Here is a repost of a summer time post that I think is a good place to start your Year of Stash Appreciation.
What Kind of Stasher Are You?
What kind of stasher are you? Whether you use yarn, fabric, beads or paper, your art requires supplies. How do you handle your stash?
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Type 1—Do you only buy materials for your current project so you don’t have a stash or any UFO’s (unfinished objects)?
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Type 2—Do you try to only buy for a current project but look forward to your next project while you’re working on your current one? So you have no stash to speak of and only 1 or 2 UFO’s.
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Type 3—Do you only buy materials for current and future projects? You like to get the supplies and pattern together then you know you have everything for the pattern. You have a small to medium stash, some UFO’s. All your materials are matched with a pattern for easy access to the next project
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Type 4—Do you buy the materials you like and don’t worry about which pattern it will go with? You know that eventually a project will emerge for the supplies. You have a medium to large stash and some UFO’s that you work on industriously to complete.
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Type 5— Do you buy anything and everything that calls to you? The yarn or cloth speaks to you and you listen. You have a large stash that you sometimes feel guilty about. But you also get a lot of creative satisfaction when you visit and pet your yarns, beads, and textiles.
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I am a Type 4. I do have a medium stash of beads, quilting fabric AND yarn. I try to just buy for projects but I also buy materials that call my name. Since I’ve founded Flying Goat Farm, I have not bought ANY quilting fabric. I haven’t sewn either. I do hope to get back into my sewing room soon and finish one or two of the 8 unfinished quilting projects. OK….maybe now that I think about it I’m a Type 5!
Leave a comment here or on Facebook to tell me what stash you collect and what type of stasher you are!!
An absolutely unrepentent Type 5. But I have tied my hands for the last 6 years to keep from acquiring anymore. There is enough in my stash to keep me busy doing anything fiber for at least 100 years.
Was it hard to stop collecting? I know that if I walked into a quilt store I would walk out with more fat quarters, even though I haven’t been using any of my stash. So I don’t go to quilt stores, it’s just easier for me. If there is yarn or roving that calls to me, I will buy, even though I technically make my own.
I’m a 5 and proud of it! Been collecting for, maybe 40 years! A several years ago I went through my stash and cut in about half. Made a little over $1000 selling it on Ebay! Just loaded all remaining stash into my Ravelry account. 148 skeins – not so much after all!!
So are you selling all your remaining stash or the skeins that you cut out of your very favorite skeins? I love that you are being a kind of curator! Those skeins were chosen by you so they have your good taste. There probably isn’t a bad skein in the group either. Great idea!!!
I am an unabashed Type 5, my stash is color, weight and project coordinated. All in Rubbermaid bins in plastic bags since moths are anathema to yarnies. I’m superproud of being a Type 5 and I have to admit that I revel in my stash. I had a great yarn inventory but my computer crashed…. I can spend hours on end looking at the yarn, getting inspired, etc. I have been cutting down a lot on my acquisition, but if a really luxe yarn comes my way, why not? This is an addiction that doesn’t harm anyone and if it’s piled up to the ceiling, sell on eBay or Ravelry, give away or gift away. In the past year I think I’ve only spent about $300 on yarn, some of that was immediately knitted (Jade Sapphire bulky cashmere went into a cowl for son), some just joins the stash. My resolution this year is to sell more than I buy and knit every day. I love knitting, it has been such a comfort to me.
Hi Carol,
I love your resolution! I know that when I knit every day, projects actually get done! And it is so fun to feel the texture and revel in the colors of the yarn I’m working with! I hope you come by at a show and feel some of our super luxurious yarns like Zephyrette, an alpaca, cashmere and silk blend or feel some of our squishy yarns made from our animals. Thanks for sharing!