Lust For Stash

When my sock yarn arrived, Becky commented that she was jealous of my stash.  Looking back at that mailing sack full of yarn, I can see why.  That's a lot of yarn, and I haven't even cracked a single skein!  I'm still working off the methadone wool that I bought to tide me over until the real goods arrived.

Anyway, let's not talk about that, shall we?  Instead I want to introduce you to my stash.  Here are the mere two baskets that hide my wool, patterns, notions, etc. 

Every strand of wool hidden within those baskets was bought for a specific project.  So, my sock spree was a first offense, your honor.  I swear.  I can even name all the unknit projects, most of which were actually started and frogged.  I'm far from being a fiendish yarn collector, mkay.   The top basket also contains the Bobby Cardigan, hopefully protecting me from any baby-making powers that sweater possesses.   

Unfortunately, the sock wool did not fit in my bins, so I organized the skeins into tote bags, divided between ones I'll knit for me and ones I'll knit for B.  Even the sock yarn has purpose.

Now let's step back a few feet so you can really grasp how small my stash is.  B, Nigel, Guy and I live in a tiny apartment that was originally the first floor of a three-floor row house.   

 

The "office" pictured here is really in the "foyer," and is the first thing you see when you walk into our apartment.  The "foyer" exists because of a giant wardrobe and a  Chinese screen that we have arranged to create the "bedroom" off to the left.  No doors, just demarcated space.  To the right is the living room/dining room, which leads to a separate kitchen, which leads to a separate bathroom.  Yep, I really hate it that the bathroom is off the kitchen. 

Clearly I don't have the luxury of space to amass a big yarn stash.  Until I discovered sock yarn, I never lusted after fiber anyway.  My weakness is collecting patterns.  I love flipping through books and trolling the Web for my next project. My Amazon Wish List is chock full of pattern books I really must add to my shelf. 

Since we'll be traversing the sea once again with our worldly possessions, I've declared a moratorium on book buying until we return to the States.  I am allowing myself one pattern book purchase to help get me through my sock stash.  However, I can't decide which one I want. 

Which would you choose?

Sensational Knitted Socks or More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.   Or how about Knitting Vintage Socks, Knitting on the Road: Sock Patterns for the Traveling Knitter or Folk Socks all by Nancy Bush?   Here's one I haven't heard about: Favorite Socks by Ann Budd.

I can't thumb through these books myself, so reviews would be much appreciated.  I've seen projects from several of them, but I just can't decide. 

Thoughts?

 

Comments

[becky]

I can only comment on Sensational Knitted Socks. I love socks. I could actually knit a basic sock pattern for the rest of my life and not be too bored-in the same way my grandmother crocheted only granny square and ripple afghans. I don't even get second sock syndrome (I know-I'm a freak) I try bigger projects because I want my brain to get bigger and my knitting to get better. I knit socks because I'm so proud that I can!

I've thumbed through many sock books in the local book stores. Sensational socks was the only one that caught my eye and held my interest. I like the way the patterns are divided- by the stitch length of the pattern used. (e.g. 4 stitch patterns, 5 stitch patterns etc) I think it allows for some creativity on the part of the knitter who wants to play and a practical and simple way to look at patterns when you want it quick and easy. This format also allows for more actual patterns than I've seen in most books.

It also has clear explanations/review re: foot measuring and guage/size charts. I usually only knit socks on 4dpns but if you like to vary-it's handy to have to spare yourself the math. All of this is color coded for ease of read.

Thanks for your words on the flair. I think that yarn selection was key- I was experimenting and possibly don't yet have the experience to experiment without more swatching. Even then it's "knit and learn."

[Heather]

Sensational Knitted Socks--you will get an endless bang for your buck from that book as it gives patterns for dpns and two circs. My fave knitting book ever.

BTW, love the concept of Methadone yarn!

[Jen]

Interesting... two votes for SNS. Maybe some other folks will delurk and share their thoughts as well. I know you're out there - I see you in my logs. Don't be shy. I promise I won't bite. ;)

Becky: I think I'll write today's post about yarn substitution b/c frankly, I've been a miserable failure at that myself. Not a single yarn-subbed project has turned out. Not one.

Heather: Did you catch the reference in the blog title? ;) I snickered everytime I saw that cruiseline commercial blasting Iggy Pop's ode to drugs set against old ladies dancing in the ballroom and spry young things enjoying the climbing wall. In the fog of my memory, "sock madness" is like a scene in "Drugstore Cowboy" where William S. Burroughs plays my mailman.

[Heather]

Yes that commercial kills me too! Drug + yarn allusions are never misplaced...

[Yvonne in Southwest Virginia]

Either or both of the Schurch books get my vote. She teaches you about sock-making and gives you puhlenty of options for different stitch patterns, different heels and toes. Endless possibilities...but if you get these books, save yourself some aggravation and take them to a reputable Office Supply place to have them spiral-bound so you can lay them flat while working with them. Nothing imo is more frustrating than to try to knit from a book that keeps flipping shut. Doesn't cost much: about $2.93 tax included per book as an example, here in VA).

[Jen]

Thanks for the tip, Yvonne. Cookbooks that flop closed drive me nuts too!