Stash Busting

It has been a busy month of stash busting at my house. I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more yarn until I managed to use up some of the overflow that already exists. The hardest part has been to select the yarns and patterns. It is not always an advantage to own so much that you can't seem to make a decision.....ugh. Finally I settled on four items of different sizes and uses but all out of fingering yarn. Since I don't make baby clothes I need to actually utilize this yarn for something. Here are the projects: A full size lacy afghan, a baby blanket, a sleeveless shell (to wear) and some fingerless gloves. All of these projects have been started and so far I have finished the gloves and the sleeveless shell (all but washing and blocking). I am not quite halfway thru the baby blanket and have only one skein of the afghan crocheted. But, at least it is a start. There are two or three Doris Chan clothing items that are calling out to me to begin. Her lacy designs seem to transform the ordinary into extravagant. However, I know these will be things I will want to take my time and savor the crochet journey as much as the end product. So for now I am content to rhythmically hook repeat patterns as speedily as I can.

To break the constant hand and wrist movement of crocheting, I am just beginning to work on some designs for a couple of patchwork quilts. I absolutely love to play with fabric.....the colors, feel and possibilities are all exciting. Just laying out the different shades and textures to see what I like with what has been an adventure. So many of the quilt books tell you to keep everything just exactly so, but in reading the history of American Quilt making, our pioneers found a way to mix and match (mostly out of necessity) and still end up with a beautiful and functional work of art. They took what they had and with imagination (and little else) stitched together little pieces of their lives into a handwork object that their descendants would cherish. THAT's what I want to create from scraps of items I have sewn for myself, family, friends and charities. I want each piece of the quilt puzzle to have a special "behind the stitches" story. So I am taking my time and letting memories help me choose how these quilts will evolve.

Sometimes I feel that hand crafting is almost spiritual in it's ability to lighten your heart and give you peace.

Till next time.....happy stitching.