Rebekah of KnitKnack (Basil and Abner’s mom) has started this challenge. We’re not buying yarn for the next three months, except on one “free” day per month, when we can go crazy. The point is to focus our yarn buying, rather than just hitting that “buy” button in every online yarn shop we find. We’re all going to donate yarn to a “yarn pot” at the end of the three-month period, and the winner will get the whole pile. April 1st is “Day Zero”.
This is perfect for me. I am the worst impulse shopper. I see yarn and patterns on other blogs, and just have to have it. The internet makes this incredibly easy, and the credit card bill here unfortunately takes the brunt of the damage. I will say that I have an unfair advantage in this one in that I have enough yarn in my yarn closet to last for about ten years of “yarn focus challenges”.
So in preparation for this, as soon as Rebekah announced it, I went and bought more yarn. No use taking any chances, right? And in fact some of it was necessary. I am probably going to run out of the “Bold Red” Lorna’s Laces for that two color sock, so I bought another stinking ball of it. I figured my license to shop would probably be revoked permanently if I ordered yarn and only got one stinking ball, so I ordered some Madil Kid Seta in lemon, for this scarf. One little skein of that, too.
If any of you are Lorna’s Laces fans, and aren’t on a Yarn Focus Challenge, Angelika’s, where I bought this, has the world’s best LL collection. You name it, she has it. And great service; after you order, you barely have time to put the credit card away, and the UPS guy drives up.
Speaking of which, somebody should probably let Alan, my UPS guy, know that I haven’t died or anything. And yes, I know my UPS guy by name. Doesn’t everybody??
I already know where my April “free day” will be spent. We’re going on a little pleasure jaunt to New York City later this month, and I have never been there. We already have tickets to a Yankee’s game, tickets to see “Sweeney Todd”, and tickets to Van Morrison’s concert at Madison Square Garden. And reservations for dinner at the Rainbow Room. We’re staying near Times Square; where are the best yarn shops? Any reader suggestions?
When are you coming?! We’ll have to organize some kind of yarn crawl!
Well, sure. His name is Steve!
One question…can I come with you to NY? Sounds like a fantastic trip…you certainly are packing in a lot of great things. Van Morrison? Wow, I saw him years ago in San Francisco – great show. Have fun!
You have to go to Schoolproducts. Broadway at 28th. It is the oldest yarn shop in NYC.
You will have such fun. Should be starting to warm up when you are there.
I know my UPS guy’s name, his wife’s name, his kid’s names, where he lives and I know the same for my Mail Carrier who brings me just as much yarn swag. And I knit them socks at Christmas time.
You HAVE to meet up with Cassie. She is the best yarn crawler on the planet. Not only is she a stellar human being, she knows all the yarn worth visiting in NYC.
I LOVE that you bought more yarn in preparation for this challenge. Grrl after my own heart.
I smile at the UPS man, and thank him. He doesn’t smile back.
NYC: Seaport Yarns are a must. As is Purl. Then there is Downtown Yarns, the Point, and whatever else Cassie thinks is good.
I’m envious. I wanna be there. Also, make sure you go eat at Jean-Georges. Lunch is less expensive than dinner, and you feel just as pampered and beautifully fed. The other bestest place is Bouley’s. And Cru, if you want the most amazing wine list.
I joined too, of course after buying a few more skeins of what else? Sock yarn! I might be a crazy person after 3 months!
Your NYC trip sounds wonderful, have fun!
Well, ok, mine is John. And I actually had a “meet up” with him last thursday – when my son’s computer came and couldn’t be delivered because they needed a sig, we met him down town – !! And NYC!! I live only 1.5 away but have never been in for a yarn trip – have a great time!!
I hope this is an April Fools joke.
As a recovering Stashalonger I’m not sure you know what you’re in for! 😉
I am an impulse buyer too – the internet has made it way too easy. Especially the sites that offer “free shipping”. Elann trips me up too with their great deals and blazing fast delivery (it helps to live in their backyard). I’m not joining a Stashalong because I know it’s just tempting fate, but I’m trying to be good!
Heh, all my online yarn purchases are delivered to work. Our receptionist (Nancy) emails me when I get a package: “Chris, it’s yarn!”
Hmm, I’ve just been thinking that I have TOO MUCH yarn. I know, that’s not possible, but that’s the way I’ve been feeling. I could easily knit my stash for the next 20 years and not run out of projects. Tehrefore, I will join your yarn diet. However, I will be in Spain in June and July, so maybe I will have to go off the wagon a bit during that time. Or, I’ll save up my buying days for the three months to use in Spain and Paris. Or, I could say that yarn bought outside of the US constitutes “souvenirs” not “yarn”.
HA! I’ve got to see this!!!! (oh, but I DO have faith in you….;)
I do not have a blog but I read yours, the blue blog and purlwise everyday. Alison from the blue blog lives in Boston but visits New York to see her Mom. She has written about many stores in New York and could give you great advice. Check her out at the blue blog. Rosemary
Ahh yes, I do think you should let the UPS guy know, he might call the cops saying you’ve died. Okay, well maybe not but still.
I’m mad my UPS driver at work changed his route, now I have a fuddy duddy driver.
Heh! I know our mailman’s name, but I don’t know the UPS guy. Good luck with your yarn fast. Sounds like you’re gonna need it!!!
Laurie covered my votes for the places to see (probably because I’ve dragged her there in the past). I might add, if you’re staying in midtown, Habu and School Products, which are both pretty close by.
Now, it won’t be very fair if I joined in since every yarn I buy, I’ll probably attribute it to “But my student needs to know how this yarn looks like when it’s knitted/crocheted!” 😛
See my alibi?
Am so glad you found Angelika’s – so fast it’s amazing and the best selection around. I did my Sockapalooza socks in her custom color Yellowstone – appropriate since it’s the best place on earth!
Knit on
The kid seta scarf was good choice for preparations. It’s lovely! I’m in Stockholm right now, and trying to do a similar challenge. I need to knit stash until I move in June! And it’s not easy; I pass three lovely yarn shops on my bus ride every morning, and know about three more that are even more lovely! What to do!
fantastic issues altogether, you just won emblem reader. What may you suggest about your post that you simply made a few days in the past? Any sure?