I know it is a silly thing to say, seeing as how I am perfectly capable of picking up the needles at any time. But the past 6 months…life has been busy. An unsettled kind of busy. And when life gets like that for me, during my downtime I seek less release in my more active and creative pursuits and tend to fall back on easy and mindless activities (like browsing the internet or playing word games on my phone while I watch TV.)
I spent some time on Ravelry tonight, browsed patterns and projects, took a look at my queue, and started remembering. I remember what it is like to see a design or a finished object and get that flash of inspiration/obsession. To carefully choose yarn and colors–usually spread out on the floor of a friendly local yarn store. To rush home and make a hasty effort of a swatch (just so you can say you did) and then excitedly cast on. Then there is the actual knitting process, watching something grow and seeing how the colors and texture take form. Setting mini-deadlines and reaching mid-way milestones of finishing the back, or a sleeve. Finally being able to block the finished pieces and always forgetting how long it takes to actually seam the garment. Trying it on for the first time and taking that first “I just spent over 100 hours on this project and what if it is hideous” look in the mirror. Then of course there is the awkward photo shoot to show the blog what it looks like on even though you feel like a huge dork and hate having your picture taken because you over smile and feel self-conscious and worry others will think you are a wannabe model. Yeah, I remember it, and I miss all of it.
So, all this to say, I haven’t been knitting. Or I haven’t been knitting much. I’ve had the same project on the needles since before I moved from Colorado. And it is no where close to being done. See?
When I started this top I was so proud of myself for the season appropriateness of it all. I reasoned, by the time I finished, summer would be here. Although now that I think about it, by the time I finish NEXT summer will be here. So I guess it is okay. This is such an interesting knit. I mean, it is constructed diagonally! I have never seen a sweater knit this way and don’t know what it means in terms of fit. In fact, I have no clue how it is going to fit and probably won’t until it is done. I have gotten good at adjusting a sweater to my body but on this one I have no choice but to follow the pattern as written. I just have to have faith in my gauge…although it is hard.
Crazy, crazy top.
Even though I haven’t spent a whole lot of actual knitting time with this project, I am still feeling the pangs of boredom that come from looking at the same pattern and colors for months on end. So, sadly, I doubt I’ll finish this any time soon. Just don’t let me put it off too long. In the mean time…winter knits anyone?
What a great description of the joys of knitting. I know how you feel about months on the same pattern. Once I’m over the month and a half mark I’m pretty over it (and my last sweater took 6 months and I was working on it at least twice a week!).
That sweater is the never ending project. I think you need to knit a quickie. Just so you can feel that instant thrill again.
Well, I hope you get your knitting back. And that top looks beautiful!
How about a small project to get back into knitting, like winter accessories of mittens or a hat?
Agreed with Ms Cleaver, great description of knitting and knitblogging.
She’ll be beautiful when you are done. It’s such a cool pattern, but that is frustrating not being able to adjust the fit. Some knits are more a learning experience than anything else.
oh, setting mini-deadlines, THAT’S what I’m missing!
I so know that feeling of wanting to finish a knitted item for a certain season, and then realizing that it would be nice to finish it for the same season a year later…
it really is so lovely, ers. you have to finish it.
It is so wonderful! You must finish it!
The sweater will be wonderful, it looks it already. Just take your time! I have a knit like that too.
I really relate to what you are saying. I know I’m seriously worn down when I’m too tired to knit. I recently got myself back into knitting as I was missing it too, and my best tip: one or two small projects on chunky yarn. No pressure, fast to do and quick gratification to rekindle the excitement that you so beautifully describe.
You need something quick and gratifying that will illicite all that knitting magic you so beautifully describe!
full on winter knitting mode here. I’ve been dreaming about cables. If there is a day that I don’t get to knit I find myself very cranky. But I hear ya, cause if I’m tried and I don’t have anything already started I can’t bring myself to start anything. The construction of the sweater that your working on sounds really cool.
Hey
I just knit a great little pair of handwarmers for my niece. I found them on knitty. They are called Fetching. I knit them in an evening.
Beautiful, soft pink, merino with a picot edge. My 22 year old niece is a girly girl and we are in Maine. It is already cold in the morning.