works in progress
alpakka sweater now has stripes; half ruffled scarf and an opal sock without a partner!as such, i tend to race a project to the end. and i must confess, sometimes i forget how wonderful the knitting process can actually confers. like this klaralund project, i have only one sleeve piece to go then i'll be finished. as i probably will not knit with silk garden in the immediate future, i should slow down and enjoy the progress. but i did not. i may later regret. i know i will.
the projects above are the only ones on the needles at whispering pine. it may not seem like much, but trust me, they are the stress of my life at this moment. i enjoy working on each of them. and they do provide pleasures in their own way. like this alpakka sweater, it forces me to think while i knit. i have now passed the armhole decreases and a few inches away from binding off which will become a finished back piece. i added some 70's inspired colors. i love it. it is sort of retro and crisp in its colors and defined lines. i can not tell you how the rest of the sweater is going to look like for i'm not sure myself. and i am most productive in this project when i'm inspired. can these sort of impromptu inspirations be short-lived? will i look at the sweater a few months later and be completely disgusted by the colors that mused me now? it will be a gamble, i'm sure.
the two little ongoing projects are probably too familiar to mention- the ruffles scarf and a pair of socks. this is probably the second time i had mentioned about the ruffles scarf on this blog, that gives you an idea of how much i valued this project. i started it in march this year, and had great intentions to make it an "on-the-go" project. but you see, i drive to work, i don't usually knit when i ride in a car and i don't carry projects to work on during my lunch hours. so, after a good half a year, this scarf is still short! i do want to finish it soon before the ruffles trend ends. i love the yarn, though. 100% peruvian alpaca, i bought them at ac moore with an affordable price!! they are soothing to my hands!
and the opal socks for my husband... it was meant to be the anniversary gift. sadly, it is not a complete pair!! there is not much i can elaborate on this generic looking green sock. but i will finish it soon!
Comments
I am the same way about the focus on completion rather than the project. With my current WIP, I am reminding myself that I knit because I enjoy the motions, and that if (for some reason) I don't want to knit on a particular evening (a possibility) I don't have to do so just to show some progress.
posted by Colleen on October 21, 2005 12:24 PM
Relax, enjoy! Knitting is supposed to be fun, honest! You can still work on each project to completion while taking the time to savor each stitch and the way the yarn works on the needles. Find your own rythmn.
posted by Kathy on October 21, 2005 12:31 PM
I have to remind myself to slow down, especially when I'm knitting with great yarns. But sometimes I just want to finish the project too! If it's any consolation, I have way more WIP's than you do!
posted by marirob on October 21, 2005 01:10 PM
I've given into the fact that I am all about completion. I actually don't enjoy the process of knitting all that much. Although I suppose I must, on some subconscious level, otherwise I wouldn't spend so much time doing it. But I've accepted myself and my drive finish and am much happier than when I kept trying to focus on the process.
posted by Purly Whites on October 21, 2005 01:32 PM
Its good to have some WIPs! That way, you can decide amoung them depending on your mood. I am the same way about hurrying to finish projects, and am trying to slow down and relax too. Maybe its something about blogging - we really want to declare the finished product?
posted by Diana on October 21, 2005 01:34 PM
I think Diana's right, I feel bad when I don't have a finished project (or a significant milestone) to blog about. Some WIPs are a good thing, but I understand your stress because I'm the same way. The Christmas gifts I have hanging around are making me nuts.
posted by Stephanie on October 21, 2005 02:33 PM
You see? You are not the only one, could have something to do with blogging. You promise and of course you want to deliver. But relax, we are all the same, come back to your WIPs when you feel like it (knitting is a pleasure, not a chore) and don't feel guilty if you don't...
posted by francoise on October 21, 2005 04:04 PM
Blogging is definitely a motivation for me to getting things done. Although much hasn't been done on my blog lately except for socks, but that will change soon. =)
posted by Angela on October 21, 2005 05:58 PM
You really don't have that many projects on the needles. Trust me I've got 6-7 on the needles right now and that's driving me a bit bonkers. I've decided this weekend to finish up something. Anyhow, I digress. Knittin gis about the process, so enjoy the knitting time, although sometimes when the yarn is so nice, it's hard to stop knitting on it too. It's never an easy balance and I don't know if you'll ever really manage it. But definitely enjoy the knitting, no matter what.
posted by Wanda on October 21, 2005 06:59 PM
I think all of your WIPs look lovely! I especially like the colors of the sweater.
posted by caitlyn on October 21, 2005 07:49 PM
i am very much like you. my biggest problem this past winter was that i had too many things on the needles and didn't enjoy knitting any of them because none of them were finishing up quick enough for my liking.there is certainly something to be said for enjoying the journey!
posted by jacqueline on October 23, 2005 12:45 AM
Only 3 unfinished projects?? Holy cow, girl, you do NOT want to see my unfinished pile! You'd stress for years!!
posted by Kathy on October 23, 2005 11:05 AM