I browse various knitting and crocheting forums and blogs. I am amazed at the number of people who have accumulated enough yarn to open their own small (or not so small) yarn store. They show pictures of giant masses of yarn that they probably couldn't use up in their lifetime, yet they continue to buy more. And they joke about their yarn accumulation addictions with each other. A lot of them choose to buy wool yarn only, which can be quite expensive, rather than the cheaper acrylics. (Certain wools might cost around $200 to have enough to knit one sweater.) So some of them have several thousands of dollars of yarn sitting around. One woman counted her stash of almost 1000 skeins/balls of yarn, which can run about $3 to maybe $15 each.
I just can't help but wonder what their financial pictures look like.
Yarnaholics
May 25th, 2007 at 08:58 pm
May 25th, 2007 at 11:08 pm 1180134510
We have LOTS of excess yarn, though it is the cheap acrylic kind, not the pricey ones since DW is allergic to wool. Still, probably a couple hundred dollars worth. The problem is you always end up with extra when doing a project. DW knits and I do plastic canvas work. Actually, I'm as guilty as her because sometimes I've needed a fairly small amount of a particular color but had to buy a whole skein to get it. Plus, I haven't really been doing anything for quite a while.
So yes, it can accumulate quite a bit. As for our financial picture, it is excellent. We have a very solid portfolio and are meeting all of our goals and on track for a comfortable retirement, so don't be too quick to judge people based on their yarn surplus.
May 26th, 2007 at 12:37 am 1180139830
I guess it's like when you see anyone with something expensive and wonder if they went into debt for it or not. Having made plenty of spending mistakes myself, I'd say I am speculating rather than judging.
What I spend on my hobbies is just another area where I'm trying to be more careful. I have plans to try to use up the yarn I already have before buying more. We'll see how it goes!
May 26th, 2007 at 04:46 am 1180154800
I can say I've never bought yarn without knowing what I was going to do with it. I do end up with the dabs of yarn from projects......and used to have a hard time coming up with ideas for that collection, but no more!
I tried creative crocheting, or scrumbling as some call it; where I crochet using different yarns, small bits & pieces....aiming for a particular size piece. Tons of fun, doesn't cost a thing if I'm using up my scraps and I have loved my creations. (so far, only bags...but WHAT bags they are, if I do say so myself!)
May 26th, 2007 at 02:47 pm 1180190873
Okay no more fabric until I use up more of what I have!
May 27th, 2007 at 03:27 am 1180236463
homebody--Good luck with your plan.