A marathon and then some

I could run a marathon and continue for a few more miles and still be trailing yarn behind me.  I went through the bags, baskets and shelves of yarn that I mentioned the other day and when you add it all up, not only does it take up so many corners of my house up, but if put end to end I could really go the distance.  Not that I'm about to run a marathon any time soon but I could cover those 26 miles with yarn.  Not only that but I could go almost another 4 miles! That's right, I have nearly 30 miles worth of yarn in my stash...30 miles!  What was I thinking????


I have everything from silk and cashmere to no-name bargain yarn.  I must have had some pretty grand ideas when I purchased some of this yarn, ideas that were much higher than my skill level at the time (which was near zero given that I could barely cast on when I purchased some of it).  My stash of Lion Brand Homespun rivals the selection at my local Michaels. I'm not exaggerating...I have over 40 skeins in a multitude of colors. I'm shaking my head in shame as I write this, I can't believe I purchased so much yarn in the past year, as it was only a year ago that I took up knitting, especially because the 30 miles of yarn doesn't account for the various shawls, blankets, pillows and scarves that I've completed.

The Great Destash of 2011 has begun.  I'm not going to try to fool myself into thinking that I won't buy any new yarn this year or that I will use every last yard of yarn that I have but I want to at least make a big dent in it so that it doesn't continue to overtake my house (and so I can get more).  I'm off to a fairly good start already.  I've finished three cowls so far:

Burberry Inspired

Yarn: Lion Brand Amazing in Vineyard






                                   Gap-tastic (on Raverly)

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Lemongrass and Grass

 Wham Bam Thank You Lamb (on Ravelry)


Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Pine

 Total yards used 644.
Bonus - I've used up all extra bulky yarn that I had and completed three of 52 cowls for the year.

I cast on cowl #4 earlier today with some of the 'what was I thinking?'yarn (and there's a lot of that type, like the 40+ skeins of Homespun).  It's not that it is a bad yarn, it's just not a 'me' yarn and I purchased it in three different color variations so if I don't use it now it will just continue to sit there, getting shoved down further and further into the stash.  I've decided to take it like bad medicine and just get it over with, there's really no reason to prolong the pain any more than necessary. 

It's a completely different story with my good yarn...that is to be savored and fondled and eyed longingly.  That will not just be a mindless cast on, but will wait for the perfect pattern, like Sleeping Beauty waiting for her prince.

644 yards down, 51717 to go!