Rekindling the Romance.... with Fibre

Before the Christmas Break, I had the opportunity to sort through my fibre stash. Most of it was fingering weight sock yarns, but there were some silk and/or lace yarns designated for scarves, and a few stash-related collections for sweaters. It was a great saunter down memory lane... revisiting the vision that came with those purchases -- what was I going to make, what did the yarn want to be (then and now).

I did get quite a bit of knitting done during the break -- a few cowls, a good start on a sweater, and finished some other projects that had been languishing. My goal (note: this is not a "resolution"... somehow those always seem to get "broken"!), is to keep that momentum. It's time to... (yes, I can hear knitters and fibre stashers alike taking a collective gasp...).... knit from the stash!

It certainly isn't a case of not having a lot of choice! There's quite a variety of yarn and projects, and immediate access isn't an issue either. I can also make sure to find some time -- a little each day to make progress. So, what's the hold-up? I think it's prioritization.

My Dad was great at taking on projects -- and if there were gaps in the skill set required, he'd figure it out (sometimes not always for the best, but you have to admire his courage!).  Perhaps heredity plays a role... in my case, I can figure it out too, but the vision to marry colour with a design and then knit a project can outweigh the reality of time and perseverance -- and, let's face it, "startitis"!

So, my dear Knit Night Buddy and I have developed a system this year. We've each created a list. Our respective lists identify projects on the needles, or in progress at any stage, and then dangle a carrot for their completion. If I finish this project, then I can start this one. We're blending different styles of projects into the mix, and allowing the flexibilty to have two or three (or maybe more) projects on the go at the same time, but there are always caveats... finishing the project(s) before moving on. No more finding those years-old projects languishing in a bag stuffed at the back of the closet.... (ask me how I know about this one!)

There are even bigger carrots within our list... the permission to add to our yarn stashes at certain milestones. We're counting on each other to hold us accountable to our goals, and we believe it will work. (Show and tell on Thursday nights is a big motivator too!)

So, here's to 2013... my "Year of Yarn"...(and yes, stash reduction!)