Taking Stock (long post with photos)

Around a year ago, someone out there in blogland had an idea to make April 1st "flash your stash" day. I thought "great idea"... and then promptly procrastinated actually going to the effort of photographing my stash.

I'm not really sure why, but I decided today was the day to photograph my stash. I think it has to do with my goal of actually trying to use up my stash as much as possible. Don't get me wrong... I don't think there's anything wrong with having a stash. However, I aquired most of the yarn with a project in mind... things that I wanted to make then, that I still want to make now. Plus, for some reason, having leftovers around nags me. Probably because they're not "tidy."

So, I did it. I took photos off all of my stash... everything not actually involved in a current WIP. (Well... or that UFO afghan....) I even photographed "about to be in use" yarns... partially because a vast majority of my yarn is optimistically in that category. ;)

I didn't bother photographing my sock yarn stash... I flashed that recently, and it hasn't changed all that much. A bit has left the stash. I did photograph the one addition. ;)

Without further ado, in no particular order, here is my stash.

Thread



I aquired a thread stash through a very generous person at Crochetville. I wanted to make snowflakes. I was dazzled by the doilies made by others. I wanted to recreate my "conversation hat," so that when people asked if I had made it (which they invariably do), I can say yes. Shortly after aquiring all this stash, I discovered that I don't actually enjoy working with thread. (I think it's either the lack of elasticity, or the boye-type head on my one thread hook... which is actually Susan Bates.) This stash has remained pretty static (except for the bit that went to Julie in exchange for some lurex), although my recent filet crochet insanity should put a *small* dent in it. Before I move back north, I plan to destash whatever remains... except perhaps the blue and gold, which I still aspire to converting into a new conversation hat. ;)

Roving, etc



I expressed a desire to learn to spin, and Jess kindly enabled me. I then expanded the stash at the local farmer's market, and also bought some multi-coloured samples for needle-felting. I have done a little spinning, but not enough to properly dent the stash. The main problem is that it isn't quite as "pick up where- and whenever" as knitting and crochet is.

I also have a wonderful needle-felting kit that I have been on the verge of starting ever since I got it:



I think it's been suffering a bit from fear-of-failure, as well as lack of portability and "I'll just finish this other thing first." I will do it soon... I hope! I am very excited about it, even though I haven't started. Maybe I should do it tomorrow when B and S come over for crafting, even though I have a bunch of other projects in progress.

Leftovers

I have the standard stash-from-over-buying, or too-much-to-throw-out-but-not-enough-to-use, etc., that everyone aquires:



Waiting Projects

My latest ball of sock yarn, reward for sticking to my budget:



(I must admit that I actually splurged on two balls of Trekking, the the other was out of stock and hasn't shipped yet. But I was good enough last month that the splurge didn't even push me over budget.)

Elann yarn for a tapestry crochet pillow:



I bought this wool of the andes to make a felted bag, and then had second thoughts:



I still plan to make the felted bag, but keep finding projects where I need a "little bit" of the above colours. Hopefully I'll still have enough when I finally get around to the bag. ;)

This yarn was to remake a sweater I designed and knit out of acrylic:



Of course, after buying this, I discovered I have a bit of an alpaca allergy. I think I'll be okay if I wear something underneath, but my allergy has pushed it quite a way down the list of priorities.

Twine and beads to make Donna's baskets:



I'm looking forward to the resulting baskets, but *not* with working with twine.

Blog prize yarn from Natalie for a lightweight cardigan:



Since it is meant for summer wear, this is high on my list for "what's next." As is the next yarn, some Pachuko Cotton for a tank top:



The cotton has been languishing for quite a while in my stash. I knew I wanted to make a tank top, but am designing it myself. I think I've finally decided what I want to do, and so this yarn now has "sit on my coffee table" status. When Elann first offered it, I just had to try it... it's naturally coloured cotton... doesn't that fascinate you? ;)

Everything Else

Stash aquired from S at SNB, who was destashing:



Clockwise from top left, gift, gift, free, bought to try out:



Acrylics... mostly leftover from when I learned to crochet, but the mega-ball is from a secret pal who thought it was wool:



A sock project from Zeneedle, that I loved and she didn't:



I intend to make the second sock my size, and then redo the first to also fit me. Maybe after my wyvern socks.

White acrylic to make an R2-D2 to go with my Darth Tater ornament:



Jess sent this to me, when I asked if anyone had a bit of scrap white acrylic I could use. It's perfect... but I haven't gotten around to using it. There'll be a ton of leftover, too.

Must-spend-$30-for-free-shipping, and experiment-with-this-new-KnitPicks-stuff laceweight yarn:



I do intend to use it... one day. I even have ideas for both. They just aren't a high priority.

Bought at a sale, to see what it's like:



My stash troubles really started when I was home at Christmas a bit over a year ago, and Ram Wools had all their yarns on sale. So much yummy stuff! The above silky wool was bought to try out, to see if I liked it enough to make a sweater. I bought enough of several yarns to make small projects, like scarves or hats. This will one day become a scarf, probably Leisel.

Another yarn to test:



This is Noro Cash Iroha. There are some Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton sweaters I want to make that call for it, but I can't afford. I want to see how it behaves once knit, so that I can decide on an appropriate substitute. (Ironically enough, I think I found a possible substitute... which is 100% alpaca. :P )