May 3rd, 2008
Cast on, Cast on, Cast on
I have stash fever, induced by my guilty shopping excursions, and the only solution is to knit it up. I am now on a stash diet, which Lyndsay is going to help me with. I am not allowed to buy. The rules are:
1. Yarn - No new yarn for a year.
2. Gifts - The only new purchase can be for a gift that I have NO “suitable” stash for. Not “perfect”, suitable. I can’t offer to knit a gift knowing it will allow me to purchase yarn. For instance, I can’t say to my mother, “Hey mom, I will knit you a cashmere knee-length coat” just to buy the cashmere. Ugh. Tough one.
3. Fibre - well, I have a large stash of this as well. The only exceptions are pure yak, camel or cormo. I have been wanting those three for a while. Limit is 1 lb., 8 oz. of each.
4. Accessories - I really don’t need anything here, although there are two spinning items I have wanted for a while that I may buy if I happen to get the opportunity. A lace weight drop spindle, or a Bosworth book charkha.
5. Books and Mags - these are fine. I am pretty responsible with these and because magazines are periodicals, I would hate to miss out on an issue that I won’t be able to get later.
So I think that’s it. In order to start this off with a bang, I have started two new from stash projects. A hat for a co-worker that is a trade for some printed tees she gave me, as well as a pair of socks.
Ahhh, new things. I know. I have lots I already need to finish - the bubble pullover, the never ending wrap with sleeves, embroidery on the baby blanket, a lace shawl I’ve had on the needles for years… I will get to them. For now, the only way to feel like something new is being added to my knitting is to start a new project. Baby steps!
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
It’s brave, but a very good idea. I did the same thing earlier this year when I dedicated certain parts of the stash to projects. The projects might not get made straight away, but the intention is there.
Have broken the yarn diet a bit, but am now back on it. Am going to start counting the number of balls OUT rather than in!
May 4th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Good looking goals. I’m going to NOT go to the Webs sale this month so it’s good to hear that someone else is right there with me. So if you’re not buying yarn, does that include Rhinebeck? (PS- I fixed my email in your comments)
May 6th, 2008 at 8:35 am
All diets are doomed. I’m not saying don’t go with your plan, it’s a good plan if you can follow through, because one must start someplace when things get out of hand, but go easy on yourself. As an example, myself: I resolved not to go to MD S&W (about 1/2 hr from my house) this year because I’ve bought too much yarn. So what do I do the DAY BEFORE S&W? I order yarn online (everything on sale!). What do I do the 1st day of S&W? I go to the LYS. And on Mon at work? I was innocently wandering around Etsy and, yes, more yarn (just one skein of sock yarn!). Now I’m wondering if my mother doesn’t need a full-length cashmere cardi.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Getting new yarn isn’t fun when it happens every week. I just look at my latest purchase, take a picture I can put on Ravelry and stuff the skein into stash container. Then I mostly forget it. I’m not excited of getting new yarn like I used to be. Seeing pretty yarn online and buying it simply because I like the colors is a habit. I’m thinking a stash diet with no new purchases is badly needed.