1.09.2008

OK, so...I feel like my stash is a bit too big for me. My attempt last year didn't really pan out and I didn't keep track of the size of the stash, so I'm going to keep track here.

01.01.2008
Stash: 16,214.40
To Swap/Sell: 16,481.20


Click on the image above to view the yarn I have for sale.

So...what's my goal? Honestly, I wish I were the type of person who could only have the yarn around that she/he was currently knitting. However, I think I may be too much of a shopper (Ooo! Sale yarn? Yes, please!) and a Pisces (Ooo! Pretty yarn? Yes, please!) to make that a reality.



So, how much yarn would it be reasonable for me to have on hand?

Currently, I have yarn either lined up for specific projects or on the needles totaling 9,066 yds. This is reserved for two scarves, a pair of legwarmers, three lace shawl/scarf things, a vest, three sweaters, and a pair of socks, which I would think would give me 6 months or more of knitting fun.



Do I really need more than 6 months of yarn in my stash?

(Not to mention one inherent drawback to having "vintage" yarn in one's stash. I purchased yarn for a vest around a year ago. What if I don't have enough? There's practically no chance that my LYS still has that dyelot. Ravelry has, blessedly, made this less of a problem, but it is still risky.)

So, I guess what would make me, personally, happiest is have a "fresher" stash. Last year, I knit 16,669.40 yds of yarn (7,523.5 in items for myself). I'm going to try not to get too hung up on numbers, but I think 7,500 yds (or almost 6 months' worth) should be more than sufficient for me, which would mean decreasing my current (not up for sale) stash by about half.



Now, how am I going to do that? The truth is, I'm not sure.

First up is what to do with all of the yarn that I'm definitely willing to part with. I'm saving up for a new laptop, so I've been trying to sell it and have been moderately successful. The main problem is that I'd like it to be gone faster. I'm contemplating putting whatever doesn't sell by mid- to late-February up on etsy or ebay, but I'm not sure yet.

As for stash yarn that will conceivably turn into something, I should be down to around 6,000 yds if I finish my WIPs and queued projects. However, that remaining 6,000 consists of smaller quantities of each yarn. I definitely don't have any sweater quantities of yarn in that number.



To further complicate things, I also have a few projects that I'll be making (gifts) for which I know I'll need to purchase yarn. This includes at least two pairs of socks, a baby sweater, a man's sweater, and some sort of accessory. Should this yarn even count as stash? The only guideline I can really think of in this department is that I only buy yarn for one gift at a time, not purchasing yarn for the next gift until the previous one is finished.

Looking at the projects I have on the needles and those that should be coming up soon, I have a pretty good variety. I have some colorwork (intarsia and fair isle), a pair of socks, sweaters in bulky and worsted weight yarns, three lace projects, a vest, and a mindless project that I'm going to use as continental knitting practice...and that isn't even everything! I find it hard to believe that I'd get bored or genuinely need a different type of project.



So...what can I do?

For starters, I'm going to say no new yarn purchases unless they are for the gifts I mentioned above. I can't imagine a reason why I couldn't abide by that, aside from the fact that, as I mentioned above, I like the cheap and the shiny. Hopefully, I can be strong.

When can I buy yarn again? Now, this is a knitter's downfall isn't it? I'm going to try and get into Knitting Camp again this year (Wish me luck!), so I might let myself get something then. If not, then I think Stitches Midwest might be the next time that I'd feel compelled to buy yarn.

And there you have it. I didn't realize I had that much to say about my stash! I'll try to update on how things are going during the year.