May 27 2006
Full Disclosure
Making a positive change - decluttering my life - cleaning my craft room. These factors lead me to accept that it is really time I do something about my addiction. Of course, this comes two weeks after I came home with a lot of skeins from the Sheep and Wool festival… but the point, my friends, is that it is time for me to focus on “busting the stash”.
Luckily, some others felt the need for it too, and started at Summer of Stash group. The yarn shopping stops this Monday (Memorial Day) and continues through the first weekend in September (Labor Day). Honestly, I think I will be able to handle it just fine - I have so many projects planned with this yarn…
Shelf one - the IKEA cube bookshelf. Sixteen cubbies filled with yarn. And the bags on the floor? Those are more yarns that will not even fit on the shelf. So, priority one is clearing some more room on the shelves to get that yarn out of the bags. See that polka-dot box on top of this shelf? That is where my sock yarn lives…
I started knitting socks less than a year ago, and now I have all of this! Trekking, Lorna’s Laces, GGH, Tess Designer Yarns, Regia, Schachenmayr, KnitPicks, Rowan, Reynolds, and of course all of the lovely artisan handpainted and handdyed yarns… see why the Summer of Socks can go hand-in-hand with the Summer of Stash?
But wait, there is more…
Okay, that is it (except for a few random skeins in knitting bags)… so, it is pretty clear that it is time to do some work, right? I have so many projects planned - beautiful garments, socks, accessories, and home decorations - there is really no need for me to visit an yarn shop for several years. However, yarn shopping does warm a special place in this knitter’s heart, so I will adhere to the restrictions of this new group. Thankfully, needles, notions, and patterns are allowed (however, I have a large collection of those as well…).
The guidelines will fit in nicely with my remaining Project Spectrum crafts: I have some great things in mind for June, July, and August. Just to give you (and me) a picture of how much yarn this actually is, I did a little math. I was inspired by Angela, who has been keeping a running monthly tally on her blog of the yardage used, and number of skeins “busted”. So my official numbers (although approximated for the missing tags, leftover skeins, etc).
Total yardage in stash (as of 05.27.06): 76954 yards
Total miles of yarn in stash : 43.72 miles of yarn
And, more speficially for the Summer of Socks knitalong (sock yarn is included in the above total):
Total *sock* yarn yardage in stash: 11077 yards
Total miles of sock yarn in stash: 6.29 miles of yarn
I will keep this tally running, and update it with each finished object, and pair of socks. If you are interested in joining me as I work through my stash, sign up for the Stashalong, or for the Summer of Stash group - you can pull out your calculator, and make the length conversions too… it is amazing how quickly this yarn accumulates. I can only hope to bust it quickly too! There may only be one exception (which is allowed, according to the rules on the site), and that is a trip to the shore next month. I am quite fond of one of the yarn shops in Delaware… and I always like a special souvenir yarn…
Now, I am off to go finish something :)
Stash busting, I can do. Adding up the yardage and mileage? Way to frightening. I could probably go to the moon and back.
More power to you, Lolly, for your bravery and self control!
wow, that’s a lot of stash! i have the same bookshelf but mine is filled with.. books and records
i have a more serious book addiction than yarn addiction at this point!
Wow, Lol! Look at all that gorgeous yarn, so nicely organized! I am positive you can control yourself with this great feat ALL summer long (you go!). A challenge? Yes. Do-able? Of course! The Summer of Stash is the perfect concept, unforetunately I am not even sure I will be getting to much knitting if I am on the same path as I have been walking on lately (perhaps this fall, for me?).
I am very giddy to see what your intended projects are for the next few months (that’s what’s left!). The ‘Blues’ will be much fun to work with. I have June’s Music Mix done now, too (’giveaway’ is up now, fyi). Here’s to turquoise, sky blue, cobalt and navy (etc)!
Have a lovely weekend Ms. L! xo
Booooo. How will I feed my kids?
I’m going to start an Anti-Stash-Busting Campaign! lol
Good luck with your stashbusting summer
You’ll be ready to shop again just in time for all that winter yarn!
You’re stash is so organized. I’m jealous. Mine is all in a large rubbermaid bin and in bags. I think S.O.S may be a good idea. The addict in me says not to join but that makes me think that I should.
I love you you figured it out in miles! That is too funny! I’m not much of a stasher, in fact, I have a pitiful stash, I’m sure it doesn’t even add up to one mile!
Um, really, that’s not very much stash. I wouldn’t worry about it, if I were you!
But good luck on the Stashalong (from a SAL dropout)!!
Yeah, what Chris said - that’s not much stash at all.
But good luck with your endeavor!! I’m not even going to try. 
When I saw the first photo, I thought it was from a yarn store! LOL =) You have a lovely and cozy craft room — it looks like a wonderful place to spend quality time. =) I like your IKEA cubbies!
Good luck with working through your stash!
holy crap! that is A LOT of yarn! wow! you seriously will not have to buy yarn for a long, long time
WOW, you have a ton of yarn. I have been stash busting for about a year now…and all the yarn I have in my apartment at this moment, would fit into one of your 16 cubes on the IKEA shelf. It’s sad, but true. I had to go on a yarn diet before I moved my entire family to another state, last summer. And with limited space here in this apartment…I don’t have the room, or money.
I am green with envy on your yarn collection though. Pretty colors and stuff. Hehehe…Have a fabulous Memorial weekend too.
What a great stash - I’m sure you’ll do just fine with the Summer of Stash challenge. I think a couple little souvenir skeins would be fine though. I like to do that too - then when you knit them (or wear the project you used them for) you can always remember where you bought the yarn!!
The first step is admitting you have a problem
Welcome to the meeting.
Yeah, this *might* just hold you until Labor Day. If you stetch it out. But who knows, you might need 44 miles. Then what?
Sad truth? I looked at your yarn and thought, man, I’ve got to go yarn shopping! I obviously don’t have *nearly* enough!!!!
I’ve been stashalonging for a couple months now, and it’s not too bad. Shopping my stash has been lots of fun!
oh….my….gosh, lolly!!!
I could save on yarn for 4 months, too if I used your stash!!! lol. I have to show this to my bf later to prove mine is like a pea compared to some others out there! haha.
way jealous…and totally in admiration of such a ginormous stash. wow.
have a great weekend!!
.♥.
I love that you are making an acception for SeaNeedles. I will be visiting there in July!
Beautiful stash and admirable endeavor! (I too have a surprisingly large sock yarn stash for a short period of sock knitting - I guess the previous stashing was good practice!)
hey! seaneedles is my lys! aren’t they the greatest?
I’m with Scout. Down with stash-busting!!! That polkadot box looks like it has some room in it… i’d like to help you out
Good for you for getting organized enough to bust some stash. I’ve been doing that for a while, although I have to admit my lack of funds has really been the force behind the decision. It’ll feel good to get through some of it.
By the way, my stash is sooo small in comparison, can I move in with you? Just for a while?
Good luck! I checked my stash numbers and realized you do have more yarn than me! Three months will fly by really fast!
that looks more like a yarn shop than a stash!
good luck
What a beautiful stash! I absolutely love stash displayed on shelves and in square cubbies–its like a yarn store, only better because its already home! You get points for beauty and organization.
I know what you mean about frustration and stashbusting–hey, all stash has to go through some knitting and weeding out to be healthy and strong. You know, like pruning or winter for rosebushes, the stash needs a break to regroup. No problem. You can do it!
Nothing wrong with organizing. I was just admiring what all you do have!!
I will enjoy watching it dwindle.
This is a great idea - wow you have so much yarn!!
I get the same way, I guy yarn for projects I want to make. Just as soon as I get to starting the new ones, I hear about more yarn I want, buy it, and the process keeps happening!
Good luck!
Please sign me up for the summer of stash and for the summer of socks!!! Thanks just what I needed!!!!
ok, i hate to say it, but i do think you have a problem! but it’s all so, so lovely. i’m sure you’ll succeed. and if you need help destashing, you know where we are!
Lolly…you are such an inspiration. I don’t know if I can do this summer of stash, but I think I’ll try. BTW…I don’t think you have a problem at all! You are way better than normal.
Wow- your stash looks like a store! Very nicely organized- I’m so jealous
By the way, the Koigu color on my site is actually from Woolstock in Glyndon. They have some great colors at the moment.
I’ve been kind of quietly participating in Project Spectrum, without signing up or talking about it. Pictures of my green project are in today’s (28 May) post on my livejournal. The model’s pretty cute, too
Impressive stash!! Good Luck stashbusting!
sarah showed me your site, its sooo cute i love it…i had fun with you girls the other day!…thanks for taking us around thrifting! i had a blast
hope things are awesome there in MD!!!
Hello from Norway…I sorted my yarn last week…and now I live in my very own yarn-shop. Nothing is better than a room full of yarn, right?
Thanks for the Summer of Stash shout-out! I hope this is a good experience for all of us!
I found someone’s stash spreadsheet last summer and categorized all my yarn. I’ve been keeping a running tally through my spreadsheet and even figuring out how much yarn I purchased this year and how much I used up. Frightening it is, but fun in a sick way!
I did the Stashalong earlier this year. That was tough for the 2.5 months I did manage to stay on it. I went a little crazy afterwards, but it has been a bit more moderate, although not as much as I’d like. But not enough to think about starting it up again. I have been happy that I’ve knit through a lot of stash, even though I’ve added to it, I’ve been making things from the stash too.
What a stash! I know how the sock yarn can accumulate so fast - it’s all so pretty and you only need 1 or 2 skeins! The moritorium on buying should give you a good chance to use some up and make room for more!
I’m headed to the Delaware shore at the beginning of July and plan on visiting a few yarn stores for some browsing…..just browsing…..
You have quite the stash! I’m a little scared to go through mine and calculate yardage, but it’s probably a really good idea. I think getting organized and posting that on the blog gives me a little accountability too…
good golly miss lolly! that is one helluva stash you’ve got - time to open your own LYS, i’d say!
Yeah… that’s a lot of yarn! I’m sure you’ll come up with some great uses for it, though. Let me know if you are suffering from yarn temptation. =)
Hee hee! At first glance I thought your pictures were from a yarn shop… then I realized that they were of YOUR STASH!
I wish you lots of luck in your summer of stash.
[…] This is down over 3000 yards and 1.7 miles from where I started at the end of May. Pretty cool! I feel pretty good about this whole stashbusting thing, and honestly, I think I could easily continue it past Labor Day (the official last day of Summer of Stash) and possibly through November, when I will be going to Stitches East in Baltimore, and to California for vacation (everyone needs to find a yarn shop on vacation - yarn is the best souvenir!) […]