Humble pie

Yup, I'm eating it. I got about 60% through a well-known, knitter-friendly lace shawl pattern (I won't mention the designer because it is so NOT her fault), and then realized about half my lace motifs were unrecognizable. Rats. I was following the chart closely; my stitch counts were good mostly. Huh?

This is ironic because I loved helping customers troubleshoot their knitting projects at my yarn shop job, and I even did pretty well with complicated lace. I deeply admire the amazing lace I've seen. I thought that after 30 years of knitting I should be able to do some lace more complex than "yo, k2tog" across and feather and fan (which I adore for its loveliness and simplicity). I can't honestly blame it on my slippery needles or slippery yarn or (ahem) relaxed gauge. Methinks (since this is not my first try at lace over the last few months) that my head is just not in the lace game right now. Me thinks also I will retry this pattern on different needles and yarn one of these days . . .

Craftwise, I have mittens and spinning and weaving on the brain lately. I want to do some knitting in 2010 for Afghans for Afghans. Did you know that SOAR 2010 will be held in Wisconsin?? I think I'd better start saving now -- I might fall down a lot at the market ;) Any chance you can come? C.

Happy 2008!

Happy New Year, Alene! I always like the feeling of a fresh start. Hope you, your DH, and kitties have a good day! Do you make resolutions? I do but don't write them down or anything. Doing that last entry with my crafty ones certainly added weight to them in my mind. :)

Oh, and if I came off sounding holier-than-thou, I sure didn't mean to: in December, I bought a book, dpns, a crochet hook, and 2 skeins of yarn (the latter three items for my new vest project) at my LYS!! And a box of roving (8 oz. of little tornadoes dyed in many different colors). Easy to start 2008 off in control if I got well stocked in '07! Also I got my gorgeous wool from Spinning Bunny already.

Craftily yours, Cindy

I am rich (and an odd duck!)

Hi Alene, this is most of my stash. The non-wool portions aren't in the cedar chest (the chest was once my Grandma's). I feel warm and happy looking at it.

A few years ago, not long after I became an odd duck , I went on a stash diet. Just for fun, I took an inventory of my stash and kept the list. I worked from my stash for about the next 1 1/2 years, sticking mostly to my resolution. On the rare occasion something new came in, I gave away an equivalent amount. I also just plain gave some away, which is easier when you start to feel like you have enough. Then I checked how much I had left and extrapolated how long it would take me to use up the rest at the same rate of consumption (just to feel scientific). I was startled to learn that I still had enough for a few years despite starting with what seemed like a moderate amount and giving a bunch away. Well, that really changed my way of thinking.

It's true that it can be great to have enough to shop the stash, but for me, having that stuff there and knowing I'd be wanting to make something else by the time I got to it was oppressive. I gave some more of it away and continued the stash diet. It went well with my no-UFO strategy. I have officially become a low stasher.

In 2008, I resolve to spin what I have before buying more fiber (that didn't stop me from spending my gift cert. in 2007 on fiber;) AND to work from my yarn stash. When I need to buy, I will buy in an environmentally &/or socially responsibly way. I joined a Ravelry group, Greenies 2008, to support this. There are a number of options at my LYS so I don't expect to suffer too much! In the meantime, look at that lovely wool -- I feel so rich. Love, Cindy