Stash Flow

I attended a trendy agency party a few years ago where I met a fellow knitter. I had car-pooled in with a male colleague who was chatting in another part of the room with an executive from another company. When she mentioned that she was a knitter my co-worker said "I should introduce you to Michelle. She knits". Of course, we knitters hear that all the time and we know all knitters are not cut from the same cloth and my colleague confessed in the car later on that she had asked a few qualifying questions of him before crossing the room to meet me as another knitter. He'd been able to field them fairly well (because I blather on about knitting whenever possible) but admitted to me that he'd been stumped by what appeared to be the most important question of all to her. She'd asked him if I "had a stash". He said "Michelle - what the hell is a stash?"

A stash to a knitter is what a basement full of chick-peas is to someone preparing for Armageddon. It gives us options should our oxygen (yarn) supply be cut off. My stash constantly ebbs and flows with my knitting fantasy life. Since the last week has been filled with article deadlines and family activities - not much real knitting has been accomplished so I thought I'd share a few projects that have caught my eye and as a bonus - are stash friendly.

From the new Kim Hargreaves book Heart Felt - Armory. It's made from RYC Bamboo soft of which I had almost enough in my stash. My supply is a pale lilac colour and fortunately Julie had the few extras in the same dye lot to complete the picture. BTW - the book is amazing and well worth the price. Only available on Kim Hargreaves' website.

I love the way the back dips down - this will be the perfect Feb. project.

I'm pleased to report that I have one skein of Kid Classic and one of the Kid Silk Haze (violet) to make this little hat also from Kim Hargreaves. It's crochet but on a 6mm hook should be a fast project. The brim is beaded.

An old supply of Adrienne Vittadini Mimi seems to be around the right gauge to make this pretty jacket. I applaud Ms. Hargreaves' ability to make chunky yarn look delicate somehow. My colour is called chambray.

I was initially not thrilled with the Winter IK. It felt a bit too "missy" for my tastes. I do however understand Eunny Jang's argument that classic designs are great for times when we don't get to projects as quickly as we think we will. At least these stand the test of time. My picks from this issue include:

Henley for which I have some Peacock coloured Blue Sky Alpaca Silk. This yarn has lived in about 4 designs already in my dreams so it's been a good investment even still skeined up.

I also really like this Louisa Harding tunic. The cable sweeping from shoulder across the body is quiet unique yet I think this would be very wearable. It would be great with a turtleneck, long skirt and boots. I have some Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran that just might work.

Last but not least - the Gathered Pullover made from Browns Sheep Top of the Lamb. I love how this is layered and the intricate yet simple detail in the middle. This one doesn't have a stash-mate that jumps out at me. I'll have to think about that....and peruse the shade cards at Browns Sheep.