Addiction

Addiction.  Yarn addiction to be more precise.  A subject I have tried many times to explain to others and have always been met with the same old stare - deer in the headlights - I just don't get it - look.  The only people who do get it are my knitting buddies and favorite yarn-a -holics. They know who they are!  They are mostly at the LYS ( that would be Local Yarn Shop for you non- yarn -a-holics)  and some on FB and Ravelry. Awww Ravelry!  The mecca for knitters! The place you go to find any pattern, yarn , gauge, whatever you want or need in a yarn or pattern!  If they don't have it, you don't need it!  Back to the yarn....there is something about great yarn.  I don't mean the cheap stuff either. Great yarn is hand spun wool and cashmere and silk and alpaca! All in brilliant colors - solids and variegated! Walls and walls of yarn in every gauge imaginable....from thin sock yarn to bulky wools!  To pick a favorite would be like telling an artist to pick a favorite color! My favorites change by the hour, to say the least.  Currently, it's a dark almost black, purple sock yarn made from merino wool and silk.  Beautiful! 
My addiction ranges in price from around $6.00 to $45.00 roughly for ONE skein of yarn!  That's around 150 yards of worsted weight yarn!  400 yards of sock yarn is about $25.00 for my precious merino wool and silk blend and I've seen 70 yards of bulky weight go for over a $100 before!  So, yarn addiction comes with a price and yarn-a-holics usually have a "stash" somewhere in their homes.  I can only imagine the price of a stash - maybe in the thousands of dollars!  However, one must have a stash for emergencies, shear boredom, and for those times when that perfect project pops into your head. 
I've knitted for myself, for others , for charities, you name it. However, I get the most out of knitting for other people.  I love seeing how people react to getting a homemade gift - something I have made myself. It is especially great to give to someone in need. My charity giving is usually to a Cancer Charity, because it is close to my heart.  They are always in need of scarves, chemo hats, blankets, etc.. I know what you're thinking - why not just buy them a scarf, hat, or blanket?  It's not the same.  A handmade gift comes from the heart. It's special and is made with love. Each stitch is made with thought of the other person in mind - whether it be a friend or a stranger. You can't buy that kind of thing in a store - ever.  You simply can't buy love.
So, this is how I justify my addiction. By knitting for other people.  I simply can't knit in cheap yarn for someone else. It wouldn't be right.  So, as my stash gets larger and my addiction continues and my LYS continues to be my second home.....I will continue to knit on with my fellow co-dependents.