One year, my niece wanted an afghan for Christmas.
This was exciting. Usually, my relatives never request yarn-related items. No, I take that back. My sister requested knee socks, but I have yet to find a pattern that’s easy enough. That’s my lame excuse. Actually, I’m putting it off, as I can’t imagine knitting on 2.5mm double-pointed needles for a whole calf’s worth of length.
My niece requested a “blanket.” Upon further inquiry, I figured out she meant a standard-sized afghan, but in earth tones. Now, I’m one of those people who is a “Summer,” meaning I look good in rose, lavender, sage green and powder blue. Sometimes I throw in Kelly green, navy blue and purple to be daring. I avoid earth tones like the plague, so I have very few of these colors in my stash. Of course, this could only mean one thing …
TO THE STORE!
Granted, I already have almost enough yarn to insulate the entire house, even if we moved said house to Siberia, but it seems to be a cardinal rule with crafters. Whenever we begin a new project, we never have the correct colors or type for the project.
Keeping this in mind, I want to offer readers some advice about what to look for at your local yarn shop to build a useful stash:
1. Consider the entire color palette. Just because I look positively dowdy and washed out in earth tones does not mean everyone on my knit-worthy list does.
2. You want to have yarn on hand for someone’s birthday, anniversary, wedding or a baby shower. Especially if it’s a baby shower—if you knit or crochet, it’s the law—you have to make something. In fact, you should always have a stock of baby yarn. If you don’t, go out now and get some. Somebody, somewhere in your existence is more than likely getting ready to announce they’re expecting.
3. Also, don’t eschew the chain stores you swear you never shop at for “cheap” yarn. Don’t lie…you know you frequent Michael’s Arts and Crafts, Hobby Lobby or the yarn section of Walmart. I bought Red Heart at a True Value on the Cape, for heaven’s sake. Cheaper yarn is perfect for items you know will get a lot of wear and tear.
For the niece who never asks me for anything, I found the perfect yarn and the perfect crochet pattern for her that took about three months to create. I went with acrylic (see #3), as she has two rambunctious Jack Russell terriers who leap all over everything. It turned out great, if I do say so myself.
Happy shopping!
