Lise works in our store and warehouse. She has shared this piece with us about how she is a process knitter who knits for the love of the project and what she does with the finished items. She also has some great easy-care selections from the Anniversary Sale. 

A few years back, I was introduced to the idea that there are differences in the types of knitters there are. Dori, who was one of the most knowledgeable knitters I have ever been blessed to take classes from, asked me the question. What did I think I was in regards to the types? Stephanie Pearl-McPhee actually has a test you can take in her book Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off: The Yarn Harlot’s Guide to the Land of Knitting.

It did not take me long to answer…PROCESS…of course! Every time I see a new pattern, my first thought is construction. Did the designer attach that border or was it knitted on? How did they work those cables in the decrease section? Is this shawl complicated to knit, or does it just look complicated? Most of knitting is done as a gift and not something I keep.

Then there is the whole mystery shawl craze! Being a puzzle maker, I absolutely love getting involved in mystery knit-a-longs; shawls especially. Crochet is just the same. It goes faster so it is usually my go-to for a quick shawl when needed.

Of course there are also all the beautiful patterns that are designed by our own designer Kirsten Hipsky, and more recently our beautiful crochet selections designed by our crochet expert, Sara Delaney. I am always amazed at the quality and beauty of the pieces that they design season after season.

Being a Babci (grandmother in Polish) I have had to succumb to washable wools and acrylics. It is amazing what you will do for your grandkids! So, my stash does include some acrylics…large bags of some acrylics. Working at WEBS will put you in contact will some of the most amazing yarns at unbelievable prices and yes…. the stash grows and grows.

This year’s anniversary sale has been extremely tempting with yarns like Plymouth Encore, Berroco Vintage, Cascade 220 Superwash, Cascade Heritage Paints, K1C2 DungarEASE, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, Plymouth JelliBeanz, Plymouth Merino Superwash, Regia Hand Dyed Effect, Rowan All Seasons Cotton, Valley Yarns Longmeadow, and Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK! These prices make giving to others an affordable option for many.

Maybe you can afford to purchase the yarn but do not knit or crochet. I am sure you can find someone who cannot afford the supplies and would gladly knit it for you.

In an effort to not have a stash that I only collect and don’t dig into, I have set two goals for 2013: First, to knit only from my stash and not purchase new yarns for myself. NOTE: this does not mean that I will not purchase yarns for others as gifts. 🙂 Second, I have started at Prayer Shawl Ministry at our church. Our congregation consists of many that are aged 70-98 and with that comes many hospital visits, sicknesses, and of course, deaths. I have brought all my stash of anything that would make a shawl to the church and placed it in a cabinet. It was so freeing to get it there and have women help making shawls.

So, back to the process vs. product knitting. If you are like me and have made all these shawls, yet find yourself only wearing a few, find a prayer shawl ministry near you and donate them.

I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to see someone received one of these works of art and how thankful they are.

I mentioned the ministry while teaching my crochet class and one of my students, Corki, brought in a large bag filled with shawls. You have no idea how thankful I was to immediately be able to start giving them out.

So if you find that you are now collecting a stash of finished objects and not wearing them, know that you can contact me at babcipsm@gmail.com and I will put them to good use.