I did it!! And I'm doing it again.
Does anyone remember last year when I said that I was going to knit from my stash in 2007? I made a couple of exceptions to the rules at the outset. (1) Sock yarn was OK to buy. (2) I could also buy yarn to make gifts if I didn't have anything appropriate in the stash. (3) Yarn given to me wasn't counted.
Well, I DID IT!!! 12 months with no buying anything other than sock yarn. And only 8 pairs of sock yarn stashed. I did buy a few things to make gifts with -- a baby sweater and a pair of Sockapalooza socks -- but most of the gifts even came out of the stash.
I also sold some of the stash to buy a spinning wheel, or traded stuff I wouldn't likely use for things I could make gifts with. And, I did buy some fiber for the wheel -- plenty to keep me busy at least until the spring fiber festivals.
But, I still have a lot of stash. Apparently, I stashed at a rate far exceeding my ability to knit. So, 2008 will be another year of "KNIT (and spin) FROM YOUR STASH" for me.
Here are the slightly revised rules:
1) sock yarn is still an exception. However, as of right now, I have yarn for 18 pairs in the stash, 19 if you count the worsted weight that I have earmarked for another pair of Thujas, and 20 if you count the large ball of yarn that I have remaining from a pair of itty bitty leg warmers. I will get the sock stash down to 10 pairs before buying any more sock yarn.
2) Yarn to make gifts with is still OK. I love knitting for others, and I want to make sure that they love their knitted gifts, so the appropriate yarn is a must.
3) Souvenir yarn is OK. If I am on vacation or otherwise out of town, and I want to buy a special yarn that I can't get locally, that's souvenir yarn.
4) Yarn needed to finish a project is also OK. However, I always overbuy, so that's not likely to be an issue for me.
5) More spinning fiber is OK, once I spin at least half of what I have currently.
6) Yarn/fiber received as a gift is also OK.
I am really hoping that I can make it to the bottom of the stash, or at least close to it, sometime this year. Wish me luck!!
Well, I DID IT!!! 12 months with no buying anything other than sock yarn. And only 8 pairs of sock yarn stashed. I did buy a few things to make gifts with -- a baby sweater and a pair of Sockapalooza socks -- but most of the gifts even came out of the stash.
I also sold some of the stash to buy a spinning wheel, or traded stuff I wouldn't likely use for things I could make gifts with. And, I did buy some fiber for the wheel -- plenty to keep me busy at least until the spring fiber festivals.
But, I still have a lot of stash. Apparently, I stashed at a rate far exceeding my ability to knit. So, 2008 will be another year of "KNIT (and spin) FROM YOUR STASH" for me.
Here are the slightly revised rules:
1) sock yarn is still an exception. However, as of right now, I have yarn for 18 pairs in the stash, 19 if you count the worsted weight that I have earmarked for another pair of Thujas, and 20 if you count the large ball of yarn that I have remaining from a pair of itty bitty leg warmers. I will get the sock stash down to 10 pairs before buying any more sock yarn.
2) Yarn to make gifts with is still OK. I love knitting for others, and I want to make sure that they love their knitted gifts, so the appropriate yarn is a must.
3) Souvenir yarn is OK. If I am on vacation or otherwise out of town, and I want to buy a special yarn that I can't get locally, that's souvenir yarn.
4) Yarn needed to finish a project is also OK. However, I always overbuy, so that's not likely to be an issue for me.
5) More spinning fiber is OK, once I spin at least half of what I have currently.
6) Yarn/fiber received as a gift is also OK.
I am really hoping that I can make it to the bottom of the stash, or at least close to it, sometime this year. Wish me luck!!
Labels: rambling
posted by Danielle at
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
12 Comments:
Impressive! Hee hee - I think I'd have to do this for about 5 years, no sock yarn exception... and I know I won't!
By
Chris, at 12:32 PM
as always, i admire your fortitude and discipline. i can't wait to help you reach your goal (aka have an excuse to smack your hand when you try to jump off the wagon). go girl!
By
FemiKnitMafia, at 12:52 PM
Congrats! I need to do the same thing. The problem is that I don't knit or spin fast enough to make a dent in my stash.
By
Anonymous, at 2:37 PM
Wow - impressive year, and good idea. I might join you. I made a serious dent in my WIPs turning into FOs this year. There is no reason I couldn't knit for the next 5 at least without buying more yarn ;)
By
Sara, at 3:42 PM
i'm very impressed. a strange thing happened to me at webs last week. i didn't even want to buy yarn that i didn't have a pattern in mind for. this is progress for me. (and sock yarn doesnt' count. you're right.)
By
maryse, at 7:50 PM
Congrats! That's quite an impressive accomplishment :) Good Luck, I am sure you can meet your goals again this year!!
By
mel, at 9:38 PM
I'm so impressed with your resolve. Not just one year, but TWO. I know that if I tried to make this resolution, I would fail completely. But I have slowed down a great deal, recognizing SABLE when I see it.
By
Anonymous, at 7:02 AM
me too! i don't feel it's necessary to accumulate so much yarn this year. last year i indulged when i felt like it but not going to rhinebeck really put a cap on it :) happy new year!
By
spajonas, at 10:28 AM
Wow that is an accomplishment! I'm impressed. Sinc eI"ve been logging my stash onto Ravelry I have realized the great need to not buy yarn. I'm embarrassed by how much I have!
By
Anonymous, at 12:03 PM
WOW, you are amazing! I'm too weak; I'd cave in the first month for sure :)
By
Anonymous, at 3:59 PM
Way to go!
By
Nadira, at 6:10 PM
I'm seriously considering joining you in this endeavor. I like your rules, you do tend to think this sort of thing through. Thanks!
By
Anonymous, at 11:11 PM
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