Fingering the Fingering

This rather large plastic vat/bin/box holds nearly every skein of fingering yarn I own.  I've been taken to task by another blogger (some time ago) for having such a large quantity, and for adding more to it.  As I see it, this view is a bit short sided. Calling this weight of yarn "sock yarn" seems an injustice, as this commodity is one of the most versatile of all yarn weights. Its qualities are vast because fingering yarn can easily be used for socks (of course), gloves, mittens, sweaters, scarves, cowls, hats, baby clothes or shawls.

This big bin holds yarns of many varieties: solids colors, indie handpaint, variegated, semi-solids, various yardages, and even some skeins that are very unique and therefore valuable. This big bin of fingering yarn is full of vision and potential.  There is a wide variety of fiber properties and color possibilities.  More yarn from this bin is used more often than any other of my stashed yarns.

No matter the project, no matter the color desired, it is be fairly easy to find something in this stash that would do the trick, and I can (almost) always find something suitable for any project I have in mind.

V is for versatile, valuable, and vast quantities fingering yarn. A bottomless pit couldn't hold enough.

V is also for Vicki! It's her birthday today!

Comments

[KarenJoSeattle]

My stuffed drawer of 'sock' yarn now seems relatively small. Thanks.

And I'll run right over to wish Vicki a merry one.

[Marijke]

I couldn't agree more. Have been lurking around your blog for quite a while and am really enjoying it. I have about the same size box filled with fingering weight and just love rummaging through it. You can never have too much! It is a pleasure to just look at your beautiful yarns. Fortunately more and more handpainted yarns are becoming available here too (the Netherlands).

[Carole]

I have nothing to say. You saw my stash of fingering. Ahem.

[Vera]

What beautiful yarn. I get joy from just looking at it.

[Pat K]

I'm looking more and more at patterns using sock yarn, thinking that I might get more enjoyment from some of it? I just don't wear my knit socks that often down here in the high desert. I've been looking at cowls and scarves and other patterns, as well as shawl patterns. You do have quite a treasure trove there.

[Jennifer]

Wow! I love how you get us at the end with the letter you're using. Today was a double whammy as I didn't know it was Vicki's birthday. Thanks for the tip. BTW - a girl can never have too much sock yarn (or fingering weight yarn).

[Nora]

Yum! I've got more sock yarn than any other weight. Love it!

[marianne]

You've got a whole lotta Beauties in there!

[CindyCindy]

So many beautiful colors of fingering weight. I agree totally that it is the most versatile of all. And, what a clever use of the letter "v". I'm certain you have received the Sesame Street Seal of Approval!!

[Wool Winder]

A nice stash of yarn to knit from!

[Kim]

VERY nice "V" You have some beautiful yarns in that bin!!

[Anne]

It's cold here this morning. I decided I need some more fingering-weight accessories pronto!

[Chris]

Excellent V! And, um, I have more sock yarn than that...

[Liz]

I have a tote that serve the same purpose. Also for me, fingering weight yarn is what I buy when I'm traveling. It's my souvenir yarn. So opening up the bin of fingering feels sort of like opening an old cedar chest stuffed with memories.

[Joy]

What a wonderful yarn IRA ;)

[Jen]

You have procured some lovely yarns. I'd also think of it as a gift closet, if you will. People think gift closets are so clever and forward thinking. You may knit someone something using finger weight or give a couple of skiens to a fellow knitter for a birthday present and never have to go to the store!

[Stitch-n-Snitch]

OOH, I'm drooling over all of your yarn!! ;)

[Liz K]

You have some beautiful yarns, Margene. Sigh.

[claudia]

That is a worthy stash. A bulwark against yarn famine.

[Jan]

Oh, the possibilities!! Doesn't it make you happy just to rummage through it occasionally?

[deb]

Voluminous!

[Donna]

I have a large amount of fingering weight myself! I don't know - it's just a comfort thing for me I think. I can always go upstairs and rumage through that drawer and magically I have a project on the needles that soothes me and makes me happy happy.

[Manise]

Nice colorful collection! They seem to beckon- Veni and knit me. I need to re-organize my stash by yarn weight.

[Vicki]

May you always knit Victoriously!!
; ) Thank you for the birthday wishes!

[Nancy]

That's certainly not "too much" sock yarn. I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but my sock yarn fills a cedar chest, plus more is in a plastic storage box. Looking forward to retirement in a few years, I see this as a form of retirement savings. My husband just said it's my MHSA - mental health savings account. Your stash looks wonderful, too -- such lovely colors!

I even have enough (Shibui sock yarn) to make a whole sweater; I'm just mulling over the possibilities. I also liked the suggestion to use it as a source of gifts. Now that my son is a knitter (taught by his girlfriend), I've begun giving some of it to them.

Like you said, fingering weight is so versatile! I love making socks, but it also works for gloves, shawls, even hats and sweaters. I live in the SF Bay Area, and that mild climate calls for light-weight sweaters. (I keep wishing I could link to Ravelry....)

Thanks for posting your fingering weight stash. I feel much better now.