Monday, January 14, 2013

some things I've learned

   For some reason, I always think it's a good idea to do this.  I'm not really sure why.  I guess it's because I'm expecting to get a different result.  When really, that's not the way it happens... you know the definition of insanity and all (repeating the same thing over and over and expecting to get a different result).  I spent some time this weekend doing something incredibly revealing.  It's not the first time I've done this, but several things stand out when I compare the results from last year with those from this year.  Yep, I've done another stash flash.


January 2013

   My dining table is completely filled and this is only the yarn that is not used for a current WIPs or what I consider to be scrap quantities (not enough yardage left to make something with).  While, not as large as compared to the stashes of others, my stash has grown much larger than it was last year!  For reference, here's my stash picture from last year. 


January 2012

   The the same table is filled with many of the same yarns, but this year's picture (on top) is missing a whole lot of yarn that's tied up in WIPs (including two afghans and two sweaters worth!).  Last year, only balls of yarn that were physically attached to a WIP were not included in the photo.  This year however, there is a whole lot of yarn that didn't make it into the picture.  It's a bit overwhelming.

   Overall, I find an annual stash flash exhausting.  It takes a lot of time and energy to pull everything out of my storage bins, arranging it all, then packing it back up again.  But it seems like this is a necessary evil, because I learned a few things in the process.
  1. There are three sweater/top quantities of yarn that appear in both pictures.  It's time to use it or lose it I think.  I should move this yarn up the queue and make something with it.  Also, I'm thinking I should destash some of the 9 hanks of purple Manos Wool Classica I've been hoarding because I don't think I really want a garment made from it.  I should destash half of the skeins and use the remainder for accessories or smaller pieces.
  2. Although there is still a lot of yarn in stash, a lot of it got used up over the last year.  There is some overturn in the stash which is a good thing!  
  3. I tend to err on the side of getting an extra ball or two of yarn so I don't run out.  This means that I have a ton of leftover quantities, many of which have enough yardage to make something of use.  I need to start focusing on using up or destashing some of the leftovers.  

   To sum up, the stash flash has reaffirmed my need to stay on the sheep and avoid buying yarn for a good while.  I think that following my 2013 plan, will help me reduce some of the stash.  I tend to be a big project knitter and prefer knitting sweaters to hats and other quick items.  It seems like socks are a small as I generally get when choosing a knitting project.  Once I get my WIP numbers under control, I think I need to shift my focus to completing some smaller projects that will start to use up my leftovers.  

2 comments:

  1. Beautiful stash! I'm too ashamed to put mine on the internet. LOLOL!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I feel some shame too. The only reason I do it is because some day I won't feel that way!

    ReplyDelete

designed with love by beautiful dawn designs