More organization ideas

Ha!
I also forgot to mention in the organization event of 2011:

Loose magazines & patters

I love magazines. Love them!
I get Spin Off, which is a spinning magazine, and Interweave Knits, both of which I read and love! The have great tips and tricks!

So, here is the goal:
1. I have no idea where any thing is: so, go through all magazines, and pull out articles and patterns, I really want.
2. Set up 2 binders: 1 for patterns, and 1 for articles (with a knitting tab, and spinning tab). For everything I pull out, make sure I have the name of the mag, & date.
3. As for patterns, I have a lot of loose ones floating around. I need to compile all of them into the pattern binder.

Finished projects.
1. I usually copy the patterns I am working with, and keep notes. However, when I am finished, those notes are placed somewhere and forgotten.
2. I knit so much, but have no idea what I have finished. :) So, I need to keep a simple journal. 1 tab for knitting and 1 tab for spinning. In the knitting binder, keep- name of project, copy of pattern and notes, ball band from yarn, and all other general information.

Whew. That's a LOT! I have my work cut out for me. :)

So, its time to re-evaluate this blog.

So, in the past I have used this blog for personal life, and various stories to keep friends up to date. Over the past 6 weeks, I have come the realization that we have WAY too much clutter in this house. This is the year of getting rid of clutter, and living a little more simply.

Starting with my hobbies: all things knitting and spinning. Its a little obnoxious in my 'yarn room.' Lots and lots and lots of sweaters (to unravel into yarn - cashmere!!) , yarn, and fiber, oh, and knitting/spinning books, needles I do not use, and oh, I loom I don't use.

So, it begins. I am thinking this is how I will categorize it:

Fiber
1. Will I use it? And, what will I use it for?
2. Can I find it again? Or, is it one of a kind? (For example, I have some fiber from Lancaster County PA, (near where we used to live - wool and alpaca coming in from Amish communities. That I will keep.)
3. I have 2 drum carders. One for course fiber, one for fine fibers. Sell them, and purchase one that I can use for both.

Loom - sell it.

Books
1. Am I really, really ever going to knit a pattern from a book? If no, it goes.
2. When was the last time I used the book? If not within a year, it goes.
3. Multiple stitch pattern books, or companion books- which ones are my favorite- they stay and the rest go.

Needles
1. All Addi needles- go. I do not need them.

Drop Spindles
1. Only keep my absolute favorites. I do not need 11 of them. :)

Yarn
1. How long have I had it? Am I going to use it, really? If not, it goes.
2. Would I ever knit something as a gift with this? If no, it goes.

Sweaters
1. Right now, I'm keep them. :) Too much cashmere. Come on, I'm will to let a lot of my other stuff go.

Let the games begin!
:)