If it looks like a yarn diet…
January 27th, 2004 by Donna
In my last entry, a yarn diet loomed; after re-organizing my stash this weekend, it’s official. No new yarn for me until my stash is smaller; I’m simply out of space to store it. I can knit it up, or trade it away, but I’m forecasting a fast until at least April 1.
Even after removing my leftovers and oddballs, I have three tubs of yarn stash after just six months of knitting. How did I accumulate it so fast? Well, my mother, a prolific knitter herself in times past, gifted me with at least two sweaters worth of yarn in October. She said “I was going to make something for you - now you can just make it yourself!” And it’s the good stuff, too - Classic Elite La Gran Mohair, and Anny Blatt. There may be enough to make two sweaters out of the La Gran - one a solid, and another in contrasting colors. Some may become a lacy sweater - I have no idea how to make this happen, but a friend of mine was wearing a lace-pattered tunic sweater in a fuzzy yarn recently that made me go “Aha!” Pattern suggestions are more than welcome.
The Anny Blatt yarns are a mixture, (mostly blues) because at one time, I was into multicolored sweaters in a big way, so that’s what my mom made me. It occured to me that I could try making the Must-Have Cardigan out of the solid navy, but cables in navy would be hard to see. I’ll have to swatch and see what I think. Such a dilemma, no? I can’t say I’m unhappy at having such good quality stuff stashed away, but the size of my stash makes me…anxious - I have a few too many projects waiting, so it’s time to catch up.
I’ve cast on for the Family Circle Easy Knitting turtleneck in Lush; here’s the swatch. And here’s the yarn diet irony. One day after I publicly stated to Knit One Purl Too’s Yarn Inventory Control Specialist (my husband), that I was on a yarn diet, I received an express mail package - on a Sunday! What do you think it contained? To my surprise, it was another ten skeins of Lush from my E-Bay seller! I e-mailed her immediately, saying that I had already received my yarn and would be happy to return it, as it must have been an accident.
She told me to keep it. I’ll have to learn how to knit faster.
Some links: easy grafting instructions (can you tell I’m seriously gearing up for socks?) A chart showing foot size estimates from shoe size And a stash-busting reward for sure: Heirloom Woven Labels - knitonepurltoo made this just for you!
5 Responses to “If it looks like a yarn diet…”
You never know what’s in your own backyard—I was looking for a cozy, comfortable sweater pattern and your Lush swatch caught my eye. Much to my surprise, the one (and only) FCEK issue that I ever bought was the Fall 2002 issue. I had my eye on that turtleneck once, tucked the magazine away and had forgotton about it. Thanks - I’ll be visiting my LYS soon.
If you’re looking for something to use up that mohair, try “Lacy Cowl Neck Sweater” from Chunky Knits: 14 Quick and easy step-by-step projects, by Carolyn Clewer. Pretty, not too tough, shows off a nice underthing! I’d make it with the cowl as a separate piece, so you can wear it round-neck or cowl.
Good luck!
Yay for those new yarn additions! I also use Heirloom Woven labels; they do excellent work.
thanks for the tip on the heirloom labels. just what i needed! also, i hope you don’t mind me saying so, but you’re one of the most amusing bloggers i’ve found in quite a while.
Ten extra skeins of Lush? Who’s your e-bay seller anyway?
Good luck on your yarn diet!