Can you fall on the wagon?

This is 'breakfast bourbon' - a Knit August Nights tradition (as of this year when I had one for the first time!).

I did something crazy…  No, before you ask, it wasn’t breakfast bourbon!  Also, there’s nothing crazy about that - it’s delicious!   I went to the Summer Woolfeast… and I didn’t buy any yarn...

It wasn’t even a conscious decision!  Maybe it’s my #nofomo at work.  Or maybe it’s a byproduct of the no mojo.  The funny thing was I still found plenty of things to spend my money on, (including a new Crafty AF tee-shirt from Ngaire at Little Radiator), and it actually wasn’t until I got home that I realised I didn’t buy yarn.   That’s got to be a first.  Even though I am not usually a huge spender at events, (I tend to buy small and often!), I always come home with more yarn to add to the stash.  

I was really worried that I would wake up on Sunday morning with a bad case of needing to buy ‘ALL THE YARN’, but the funny thing was I didn’t.  Instead I felt relieved.  I had a fun day, talked to lots of people, spent some cash, and ate more dessert than was strictly necessary.  It was great party and I didn’t wake up with a yarn hangover!

Let’s face it, I do have more yarn than anyone could possibly use in a lifetime (and that’s just my personal stash - we won’t even think about what’s in the warehouse!).  And I often buy yarn knowing that I am probably never going to knit it, but it’s so pretty I have to have it anyway!  Then when I get it home and put it in my stash instead of feeling excited and happy about it, I just feel overwhelmed by the pressure of another thing I don’t have time for, and that’s not a great place to be.  Has anyone else had this feeling?

Now, I know a few people will be reading this and thinking that I have lost my marbles!  After all my whole business is to sell you yarn!  Why on earth would I advocate for NOT buying yarn???  Believe me, the last thing I am ever going to tell someone is not to buy yarn if it makes them happy!  But if you get to the point where buying yarn isn’t making you happy, then maybe you need to check your #fomo levels, like me.  Your stash should be a wonderful treasure trove of inspiration, not a source of guilt and obligation.

When you take your Outlaw Yarn home, I want you to be thrilled!  I want you to revel in the anticipation of casting on.  I want you to be delighted every time you make a stitch.  And you’re not going to feel any of that joy if you’re crushed under the #fomo.  

You know I’m not good at following rules, so ‘cold sheeping’ and stash downs aren’t great ideas for me.  I am much more likely to buy more and knit less!  So, I am just taking a breath and realising that it’s okay if I don’t buy it today - there will still be more wonderful yarn tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, and when my mojo returns I can shop till I drop and cherish every skein!

#nofomo

​:)