I've been in a bit of a knitting slump lately, did you notice? I don't have any big projects to focus on or anything that I am particularly passionate about knitting. I could knit stockinette socks til the cows come home, but where's the fun in that?

When I was growing up, my mom always had a lot of fabric. Shelves of it. I never understood it, but didn't question the madness as long as I was on the receiving end of lots of flannel nightgowns, quilts and doll clothing like you wouldn't believe. But now I get it. I've turned into my mom (I've got fabric, too).

I avoided flash-your-stash day for a few reasons, primarily because all this stuff was wedged into my one closet with so much other junk that I just didn't want to deal with my closet actually exploding. There's also the part where I didn't really want to admit to myself how much there is. But today is about the 10th consecutive rainy day here so I decided it would be a good time to take a look at the inside of my closet and get things organized before summer.

Now, I'm sure that a lot of you think this stash is amateur business. I know, compared with a lot of knitbloggers out there this is peanuts. But since coming to Japan I have been consciously trying not to buy yarn that I couldn't use right away, since I'm going to have to SHIP THIS STUFF HOME when I leave next summer. Not to mention that I'm trying to save for grad school. And this is self-control? I have a lot of really nice yarn in here, and I don't want to knit just anything with it. I need some inspiration! Can I really make that Noro Cash Laine pullover when summer is on the way? I might just have to crank up the ac and begin. I am also desperately in need of some 1-2 skein projects for all these lovely randoms that I've been accumulating. I have so many balls that don't seem to be quite enough for anything... what to do!?

Yesterday I got down to work with this beautiful skein of Kersti that I got in a swap last year and started Wendy's Dreamswatch head wrap. It's really fun to knit and perfect for this yarn. I'm taking this as a sign that there are perfect patterns out there for each and every skein in my stash. I just need to start looking more seriously.