My Life in Stitches: Yarn Fast

I've added a few more lovelies but here is my stash.

(Cue dramatic music) I am on a yarn fast.

I knew this day was slowly creeping up on me, the day when I felt like I have too much yarn. I know all my yarn friends are screaming, “You can never have too much yarn.” I know that’s the saying, but I’m afraid I can have too much yarn. I’ve decided to try not to buy any yarn this year outside of using a gift card a friend gave me. It’s March and so far so good.

Two occurrences brought about this decision. The first happened around fall of last year. I lost a skein of yarn. This was the first time that ever happened (and prayerfully, the last), but it was disconcerting none the least. I was sure that I had put it back in my stash. I tore up my stash multiple times but still couldn’t find it.

I did, however, find something else in my stash: lots of really great yarn. I have great colors and good quality yarn in my stash. My husband would call that being yarn snob (so be it). It’s like I own my own little mini-yarn store with skeins tailored just for me. Why buy more yarn, when so much beautiful yarn is before me?

Second, I found myself often being overwhelmed by my stash, which isn’t that big. I would wonder about how long would it take me to knit it all up. See, I’m a big fan of the queue feature on Raverly. At the beginning of last year, I went through and “queued up” most of my yarn. I realized at the beginning of this year, that I’d made very little progress on the queue, but I had added quite a bit of yarn in my stash. For some reason, that annoyed me.

Under the power of those two events, my mind is made up. I’ve even shared my plan to my anti-stash husband, who will do all in his power to keep me from buying…I mean help me keep my conviction.

What are your feelings about your stash? Do you feel overwhelmed? What’s your sign that it’s time to stop buying yarn?

My Life in Stitches: No Snow

I am always cold. I guess that’s a good problem to have when you’re a knitter. You always have a great excuse to knit something cozy. No matter where I go, I need a sweater or a jacket. So I decided to solve my problem with a craft I love. Last year, I decided that I would make a couple of cardigans in neutral colors to have when I get chilly. My idea was to knit one to keep in the car if I get cold while I’m out.

The No Snow Sweater

I put my plan into action. I went through my stash and decided on the pattern Solaris. It seemed pretty simple. It’s just a reverse garter stitch and the front is knit in one long piece like a scarf. Seaming seemed simple. Piece the front and back together and then set in the selves.

I went to work on this sweater on November 1^st of last year (according to my Raverly project page). And I said something that I didn’t realize I’d come to regret. I prayed that the snow would hold off until I got it finished.

Well, the knitting went slow. Really slow. Then I ran out of yarn. Thankfully, I found someone on Raverly with that yarn and dye lot in their stash and willing to sell it, which meant another delay. But I wasn’t worried because it hadn't snowed yet. I just needed it to hold off until I finished the sweater.

Well, it went from bad to worse. I got the sweater finished and immediately set my heart on snow. All I had to do was seam it and the flakes could start flying. But…the arms were too small for the sleeve holes. I was so frustrated that the sweater promptly went into hibernation. Little did I know the trouble I was causing.

The sweater was prophetic.

We got no snow… much less cold weather this winter and it’s all my fault! If I had finished my sweater sooner, we could have been frolicking in the flakes like New England. But no. We have rain and 50 degree days. And I’m too afraid to finish it now because it’s almost spring and I DON’T want snow now.

I’m sorry to all the snow lovers in the Northeast. I failed you.

My Life in Stitches: Merry Christmas, Knitter

Christmas is only 10 days away. I know we've all been making our list and checking it twice. So what do you do when you get to your knitter friends, especially if you're a non-knitter?  Well, help is here. Here is my handy-dandy gift guide for all the knitters in your life.

I must add a word of caution here: It may be challenging to get this information and maintain the surprise, but if you can find out specifics, do so. Knitters have their favorites and they have things they hate. Make sure you're gift isn't going to end up at the next swap party. Ask a knitter's family. Trust me they'll know.

1. Gift cards. You can't go wrong with gift cards. I know some people consider gift cards "cheating," but it may be best. And there are so many cool things you can gift. On Raverly, which is like Facebook for knitters, knitters can create a wish list of patterns they'd like to receive. Gift a pattern. Or gift an online class through Craftsy. Find out what your knitters favorite local yarn shop (LYS) is and get them a gift certificate.

2. Massages and manicures. Serious knitters would really appreciate that because knitting does take a toll on the body. A massage/manicure could be a great thing to loosen up aching muscles and allow your knitter to do what they love again.

3. A knitting getaway. This one may take a little more planning, but send your knitter off to somewhere relaxing and where they're lots of yarn shops. If you really want to impress, create a trip road map that includes stops at yarn shops on the way

4. Knitting themed items like clothing, mugs and other practical gifts. There are mugs, t-shirts and even car decals. CafePress has some neat things. Even consider storage items. Most knitters have a drawer full of items they've made for themselves and storage becomes an issue. Consider getting an inexpensive chest or dresser. It works for storing yarn, too. 

5. Wear what they've knitted you! Remember, knitting for someone is an act of love. We thought about you enough to devote days and sometimes months to a project. Show your appreciate for it and wear it the next time your see your knitter. They'll love you for it.

What are you favorite knitting gifts ideas?

My Life in Stitches: When Crafts Collide

I have never met a craft I didn’t like.

That’s one of my favorite sayings and it’s true. Cross-stitch didn’t agree with my eyesight, but I still loved it. In addition to knitting, I crochet and bead. I’ve done rubber-stamped greeting cards and cross-stitch.  I’ve tried my hand at sewing, but lost my sewing machine when my basement flooded. I’ve done latch hook rugs and bow making (sucked at that).

My bracelet.

I enjoy knitting the most and with beading coming in second. I started making jewelry a few years ago and last year started making stitch markers. I enjoy the many colors and shapes of the beads. Since I enjoy these two crafts so much, it stands to reason that I would love it even better if they collided. And Tuesday night they did.

I was following a thread on Ravelry about beaded row counter bracelets. I was totally fascinated because they were so beautiful but so functional. They work like an abacus and keep track of your rows even when you take it off. Smart and pretty.

See my tiny wrists!

I think it turned out very well for a first attempt. One of my problems is my wrists and hands are so small, so I had to keep adjusting the length so it didn’t slide off. Also, I had to change the beads I used because the ones I picked were too small for my cord. All and all, I can say I pleased with it. I used it during Bible study and it’s a great deal quieter than my clicker counter. My pastor probably thought I had a nervous problem fumbling with my bracelet every couple of minutes.

One of the green row beads broke.

What I’m not pleased about is that one of my beads split in two. So now I only have eight beads on the bottom row (I’m supposed to have nine). I guess this is a good reason to go and buy some more beads and make another. I think I want to add a third row.

Funny thing is as soon as I finished making my bracelet, my husband promptly announced that he was taking my clicker counter. Oh, well.

PS. I started my Color Affection. It's a good mindless Bible study project for now. I may have to leave it home when it gets too big.

PSS. My writer friend, Connie Almony interviewed on her blog today. Hop over to Infinite Characters and get to know me a little better. Also enter to win an ebook of Love Simplified.