getting things done

On my Ravelry projects page, I currently have 8 projects marked as WIPs. Yes, you read that right--8. But honestly, I don't think that number is accurate; I think I currently have more like 10 or 11 WIPs. It's gotten to the point where I have so many unfinished projects, it's stressing me out.

I tend to be more of a product crafter than a process crafter--when I start making something, it's almost always because I want to have or give the thing I am making. Don't get me wrong, I usually love the process too, but the product is my motivation. So why do I have all these languishing unfinished objects? They need to get done so I can actually have/give the thing I was pursuing via craft in the first place. I admit it—I haven't really enjoyed working on any of my projects lately because I have all this unfinished business hanging over my head. But I'm working on it. I'm tying up loose ends in hopes that eventually knitting (and crochet) will be all about the fun again.

The happy news is, two of those WIPS can move into the finished category on Ravelry and enter to my winter wardrobe rotations:

Endpaper mits by Eunny Jang
Rowan 4-ply soft
US 2 & 0

These were really fun to knit (even though I let them languish for months--started in December 07). And even though the tubular cast on and off were sort of fiddly, I adore the end result and was happy to learn this new-to-me technique. If you haven't done color work before, these are a great first project. The pattern is interesting, yet not too complicated. You can even reach a point of memorizing the pattern, which always makes things more fun.

Next up...

Feather and Fan Scarf by Wendy Knits
Socks That Rock, medium weight, agate colorway
US 5

I think feather and fan is the perfect pattern for verigated, hand-dyed yarns like STR. The mixture of garter stitch and the fan pattern distributes the color just so. If you hate pooling, you will love the result--no pooling to be seen. No flashing really, either. At first I worried this colorway, which I was ga-ga for in the hank-form, looked too rainbow-y for my taste when knit up. I got over that pretty quickly. I see this getting more than its share of wear.

Two down. But there is much left to be done. I hope I have another reason or two for show-and-tell soon...

Comments

[gleek]

i hear ya. i hate having WIPs hanging over my head as well. these two are perfect.. and it's the perfect time to finish them too! you'll get plenty of use out of them soon enough.

[Sara]

I'm so the opposite... I keep starting things because I get bored before I finish it. The mitts are fantastic... I'm about to start a pair, too... we'll see how long it takes to get them done!

[connie]

My WIP pile is pretty embarrassing, but I don't think I'll ever get to them. Good for you for finishing. The mitts and the scarf are both lovely! I can only see myself using such a hugely variegated yarn on a scarf too. In a full size sweater, it would just be too! much! ;)

[Ambo]

Love the finished projects. Kudos on reducing your WIPs. Dying to know more about the mysterious undisclosed projects. What are you up to??? Miss you!

[brook]

cool!!! love both of them. i too have about 5 or so wip's that either need to be fo's or no-no's. :)

happy knitting!

[Jessica]

Well done on the winter FOs! They're both beautiful--and very useful, you'll get lots of wear out of them. :)
It does get stressful when the WIPs pile up doesn't it? But don't let it get to you--I can't even publicly admit how many I have, it's too embarrassing!

[kristin]

I love both FOs! As usual - your work is beautiful. The Endpaper Mits as really fabulous. I wish I had time to finish a knitting project. Some day ...

[schrodinger]

Yay! 2 down! and the FLS, even though I think I said it to you IRL, it really is gorgeous, now you have it in writing :)

[just barrie]

ok, seriously. this is getting ridiculous. it's practically been 2 months and nothing. nada. zilch. give me something. a paragraph, words. fuck, i'll take a punctuation at this point.

much love,
barrie