Hi!

It's been a little while, hasn't it?

The stupid thing is that I've had all kinds of things to chat with you about - nothing super major, but just lots of little things that I keep thinking I should share with the blog and then...I don't. But see, that's just stupid, so let's fix it, shall we?

I went to Stitches West last month and Mike and I took the puppers and made a little vacation out of it. I think I took exactly...0 pictures, but believe me, we had fun. We ate dinner outdoors, we went to our favorite taqueria in the universe, we had fun walks, Allie & Zorro were admired by all (even by the San Jose Police, which is saying something), we had coffee and bagels at one of my favorite coffee shops, and like I said, we had fun. Allie & Zorro are really great travelers (Allie is actually better than Zorro is, which is surprising) and I love introducing them to new places. So. Much. Fun.

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but while I'm not on a stash enhancement diet or anything like that, I am trying to make sensible decisions about what I buy. To that end, I've instituted an "I can only buy half as much as what I use" rule. Which means that between January 1 and Stitches, I knit approximately 1,200 yards of FOs and spun approximately 24 oz of fiber into finished yarn. At Stitches, I was able to purchase 600 yards of yarn and 12 oz of fiber. The thing that ended up being really cool about that decision was that I really love the stuff I purchased and I spent all day deciding what yarn/fiber was special enough to purchase. I ended up buying:

Tactile Fiber Naturally Dyed Superwash BFL.
2 skeins in colorway Pomegranate, 2 ounces each
1 skein in Lichen, 2 ounces.

Abstract Fiber
Hand Dyed 70% Alpaca/30% Silk
Colorway: Rainbow
4 ounces.
Purchased at Abstract Fiber at Stitches West 2009.

Miss Babs 80% Merino Wool/20% Tussah Silk Top.
2 Ounces
Colorway: Chocolate Roses

timiQuipa 100% Baby Alpaca
164 yards
Fingering weight.
Colorway: 74995

Miss Babs Yummy Hand-Painted Sock & Baby 2 Ply Superwash Merino Wool
Approximately 400 yards
Colorway: Chocolate Roses

Now, the goal of this new rule of mine isn't as much about not spending money as much as it is about being deliberate with the money I do spend. I have a tendency to lose my brain and just buy, buy, buy at these shows, and most often I end up buying yarn or fiber that aren't quite right for me for various reasons. The happy by-product of my new rule for stash enhancement is that at the end of the year I will have less than I started with, but the quality of what I have will be better.

I'll also have a heck of a lot more to show for my knitting, but that's a subject for another post.

And you? How are you doing?

Comments

[Carole]

I like your stash enhancement rule! I'm doing fine. I miss you.

[Purlgirl918]

I think that is a great rule...I should borrow this!

[beverly]

I like that rule and should abide by it. It would make me knit faster!

My package arrived today--I LOVE my cowl kit and the extra little treat! Thank you so much!
xx

[Chris]

That is a great rule! I would totally steal Chocolate Roses from you, given half a chance. :)

[Nancy]

And perhaps the key is to reduce the stash by more focusing on knitting and giving the finished items to someone who needs and enjoys the gift. I think giving is the key and then the stash buying is more rewarding!Knit for the humane societies, hospitals, friends in need, whoever!

[Kristen]

I'm good'ish. Hanging out in Little Rock, AR for a conference this week before heading home for a week, and then it's off to Nashua, NH for a month of baby catching. Soon my travels will come to an end and though I'll miss the traveling, I'm looking forward to being home.

All of your purchases look like they'd be things I'd pick up too - it's a lot of fun to see and appreciate what someone else would pick out.

[rita]

Hi! I've missed you so very much. For some reason, the new filter at work won't let your blog through, and I rarely get online at home after a tedious day surfing the 'net. I mean, copying stuff. I don't surf the 'net at work. Ever.

Much.