 2 pullover kits and 1 of the cardigan kits. Which I feel pretty good about even if it is a drop in the bucket!

So I'm hoping to finish the inventory at least this coming weekend!

Mary in VA

In good company...

2006-07-19T02:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know what happened, but suddenly my stash increased with 4 skeins.

Am I forgiven if I tell you that they are all intended for something?

I got:
- 2 skeins of Magi. That is sock yarn... and for a pair of socks for my sister. It is her colors and I am making her socks for her birthday.
- 1 skein of Paris. Pure cotton...and for a wask cloth. I needed a new one in the kitchen.
- 1 skein of Kitten. It is a mohair/wool/courtelle blend. I am making a beret. (Yes - I know it is still summer and not really weather for beret)

Does it even count if I knit up these 4 skeins at once?

Well, well... one exception taken...one to go.

The only sane thing to do.. . .

2006-07-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

It was a tragedy of the highest order. I was watching Gilmore Girls Season Five Finale on DVD and it looked like the show and the felted slippers I was working on would finish at the same time. My lovely self-dyed yarn was looking fabulous and I could not wait to felt and see the results. Then---disaster. I ran out of yarn with a ROW AND A HALF LEFT (plus bind off). I cursed. I considered ripping back on both slippers but, I need to make sure that there is enough to cover the foot (these are ballet slipper style). I paced. I considered my options: save the project for september, have two different sized slippers, burn the silly things. Chocolate was called in. Then, I did the only sane thing one could do under the circumstances: I ordered more yarn. Back on the wagon now, but the process of ordering more yarn was sorely tempting. I stuck to only the yarn I needed to finish the ROW AND A HALF. I now have a running list of yarn I want in Sept. once the current projects are knitted. Anyone else out there starting "wish lists" for future projects?

i fell off, but it was a goooood fall !

2006-07-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

apparently, a silk screened ball of yarn is just not enough satisfaction for this yarn girl. i was bad. i was so bad ! but, i didn't care! i had no exceptions because i wanted to go cold turkey. i thought, "i'm tough! i'm going to do what no one else is! i don't need no stinkin' exceptions !"

but, i have no other outlets of retail therapy. i don't shop at the mall, i don't buy anything that i don't need. all my money goes towards rent, bills, gas & groceries. THAT'S NO FUN !

i would be the absolute worst drug addict, but my addiction instead is yarn. this is how the story goes ....

it all started with these buttons. all my knitty-girlfriends took a little roadtrip to a semi-local yarn shop. i could not go because i was working that day (did i mention i do work in my LYS and have resisted day after day after day!)? my knitty-girls are very good to me. they brought me back these three little fishy buttons. and that was it. i had a taste of what was elsewhere, and i had to go and see what else there was .....

how was i to know there would be such temptation ? i mean, i had only read about how absolutely scrumptious malabrigo is on bloglandia. they had all these lovely colorways, but mostly dark and earthy tones ... easy to pass up. but, then i made the mistake of touching these two hanks of little lovely, and i felt how incredibly soft it was ... and i didn't care that i was violating my diet. i know it's going to pill like crazy, but again, i don't care ! it's going to feel like heaven, wrapped around my neck come winter, in a simple seed stitch.

i also partook of the sock yarn section. oops.

my justification? ... solid colored sock yarn! it seems the world is swimming in handpaints and self-patterning yarns ... sometimes a girl just wants to knit lace and be able to see the lace pattern!

is there more? why, yes!

but, this is not in violation ... tools are definitley allowed. this hook is by laurel hill, distributed by bryson. the packaging says "forest palmwood", made in vietnam. the wood is smooth and dark, and i gave it a test drive at the yarn shop and decided it would not split my stiches. i'm an avid crocheter too, and i'm always happy to try out new products ... especially the aesthetically pleasing ones.

i'm not here to brag or show off. this is my first KAL. how am i doing? well, not so good apparently. i could offer many excuses ... like ... no exceptions, it's hotter than hell here, i was weak. but, it is what it is. maybe i'm not the best candidate for a KAL?

do i pledge now to not stray again until labor day? do i reset my clock to redeem myself? do i just go and cast on that malabrigo and knit it up before everyone has read what i've done?!

My destashing

2006-07-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

I haven't been knitting much lately because we moved and I have been away from my computer for a while, but also because it is so HOT! I usually knit at night when it is cooler and during the day I can get the house organized... a little... day by day... It is not easy with 2 under 4 kids...

= Yesterday, I opened my stash moving boxes though; 3 of them and I was almost able to make it all stay in one big container! Notice that I said almost because as you can see on the right of the photo, there is still some yarn in that plastic bag! LOL

I still have some serious destashing efforts to do...

But at least, my thread cotton cohabits now with the rest of my yarn and I have a whole closet in the Office/Craft Room to store my yarn and stuff! WOOHOOO!!!

= Anyway, right now, I am working on another Picovoli, modifying the pattern a little. As mentionned in my SOS Goals, at the beginning of the summer, I thought I would have to use an Exception for getting the yarn for to make that top, but instead I decided to use some Bernat Baby Yarn that was in my stash for about 2 years and to make my Pico a winter top that I like to call my Cami Pico! :) See it here...

= Talking about Exceptions, I "only" used my "joker" twice: First time, and as it was for getting the yarn to make my Tempting II along with the Sexy Knitters Club (it was mentioned in my Goals but I haven't cast on yet though...) and the second time... well, the second time I just couldn't resist to that sale online... $1.47 per skein of Caron Simply Soft!!! I got 8 skeins of Copper Kettle color... but let's say that was my exception day for July, OK? [grin]

But I am thinking about making my Tubey with that yarn and that was also mentioned in my SOS Goals previously, sooooo... I think I am being pretty much faithful to my SOS commitment so far! YAY!!! ;D

= BTW, when I wrote my SOS Goals, I didn't know I would be moving in another house. Back then, I wished I could get rid of the cardboxes containing my stash that were sitting in the hallway and the living room, and I would have a Craft Room... That was summited under "My rewards"... Well, it was exactly what I had in mind but I can tell that my 2 wishes have been granted in advance and I am not going to complain, right? LOL

Happy Summer and Happy Destashing to all! :)

Isabelle aka Tricotine

I nearly caved

2006-07-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I'll be a bit more honest: I planned to cave, but my LYS didn't have any of the yarn I needed. The good news is that I managed to go into my LYS and resist every single yarn they did have, including some truly wonderful sock yarn. (details on the near miss are on my blog)

We're Halfway There

2006-07-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

Half of the summer is gone, and I've used up 53 skeins and completed 23 FOs (including this H2O hat). Only 7 weeks left; stay strong everyone!

My stash reduction plan

2006-07-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Well I am not buying yarn (okay I bought some more but it was one of my exceptions. I got 4 skeins of sugar and cream cotton in blue at a consigment shop for $3.50) but I have been real good otherwise.
I am working from my stash and using up all my odd balls .I am going to be using my Sugar and cream cottons(I must have about 40-50 skeins) to make halters,purses,potholders or cloths of some kind.
I have all my full skeins basically in sets for what I want to do with them when it gets a little cooler!! I am not in the mood to work on anything big right now so it is small fun things right now!!! I might start my daughters sweater sleeves soon so I can have her sweater ready for the fall. I figured that is a good sitting at the fair project as I don't have to do much Just be a body there.

I am also getting balls together to give to the Headstart preschool in town to use for crafts. I just cannot see using alot of what I have so it has to go. If I cannot come up with at least 2 things I might knit with it it is gone!!!
I got spools of what I thought was going to be yarn but is more of a thread from a friend so they are among the first that are to go.!! Also those 8 skeins of orange rug yarn I bought because it was .25 cents and have only used up 2 are also on there way out the door!!

I want to post my stash pictures but I keep having problems!!! I will be trying a third
computer so we will see what happens.

More FO's from stash

2006-07-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

A cloth for my bread basket:

The Baby Hat from One Skein:

A poncho for my daughter:

The Embossed Leaves Socks:

The Flower Basket Flower:

Lu

ETA: The yarn for the Baby Hat is Inspirations Yarn "Decaf". The pattern for the poncho is one of the free patterns from IK, Mini Poncho by Meema Spadola, but I casted 28 sts instead of 32 to make it smaller.

summer of stash

2006-07-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

Is starting to get a lot harder! Everywhere I go yard saling, I see yarn at yard sales. I did see some wool yesterday, but I couldn't get the woman to go down cheap enough in her price. It was about a pound of vintage wool for $10. Still a good price, but too much for me. So, no yarn to come home with me yesterday for charity. I did come home with a stack of needles, however - some straights (which I don't use but seem to bring home with me anyways), a circ in a size I didn't have, and a ton of double points, which I can always use more of - 22 metal from size 1-4, and about 50 plastic, which I mainly don't use, but are handy for going through metal detectors :).

Stash knitting is failing pretty miserably, as far as my planned projects are concerned. I've tried using up some woolease & haven't gotten too far. Haven't touched my lustersheen at all yet. I did knit up a CIC shawl using odd balls of mohair, knit up 2 fair isle wool vests for CIC (on a 3rd) & crocheted a wool one as well, and a pair of toddler socks with a couple more on the needles.

Does anyone want to trade for that black/gray cotton chenille yarn? I'll gladly post photos if anyone wants it. I don't remember off hand how much I have, but it's certainly enough to make a top for someone, or a ton of dishclothes or something. I also have some mohair in blues/white/and a bit of leftover variaged blues/pinks/green & a bit of leftover yellow. Again not sure how much I have leftover, but I can take photos & double check if anyone is interested. The white was 85% mohair, I believe, and the blues was like 50% mohair, something like 35% wool & the rest was nylon. I'd ideally like to trade for plain ole wool for CIC (scrap is fine), sock yarn (scraps are fine, I'll use it for CIC), or circ needles in sizes 3 & 4 (24 or 16 inches) or 11-15 (16 & 24 inches). But if you've got old stash you are looking to get rid of, let me know what it is & we'll see what we can do.

How do you destash?

2006-07-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

Do you follow a plan to actually "destash" or do you just "don't buy yarn"? I do both. I have a long list over things I'm going to make of the yarn and can't even remember how it was to buy yarn... Well the latter isn't really tru, but almost ;)

I used to buy yarn just to buy yarn, but we all saw where that got me. Now I want to try to behave like normal(?) people behave around yarn.I have started dreaming of how fun it will be to buy new yarn when this whole S.o.S-thing is over...and I have notes on WHAT yarn to buy, WHAT to make of it and even WHERE to buy it.

Btw: do you put aside the money you save on NOT buying yarn or do you just do mental notes on how much you save?

WIPs are from stash

2006-07-14T01:27:00.000-07:00

I have cast on the fronts for my Noro jacket and have found an error in the set up for the cables on the right front, but from the picture and what I felt it should look like I have corrected this without too much trouble. I have not looked for errata, so it might be in there.

The second try at Jaywalker is coming along nicely though I think that ten rows of ribbing was to much. And I now know why there were that many stitches for that. If I do it again, and I just might, I will do the ribbing shorter and with fewer stitches and then increase the number of stitches for the pattern. On the other hand I am well pleased with my increases. My knit front back looked unsymmetrical and now I am knitting in the stitch below before the last stitch and after the first stitch on each needle and that looks good to me.