Monday, February 1, 2010

Why I’m a Spoiled Brat—#2

For all of the knitting I do, I have spent very little of my own money on yarn. Once I started designing for Interweave Knits, yarn companies provided all of the yarn for all of the projects. Can you imagine what it’s like to have a box of merino/cashmere delivered right to my front door? It makes me swoon to think about it. In addition, yarn companies and friends give me yarn.

Like this fabulous handspun from the exceptional hands of Abby Franquemont (http://www.abbysyarns.com/). I had to wind this by hand on my nostipinne so that I could revel in every twisted inch.


And this quiviut from my brother, the mucky-muck HIV/AIDS researcher. He was at a convention in Banff, Canada, when a knitting colleague suggested he surprise me with some of the “local” yarn. I’ve already used two of the balls he gave me (one to make a scarf for his wife). I can never, ever repay him.


And this buffalo yarn from the fine folks at Buffalo Gold (http://www.buffalogold.net/). They sent extra when I asked for yarn to make a pair of socks and fingerless gloves for Knitting Green (due out this April).


And this beautiful wool/cashmere sock yarn from Spirit Trails (http://www.spirit-trail.net/). They had a booth at Clara Parkes’s Knitter’s Retreat last November—pure heaven.


Because I don’t buy much yarn on my own, I have a remarkably small stash—one bin of yarn yet to be designated a project and one bin of yarn leftover from previous projects. That’s it!


My friend Bonnie, on the other hand, has the most unbelievable stash I’ve ever come across. she is also an accomplished artist. I went to her house to see her art this weekend. Imagine my surprise when I looked in her spare bedroom.


And in her other spare bedroom.


And in her living room.

Even if she knitted 24/7, it would take her three lifetimes to use all this yarn. And she continues to buy more – perhaps an intervention is in order.

26 comments:

judi said...

Hilarious! You are spoiled...I love all the yarns that you posted and the stash yarns!

Virginia G said...

Oh my goodness! That yarn stash is unbelievable!

I can't wait to try out buffalo. It sounds wonderful.

Jen said...

Part of me is very jealous. The other part wants to be adopted by you.

Sandra said...

Unlike Jen - MOST of me is very jealous! :) Being a Kansan, I really need to try out that buffalo! And yes, your friend needs a friend or two. A friend to make her slow her buying and one to share the yarn.

Minh said...

Hmmm, quiviut... I'm going on a knitting cruise in Alaska with Donna Druchunas and Lucy Neatby so I'll be stocking up!

Looking forward to "Knitting Green"!

Ali P said...

That huge stash is unbelievable. I don't feel bad about mine now (maybe double yours Ann). Scary how the stash takes over a home.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a stash! That is amazing.

I'm looking forward to "Knitting Green," too (love your other books), and to visiting you here in your new Blog Home.

It was nice to meet you at Clara's Retreat ~ Hope to see you there again next year (oh, and I'm so glad you like the yarn, too :-D ).

Heidi said...

I am thoroughly loving that you have a blog and now a website. What an untapped resource. Thanks so much for sharing all you amazing knowledge Ann.

darthlaurie said...

Your friend is definitely in need of an intervention! If she needs to cold turkey and give away some of that yarn, I'm sure some of us wouldn't mind helping out :D That is a seriously awesome stash and I'm jealous of both of you!

Experimental Knitter said...

I'm showing the photos to my spouse so he will never again comment on how much yarn I have.
I have about the same as you, for the record.

Unknown said...

When I saw your stash I though wow I have way more than that. Then I saw the other stash and felt soooo much better as I thought wow I have so much less than that. I think showing the second set of pictures to my husband would be a great idea!

Linda said...

Yikes, that stash sure needs some(!) thinning.
I'd be happy to help....!

Anonymous said...

Whoa. Don't let Peter Walsh see that. Ha ha ha! And I thought *I* was bad...

donate a scarf for rescue dogs said...

Would you be interested in donating any to a dog rescue? At Colorado Peke and Pom we are trying to collect 365 handmade scarves by next November, at that time we will sell them to pay for spays, nueters and other surgeries for our rescued dogs. Take a look at our site coloradopekeandpomrescue.com under Paw news if you are interested, we take yarn or scarves. Thanks

Howie Woo said...

That's hawt

Sorka said...

wah! And I thought my yarn closet was impressive!

Girl_Industries said...

What a fantastic collection! My husband needs to see those photos so he stops complaining about my stash. I have about two of those bins full, and that's it. So far...

AdaKnits said...

Love this! just sent a link to my husband, daughter, and friends to prove that I don't have NEARLY enough yarn!

calicokitty6 said...

Those are some wonderful yarn gifts!
Wow, what a stash!
My friends are constantly telling me I have a big stash. I'm a spinner, knitter, and crocheter. I have my yarn and fiber stashes stored in 92 quart bins and there are 26 plus about 9 fleeces. My husband made me a craft room in the basement, but, I still have some upstairs too.

Jersey Shore Deb said...

I think I'm going to have to show those pictures and comments to my husband. I have three of the big plastic bins, plus several miscellaneous bags of stash, and he tells me I have "a yarn problem."

Unknown said...

Anne....love your blog and website! Reading your blog over coffee is a great way to start the day.

Soo said...

Wow, and my husband says I am bad. Wait till I show him this!!

lilbj said...

WOW!!! And I thought I had a stash.....it is NOTHING compared to this. I love it! P.S. I'm 62 yrs old but you can still adopt me!!!!

Peg Graham said...

If she ever wants to RAK someone, my name is Peg and here's my Ravelry info:
http://www.ravelry.com/people/PegGraham

yarn hugs!

jpirkle said...

I have two closets and a room full too but there is one more worse than this. She lives in Japan, they showed her house last year and she had enough to fill about three yarn shops worth. I guess I'm up there too with this stash but not all in totes, mine are up in a wall unit to the ceiling. Ouch, I need to knit more LOL

andrea said...

Should you decide that it is time to destash...I'm standing here with my arms up in the air waiting to catch whatever you want to toss my way! LOL!!
Andi