The Ultimate Stash-Off

Hello! I'm back. I know it's been a while. I've got a new goal and purpose this time. I'm going to document my year of knitting from my stash. A little background is in order:

THE BEGINNING

I started knitting around December of 2008, roughly 2 1/2 years ago. It was funny because being a very crafty person my entire existence, I always rejected knitting. I promised myself that it was one craft I did not want to pursue, that it was not for me. I learned how to crochet as a young child from my grandmother. I made the occasional scarf here and there, but never really liked the look of crochet. After crocheting a small blanket for my son, I grew bored again. Due to the birth of my son and the fact that he is a typical boy, scrapbooking with concentration was impossible. Sadly, I also had to give up my scrapbooking room in turn for a nursery.

My mom joined the knitting phenomenon and encouraged me to also. She is not a natural crafter, but makes up for it in enthusiasm and hostessing when it's her turn for the knit group. I went to my first knitting group at her house, where one of her co-workers was supposed to teach me how to knit.

Like any good Wisconsin-knitter, I checked out some books, watched some online videos and was knitting before the meeting. I came to the meeting talking about stockinette stitch and ribbed edges and my mom was like, "what?"

And so, I dove into knitting like I do anything else, headstrong and full of intensity. It took about 4 months after that for knitting to "click" with me. Meaning, I finally understood the "why" of gauge and the concept of yarn weight and what patterns are asking for. When I look back, I think that is my favorite part. The fact that I recognized the transformation between a novice and a knitter. I like that it's not something you can teach people. You can give them the books and lessons, show them how to do it, but until it clicks in their own head, they are not there yet.

YARN

Like any new knitter, when I started I bought enough yarn for one project, finished that project and moved on. But, like any Not There Yet knitter, the projects I first picked weren't that good and the yarn wasn't very nice. And so, I grew and learned and unfortunately my collection grew. And, like most knitters I know, I also bought the occasional whim purchase. The I can't live without that and I'm sure I can find a use for that yarn.  And so, I'm continuing this blog with a new intensity for knitting and to show everyone you can knit from the stash for a year or so until it's gone and I'm bored and need to buy new yarn!!

I'm not gonna lie, I know I'll buy more along the way, but in a very limited, planned manor. I hope.