So You Want My Opinion

I have read and heard about the "Knit From Your Stash in 2007" initiative started by another blogger. I've read about it on a couple of knitting forums, other blogs and the staff at WEBS has been chatting about it as well. Some folks are embracing the concept, others are not. There are some LYSO a bit perturb, worried even and others that don't seem overly concerned.

My opinion was ask of me a few days back and I've been stewing on it since then. Purely as a knitter, I can respect the fact that everyone has a stash and the size of said stash is completely relative to any individual's circumstances. What is a "large" stash for one knitter, would not be much of one for another. I have what I consider a relatively large stash, but I'm sure if you saw it, many of you would be a bit disappointed. I also think what people have in their stash is very relative, meaning the dollars invested in the actual yarn - 20 balls of luxury cashmere vs. 20 balls of a closeout are two very different things when it comes to the budget.

As a LYSO, certainly any discussion of not buying yarn for any reason makes me stop and take notice. Having all of you buy yarn from WEBS is what we are here for - it pays the rent, the staff, the utitilites, etc. It pays the distributors who sell us the yarn, which in turn allows them to pay the mills where the yarn is made. If people do not buy yarn, the stores will struggle to pay the bills and the yarn distributors, who will then struggle to pay the bills and the mills where the yarn is manufactured. Do I think we are headed for a yarn apocalyps? No. And I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty for buying or not buying yarn - just sharing what goes through my own head on a business level.

As a knitter - I can completely understand the need to work down the stash. I need to work down MY stash. But I will keep adding to it as I go. Before I even heard of this initiative, I had already decided that in addition to starting new projects, I was going to concurrentlly work on WIP that are many. Right now I am working on a scarf I started who knows when out of Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted:

It's just a simple, alternating K1, P1 for one row and then K for the next row. It's really quite pretty. I am also working on a scarf in Misti Alpaca Chunky:

I had previously mentioned that I saw this scarf in a catalog for some ridiculous price (and not even made from cashmere, mind you) and decided to knock it off. I figured out the pattern and got started and then it went into a bag and forgotten. Both of these projects are coming with me.

I am also working on Jackson's hat and maybe casting on for the handwarmers.

Oh and I also found an OLD garter stitch scarf that I started EONS ago made from Rowan Polar and Lurex Shimmer. This project was "in the closet" since we were not carrying Rowan at the time. Both yarn purchases were made at competitors stores/on-line shops to see what they were like to shop/order from.

So, my plan is that I will knit from stash and stay inspired with new as well. If you can do both, I encourage you to do so. If you truly feel you need to knit only from stash for whatever length of time is appropriate for you, then do it. WEBS will be here waiting when you are ready to shop again.

It was 71 degrees here on Saturday, January 6, 2007. Not sure what the "official" temp was, but that was the official high at my house on Saturday afternoon, not directly in the sun (that would be cheating). Personally - it was a dream day. I was warm most of the day - any day that I can be naturally warm, without 2-3 layers of clothing, is a good day for me. I had the windows open in the house, the car. . . . I am going to be a miserable little old lady - let's hope Steve can set-up me up in Miami Beach or some such warm location :)

I was not in the store today - we had a STRATEGIC MANAGMENT MEETING this morning at our house. Sounds really cool and grown-up, doesn't it? A bunch of us sat around and talked about the business, things we want to do, how we're going to do it, things that need fixin', etc. By the time we wrapped up it was close to pick-up time for the kids so I hung out here. I believe Berroco spring arrived. I'll be back tomorrow if it did to show you all of the goodies.

We leave for TNNA on Thursday. We have a ton of meetings set-up with all of the major vendors, plus two of the mills we work with. I am on the search for new, fun knitting bags and other accessories. I am excited to look at a few new yarns - the new Vicki Howell yarn from Southwest Trading for starters. Plus their Tofutsie. There are others. If there's anything you want us to carry or look for, just let me know!

The radio show ran backwards on Saturday - not backwards like devil gibberish, but the two segments were played out of order. Disappointing but not the end of the world. Fortuanately the podcast will be hunky dory. We are kicking off a new knitalong this week (not starting knitting yet - just the overview). We're going to do a felted bag that I designed. I'm excited!

Well, that's it for now. Time to get the kiddly winks ready for bed.

Kathy