Yarnageddon.

So I ordered some yarn yesterday.

I KNOW.  Say what?

But I wanted some of those felt shoe liners for stocking stuffers (I laughed when the woman I spoke to said people had been ordering them all day), and I threw in a snake scarf kit to knit for my nephew, and then I got thinking about this great sweater I tried on at the festival and wandered over to Beaverslide Drygoods for a gander at some appropriate worsted weight...and then I clicked over to Webs to get some Skye Tweed in the Rosey Glow colorway for a Sunrise Circle jacket......and I stopped.

This is sick.  Really, really sick.

The Rosey Glow is gorgeous, so is the Marmalade and I'd really, really like it...but I just got back from Rhinebeck.  I have three spinning wheels, 9 fleeces and a yarn and fiber store already in my house.  And all the things I have I really love and want to use.  I've got some gorgeous Wonderful Wool in a spicy oatmeal that would make a great Sunrise Circle.

This is the fiber blogger's lament.  Too much.  It's an interesting problem to have, this too much thing.  It makes me kind of squirmy and not in the good way.  I have too much, I use too much: I am too first world.

I've been trying to do more conscious living these last few month - replacing traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescents, cooking more at home, packing lunch part of the time, using reusable packaging when I do, wearing a sweater instead of turning up the heat, cleaning with non-toxic agents.  It's overwhelming to try to change anything, can feel futile.  But every little bit does chip away a tiny bit.

I'm not a charity knitter.  I'd rather send an organization a check they can use for their own purposes than shawls or afghans or hats.  Those things are wonderful, kind, generous gifts of time and warmth, just not my style.  But these last few months I haven't been sending the check.  The new roof had me feeling overwhelmed, I lent some money to a friend in a jam, I've been traveling a lot - I've been worrying about my own resources, feeling pinched. 

But somehow I had enough money for a third wheel, bags of fiber, a hotel room, a gorgeous meal at the CIA.  I shouldn't have.  But I did.  And I'll be OK after a tight month.  But it makes me think a little.

I think it is time for a little yarn break.  I know, I know, famous last words.  But still..... every time I think about buying fiber - look at something on ebay, browse Webs and click something into the basket to consider, feel lust in my heart for some yarn - I'm going to make a note of the dollar amount instead of buying it.

And at the end of the month - Thanksgiving weekend here in the US, appropriately - I'm going to add up the might-have-beens, have a hard think and write a check to MSF for at least 10% of the total.  I'd like to say 50% or 100% but I have no idea what the number might be.  None.  So at least 10%.   

To begin: 16 balls of Rosey Glow at 3.99 each = 63.84

And in the meantime, The Worsted Witch has some notions about ways to make holiday gift giving less of an affront to the earth.  Also worth thinking about.

Comments

[Kirsten]

You know what's sad? I read the part about the Skye Tweed, and I had to stop myself from clicking over to Webs to order some for myself. You are not alone!!!

[Marie]

Trying to clear out a house after 35 years in it, raising 7 kids here, having had a packratty husband who collected glass and antiques, I can sure understand that. So much "stuff!" So many memories, too. It's hard to part with things that carry such a freight, but I must. I've done the reduce-reuse thing for years and years, to the point where I actually skunked myself with my local electric company--I'd been on bare-bones usage for so long, that when they offered reduced rates to people who cut their usage by a certain percent, I didn't qualify!
Fiber is insulation and lets me keep the thermostat down--sweaters instead of heat--we all need to try to do our little bit. I do charity fund-raiser walks, knit for a group, and try to donate all my reusable stuff to places that will truly use it.

[Kim]

I am right there with you! I have TOO much stuff and it makes me a little squirmy too. I have been trying to be a bit more disciplined, but it's not always easy when fiber and great ideas are always at your fingertips.

Good luck!! :-)

[Dharma]

The Rosey Glow is luscious. Someone write, don't go shopping, but with the internet it's hard to be that disciplined, at least for me. Luckily (ha!) I am too poor to shop so it's not too hard.

As for "green" gifts, I prefer to do very little gift giving for holiday and give gifts when I find something wonderful for someone. I do try to avoid gifts that simply clutter or are otherwise wasteful, but some things are just too much fun and are simply fivolous. I would love to have more compact flourescent but they are so damned pricey, or when cheap they really don't last like the good ones. Must think about knitting sometime soon. Three WIPS and many more planned.

[Claire]

Juno, I read a long article about compact fluorescent bulbs about a month or so ago and good lord do they make a difference! I bought some and need to buy more.

[Chris]

Words of wisdom. I've been trying to not buy more yarn until I use some of what I have (being able to get the overflow into bins without buying new bins is a particular goal), bringing a shopping bag with me, buying gently used clothes instead of new (well, except for underwear and socks, of course), adding layers in the winter instead of turning up the temp, taking things to donate instead of throwing them away, etc... Bit by bit...

[Jean S]

I'd agree with the comments that this may have been triggered by the upcoming holidays--after all, here comes our national obsession wtih "buybuybuy"--as well as decompression from total fiber immersion.

But beyond that, I'd say that we all have our quirks on this front. I've been able to hold my yarn consumption WAY down (absurdly small stash), but let's not talk about fabric, shall we?

What really works: Don't go shopping.

[Carol]

Seems like you evened the balance to me. Using the heat less, eating in, so that's where the extra yarn is. It's nice what you do though!

[Spinningfishwife]

The word we would use here is "scunnered" as in "I`m fair scunnered with it `ah...." ;-)

I sent you an email about the NR, btw....but don`t worry, it will keep till the fibre bugs bite again.

[Angelia]

The 10% sounds like a good plan. As others have said, every little bit helps.

[ellen]

Looks like many of us are looking at our first world habits without approval. That would include me. I think the approaching Christmas holiday brings on that reflection. I myself am reevaluating how much gifting to the fortunate is appropriate. Every year I lean more to the hand made, thrifted, and repurposed. I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint as well - quite a challenge. In my case I also feel it's important to be an example to my (barely) grown children.

[Anne Marie]

Hi Darlin'
It was nice meeting you at Rhinebeck. I hope that you go to Maryland Sheep ad Wool so that we can talk for more than a second.
Smiles!

[Ellen]

Excellent thoughts, Juno. And I very much like the 10% solution.

We first-world people are big, big consumers, as you note. It's definitely worth the effort to try to cut back where we can, I think.

Thanks for this thoughtful post.

[julia fc]

Denny tats?
wow.

[Laurie]

You know what is good for the yarn accumulation is organizing your stash. Seriously. You rediscover yarns you forgot you have (and you fall in love with them again) and, if you are like me, you are seriously horrified at the sheer amount you have and projects in your queue.

A little scare-you-straight exercise.

Oh, and don't give the charity knitting another thought. I just use it as a rationalization for buying more yarn!

[claudia]

Excellent.

[Julie]

I was going to joke about giving stash to others, but then you got serious so I will, too. I think you've got an excellent idea here. I recently got a retro pay for two years of back salary and it's been very easy to say "Woohoo, fiber/yarn money!!" But I'll take your example and after paying off a credit card (as I should have done before Rhinebeck), I'll make a donation to MSF as well. Good on ya, as my mother says. :)

[mamacate]

We're on a similar journey. I'm very proud of my bike commuting, which of course is also good for my health. You also reminded me to go renew my NAACP membership. I joined after Katrina, and I don't want to just be a foul-weather friend. I give to my own interests (democrats, mass equality, my unitarian society, etc.) a lot; this is bigger than that. Thanks for the reminder. I say fiber AND donations, if you can afford it. Or maybe it's time for an MSF redux. A good idea, my friend.

[Michelle]

But yes, all the fiber I didn't buy at Rhinebeck? That would make for a sizeable MSF donation.

[Michelle]

I have to admit, I saw "Webs Skye Tweed Sunrise Circle" and zipped over to Webs to find that yarn at closeout prices. I don't know whether to curse you or kiss you. But I'm pretty sure you can guess which will win out.

[Allyson]

Hey - I think Tsarina has a note for you on her website about the Octoberfest socks http://www.canticlecomm.com/defendedtoclick/tsocktsarina/

Sorry if this is old news - I didnot scour the comments.

[Rachel]

What about the shipping costs? Do we add it or not? Seriously considering your method, I love it! thank you :)

[WendyI]

I love your idea for MSF. I've been very fibery lately, spinning like crazy ... just to avoid buying yarn. I'm feeling pinched, and figured spinning might help that a bit. I'll join you on the diet (with a sock-yarn restriction ...
I say that only because there are no outlets with Koigu near where I live and Stitches is coming next week so Koigu I must, but only for two pairs)

[Martha]

Or if you want guilt-free shopping, add a 10% MSF "tax" to all your yarn purchases. No, really, I know what you mean about too much. I am easily overwhelmed by clutter and the sheer superfluousness of most shopping and try to limit my own purchases. Shopping therapy is fun, but destashing frees up space in a small house.

[Gina]

This is a great post. I've been thinking along these lines as well. Maybe less about fiber and more about clothing, etc. As I continue to purge, I am astounded (and a little annoyed) by how much I own and consume. I like the idea of adding up the not-bought fiber and donating to a charity.