Hot and Cold
The weather is going crazy. Today it's 70 degrees. It was freezing two days ago. I can't keep up! I need some consistency, as in consistently sunny and 70 degrees. That's what I'm talking about. (I commented to my friend that it "might be too hot to run" and she noted that very recently I was claiming that it was "too cold to run." D'oh. I guess I can't blame the weather for my crappy dedication to running.)
I've been a little inconsistent myself with the knitting. Maybe it's the weather, but I've suddenly found all these things that I want to knit RIGHT NOW. They are jumping out at me from blogs, knocking me over with their cuteness, and then I freak out and start yet another project.
For example: Green Gable? HI. SO CUTE. I love! I must have. Luckily, I had a gift certificate for Knitpicks from my sister Michelle, so I ordered some yarn. (I don't want to tell you what yarn I ordered because I'm afraid I'm not going to get gauge and then you'll laugh at me and think that I should've known better. Okay, I'll tell you. It's Shine.) [ EDITED TO ADD: Kelly has suggested a Green Gable knitalong, and I think that is a great idea! Any takers? ]
Then, I realized that an event was coming up v. soon that warranted a new knit for someone special, and I started something else new. And miraculously found the perfect pattern for my two balls of yummydelicious Manos:
Funky. and soft. I love.
(I can tell you who it's for once I send it!)
And THEN, a dear friend gifted me with the fabulous new Mason-Dixon Knitting book (which, by the way, is absolutely amazing. GO GET THIS BOOK. I read the thing from cover to cover last night, and it's really original and inspiring.) ...unfortunately, it's so inspiring that I dropped the scarf I was knitting (see above) and cast on for a log-cabin blanket. Will the madness end?
What about my cabley sweater, that I was SOOOOO in love with? What about Sockapaloooza Pal Sock #2? What about the soufflet-less baby onesie? I'm a fickle knitter these days, I admit it. But it's SO MUCH FUN.
It helps that my yarn stash has grown quite a bit since I first started knitting, and my stash is where I usually go for project inspiration. Anne Marie and I both do this: go to the yarn haul, and find the yarn first, then try and find a project to match it.
I was cleaning out my yarn stash this week (and realizing that I really need some more storage for the yarn) and The Pants started asking about the stash, mostly WHYWHYWHY. "Why," he asked, "do you have that one ball of yellow yarn? What can you make with that ONE BALL?" Now, clearly the boy is yarn-smart because he knows that there isn't always much to make with one ball of yarn. But, what he didn't know is that there were a bunch of other balls of the same type of yarn in a different color. So I listed off the things I *could* make with it: stripey hat. stripey scarf. baby booties. arm warmers. stripey tank top.
And he was like, "well, ARE YOU going to make that stuff?" ...and I don't really know. I had so much trouble explaining the stash to him! And even more trouble explaining why I'm really excited about going to Maryland Sheep and Wool and buying MORE yarn. I think I'll leave a few of the Yarn Harlot's essays on stash laying around so he can read them. Ha.
The pretty weather today is making me all smiley and happy about things, so I'm babbling...I hope you're getting some sunshine too!
Comments (34)
I have stopped the stash comments in my house by sending Casey posts from the Flash your Stash series. See, I am not so bad? haha
Love that scarf- so cute!
Posted by frecklegirl jess | April 4, 2006 1:04 AM
Why are boys so like that with the logic? Who gives a rat's ass if you have one ball of yellow yarn--you want to have one ball of yellow yarn and it's not hurting anything... :)
Love the Shine, I just starting using it and have found heaven in a reasonalbly priced yarn that's machine washable...
Posted by Silvia | April 3, 2006 1:00 PM
MDSW!! I can't stop thinking about it. Yay!
Beatiful scarf. What pattern is that? It's lovely.
Green Gable is on my list...let us know how the Shine works, or not.
Posted by isel | April 2, 2006 10:16 PM
I'm up for the Green Gable knitalong. Get the book One Skein, it will provide more inspiration for using your one-skein stash.
Posted by Gina | April 2, 2006 3:18 PM
What a great idea for a knitalong...that Green Gables pattern is totally cute! Please post progress on if you can get guage with Shine. I have both shine worsted and dk laying around and so I would be thrilled to do a red (green) gables!
Posted by Juls | April 1, 2006 4:13 PM
Mason Dixon is the most awesome book!!!!
Posted by judy | March 31, 2006 11:30 PM
Green Gable rocks! I did not even finish reading your post (I have now) before I bought the pattern. It's warm up here in NYC today (almost 70). As soon as I get home I'm going to see if I have some "Green Gable" yarn in my stash. Also, don't know if you know, but a great book called "one Skein" is out and it has patterns for really nice stuff that only takes 1 skien. I am waiting for the Mason-Dixon book to arrive and it should be here by tomorrow as I got the shipping confirmation yesterday. Spring and knitting are making me really happy too.
Posted by Kim P | March 31, 2006 3:48 PM
Hi - I am interested in a green gable-along! i just bought the pattern :)
Posted by julsey | March 31, 2006 2:45 PM
You are a knitting maniac! I am currently projectless! I printed out the cowl sweater pattern to make with some stash yarn, maybe that will be next?
Posted by biglug | March 31, 2006 2:39 PM
I am very fortunate...Brian fully supports the stash, and buys theing s to contribute to it on a regular basis. He also looks at knitting books/patterns, and gives me awesome ideas for color combinations, etc. I think he is a knitter trapped in a non knitters body.
I WISH I could go to MS&W....one of these days, I'll make it.
Posted by Sarah | March 31, 2006 11:28 AM
I love Green Gable! I have the yarn and the pattern. Just trying to clear up the WIPs before I start yet another project.
Posted by Bear Knits | March 31, 2006 11:05 AM
that ruffly scarf is adorable. what's the pattern?
i also adore green gables and would be up for a knit-a-long. after i finish, like, 12 other things.
Posted by carrie m | March 31, 2006 11:03 AM
Ooh, I love Green Gable! I see some other folks that do too...anyone want to do a Green Gable KAL?
Posted by Kelly | March 31, 2006 9:55 AM
Perhaps you can tell him that you are working on a multicolored themed project?
Posted by Emy | March 31, 2006 9:43 AM
Ahhh shine in worster - SO pretty. I'm currently working on something in that yarn and I love it!
Posted by Carrie | March 31, 2006 8:21 AM
Tell them why you got MasonDixon Knitting. Tell them! Tell them!!!! Hahahahahhaaha!
Oh the pants. He will never understand. Neither does Johnny-son. What can you do???
Posted by Jenny | March 31, 2006 1:31 AM
That sweater is cute! I need a new knit but I don't know whaaaat to kniiiit!!! {pout}
Posted by Lara | March 31, 2006 12:15 AM
I am a lucky girl because my husband actually encourages my stashing. It probably helps that I usually buy inexpensive yarn. And sometimes he forces me to buy yarn. I know, it's a hard life. It's good for me, but bad for our checking account!
Posted by Jenn | March 30, 2006 11:46 PM
What pattern are you using for the scarf? I would love to make one of these!
Posted by Amy | March 30, 2006 11:14 PM
I'm another Georgia (Atlanta area) Knitblogger who will be going to MSW this year with a van-load of other bloggers.. looks like the Southern girls will have a good turn out in Maryland. I'm doing MSW and "Georgia Girls Invade Maryland" buttons for the occasion. My husband still can't believe we're driving 11 hours for yarn and fiber..
Posted by Mouse | March 30, 2006 10:18 PM
I also prescribe to the stash-dive-first, pattern-hunt-second method of finding inspiration. Too much yarn, not enough space.
I also cannot get enough of this weather. I hope it's like this in Maryland...in a month. :-)
Posted by Maya | March 30, 2006 8:57 PM
He doesn't have ANYTHING he collects for no good reason. Mine has several. So we have a mutual understanding that I don't yell about his and he doesn't yell about mine. Works well. Have fun with all the projects! Variety is the spice of life :)
Posted by Vicki | March 30, 2006 8:41 PM
Green Gables will be mine...
And Mr Wonderful has no concept of stash. He has said the same thing as The Pants about singular balls of obsurse color/type of yarn. Um, don't they just get it?
Posted by Skylar | March 30, 2006 5:46 PM
Yay Green Gable. A perfect summer knit for when it finally warms up in MN (it's 50 today, and feels SOOO balmy!)
Posted by anne | March 30, 2006 5:29 PM
How funny! I felt the same way about Green Gable when I saw it. So the pattern was downloaded and the yarn bought all with in a matter of minutes!
Posted by Kara | March 30, 2006 4:53 PM
i tried reading passages of the yarn harlot's stuff on stash to kevin to try to make him understand, but it failed miserably. now he just says "don't use the 'but at least there is no yarn in the freezer' as an excuse for why your stash is ok". i think he doesn't really mind so much, but he just completely doesn't understand stash. i personally think you need stash to understand stash
Posted by kim | March 30, 2006 4:37 PM
Dunno if you noticed, but Knitpicks now has Shine in worsted weight.
Posted by Carrie | March 30, 2006 4:22 PM
I am also thinking about attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. (My assistant thought I said Sheep and Bull Festival, leading to some workplace hilarity recently.) My brother- and sister-in-law and niece just moved to Maryland and I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit them. (I'm not thinking about my stash at all!!)
Posted by Angela | March 30, 2006 4:16 PM
I think on some level, we all have to come to terms with the fact that our stashes are really inexplicable. Or we are artists and we need our raw material for when creativity strikes.
Yay, color me excited for MD!!
Posted by Jenna | March 30, 2006 4:06 PM
tell him you're going to buy that book one skein knits and then you'll have all kinds of ideas - and now it's his fault you need another book!! i dig the manos ruffly scarf, by the way. too cute!
i'll be at mdsw, too - possibly wheel shopping. i can't wait!
Posted by anne | March 30, 2006 3:33 PM
You have a respectable stash! Enough to play "yarn store', but not enough to be committed to the looney bin.
The scarf is looking Fun-ky!
Posted by Anne Marie | March 30, 2006 3:21 PM
Longtime reader first time commenter---(I suck)
I know what you mean about the stash and The Pants! Favespouse does not know the extent of the stash, or the extent of the yarn desire in my head.....he just does not get it. BUT when he decided he needed a flat screen tv when our other tv was perfectly fine I said "Go for it, get what you want. I love knitting, you love electronics. Its what you work for. Enjoy!" So now we are....even? I modeled appropriate behavior!
See you at MDS&W--I looked on the vendor list and did not see Socks That Rock (bluemoonfiberarts). I hope they are going to be there--I need more sockage!
Posted by suzanne | March 30, 2006 3:14 PM
Heya Carrie, I am going too. Georgia girls represent! Hope to see you there.
Posted by pixie | March 30, 2006 3:07 PM
I love the Green Gable! It is the cutest. I am loving this weather too. I took my kids out for 2 hours and we had a picnic. Good times.
Posted by Michelle | March 30, 2006 2:53 PM