My sister and I were in San Francisco today and we fell into the gravitational pull of Kinokuniya Bookstore in Japan Town. No, really. It's like a black hole but with books. Yes, I have lots of books with lace patterns in them. Most are in English. But the pictures in this one are are soooo pretty! Books don't count as stash do they? I think of them as reference materials and pretty pictures really do inspire me. I'm up to row 85 on the International Shawl but fleegle is ahead of me and "hit the wall" ie, she found an error in the pattern. She got to be the "canary in the coal mine" for the rest of us and has warned us about what we need to do to stay out of trouble on row 87. Thank you Susan! We Luv You! I will work on it more tonight. I have forced myself to do at least 5 repeats of edging whenever I pick the darned Sampler Stole up so it does proceed kicking and screaming. I have been listening to the soundtrack for "Hairspray" while I'm doing the edging so it's not all bad. As for the pictures of yarn, I did say I am allowed to buy sock yarn for my sister and I just got some lovely skeins from Black Bunny for her. I don't think my pictures do them justice. 400 yards each and they are soft and lovely wool. Though I don't knit socks myself, as a person who benefits from my sisters knitting of them I have to confess that I'm very partial to bright colors and soft but substantial yarns. This yarn has all the virtues. She promised I can have the louder pair :-) Short post with no pictures of my very boring edging. I'm not showing that sucker again until it's done! However, once I get the second set of leaves done on the International Shawl I will try to get it on longer needles so I can get you a picture. Until then, Good Knitting!
24 comments:
Well, lots of books count as stash, no? I tend to collect books and most of them just sit on the shelves for a long time. That's a stash!
Darn! Every time I see non-lace yarn photos on your blog, then only to read that they weren't for you.
Only ONE of the Japanese book? You have to be in some kind or real restrain! I have several of them and they are all great!
Dear Jason,
Book stash? Maybe so but I don't think I can promise not to get books or patterns. I'd croak! I love the look of sock yarn and I love to wear hand knit socks but I have no desire to make them myself. I'm too into the lace :-) I'll have to rely on you for variety!
Dear Laritza,
Restraint is not one of my big virtues I'm afraid. I did drool over the other books but this one had more lace and patterns involving yarn-overs than the others. I have a copy of the one with lots of cables as well :-) I may have to break down and get the others one day. The production value is very high with these books and they have great charts and graphic instructions so that it does not really matter that they are in Japanese and they are a terrific addition to my knitting library.
Books are certainly not stash. They are educational materials and should be vigorously collected.
Sock yarn, as I understand it, isn't really stash either, and sock yarn destined for the feet of others certainly isn't stash--it's gift yarn.
Your hundred-pound canary says so...TWEET.w
I agree with Fleegle. Books are a necessity. You should be commended for the investment.
I love this book! More patterns than I have time to knit.
Books are not stash. Neither are needles and other accessories. Neither are spindles...The sock yarn is stash, but doesn't take up too much room! I have that book too (plus another dozen!)I love the way it is photographed. I am looking forward to seeing the International Shawl as soon as one of you posts some pictures (insert throat clearing noises...)
Ah! I have this book too and it is! a very good one. Did you see the 500 stitch one? Lucky you, you get to see Kinokinuya in its remodeled glory and the room for more knitting, craft, etc. books. And yum, that yarn is gorgeous - me want very much....Terry
books are definitely not stash they're an aid to destashing as are knitting related magazines....
Love the Spinning Bunny sock yarn especially the spicy looking one.
Books are a different kind of stash. So it doesn't count as knitting stash.
Dear Terry,
That bookstore is like a crafters wet dream! I don't own all of the many pattern books but I'm very tempted. That's just knitting greed though. I have the one with the most lace so far :-)They have a huge number of books/magazines for all types of crafts and crochet in particular. Me like very much as well!
Dear littleberry,
I love that I can now consider my knitting library an aid to de-stashing! Now I feel not one bit of guilt in having bought the book. Brilliant! I also love the "spicy" yarn as well and I'm pretty sure that's going to be a pair of socks for me as I don't think my sister is willing to wear those colors :-)
Dear Carol,
I'm glad it's not counted towards yarn stash. I won't count books and patterns as taboo. Now, fiber sort of straddles the line as it is not yet yarn but has the potential to become yarn. Not that I lack for fiber either but one has to really think these things out! I will have to really think about that one :-)
I'm so envious of your book find! I really need to get myself to the Japanese book store.
Those sock yarns look decadent. :)
Dear Opal,
The Japanese books really are beautiful but addictive so don't be surprised if you end up with several for your collection. The sock yarn is even better in person than in the photographs:-)
I LOVE books! High Art! I call them Treasures!! Not to mention they fit nicely into a small area and are easy to dust! I may never do anything out of some of them but I look at them and am amazed at what others can accomplish...which spurs me on.
I love the new sock yarn....it's smashing!! How lucky are you that you have such a wonderful sister who will make You socks!
Hope that you will be coming to Stitches West! I would love to see you both!
Hugs....and Beautiful work!!!!!!
I gave you an award! Check out my blog for further details. :)
Ha! I always buy more books when I'm on a yarn diet. The urge has to be redirected somewhere... ;-)
Go over to my blog. There is something for you over there.
Dear Opal,
Thank you for the lovely award! So is this like a chain letter only better?
Dear Beth,
I have discovered that you are right. While I might resist buying yarn for myself, I have the urge to buy yarn for others, to buy patterns and books and more fiber to spin though I have plenty of fiber in my fiber stash. I have decided fiber stash does not count on this particular diet. I'm also looking at my fabric stash for something particular I have in mind. The minute I tried to restrict my yarn purchases I went into over-drive in lots of other areas. I will have to be careful :-)
Dear Lartiza,
Holy Cow! Thank you for listing me as a favorite! I guess I better get my own list together :-)
Dear Sheila,
Of course we are going to Stitches West! We will see you there as usual. I'm happy to hear that the books are a postive form of collecting :-) I really do need them for reference, patterns, inspiration and to just look at/drool over . See you at the Stitches West Market!
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