Facing the facts

Oh.My.God. Have I mentioned that I am oh so, so very well-acquainted with that state called denial? And that, every once in awhile, against my better judgment, I elect to do a little reality check?

Feeling a twinge of guilt over my Scrooge-like mood, I visited my mother's basement this morning to pick up my little holiday ornaments and faux tree/ornament displayer. And while I was there I thought, what harm can come from visiting my little ole yarn stash?

Let me repeat, with emphasis: Oh.My.God. I am kicking, KICKING myself for bringing home a new Rowan knitting project last Saturday. Going mad with all my UFOs on size 3 needles, I decided I needed a simple, fast, beautiful project on larger needles. No harm, no foul, I thought. It'll be done in a flash, and then I'll be able to return to all those guilt-makers refreshed, rejuvenated. All logical, and pragmatic, as long as you were residing deep, deep, deep in that lovely state of denial.

I'm not even going to explain how horrifyingly monumental it was. I'll just give you the gist of it. If I am fortunate enough to live another 30 years, arthritis-free, I'll make serious headway on the stash. As long as I NEVER AGAIN succumb to temptation and bring home another skein, ball or cone of yarn. No matter how luscious the feel or stupendous the color, I must resist. Or have a truly serious yarn sale.

Now, I'm sure many of you are out there saying -- yes, yes, sell it, give it away, get rid of it!! But you inveterate fiber freaks know just what an unbearable test that would be. The yarn I was all set to give away at the shop's Super Bowl yarn exchange suddenly sang to me as I uncovered it. What was I thinking giving away a beautiful silk/alpaca blend when there were sweaters and scarves and hats to be made?

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, yes? Alright, I own it -- you can call me yarn 'ho.

Yarn 'ho, yarn 'ho, yarn 'ho.

But I won't give up that hoard of sock yarn I tucked away a few years ago and unearthed today. Because, from here on out, the only thing I'll be buying are more sock needles. The occasional tape measure. Buttons for completed projects. But no more yarn. Not Rowan yarn that's getting discontinued. Not Jitterbug. Not Socks that Rock yarn. Not the new Noro sock yarn that Bananie showed me over udon Wednesday night... Really. I can beat this thing.

(Pop over to the loop website to check out the new Noro).