Ho, Ho, Ho

First, as promised, here follows a list of the yarn I included in the Stash box:

• Cascade 220:  9 skeins
• Crystal Palace Kid Merino:  5 skeins
• Socks that Rock: 1 skein
• Sugar and Cream: 3 skeins
• Opal Sock yarn:  2 Skeins
• Wildfoote Sock yarn:  2 skeins
• Schaeffer Anne Sock yarn:  1 skeins
• Berroco Lullaby Baby Yarn:  5 skeins
• Arucana Nature Wool:  6 skeins
• Art Yarns Museum:  4 skeins
• Color Block Shawl Kit:  Pattern and 6 or 7 skeins (I forget -- I guess I'd ask that you not break this kit up unless you have a really good reason and/or a replacement)
• Merino Lace -- Orchid:  1 skein
• some chenille and eyelash scarf yarn -- it's chunky and I forget the name:  2 skeins
• Encore Mega:  4 skeins
• Patons Melody:   4 skeins
• Socks That Fit Yarn:  6 skeins
• Lion Kitchen Cotton:  2 skeins
• various needles, mostly dpns:  4
• lots of patterns and books -- didn't take the time to check or count them.  I have to admit recycling some here from the last box as some of what came back to me are duplicates of books or patterns I already own.

Sound good?  It is one heavy box, let me just say that.  I'm up to 19 Sisters for this box... which I think is enough, unless you wheedle and whine and then... well, it's Christmas and I'm generally weak.  And, more of you in line for the box will give me time to knit up my stash to make room for it when it comes back to me later next spring. 

Which brings me to this (Margene will laugh at me, and deservedly so, as I taunted her for this very idea last year.)

Don't get all ruffled -- I'm just in the consideration stage, but it's her rules that made me consider joining.   If you haven't been reading Wendy Knits or live under a rock, here they are:

Knit From Your Stash 2007!

L-B mentioned to me that she was thinking about attempting to knit from her stash exclusively in 2007. I, of course, laughed at her initially, but started thinking that attempting to knit from my stash exclusively was not a bad idea. Both L-B and I have stashes of epic proportions. L-B had suggested a period of 9 months of knitting from the stash, so that we could go to Stitches East next October and buy yarn there.

So, in a phone call, we sketched out our guidelines.

Knit From Your Stash 2007: Guidelines for L-B and Wendy

1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 -- a period of nine months.

2. We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

    2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone?

    2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift.

    2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project.

    2.d. We each get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card -- we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time.

3. We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

4. Spinning fiber of any sort is exempt.

Anyone else who would like to join us in this is welcome to do so! Feel free to link to this page or to post the guidelines on your own blog. You may also alter the guidelines to suit your own situation.

Exceptions and "Get Out of Jail Free Card"?  Check.  Gifts of yarn?  Check.  Spinning Fiber?  Well, that's a slippery slope if I've ever seen one.  The real reason behind the inclination to join this particular "along"?  I reorganized my stash to send out the Sisterhood box and... well, really... nothing else will fit in my stash closet.  All the Rhinebeck yarn?  Still in the bags!  Too busy with deadline knitting.  Janet's through half of her sweater and I haven't done anything more than periodic fondling!

I wouldn't change a thing about Wendy's rules except to substitute Rhinebeck (yeah, I'm going again!) for Stitches East, and to reiterate that said rules do not include books, needles, or other findings.  They also do not include the several items (ahem) I have on backorder at the shop, with Crown Mountain Farms or with Peace Fleece.  I also consider the Sisterhood Box to be part of my stash, so receiving that won't count either -- you may do the same.

Finished Object

One teacher scarf down, one teacher something or other to go!  Three days and counting.

And, finally:

Better?  I think so...

Comments

[Mary Beth]

It's a great idea, knitting from your stash only and I don't even have the stash that so many of you have....my problem is that #1 I have a lot of novelty yarns I bought in my early days that I still really don't know what to do with and #2 I have a specific project in mind that I KNOW I don't have the yarn for. I guess I can use that as my Get Out of Jail card. I hope the Sisterhood box doesn't count either. Depending on my spot in the rotation, there are several things in there I could probably really use. :)

Lovin that teachers scarf btw! I wish I could feel it! LOL

[margene]

Perfect fix for me Patton! LOL Good luck with Knitting for the Stash. You realize you only get ONE Get out of Jail card, don't you?

[T]

Wow, am I glad I was a slowpoke about visiting your blog in the last few days... that saved me from getting into some SERIOUS trouble (however, I've always WANTED to be part of a "sisterhood"... no... being strong... NOT whining).

I will, however, jump on the wagon and Knit From My Stash in 2007.

I have one leedle suggestion to add to the 'rules' - stash bought with Christmas money/gift certs shouldn't count, doncha think?

[Bridgett]

Ok, Patton actually looks *angry in his santa disguise. He didn't look so miffed when he was just sitting by the sink with a wreath nearby. That is hilarious. I am totally with you on the knit from stash idea--I did that one year with quilting and it saved me a bundle!

[Lucia]

Hmm... there might be enough loopholes for me there. I especially like the fiber part.

Even though I've been a total slug about reading blogs lately which is why I missed it, can I be a Sister again please pretty please? (I think that's my Sierra Aran you have there.)

[Karen]

Oh that box is full of goodies!!
Good luck with knitting from stash. I think it's an excellent goal. I couldn't do it.

[Kelly]

My stash is getting really out of control. I may just have to join that kal!

[Pat K]

Goodness, you got all that into the box? And I had decided to sit it out so that some other folks could get in this time! So I see you've got tons of goodies in there. You are too much! And this is your excess? And I love your "Santa" fix. This KAL could be a good idea for me, too, I've built a goodsized stash and really ought to start working on it.

[Lucinda]

I read about KFYS 2007 on Wendy's site earlier this weekend, & I'm also thinking about participating. I've bought too darn much yarn this year, & need to get to using some of it up before I go buy any more.

[Susan]

Well, I apparently *do* live under a rock, so this was the first news of the knit from your stash, and I have to say that I am very much considering it. It's hard to think about moderation at this time of year, though, so I'm going to have to think more.

And I love Patton with his new holiday look. Let's hope that he keeps it!

[Lori]

Can't wait to see the Sisterhood box! With all those exemptions, I think even I could be able to knit from my stash this year. Merry Christmas!

[Rachel]

That's what I get for not checking Bloglines this week. Is it too late to get in on the stash box?

I agree with Bridgette. Patton looks MAD.

[Zarah]

I think you can definitely meet those requirements - they're just loosey goosey enough to work! (And watch out for Bad Santa there. He looks like he might bite off a finger.)