Discipline and My Taskmistress
Don't get me wrong, I love Ravelry. I love it to bits. But one thing about Ravelry that PCR and I were discussing yesterday -- it has the slight tendency to make one do more reading about knitting, looking at knitting, and thinking about knitting than actual knitting. Plus, it's a veritable breeding ground for the startitis virus.
Discipline is hard in the face of such beauty.
The result of all this is that I've got a shamefully long list of works-in-progress. Here goes, I'm coming clean.
1. Fifi
2. Retro Redux Shrug
3. Lacy Skirt with Bows (too new for pictures, even!)
4. Rib and Cable Socks
5. Beaded Rib Socks
6. Giotto Cuff Socks
7. Socks for Nieces
This does not include the currently hibernating projects.
1. Lady Eleanor Stole
2. Must Have Cardigan
3. Granny Square Baby Blanket
4. Two (!) pairs of mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia
This is sad, people. It's time to start finishing things. But I have assistance. Preeti gave me a plan. I can work on one big project and one sock project at a time, until they are finished. But she didn't stop there; she made me a prioritized list of my WIPs. First up on the big project list is the Retro Redux Shrug. Preeti started and finished hers since I cast mine on.
The Retro Redux Shrug, now with progress!
Socks for Nieces is my current sock project. I think we agreed that we could work on blanket squares in addition to the big and sock projects, so I see some granny squares in my near future. Preeti's not my only inspiration. Heather has been on a UFO-completion roll as well...go take a look at her cute EZ baby sweater.
I'm turning over a new leaf, knitsibs. Prepare for FO posts!
Discipline is hard in the face of such beauty.The result of all this is that I've got a shamefully long list of works-in-progress. Here goes, I'm coming clean.
1. Fifi
2. Retro Redux Shrug
3. Lacy Skirt with Bows (too new for pictures, even!)
4. Rib and Cable Socks
5. Beaded Rib Socks
6. Giotto Cuff Socks
7. Socks for Nieces
This does not include the currently hibernating projects.
1. Lady Eleanor Stole
2. Must Have Cardigan
3. Granny Square Baby Blanket
4. Two (!) pairs of mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia
This is sad, people. It's time to start finishing things. But I have assistance. Preeti gave me a plan. I can work on one big project and one sock project at a time, until they are finished. But she didn't stop there; she made me a prioritized list of my WIPs. First up on the big project list is the Retro Redux Shrug. Preeti started and finished hers since I cast mine on.
The Retro Redux Shrug, now with progress!Socks for Nieces is my current sock project. I think we agreed that we could work on blanket squares in addition to the big and sock projects, so I see some granny squares in my near future. Preeti's not my only inspiration. Heather has been on a UFO-completion roll as well...go take a look at her cute EZ baby sweater.
I'm turning over a new leaf, knitsibs. Prepare for FO posts!
Labels: Discipline and Virtue
posted by Laura at 9:42 AM
20 Comments:
I agree, ravelry can suck the time away and then you feel like you've spent 30 minutes of your knitting time with nothing to show for it. Can't wait to see ther FOs roll in.
Rock it, girl! I like your one big/one small formula, it's a winner. I was beginning to feel like having all of those WIPS was making me mentally ill!
The only thing I don't understand is the two pairs of Estonian mittens. One pair I could almost understand (although, since I live where it never drops below 60 degrees, that's a stretch), but two? At the same time? That might indicate a problem case of startitis. Have you been casting on in your sleep? Finding projects you don't remember casting on? There is help. The first step is admitting you have a problem...(Just teasing!)
I totally understand! My want-to-knit list keeps growing faster than my finished-objects list. It's like knitting inflation -- I can't keep up!
But I think that your resolve is great, and with so many socks in there, you should be able to show off some FOs in no time!
I know! I've actually felt like this after combing through my Bloglines for a couple of hours, with still a gabillion feeds to read, and no knitting done.
My inner voyeur loves that picture of your desk. And hurray for progress on the Retro Redux shrug!
Interesting. I think if anything Ravelry is motiviting me to finish my knits faster than start new ones. It's also making my queue and my stash grow, but in a much more focused way.
Oh it's so true! Not only can I stare at new projects for hours, but my queue grows every time I log on.
I agree too! My queue grows and grows, and I spend more time looking at new projects than I do actually knitting anything. Your taskmistress friend might want to consider hiring out, as more and more of us get onto Ravelry and world knitting production grinds to a halt. Could be a lucrative side job. :)
Glad I could help! Now, who will be my task mistress?
Can't wait to see FO rolling out - good for you for instilling some discipline. I need to take a leaf out of your book.
I have the same issue with Ravelry/blogging...but honestly, my hands need a break every once in a while, and I can't complain about the inspiration...for example, I am awfully inspired by that shrug you are making...
So true, so true!! I greatly cuts into blogging time too. But your Finish the WIPs plan sounds perfect. You'll have that list whittled down in no time.
I love Ravelry too ... It really motivates me to knit (is that a positive way to say startitis?), but its very time consuming. I wish that I could focus on one sock and one major project ... good luck!
It's nice to see someone with a plan. I have no problem finishing smaller knits but anything that requires real finishing ie seeming just gets "lost".
knitsibs...i like it! sounds like your plan is a good one - goood luck!
I feel like copying and pasting your post into my own blog. I am not knitting at all these days, although when I'm doing other things I am downright wistful about knitting, can't wait to pick up those UFOs so I can cast on something new without all the guilt.
And then I go look at Ravelry for a while and admire other people's stuff.
Sheesh.
One big project and socks. That's exactly what my plan was. Not that I'll stick to it.
Good luck with the UFO's - sounds like you have a good plan, and a good mix of projects to keep you busy!
We have lots of projects in common at the moment! And I'm sort of trying the same plan. I need to knit two sweaters between now and Christmas but will definitely need sock projects to go along. Started Pomatomus last night and Bellatrix are almost finished. I did do a Retro Redux over the summer, which hasn't been worn yet and would LOVE to finish my Scoop du Jour before the real knitting starts. I agree that Ravelry gets me wanting to cast on EVERYTHING. And the Giotto socks are beautiful...
i enjoy ravelry, but i also refer to it as a timesuck. there is one thing i am dying to cast on for, and it's in my queue ... but, i also am feeling the weight of all my wips.
i am trying to keep ravelry as a database, vs. a bottomless pit of inspiration.
i think your plan is a good one.
every time i try to structure my knitting and productivity, i fall off that wagon !
Ravelry has the power to take away all available knitting time... and to make me wish that I had all the time in the world to knit. It most definately is a double-edged sword!
Way to be organized on your FO quest!
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