Stasher or Collector?

I've been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, off and on. Am I a stasher or collector? Who cares? Does it make a difference?

I've decided that a stasher has the intent of using some of the items s/he acquires one day and often feels guilty when the stash grows beyond a certain personal limit, while a collector could really care less if the stuff is ever used, because appreciating the beauty of it in the moment is all important. 

In thinking about this, I realized that I have some true stash, some guilty stash and some collection...

Since I have a thing about having 'no guilt' in my life, I decided to work through the categories to see what was what and maybe clean house a little, so to speak.

For years and years, I've purchased yarns and fibers that I love, with the idea that one day I will make something wonderful out of them. These are items that have a beauty that is indisputable... everyone who sees them feels that intrinsic 'Ohhhhhhhahhhhhh' (you know what I'm talking about, right?). They stand on their own, no project needed. I never get to have enough time to make something out of most of them... truth be told, I rarely find a project worthy of their beauty. They sit on shelves and in cabinets and bins, lovingly fondled from time to time and they always give pleasure to all who partake of them in those flitting moments. These will be with me, remain with me until I find a worthy project or they outlive me. There is no doubt in my mind that I will collect much more in this category over my lifetime.

I've, also, purchased yarns that I found on sale or bargain or other enticement, where the mass excitement of the deal performed it's magic and pulled me into it's web of project possibilities with the idea that I could 'make the yarn work' and transform it into gold, just like Rapunzel. Dang, I always know that the project will never materialize, once I leave the scene of the crime, and I may as well just turn the stuff over to someone who sees it as a beauty to behold, as in my first example. I've purchased tons of yarn in this category... probably thousands of dollars' worth over my lifetime just so far! (Interestingly, I can't think of a single unspun fiber that I have that falls into this category. wondering why...) This yarn just needs to leave my personal living space. Pronto!!

Finally, I've purchased and 'stashed' yarns that I use regularly... I call these 'utility yarns'. those staples that I know I will always need... weaving cottons and wools/blends, linens and blends, and a few oddball things, like mohair boucle. I sit at night and plan projects sometimes, and go to my 'stash of staples' and just am able to get started with something I know will work and I'll be happy with because it's exactly what is required... No guilt, no remorse, just my personal store. Is that a stash? I guess it is, in the truest sense.

So, there I have it...

• I collect and admire beautiful yarns and fibers that stand on their own... for me, they can stay thay way forever, being their final state, without any guilt, just pleasure in fondling them at will
• I stash junk... the gods know I need to stop this and get rid of what I have... (junk being only in the eye of the beholder, as it may be beautiful and admired in it's own right by someone else, or at least viewed as utilitarian)
• I stash utility yarns, those that are workhorse staples... I stash them, then remove them from stash for projects. They are like my personal store of things like salt and pepper. I know I'll use them, just not all at once. My stash rotates.

When I look at who I am, overall, I'm a collector. I will get rid of those yarns I've 'stashed' but can't imagine using in real life, but feel no guilt acquiring my utility yarns or my beauteous array of yarns on which I love and fondle and qet exquisite pleasure in the textures, taking in the colors and harmonies and loving the feel. It feels liberating to be clear so I can get rid of all my 'non-utility stash'.

Are you a stasher or a collector?

Carded Batts to Finished Project

Remember those carded batts from the May Colorway of the Month, "Under the Big Top"? Well, I've been having more fun transforming them into a finished project than I've had in some time.

I began spinning them as a very lofty fine singles with the idea that I would ply them with something else. But then I fell in love with how airy the yarn was as a 2-ply, so created another set of batts following the same progression, from brighter, deeper colors to lighter ones, spun them on a second bobbin and plied the 2 together. Normally, I'd have to split the plied yarns onto two bobbins, but I used my new Schacht Bulky Flyer/bobbin and got the full 8.2 oz onto it, no sweat. 843 yards total of 2-ply. Very cool!! made me sooo happy as I envisioned no extra ends to weave into my project.

I choose to knit a little short sleeve cardi called "Tappan Zee" from the latest Knitty.com patterns. It seemed perfect for this yarn as it's worked all in one piece from the top down. I envisioned the progression working it's way from darker to lighter, which is just what happened. Here is a progress pic:

The color transition worked out really well, I think. The yarn is super soft BFL superwash, light and airy. Knitting was quite the pleasure... so much so that I abandoned nearly all other projects while I worked on this baby.

It was all so worth it in the end. Here she is after being blocked. I added a few extra rows to the sleeves for added length and have made some Sculpey buttons that are curing and will add a little more whimsy to this.

I just love how it turned out and how it looks on, too. I may have to make another of these. I know I will definitely have to do more carding of progression batts! Yet another way to transform the handpainted tops... gotta love it! Oh, and yardage was perfect! I have 2 yards left, so no odd bits to add to my stash. Hooray for that...