I too have used the SABLE acronym before now, without thinking much of it - but variations of it can be useful under some circumstances.
I used it recently with a young mum I know who was struggling to balance work, life and her mental health - and was thinking of starting a mindfulness yarn project - she was asking where the nearest yarn shop was as our local one recently closed. I was able to give her some lovely yarn "as I have more than I can ever possibly use and I'm running out of space". Made us both happy!
What an enjoyable read, and a good reframing of perspective on this subject. I recently went through my yarn stash and realized that it’s actually quite small, so I am on a mission to build it up! I’ve been having fun planning spinning projects for this purpose, as I really enjoy spinning yarn and am more than happy to have skeins go from the wheel right into my stash :)
Such a helpful post. My mother is constantly preparing for death, wanting to clear her house “to make it easier”. Last week I received a letter from her about her body after death. It’s exhausting.
I love what you say here about being "a river not a lake". I've moved too many times in the last 4 years and with each move purged more and more from my stash and, well, all areas of my belongings. And I've been having the urge to start adding bits here and there... it feels good to have word for that ebb and flow- thank you!
Stash can be a very personal thing. Arbitrary numbers about how big or small it should be don't work! So are arbitrary assumptions about age and ageing! I love the idea of stash being a river.
I've lived with SABLE since my earliest knitting days (65+ years ago, so i don't consider it ageist at all. I get great pleasure in acquiring yarn that I may never use (like the handspun alpaca I bought at a farm show where I met the alpaca's mom). I love being able to pass along the odd skein of whatever in a garish color to a new knitter. Sometimes I ponder where All.This.Yarn will go when I am gone. But it won't be my problem, will it?
My yarn stash is more like a river. I sort through and pass on the things I know I won't use and at the same time uncover items of great joy like a sweater quantity of cashmere/silk/merino aran which turned into soothing Beattie cardigan at new year.
And if I am not here any more, I believe the contents of my yarn cupboard will bring joy to others
This is fantastic Linda, thank you. I took have used the SABLE acronym in the past without really taking on board the inherently ageist connotations. And you are so right. We would never judge other hobbies and collections by the same yardstick. Thanks for such a thought provoking read. I hope you don't mind if I share it in my Facebook group?
Many of us just observed Ash Wednesday this week, so this article was a timely reminder of memento mori (remember death). That being said, it can be a beautiful consolation and gift for one’s descendants to inherit one’s yarn stash. I’ve mentioned before how my great grandmother taught me how to knit. When she passed away, my sister and I were given a crate of her yarn. Inside, we were delighted to find several WIPs and other crafting tidbits that our Memere had saved. We have kept these and plan to pass them down through future generations. TLDR: having a stash that outlives you just may result in its living on through your family members or friends!
My mother recently passed away and was an avid, beautiful quilter. We had her estate sale and it was joyful to see that her humongous stash was purchased by other quilters with hands that lovingly fawned over her fabrics.
A quilter I am not.
My two sisters are cross stitchers.
Our brother ties his own intricate flys for fishing.
Me, the knitter ❤️
I was feeling so odd about my yarn stash seeing moms things sold and for a fraction of the original cost.
Her great hard cover quilting books sold for $2 each😮
I have been stewing over how in the world can I use this all up!?
I can’t buy any more yarn! I have enough! These words echoed in my head daily for the last month!
Plus, my siblings and I are the second generation American as our grandparents came from Sweden ….. so Swedish death cleaning is a “thing”
Thank you for your beautifully written story about how we can just have our yarn and enjoy it for what it is !
I think it’s time for this 67 y/o to go paw around my stash and go shopping!
I think some nice alpaca with silk will ease my mind😂 Thank you so much for I cannot tell you how you lifted a big burden off my heart and mind.
I’m going through my stash now and reorganizing. I inherited yarn from my mom after she died last year, and I didn’t have the heart to do more than stuff it in a tote. While her color choices are not mine, I can totally see knitting for my grandkids using these yarns. It’s a nice reminder of the days I spent knitting with my mom. My daughter, who never seemed interested in knitting before, recently has asked me to teach her how to knit. I’m happy to know that my yarn collection may eventually become hers.
I need to go through my stash and see what I can make from it hah!
I too have used the SABLE acronym before now, without thinking much of it - but variations of it can be useful under some circumstances.
I used it recently with a young mum I know who was struggling to balance work, life and her mental health - and was thinking of starting a mindfulness yarn project - she was asking where the nearest yarn shop was as our local one recently closed. I was able to give her some lovely yarn "as I have more than I can ever possibly use and I'm running out of space". Made us both happy!
My husband recently said, one would never question how many colors or tubes of paint a painter has… why question your own palette?
What an enjoyable read, and a good reframing of perspective on this subject. I recently went through my yarn stash and realized that it’s actually quite small, so I am on a mission to build it up! I’ve been having fun planning spinning projects for this purpose, as I really enjoy spinning yarn and am more than happy to have skeins go from the wheel right into my stash :)
That yellow is GLORIOUS! And yes, there are so many problems with the way we talk about acquiring yarn.
As a side note, STASH was the worldle word earlier this week, and because I’m a knitter it didn’t seem at all obscure or difficult!
Such a helpful post. My mother is constantly preparing for death, wanting to clear her house “to make it easier”. Last week I received a letter from her about her body after death. It’s exhausting.
I love what you say here about being "a river not a lake". I've moved too many times in the last 4 years and with each move purged more and more from my stash and, well, all areas of my belongings. And I've been having the urge to start adding bits here and there... it feels good to have word for that ebb and flow- thank you!
Stash can be a very personal thing. Arbitrary numbers about how big or small it should be don't work! So are arbitrary assumptions about age and ageing! I love the idea of stash being a river.
I've lived with SABLE since my earliest knitting days (65+ years ago, so i don't consider it ageist at all. I get great pleasure in acquiring yarn that I may never use (like the handspun alpaca I bought at a farm show where I met the alpaca's mom). I love being able to pass along the odd skein of whatever in a garish color to a new knitter. Sometimes I ponder where All.This.Yarn will go when I am gone. But it won't be my problem, will it?
makes me think of the quote..."I find your lack of yarn disturbing!"
My yarn stash is more like a river. I sort through and pass on the things I know I won't use and at the same time uncover items of great joy like a sweater quantity of cashmere/silk/merino aran which turned into soothing Beattie cardigan at new year.
And if I am not here any more, I believe the contents of my yarn cupboard will bring joy to others
This is fantastic Linda, thank you. I took have used the SABLE acronym in the past without really taking on board the inherently ageist connotations. And you are so right. We would never judge other hobbies and collections by the same yardstick. Thanks for such a thought provoking read. I hope you don't mind if I share it in my Facebook group?
Many of us just observed Ash Wednesday this week, so this article was a timely reminder of memento mori (remember death). That being said, it can be a beautiful consolation and gift for one’s descendants to inherit one’s yarn stash. I’ve mentioned before how my great grandmother taught me how to knit. When she passed away, my sister and I were given a crate of her yarn. Inside, we were delighted to find several WIPs and other crafting tidbits that our Memere had saved. We have kept these and plan to pass them down through future generations. TLDR: having a stash that outlives you just may result in its living on through your family members or friends!
Thank you !
My mother recently passed away and was an avid, beautiful quilter. We had her estate sale and it was joyful to see that her humongous stash was purchased by other quilters with hands that lovingly fawned over her fabrics.
A quilter I am not.
My two sisters are cross stitchers.
Our brother ties his own intricate flys for fishing.
Me, the knitter ❤️
I was feeling so odd about my yarn stash seeing moms things sold and for a fraction of the original cost.
Her great hard cover quilting books sold for $2 each😮
I have been stewing over how in the world can I use this all up!?
I can’t buy any more yarn! I have enough! These words echoed in my head daily for the last month!
Plus, my siblings and I are the second generation American as our grandparents came from Sweden ….. so Swedish death cleaning is a “thing”
Thank you for your beautifully written story about how we can just have our yarn and enjoy it for what it is !
I think it’s time for this 67 y/o to go paw around my stash and go shopping!
I think some nice alpaca with silk will ease my mind😂 Thank you so much for I cannot tell you how you lifted a big burden off my heart and mind.
“A stash is a river not a lake.” Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.
I’m going through my stash now and reorganizing. I inherited yarn from my mom after she died last year, and I didn’t have the heart to do more than stuff it in a tote. While her color choices are not mine, I can totally see knitting for my grandkids using these yarns. It’s a nice reminder of the days I spent knitting with my mom. My daughter, who never seemed interested in knitting before, recently has asked me to teach her how to knit. I’m happy to know that my yarn collection may eventually become hers.