Throughout 2011 it was becoming increasingly clearer to me that I have too much stash. I don't have enough storage to continue to accumulate stash and I was overwhelmed with the amount of projects I had on the needles. Knitting was becoming more of a chore than a hobby. I felt guilty about all the yarn I purchased that sat on shelves or in storage boxes.
I took steps during 2011 to catalog my stash, organize my knitting queue and supplies. I have set a budget for purchases in 2012. I'm pretty sure that the world will probably end now that I'm organized ...
Here's my plan:
One project per yarn weight on the needles at a time:
1 lace
1 fingering
1 sport/dk
1 worsted
Only exception - gifts. I can start a gift at any time (because it probably has a deadline).
One spinning project per method:
1 wheel project
1 spindle project
Maintain my Stash List
Add new yarns as they are acquired. Remove used yarns from stash. Having an up to date list will help when I am looking for a new project to start, I can easily search Ravelry for an appropriate yarn.
Monthly budget - $50/mo
1) Amounts can be borrowed from a coming month. For example, if I want to sign up for a club membership and that total is $250 ... then I borrow from the next few months to get that amount. Jan + Feb + March + April + May = $250.
2) Gift cards and presents do not count towards my budget.
3) Unused amounts roll over til the end of the year.
4) What is considered and accountable expense? Yarn, knitting notions (needles, darning needles, stitch markers, wool wash, blocking accessories, knitting bags), patterns, roving, spindles, knitting or spinning books, knitting or spinning magazines, class and workshop fees.
Want to join me? I'll be posting monthly on my progress and budget. I'll be keeping a tally of yarn used and acquired. I still have 8 projects on the needles at the beginning of this journey, so first thing will be to complete those.
