One of the things about knitting that I hate (y'all know I love knitting), is that it can get expensive. It's not the world's most expensive hobby, but it is rarely free. Patterns, books, Addi masTurbo needles, and for godssakes the yarn - oh, the yarn! I could go broke just thinking about knitting yarn. And then I look at the giant piles of it threatening to burst out of the stash cabinet and wonder why I haven't gone broke yet...
Luckily for me, I'm not the only one thinking about simplifying things a bit right now. Is it the spring cleaning impulse? Is it the tour of the stash - somewhat scandalizing, really - recently posted at Knit & Tonic? Whatever it is, there's a lot of inspiration right now for re-using, or just using up what you've got. The fabulous new incarnation of the Black Purl newsletter, Essentia, is encouraging us all to jump on the "Use what you have" bandwagon during the month of April -- initiated by Simple Sparrow. I am happy to join in! Look, she even made a button for the bloggy geeks.
Using up what you've already got, or re-using something somebody else doesn't want anymore, has always been a passion of mine, though as I get older and tend to have a steady income, I feel less of the financial incentive than I used to. But dang, I still love free stuff. And we all know that buying less stuff is very good for Mother Earth, and April is the month with Earth Day in it (in case you didn't know). Of course, Every Day is Earth Day (TM), so you might as well join in.
In a related impulse, Bugheart is cleaning out the closets and giving away some of her best thrift scores every Monday - get yourself some new old free stuff! So far (after Week One) she has given away some vintage luggage, a Le Creuset tea kettle and the Chococat bag that I scored last week. Another nice freebie: Boogie's compendium of free sock patterns - nothing like a good free pattern to help you clean out the stash. Let's give the earth (and our wallets) some love this month. And please comment let me know about your re-using/stash-lightening projects & where you find your favorite free stuff.
This is such a good idea. I've been thinking recently of doing some type of yarn/pattern swap.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that I will recycle some of my old needles/yarn by giving them to the girls at the Raleigh girls club.
I have been financially strapped for the better part of 3 years now. In that time I have bought less than $60 worth of yarn and fleece. I have been working through my stash ans accecpting an amasing amout of yarns that people have wanted to get rid of, mainky because of the colour. Silly people! I have to admit that the colours ARE hideous, in most cases. Those I dye. My latest project is made out of lovely merino that was icky blue, green, orange, and burgundy. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a great idea. At my monthly weavers meeting, people often bring in unwanted yarns to gift on others, should they want them, and if no one does, they get dropped off at the local Salvation Army store.
you are so sweet to mention me
ReplyDeletein your blog!
*blush*
i feel like a rock star.
*insert booty shake here*