Tuesday, June 19, 2007

It's Nora's Fault

My name is Jordan and I'm a yarnaholic. I had vowed to not make anymore major yarn purchases (sock yarn was the only exception) until I had made a large dent in my exceedingly abundant yarn stash. I had successfully avoided going into any of the LYS' in my area. I was happily and unselfishly knitting socks for Kai (my 4 year old grandson), Stellie ( my daughter-in-law), Drew (my only child) and Gi Gi (my 91 year old mother, Drew's Gorgeous Grandma & Kai's Great-Grandmother), as well as Linda (my best friend), and several others on my I love-you-enough-to-hand-knit-socks for-you-list, until I had to go to my LYS to find a particular sock yarn and saw a Noni bag pattern. I didn't buy the pattern, it seemed like too much money to spend on just one pattern, I bought Eva Weichmann's "Pursenalities" 20 Great Knitted and Felted Bags instead. (I justified buying the pattern book, I needed some inspiration and ideas for all of the yarn I have.)

I coveted that pattern. Somehow those whimsical little flowers on that darling little purse were insistently demanding that I go back and purchase the pattern. I resisted the temptation, I focused on making a more functional, utilitarian felted bag. I made one on my bulky knitting machine, it was nice, but...it wasn't captivating like the Noni Bag.


I reasoned that if I just went back for the pattern, it would be a waste of gas, I reminded myself that I shouldn't even think of buying anymore yarn, I worked on a new French Sailor's Boatneck sweater for Kai. It had a pirate-ish feel to it and he's definitely in a pirate phase. Every stick or branch he finds when he's out on a walk with his Dad is a sword.

I broke down, drove to my LYS, and bought the pattern! Then I came home and went through my stash. (I worked at a yarn shop for 2 years, wearing an invisible sign around my neck that read "Will Work For Yarn"; I never got a paycheck!) . Nothing was bright, fun, or funky enough, so then I went online and found Wool of the Andes on sale. I created a wish-list but didn't place the order. Two days later, at 10 minutes to noon (the sale ended at noon) I capitulated, logged on and tried to place the order, my server was down. I grabbed the phone, called the order line and placed the order by phone, with seconds to spare. (Later, I found out that as long as I'd started the order before noon, I would get the sale price.) Talk about brinkmanship, with myself no less! Now I'm waiting for the yarn to arrive. Enough of this delayed gratification!!! I want to make this bag for myself. I also will be busily making them for my sistah-friends for Christmas.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Thy will not mine be done. I simply have to stay away from yarn shops, they are slippery places for me. I wonder if there's a 12-step program for yarn junkies? I'm signing off for now, I've got to track my yarn shipment to see when it's scheduled to be delivered. TTFN

D. D.