Cataloging the stash

I started last night. No rhyme or reason to the timing. Cataloging my yarn stash was never high on my list of priorities. But, something true was percolating in my intuitive self because now that I am almost done, I am seeing, clearly, how helpful this bit of organizing will prove to be.

First, I entered my yarn info in my little plot of database on the Ravelry site (I cannot sing the praises of this place long or high enough). The name and brand of the yarn, where it was gotten, how much of it I have, the color, and any additional tidbits I want to note about the yarn (ie. which projects I have in mind for them, how much I love the yarn, etc.)

I was surprised to see that I have 80+ yarns in my stash (not skeins or balls..that would be more...)

The site makes it very easy to input this type of info. As well as, interface it with info you have input/linked to your account about projects (favorites, your queue, etc.)

For example, when you come upon a pattern you like, you can, with one click of a button, draw up a collection of all the projects in the site that use that pattern, that have been input by other Ravelers. Another click of the button and you can see what different yarns have been used for that one pattern/project by other Ravelers.

You can do searches by patterns, yarn, people, etc. It's a tremendous and amazing free resource.

This morning I have been photographing the yarn and am now in the midst of uploading the pics to Flickr. Ravelry interfaces with Flickr so once the photos are in my photostream, it's easy to upload them into my Rav account.

Grr. Unless you run out of free storage space for the month which I just did. So some of the photo uploading of yarn into Flickr will have to wait till February.

Anyhoo, having the yarn info joining the project info in my Rav account will help me figure out much more efficiently what I need for my next project(s). (I'm thinking I next need to input my needle info. And I need to come up with better needle storage/organization.)

In the end, I think this will help me in my quest to buy less yarn this year. I have plenty of yarn and I'm incorporating the tools at my disposal to manage the yarn I have, better. I am gaining more insight as to what I like about a yarn, what yarns are good matches for what type of project, what I like/dislike about a certain yarn. All this knowledge will lead to smarter shopping this year.

Here are some of my favorite yarns from the stash.

Malabrigo worsted in Tortuga.

Valley Yarns Shelburne. What I used for Roger's Thorpe hat.

Rowan Kidsilk Night. An anniversary celebration purchase that Cap helped me choose.

Noro Iro. Bought in Oakland and designated for a hooded sweater/jacket.

Noro Silk Garden Chunky. Probably will end up as fingerless gloves.

Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair. For a calorimetry. An indie yarn bought on a trip to a yarn shop local to Karen and Brent's.

Gem picked this silk skein out a long time ago. It is really lovely.

A hidden gem (I had completely forgotten I had this yarn.). Araucania Nature Wool Chunky.

My most favorite yarn of all at the moment. Hands and Notions Peaches and Rose sock yarn. An Etsy purchase. Very indie.

Colinette Jitterbug in Toscana. A souvenir from St. Petersburg. A sock yarn.

Malabrigo worsted in Bergamota. The color in real life is a true meeting of red and orange that is unbelievably luscious and deep.

Malabrigo sock in Terracota. I bought two skeins of Mal sock and brought them down to FL with me. I asked Wendy to pick one and so we have one each of a pair of fraternal twins. It was not an easy decision for her, not made till nearly the end of my visit. The other skein is much darker, with tones of eggplant and evening moss.

Noro Cash Iroha. Cash as in cashmere. This yarn is unbelievably soft. But with substance. The color "hot pink" is one of my favorites and I was so happy to find this yarn in VT during a visit with Anna and the kids.

Nameless indie yarn in Rosewood. Bought at the NJ Sheep and Fiber Festival. We had just moved here and still very much getting our bearings. It was a nice afternoon out in the country. Gem picked this skein.

Noro Kureyon sock yarn. I was like a moth to a flame. No, maybe more like a bear to a flying salmon. I saw this yarn and had to have it. From the yarn store in the same building as Barbra's old yoga studio. The colors in real life are truer. Much.

Pagewod Farm hand dyed sock yarn in Spring Brights. Another Oaktown purchase. The indie yarns have a lot going for them in terms of color and softness. The attention that these skeins get because there's less of them being handled during production results in a, for me, more attractive look and feel. Again, the colors are a bit washed out in the photo.