The Essential Guide To Moving Stash Overseas

And so it begins... 6 weeks of extreme minimalist living. It's more fun to sit on the floor and eat pizza when you're a kid. The novelty wears off pretty quickly as an adult.

I'm no stranger to moving. My dad was career military, and we moved around a lot when I was growing up. Of course we used to pack two cars to the gills with the items we'd need right away. But I remember agonizing over which toys I could and couldn't live out.

These days, my brain chews on slightly more important items like which clothes to bring. It's warm now, but it's usually cold on Halloween. Do we need to bring these old towels, or should we buy a new set that doesn't have bleach marks on them? Should we try to squeeze a fry pan in our luggage, or just buy one when we get there? Should we be keeping this scratched up Teflon anyway?

But the real question, as you all know, is what yarn to bring in your luggage and what yarn to ship on the boat. The following steps will ensure that your beloved stash rides along with you.

Step 1: Survey the goods by laying it all out on a flat surface.

Step 2: Commit to finishing WIPs. You'll get no sympathy from anyone if you leave good projects behind in favor of untouched yarn balls.

I held onto the yarn for B's sweater (I'll knit on the plane), the Belatrix Socks, and the Silk Daisy Scarf.

Step 3: Find out what knitted objects the husband wants this Autumn. Involving the husband in the insanity ensures minimal smirks and snarky comments when you get around to selecting items for yourself.

We went back and forth for awhile on this. He'd like a new scarf for crisp October evenings, but the yarn I have for that is a bit bulky and might take up too much room in the suitcase. I explained that I already wanted to knit him some hiking socks. Further, some of the sock books I bought awhile ago contain great, manly patterns. In the end we agreed on two skeins of sock yarn: Lana Grossa Mega Boots Stretch and Wollmeise.

Step 4: Think gift knits.

B found himself so wrapped up in Step 3 that without even realizing it, he reminded me that I shouldn't wait until December to start knitting for the holidays. (See how this works?) So, I stashed two skeins of secret surprise yarn to knit something for our moms.

Step 5: Buy more when you arrive.

I'm mad keen to knit Absorba, the bath mat from Mason-Dixon Knitting. I can't get Peaches and Creme here, so that's on my shopping list next week.

Step 6: Now think about you. By now, your husband thinks you're a saint for putting everyone else first.

I decided that I had one major project that I wanted to work on this Fall, stranded colorwork socks. So, I set aside the three skeins of the Lang Jawoll I picked up in Berlin.

Step 7: Lament aloud that you can't take more. Express particular concern for the fancy, hand dyed sock yarn that isn't as easy to replace. Segregate the fancy sock yarn from the average sock yarn. Declare desperately that if there's even a smidge worth of extra room in your luggage, you'll hit up the lux yarn first.

Step 8: After packing personal essentials and agreed upon project yarn, start cramming yarn in any nook and cranny you can find. Pout convincingly, but not too much, when husband suggests that you don't want to push it with the carry-on luggage. When he asks, "What if your bag doesn't fit into one of those thingies," say "nah, they won't care about that little bit." Then reluctantly start fishing it all back out, stating that five skeins of Claudia Hand Painted isn't going to make a big difference.

Step 9: Mission accomplished. Hug husband profusely when he offers to put the remaining skeins (Wollmeise, Colinette Jitterbug, TOFUtsies and Panda Cotton) in the extra space in his bag.

Voilà!

In truth, I'm not bringing all that much, though I did managed to pack all of my needles, plus essential notions. The odd thing is, though, I really didn't want to make a Fall knitting list like I did this Summer. It makes me feel too pressured. Yet in order to pack, I essentially made a list anyway.

Coming Soon

You may have noticed that I didn't list a certain project in my WIPs list above. Yes indeedy, I managed to finish and block my Ogee Skirt yesterday. Woohoo! Photos and details will be posted this weekend.

Comments

[Jeannie]

That sounds difficult. I would have taken me far too long to figure out what projects I want to work on now and while I'm waiting for the rest of the stuff to float across the ocean. I am glad to hear that the Wollmeise made it into the baggage. Can't let that pretty yarn get lost anywhere. Good luck with the rest of packing.

[Meghann]

Wow! You are amazing:) Enjoy the move. When do you guys leave?

[KelInCal]

Thanks for the tips, although I don't think I could pull any of that off as smoothly as you appear to have done!

I bet Ogee looks great - can't wait to see it!

[Heather]

What a process, whew!! Good luck with your move, what a huge change...hopefully we can meet up sometime now that you'll be Stateside!:)

[sophanne]

I hate it when you have to decide which "toys" to play with. I know that if faced with the same crisis, I would, as I was sorting have some sort of manic fit about yarn that's gone untouched for months, and be certain that it was really essential for it to go on the "A-list." It sounds like you approached the whole business rationally. I admire your strength.

[Schrodinger]

I had the same life growing up, and I hated having to choose the toys - I would hate having to choose the yarn too... Good luck with it all, seriously.

[stacey]

Oh, piece of cake - okay, not! :) At least your knit projects are taking some priority! Can't wait to see the finished Ogee!

[Jessica]

You are one smart cookie. Get the boy involved early and often. A recipe for success for sure! ;)

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