Please don't tell...

Even though I have tons (literally!) of yarn, I do not have much lace weight. Actually, I do not have any in my stash to be more precise. The reason that I bring up lace weight yarn is that I'm planning my first big lace project: Icarus for my best friend's wedding at the end of the summer. I've never attempted a lace project on this scale before and am more than a bit nervous to take this on.

So....

I had to buy yarn for this project. I know....I said that I wouldn't be purchasing yarn until I was through my stash in one way or another, but this is a special circumstance. I purchased 4 hanks of Knitpicks Gloss Lace Yarn in Natural for Rebecca's wedding shawl. And then I purchased 4 hanks of Sterling for myself. I know-- it was unnecessary to purchase yarn for myself. I just figured that it would go nicely with my navy gown and silver accessories.

Please don't tell on me. I'm bad...

Stash-- my dirty little secret

When I buy yarn and know that I shouldn't (for a plethora of reasons) I tend to hide it. Yes, I hide it: in the bottom of my bedroom closet, in boxes in my storage closet, on top shelves out of sight. Why do I do this?

Is it guilt and if so why do I feel guilty for purchasing some measly fiber? It's not like I'm buying drugs from high schoolers or taking home hookers but it feels just as dirty. I buy yarn, mostly when on sale, with vague intentions of what it will grow up to be, and then I move on to something totally different. I finish whatever project du jour I've got on the needles and then buy more yarn for multiple other phantom projects that may or may not come to be.

I'm also a big fan of buying a sweater's worth of yarn. Anything less is just not enough for me. So I possess tons of "sweaters" that I feel the need to hide in various closets and storage spots throughout my apartment.

Buying, stashing, hording makes me feel guilty because I know that it's not necessary. I know that I should buy enough fiber for a predetermined project or two and, when they are complete, I can go back and do it again. I don't have to stock my apartment with tons of yarn in order to live/knit. So I decided to face my demons and come clean!

I took all of my yarn out (in plain sight) and asked for help. Help carrying it all to the living room, help sorting it, help organizing it. I also need help photographing and cataloging my collection in order to load up my Ravelry "stash" in hopes of possibly destashing in the near future (we'll see if I can handle that emotionally....TBD).

It feel good to come clean. The truth is out. I don't have to hold onto my dirty little secret alone any more. Though it's been recommended that I do not buy another bit of fiber until I've either used or sold what I already have. But what he doesn't know won't hurt him...

It's an addiction

So, remember how I said that I couldn't buy any more yarn until I've used up the yarn in my stash??? Well, scratch that. I couldn't help myself. I went to Boomerangs, the thrift store up the street from my office and found an incredible deal on this brightly colored mohair. I justified the exception because it was a steal. I'm weak. I should be punished.

I feel like a Squirrel!
Clearly I have a stash problem. I never thought I did until I attempted to re-organize this afternoon. Apparently I can not be trusted to accurately judge the amount of yarn I already own. Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT let me buy more yarn or convince you that I'm in need of having more yarn or pursuade you that I have a project in mind that I'll need more yarn for. I will lie, cheat and steal to make additions to the overly abundant stash of unused yarn. I MUST use the yarn I have before I'm allowed to purchase anything else. If I make any excuses or try in anyway to manipulate you in regards to yarn in any way feel free to sucker punch me. No, seriously.