...for a little navel gazing. I'll get back to the Willow Books thing tomorrow. Again with the old news, eh? That being late thing I have? It's all-encompasing and extends even to here.
Today Mamacate shared with us some concerns over her ever-expanding stash, and that got me to thinking (yet again) about my own ever-expanding stash and why it is that my attic/office full of fiber provide so much joy. Just going up into this room has the power to cheer me on even the absolute WORST of days, not matter how stressed out or tired or cranky I am. And y'all don't laugh, but it's a PHYSICAL thing, too. It's this little humming that starts in the gut and spreads throughout the body, built of beauty and possibility, of potential and promise, and it's good. Really good.
Speaking as someone who has something close to 20 lbs of clean but unprocessed fleece(and that's not even counting the processed stuff, the commercial roving, or the massive amounts of yarn) and a very time-demanding job, I can say that I completely understand her dilemma. Except for one thing. What is this state she speaks of, this "too much roving"? Is that possible? I'm sure I don't get it, but I'd like to try to reach that state. Er....assuming that it wouldn't lead to divorce. Hi honey! Nope, no new roving here, I promise. Saving all my money for floor tiles, like I promised. Yes I am.
Getting back to the stash thing, though, a very wise enabler friend said something to me this weekend at Rhinebeck as I expressed some concern over my growng addiction stash. She said that our stashes are not about need, but are instead about having choices. And she's so.very.right. Some days the Romney lamb calls out to us, and some days it's the silk. Some days one wants to pound out a couple of batts of roving on the drum carder, some days one just wishes to kick back and comb up a few ounces fine, soft wool, and some days we can't even bear the thought of anything any more complex than a garter stitch scarf in a simple, classic yarn. My current favorite, for instance, would be Cascade 220, but that changes every 10 seconds or so. Yesterday it Auracania Nature's Wool, and the day before that it was the Sheldrige Farms superwash in that scarf kit from Rhinebeck. See why the stash is a good thing? After all, it's not like the wool is going "go bad" (do not EVEN mention moths to me, not now), right? It's the perfect pantry item. Right?
You know what I don't have though? Enough bobbins for all this ADD spinning. Must fix that....or maybe stay more focused......nah.
I bought an 8 pack of bobbins recently - the wheel came with three, the lady three in a fourth...now I have 12. 12 to be as sluttish as I want, going from fiber to fiber at a whim.
I think I have 5 in action as we speak....
Posted by: juno | October 21, 2005 at 02:51 PM
Hi Kellee,
I like that idea about it being all about choices. That must explain why I just came back from my first spinning lesson with 1+ lb. of alpaca and 4+ oz of merino. Yup. Choices.
Posted by: Carole | October 21, 2005 at 06:56 PM
Funny, I went from baby alpaca roving to Cormo/silk this morning, switched bobbins, and realized...yes. I need more bobbins. And your stash? I bought the same reversible scarf pattern, and *ahem* several other things that you brought home too. I'm not even thinking *wheel* possibilities here.
Carole's been bit, hasn't she? And I feel exactly the same way about the joy on the horrible days.
Posted by: Laurie | October 22, 2005 at 03:58 PM
choices are needed, especially on those afternoons at around 5pm (or whenever a local fiber shop closes) and inspiration hits; how can we be expected to go any length of time without having what we need to make the vision in our minds come alive? or when our hands "feel" something that is hidden in a corner and will fit the bill of what would make a perfect spin? It's all necessary. (I'm stuck thinking about what it will be like to move it all again and thus not as stashed as some; in the future however, this will always be my arguement.)
Posted by: Kristen | October 23, 2005 at 04:21 PM
I've had a brain cramp and can't find your email addy; hence the additional comment. What was the yarn that was used in the wonderful-sounding St. Brigid you mentioned last week? (I think it was you?) I have a way of getting ahold of the pattern (via ILL) and the ravings from that conversation left an impression on me. (I just can't remember what yarn was used...was it cascade 220?) (or should I email Ms. Bookish - I'm not even sure who was talking about it...)
Posted by: Kristen | October 26, 2005 at 11:54 PM
Ooh, thanks. That makes me feel much better. As you may have noted, I got over it enough to buy an entire fleece. But now I'll feel better about it. ;)
Posted by: mamacate | November 14, 2005 at 12:21 PM