Nice Stash!

Dear Modest Yarn Stash,

I suppose that every knitter buys yarn differently. I have marveled at personal stashes that were the knitting equivalent of a home LYS, custom shelving full of wool, home yarn studios and walk-in fiber rooms. I feel an initial twinge of envy when I see such things but then I remember how I buy yarns and why it suits me.

Most obvious I suppose is that my yarn budget is not six figures… or five… or four, we’ll call it modest. One might think that I do a great deal of planning like “once I have enough money I need “x” amount of yarn for “x” project”. That would seem practical but I also have my whimsical, flighty inner child with which to contend. That side talks to me in space-cadet terms; it says things like “soft”, “shiny”, “fuzzy”, and “that’s the color of moonbeams on Datura flowers”. Yeah.

I might add that this phenomenon hits me when I forget to pack the shopping list that my practical side penned in green ink on a yellow mini Post It note and I find myself dumbstruck in my LYS (which mind you, is about an hour and a half away from home).

All is not lost and certainly not useless, these purchases with no intent (other than their sensuality), become bits of inspiration. I have no idea what I will knit with them initially and it leads me to ponder them, examine them and await that serendipitous moment where a couple balls of airy mohair become a finished piece of knitting. It keeps me going and I wouldn’t change a thing.

love,
Terry

P.S.
Just so you know if I win the lottery (if I ever actually play the lottery), I’ll probably buckle and build a fiber studio but it doesn’t mean I appreciate you any less.

Resolutions Redux

Dear Knitting,

I have been reminded how I have neglected my blog even after promising to blog in my New Year’s Resolutions post. Don’t be upset, I kept (most of) my resolutions to you. I started designing some original patterns (which hopefully will not be flops), knitting (a little) more (than usual), knitting those small gifts and planning that pullover (looking at patterns, deciding they are blah and fantasizing about yarn that would make my hoodie cost several hundred dollars). See? I’m still here with you and we’ve learned so many things already.

always,
Terry