Is there knitting methadone?

OK, this morning I found myself saying I'm going to buy yarn for three more projects and then I'm going to stop." Right. I've heard that kind of thinking before. Many moons ago I used to work in a Methadone clinic.  Classic addictive behaviour. No disrespect to those suffering from chemical addiction, but the thinking patterns are remarkably similar. I also have a sneaky suspicion that there's a dual diagnosis happening here. That would be the ebay addiction.

I don't need more yarn, but then I hear my brain thinking "buy it now, you won't be able to afford it when you retire." Self deception at its best. Retirement is many years away. I'm twisting facts to serve my addiction. The only thing that's not consistent is that I don't deny my problem. I proudly wear it around my neck. Tell me you'd be able to resist this list:

1. Pink malabrigo laceweight for a Hanami stole.

2. Oh, just one more skein of Rayon Metallic yarn (pictured here in the Curry colourway). Two is not enough. Michele in NY told me that someone on the subway offered to buy her beautiful RM Clapotis right off her neck. Too late, I just clicked on the commit to buy button.

3. Who can resist this? Watermelon yarn. Wouldn't it make cute baby hats? Good thing it's out of stock.

4. And I just found this sock loom. Brilliant! My fingers can't take knitting in the round with little tiny toothpick-like needles. And if I buy it I'd be able to use up some of my sock yarn stash.

Someone help me. I found this site. Do you think I should join? Maybe if I grind up some fibre and mix it with Tang...

Comments

[Marina]

Temptress! Of course I had to click on the "sock loom". Hmm, maybe I can learn on that before I invest hundreds on a sock machine?

[Monika]

Ah, how well I understand you! I've been buying yarn over the last year, because I was telling myself, that now, that my DH is self embloyed, I wont be able to afford stuff in the future. Might still be happening, but I hope I've trained my son well enough, that he'll support my fiber addiction in the years to come, if all else fails. ;o)

[Stacey]

I never thought I'd like looming until I broke my arm and that sneaky Isela (from the loom place) sent me a bunch. They are fun and wonderful. Her patterns are awesome and if you need help, she's always willing.

[Linda B.]

Some years ago there was a site on the 'net that helped calculate the amount of yarn one required to prepare for retirement. I found it quite useful - it helped me put some perspective on this, um, habit.

In the calculation was - the age you are now, the age at which you will retire, how long you expect to live, the number of projects you already have in your stash, and how many projects you can knit in a year once retired.

So...for me:

58-60= 2 years of buying time left

90 (hey, my dad is 97...it could happen to me too)
- 60 = 30 the number of knitting years in retirement

30 (years in retirement) x 12 (number of projects/year) = 360

150 = number of projects in my stash (estimate ;-) )

360 - 150 = 210

2 (years to knit before retirement) x 10 (number of projects/year I can knit now) = 20 projects I can knit before I retire

210 - 20 = 190 projects I need to stash up for over the next two years.

I better get going!

One of the flaws in this model is that there might be some diminuation in the number of projects/year when eyesite and arthritis become factors.

[Michele]

LOL you can use me as an excuse anytime!!

Anyway, I made one of the Brooklyn Tweed 1x1 Noro Silk Garden scarves recently and 2 complete strangers came up to me on the subway, asked me where I bought it, and when I told them I made it, they asked if I would knit one on commission. I told them it would be $132 for the scarf (3x the cost of the yarn). Neither took me up on the offer :)

[Karen]

I love the watermelon yarn! It would make a cute anything at all.

Are you going to try the loom?

[Angie]

Sock Loom, SOCK LOOM! Are you trying to kill me? I was just typing yesterday with a friend, that they WILL keep making more yarn and it will be lovelier than what we have now, it is the nature of the beast, they will NOT stop making it. I don't have to hoard it! I don't think either one of us is convinced.

[Suzanne]

Oh, I can't wait to see the Hanami in Malabrigo. I recently finished mine and I think I bought the yarn I used before I had even heard of the Malabrigo lace.

[Lynn]

Oh I've seen that watermelon yarn and I LOVE it!!! I go to her website occasionally but I can never find it in stock. I SO want that yarn! I *did* find it on eBay, but it was selling for almost $40. I passed.

And quite honestly I dont want to quit!!! LOL

[Dorothy]

Oh my gosh! That watermelon yarn is the cutest thing I've seen in a long time. Probably good that it's out of stock and too pricey on eBay. But if you ever run across it again, you will remember who your friends are, won't you?

[Awesome Mom]

I figure that as long as I keep my stash to one room and I am not storing it in every closet I am doing pretty good at keeping my addiction in check.

[Beth]

I'm no help - I just see things and buy buy buy!

[Lorette]

I covet that watermelon yarn, too.

And you must recall that the principle of taking methadone is that you take a regular daily dose of a legal substance (yarn) in order to prevent yourself from using a more dangerous, illegal substance (more yarn). So, if you follow this principle, you would buy a small amount of yarn regularly in order to keep from slipping and buying a huge amount when you really can't afford it. Following me here? Trust me, I'm a doctor.

[Suzanne]

Thank you for the comment on my Hanami. You will enjoy knitting it. I loved the basketweave section until I did it a few times and then I couldn't wait to get done with it. Once as I hit the Cherry Bloosoms, it just seemed so relaxing and fun to knit.

[Maureen]

Knitters Anonymous, that's too funny. Can you imagine a room of them (us) holding a monthly meeting. All of the attendees a-twitter because they have nothing to do with their hands while they sit there.

[Melody]

I love watermelon yarn. Loved the pic of your son from last summer and the pics of all your blooming glory! The hen/chick is super gorgeous. I'm ready for spring so I can put my banana tree back outside on the patio! Clap 3? Wow...my #2 is still sitting in a big ziploc unfinished. i have knitting commitment issues.