Another Way to Measure My Stash

 Another way my family measures my destash challenge is to count the empty storage tubs.  Between using stash inside the house and doing a whole lot of knitting, spinning and carding of batts I managed to empty these 3 boxes so far this month. I emptied 2 more boxes in June so I have 5 less boxes in the garage. They will be put to use in my Fibber McGee fiber stash closet.  In order to reuse them in the house I washed them inside and out.  The insides were really clean, but the outsides were dirty, with the one being in the garage the longest being a little muddy. They are now drying in Eric’s old shower, which was a great place to wash them too  

Starting many projects at a time and finishing one at a time, will mostly empty all the boxes outside.  The boxes inside will be pared down in time too. I can not see my self as a finish one project buy yarn for the next kind of knitter. So there will always be stash yarn in the house, just not a store full  

My mantra through this whole process has been “The one with the smallest stash wins in the end.” Plus it makes they family happier. 

70% Done

 I set a goal of finishing 100 projects by December 31, 2021.  Today I finished project number 70. Another charity Hat.  The only question now is when I will reach 100 projects, but how many over that I will complete. I am only counting knitting and weaving for this challenge.  No spinning or sewing, although I am still doing those too. You can peek at my Raverly projects page to see all the completed projects.  

The Baskets

 

These are the 2 baskets I was talking about last night.  The one on the left is mainly filled with small samples of yarn spun on one of my herd of drop spindles.  The one one the right is filled with odds and ends of warp from years of weaving.  Between the 2 baskets I am hoping to weave a lot of one of a kind scarfs. My hope is that none will be exactly alike.  By the end of summer I hope that both these baskets will be empty.  

I originally got these baskets for knitting projects because they are so roomy.  With a whole lot of weaving and a lot of luck that will happen again. You may also notice that the basket on the left has color coordinated  bags of yarn. If I have just a little yarn left after a scarf or 2 is finished, I can just add the next color pack to my working bowl of yarn.  

Scarf number one is finished and in the to go to the clothing bank bag.  I am almost finished weaving scarf number two.  Of course I am using weaving to break up my knitting, spinning, carding and chores.  I am hopeful that this will prevent body from burning out.  

Following My Hands

 I let my hands lead the way today. When they were tired I stopped and rested them.  I did manage to finish one more hat. Hot water treat and was a new handwoven scarf. The bonus of the day was warping the loom and starting another scarf. I have a basket of yarn and a basket of warp that I want to empty by the end of August.  That is if my body agrees with my plan.  It’s been a real roller coaster.  

Off the Loom

 This is my first scarf off the loom this year.  I am hoping to make a few dozen more for the clothing bank. 

Now you need to look at the fab.  See how nice the fabric is with the variegated warp verses the plan gray warp.  I think someone should be happy with it.   Now to tie the end wash in hot water with agitation, thwack, dry and trim.  Then wrap in tissue paper and put it in a box.  Repeat until my weaving baskets are empty.  

Arthritis Pain

 Some nights no matter how much I want to sleep, sleep does not come. Every toss and turn just brings a little more pain. I try to distract my brain with music or sleeping with the lights on.  Sometimes all that brings relief is more aspirin.  So I am hoping it will kick in soon as I have a busy day tomorrow.  

So I will just try to relax while I wait for the asp to kick in.  I will probably fall asleep on the couch, which is not goood for me but I will take sleep wherever I can find it at this point.  Wish me luck.  

Just Puttering Around

 Today was spent doing errands and puttering around the house.  Nothing massive got done unless you count an overflowing basket of hand spun yarn sorted into bags by color to add to the scarfs I am weaving with 1 off and partial skeins of yarn.  The ideal is to make the scarfs as color cohesive as possible and still be one of a kind works of art.  The mini hand spun skeins add a pop of color between larger skeins of yarn.  These should make nice presents for the kids   The clothing bank usually skims off my hand woven scarfs for holiday gifts. Since I know it will be the only gift some kids receive I try to make them special   

I have started a new hat today and am almost finished with the brim   

I still can’t figure out this COVID19 mask thing.  There are so many different numbers floating around and cases are up in our state.  So when out in public, I will continue to mask up even though I am fully vaccinated.  In matters of health and people being sick in public, is that if I had a nickel for every time someone got sick at home from an allergy, I would be rich.