Rememberance of Projects Past

Though the blog has been silent, I have been knitting. Unfortunately, I often get stuck in projects, or stall in the finishing stages. While I was stalled on the Sunrise Circle Jacket, I did a bit of charity knitting to ease the slump.

There are differing theories on UFO management. What do you do when you get stuck on a project? Some knitters work on only a few projects (or one) at a time, and they bulldoze through all problems on that one project. Many knitters work on multiple items, finishing steadily but slowly. And many of us have startitis, embarking on new projects as the will strikes.

I will say that I have done all of these. I like to have a portable, easy project for carrying around, and then more exciting ones for home. I like to knit for myself and for others. I often have to put a project in time out because it is not working, and I have to decide what to do with it. Maybe there is a mistake that requires ripping, or maybe its just not feeling right. Sometimes I have 6+ items on the needles; more often I have 3. Knitter's choice!

Sometimes you just lose your knitting mojo a bit. Everything seems grey and pointless. When the existential bug bites, its time to hit the charity knitting. Dig in the stash and make something good out of those bad feelings and past failed projects. Even if it does not lift the mood, you have done SOMETHING.

Charity Project 1:
Afghans for Afghans
Baby Blanket
Basketweave baby pattern from Yarn Girls Guide to Kid Knits, yarn held double
Dale Sisik from Holly Spring Homespun
14+ balls? used
Denise 13s
This had been my most horrific finished sweater. I had made the cover wrap cardigan from IK Winter 2005 in this yarn, tried it on, and immediately ripped it. Hairy gorilla indeed! It had been re-balled and was marinating in the stash. Every time I looked at it I felt that horrible failure.....when an item had only bad memories, its gotta go! The yarn was good quality and thick and Afghans for Afghans was looking for baby blankets. I knitted until the yarn ran out. I hope it will bring some family a small amount of joy.

Charity Project 2:
Loopy Ewe Quarterly Challenge
Fruit hat pattern by Ann Norling
Stash Peaches and Cream
Clover Bamboo #4 circs and DPNs

This was one of the first projects I ever made and its still a favorite pattern. They are SO CUTE! I have made many of these, maybe 25 or more. They are quick and interesting. These were sent to The Loopy Ewe for their quarterly challenge (baby hats.)


I love Sheri's blog at the Loopy Ewe....and I have yet to order! I fall in love with their yarn on a nearly weekly basis (love the sneak ups) but I have not yet ordered. What is wrong with me? Its the stash management thing I guess--I like to buy when I am ready to start a project. I feel weighed down by past decisions and stash, instead of inspired. But one day I will! If you have not checked them out, Sheri carries LOTS of cult yarn and small dyers, plus famous quality sock yarns like Lorna's Laces, Claudia's Hand Painted and Fleece Artist. AND they carry Scarlet Fleece, our own local famous dyemaster!

How do YOU get your knitting mojo back? How many UFOs do YOU have in time out?

(I will confess, I have one in time out. The hems were not working. More later.)