Buy kits or build a stash?

[MaggieM1750]

I don't like kits.. and I don't like stash.
Yeah.. I'm weird like that.

Its not that I won't stitch a kit.. I will. Its just that I find the designs rather limiting. I have found the selection of kits at the big box craft stores is not my style and in need of a refresh. But... instead of updating their selection, they reduce it and pull in different crafts (needle felting is what comes to mind)
So I have found more of what I want to stitch is sold as a chart only.

I started my minimal stash collection slowly.. because as you said, collecting does seem to take on a life of its own. Its not just the floss that you have to buy.. its the supplies for however you are going to organize your floss (bobbins, baggies, bows, envelopes) And also the storage of your floss, fabric, patterns and tools (I call that the storage of my storage)
I started with a chart- bought the floss needed for that. Bought a second chart.. and the floss for that. Brought my floss checklist when the store was having a sale.. bought a few more bunches of color families and checked them off my list. Little by little, sale after sale, I bought the floss I needed for upcoming projects.. and now I have almost a complete set. Its not the full set. But what I don't have, I can't see myself using and would be colors I would sub out if they were used in a chart.
Thats also why I prefer charts- I switch colors around quite a bit. Darker hair, lighter hair, a house that matches the recipients, a shade of green that matches wall paint, etc.

Kits aren't for everyone. Charts + supplies aren't for everyone either. Its good both options are available for whatever type of stitcher you are. But don't let buying 90+ colors turn you off from a project you want to stitch. If you don't want to figure out what to do with supplies once you are done with a project.. offer 'em up, donate them, sell leftover skeins. Yes its expensive, but sometimes thats easier than figuring out what else to do.

[shelbelle30]

I'm a bit of both, if I see a kit I like it I buy it, if I see a chart I like I stash for it and some more hehe!