I fell for big sales as an early knitter and wish I hadn't. Now I have a ton of yarn it turns out that I don't actually enjoy knitting... And a complete misunderstanding about how much I could knit through
I’m a crocheter, but I relate to this article very, very keenly. Relatives have been asking me for Christmas gift ideas, so I’m going to evaluate my (waaaaay too extensive) pattern stash (they’re free online, I only very rarely pay for a pattern) and ask for only what I absolutely need for next year’s projects.
I’m so glad I’ve stumbled upon this Substack! Even though I’m a knitter, your articles are very helpful for me, so thank you!
I need some silky blend of merino and silk! In white and black, along with a lace weight thread of mohair to make a fine dressy black pullover with a fair isle patterned yoke in the white halo. I need some strong Aran weight wool with a little cashmere or alpaca for added warmth in a range of natural yarns to make a heavy turtleneck all over flea-bitten pattern, the one with alternating rows of different single stitches against a dark background, super warm and tight against the winds of winter...
This is exactly what I’m talking about. If we resist the ‘cheap’ yarn sales we may well have more funds available when we find those ‘perfect’ yarns. Too many times I’ve sorrowfully shaken my head when I’ve already spent my money on a bargain and then can’t justify the outlay for the ‘good yarn’ when it in turn is reduced. Your wish list sounds gorgeous!
You are, of course absolutely right. However, sometimes an injection of something new can help free up other yarn already in the stash. I find that spinning my own from my fibre stash can give me that feeling although sometimes I just like to spin for the joy of spinning so show me your wish list and I’m likely to be happy to oblige. Speaking of wish lists, my thoughts about a solstice yarn swap are taking shape. Perhaps if we share our wish lists, someone else might have exactly what we want squirrelled away. This way the overall quantity of yarns in our shared stash stays static but lives with someone who will make better use of it.
I agree, an injection of new yarn can help sometimes but I think it has to be mindful. This Solstice Yarn Swap sounds like a good idea for our face to face group. Ooh and thanks for the offer of some hand spun yarn for a wish list project. I’ll have a think, erm, at some future point, when I’ve whittled down my WIPs a bit more 😂
I fell for big sales as an early knitter and wish I hadn't. Now I have a ton of yarn it turns out that I don't actually enjoy knitting... And a complete misunderstanding about how much I could knit through
Sage words Linda. The use of "the pause" is very helpful for so many aspects of our lives.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m a crocheter, but I relate to this article very, very keenly. Relatives have been asking me for Christmas gift ideas, so I’m going to evaluate my (waaaaay too extensive) pattern stash (they’re free online, I only very rarely pay for a pattern) and ask for only what I absolutely need for next year’s projects.
I’m so glad I’ve stumbled upon this Substack! Even though I’m a knitter, your articles are very helpful for me, so thank you!
All fibre crafts are welcome here. I’m sure many of us are multi-passionate!
I need some silky blend of merino and silk! In white and black, along with a lace weight thread of mohair to make a fine dressy black pullover with a fair isle patterned yoke in the white halo. I need some strong Aran weight wool with a little cashmere or alpaca for added warmth in a range of natural yarns to make a heavy turtleneck all over flea-bitten pattern, the one with alternating rows of different single stitches against a dark background, super warm and tight against the winds of winter...
This is exactly what I’m talking about. If we resist the ‘cheap’ yarn sales we may well have more funds available when we find those ‘perfect’ yarns. Too many times I’ve sorrowfully shaken my head when I’ve already spent my money on a bargain and then can’t justify the outlay for the ‘good yarn’ when it in turn is reduced. Your wish list sounds gorgeous!
Thanks! Time vs money is always a thing!
You are, of course absolutely right. However, sometimes an injection of something new can help free up other yarn already in the stash. I find that spinning my own from my fibre stash can give me that feeling although sometimes I just like to spin for the joy of spinning so show me your wish list and I’m likely to be happy to oblige. Speaking of wish lists, my thoughts about a solstice yarn swap are taking shape. Perhaps if we share our wish lists, someone else might have exactly what we want squirrelled away. This way the overall quantity of yarns in our shared stash stays static but lives with someone who will make better use of it.
I agree, an injection of new yarn can help sometimes but I think it has to be mindful. This Solstice Yarn Swap sounds like a good idea for our face to face group. Ooh and thanks for the offer of some hand spun yarn for a wish list project. I’ll have a think, erm, at some future point, when I’ve whittled down my WIPs a bit more 😂
I wasn’t arguing for mindless acquisition! 😉
I will argue FOR mindless acquisition!
I would be interested to know your reasoning for this.
As if ! <chortles >
This is excellent advice, and as someone whose stash is... erm... extensive... I need to stop buying.
I also need to do a proper stash inventory...
Maybe we could have a ‘ stash exploration’ event on here. I will have a think about how we might do it.