I'm packing to fly up to Seattle tomorrow—due to my mother's health issues, I had to cancel my trip to TNNA in Columbus in order to help out on the family front.
Naturally, the issue of trip knitting has arisen, with the complication that I'm not sure how long I'll be away. My current projects don't lend themselves to travelling, so I went to my baskets of UFOs (unfinished objects for those of you who landed here after googling intertplanetary flight) to determine whether there was something that would fit the bill. I learned a lot about myself as I sorted through the pile (in no particular order):
1. Baby Bog Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann from Knitting Around.
Jamieson Spindrift yarn.
Status: finished the jacket itself. (Darling!)
Remains to be done: Adding a ruffled edge.
What's holding it up?:
a. Need to figure out where to place ruffles.
b. Need to figure out how exactly I want to make the ruffles.
c. This is a demonstration piece, not for an actual baby.
What I have learned: I tend not to finish things that are simply being knit to learn or to demonstrate something. I need to be in love with it or with the recipient.
Conclusion: Add a simple ruffle at the yoke/skirt join. I-cord the front and neck edge. Photograph and give away.
2. Helix Scarf by Stephenie Gaustad from Spin Off Magazine
Handspun fine laceweight from Frabjous Fibers Blue Faced Leicester roving, Redwoods colorway
Status: 4 inches along
What's holding it up?:
I think the yarn is too thin for this use.
I think the yarn is too inconsistent for fine garter stitch.
I think the yarn would work well in a lovely lace pattern.
What I have learned: I had searched for a simple pattern so I could start using this yarn while I was at a retreat. I should spend more time identifying what I really want rather than trying to get the yarn to work in ways it can't.
Conclusion: Rip it!
3. Socks for John, no pattern.
Sanguine Griffin gorgeous green wool/cashmere sock yarn.
Status: One sock done, the other ready to turn the heel.
What's holding it up?:
Simply forgot about it because it is in an lovely but opaque bag.
What I have learned: Don't let viable projects fall to the bottom of the bag!
Conclusion: take this sock with me to Seattle and finish it!
5. Pi Shawl by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Jamieson Spindrift
Status: about 4 inches along
What's holding me back?:
I started this out of the desire to play with color movement in a simple Pi shawl, but that desire isn't compelling enough to pull me through a large project.
What I have learned: I should play with color movement in 4" swatches rather than in a large circular shawl.
Conclusion: Rip it.
6. Near Solstice Shawl by Bridget Rorem from Schoolhouse Press
Zephyr 50% tussah silk/50% merino laceweight
Status: On row 217 of 597 (to give me some credit, each row has fewer stitches than the previous one, so I'm going in the right direction)
What's holding me back?: This is a gorgeous shawl with a heart-melting something about it: Simple motifs against a cushy garter ground. I love it unconditionally. It is also huge, and the simple motifs aren't repetitive, so the knitter must pay attention at all times.
Conclusion: Bring this out of hibernation in a few months and make time to finish it because it deserves it. Plus I've spent SO MANY HOURS on it already I can't bear to give it up. We often leap into projects out of love rather than logic—this is one of those times. This project demands attention, so I'll try to give it one day a week until it's done.
7. Mini-Fair Isle Yoke Cardigan by Janine Bajus (me!)
Jamieson Spindrift Leprechaun
Status: Nearly done—knit up the place where the pattern is inserted.
What's holding me up?:
Need to choose the colors for the pattern.
To do that I need to pull out the yarns.
The yarns are inventoried and packed away for the upcoming workshop in Egg Harbor.
What I have learned: Nothing, really. I just need to remember that this is ready for some design work the next time the yarns are out in the playpen.
Conclusion: Finish this up next month.
8. Pair of striped socks, no pattern.
Some self-striping yarn
Status: Both socks done. Sadly, one sock in half an inch longer than the other.
What's holding me back:
All it will take is ripping back one of the socks an inch or so, no big deal, so I think it's the boredom factor. Maybe I'll take care of this once I'm done blogging!
What I've learned: I'm sort of bored with socks once they're done.
Conclusion: Quit yr whinin' and just DO it already!
9. Another pair of socks, no pattern
On-line Summersocke yarn
Status: Done, and unlike the pair in #9 these are both the same length. Sadly, they are both too short by half an inch.
What's holding me back?: Gotta be the boredom factor again.
Conclusion: Just get it done, OK? I don't need the sort of low-grade constant nagging that having these sitting in the basket represent in my life.
10. Citron by Hilary Smith Callis
Mongolian Jade Cashmere laceweight in a lovely bright blue-red.
Status: 8 unstretched inches along. I lost track of where I was in the pattern—I'm not good at following patterns like this (not that it's a difficult pattern by any means!). I think I'm in the middle of the Third Section if my cryptic notations can be trusted.
What's holding me back?: Although I like this a lot, I don't have a compelling interest in finishing it I guess. I chose it as good "meeting knitting" to pull out when I need to pay some attention to what's going on around me rather than out of love.
Conclusion: I have a tendency to underestimate the time even a "small project" takes. I really need to make sure that I want the finished object, either for myself or for someone I care about. I'm going to finish this one, though, because it will look good on me when it's done. I'll set it out with my active knitting.
11. Pressed Rib Muffler by Churchmouse Yarns
Berocco Ultra Alpaca in deep grays
Status: 3.5 feet long! getting close to the end. And Gingko has been admiring it.
What's holding me back?: Other things were more exciting.
Conclusion: This is nearly done and it's good meeting knitting, so I'll finish it up next.
12. Chickadee Mittens by Susan Anderson-Freed in Colorwork Creations
Jamieson Spindrift
Status: 3 inches into the first mitten
What's holding me back?:
I just fell in love with the pattern, but I have no need at all for mittens, living in Berkeley as I do.
I did not achieve the proper gauge, so the mitten is clearly too large for me.
Conclusion: Rip it! I wasn't thinking when I started these. I did learn a very interesting cast on, however!
13. Lillie's Little Sweaters by Carolyn Anderson (Cottage Creations)
Wool-ease Worsted
Status: 7 inches into it (in other words, barely started)
What's holding me back?: Not sure! It's a viable project, although the intended recipient probably cannot wear it!
Conclusion: Get to it once I'm done with Jared Flood's Brownstone Sweater and the Pressed Rib Muffler—this has similar qualities of being good knitting for when you need to keep most of your attention elsewhere.
14. What's this? ANOTHER sock?
Sockotta in blues
Status: 4 inches to the toe of the first sock
What's holding me back?: OMG, another sock. Yawn. Also, opaque bag syndrome.
Conclusion: Stop it with the socks already! Use that stash of sock yarn for baby sweaters, OK? I'll finish this pair when I'm good and ready.
I think that's it, although I wonder what happened to that Habu linen/mohair sweater I was working on a few years ago.....
MORAL
I have noticed some patterns here:
Magical thinking plays a big part in my knitting life.
I need useful projects for public knitting time, rather than grabbing at the first thing that comes to mind.
I rarely finish projects that are begun simply to test something.
Good to know. However, the phrase "self-knowledge availed us nothing" keeps popping to mind! I hope that, by writing all this down and sharing it publicly I will change my ways.
We'll see.
Egg Harbor?? WI? How did I not know about this and how does one attend?
Posted by: Vicki | June 11, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Actually this is inspiring.
Posted by: Katie K | June 11, 2011 at 07:38 PM
What a great post! In my case the multiplication of UFO's is mostly the sign that I am stuck with several of them. Getting to a clinical diagnosis is the tough part. Hearing an analytical knitter go through the process is so helpful. Thanks!
Posted by: Laura | June 11, 2011 at 08:59 PM
I think I'm just as impressed that you could do this analysis in one blog post! Only 14 UFOs!? That's an accomplishment in itself ( in my world at least)..Hope all goes well in Seattle, will be thinking of you.
Posted by: CCK | June 12, 2011 at 05:03 AM
True confessions! I should do something similar - and actually learn something & remember it for future reference, as you have. But I won't do it publicly!
Safe travels, sorry you're missing TNNA.
Posted by: Therese | June 12, 2011 at 07:11 AM
I can't concentrate since I read "Egg Harbor." That's my neck of the woods, Janine! I was just up there with my daughter a couple of weeks ago, and will be doing a 25-mile bike ride in Door County next weekend. It can be an easy day-trip for us -- some years we go up often and others not at all. I like it when we go up often. It's so beautiful!!
All the best to your mom!
Posted by: Vicki | June 12, 2011 at 07:28 AM
Great post! You've inspired me to organize my UFO's, although I have a closet full, not a mere 14! Now tell me where to find the time...using the time when I knit to sort thru everything I need to knit seems counterproductive!
Posted by: Marilyn van Keppel | June 12, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope everything is okay.
I should do an inventory of my UFOs too. Though I am not sure I want to face the magnitude of that pile.
Posted by: Maia | June 12, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Wow, that's a lot of UFO. I'll try to learn something from your list, too.
Best wishes for your mother and your trip to Seattle.
Posted by: Francesca | June 12, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Get in touch if you have any spare/free time while you're in Seattle and want to hang out.
Posted by: Susanna in Seattle | June 12, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Thinking good thoughts for your Mom, and I'm sorry you didn't make it to TNNA. I'm extremely guilty of magical thinking about my knitting as well!
Posted by: Becca | June 12, 2011 at 10:30 AM
what a useful exercise.
What gets me is how much time it takes to set up good meeting knitting. Grabbing something at the last minute is practically impossible (though plain no-pattern socks are a good standby; keep those little opaque bags in your purse for emergencies!)
Posted by: JoVE | June 12, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Blessings to you, your mom, and your family.
Posted by: Deb | June 12, 2011 at 06:06 PM
And I'm feeling pressured because I have three projects going????
Posted by: Marji | June 13, 2011 at 09:09 AM
Sorry to hear about your mom and I hope you are able to enjoy your time together despite the health issues.
Love this post and I need to do the same - next rainy weekend day! Re: 2 different lengths in a "pair" of socks - I have a friend I knit socks for who NEEDS 2 lengths because her feet are literally 2 different sizes (as in way off). So, find someone like that to give them to and they are a FO, not a UFO. :)
Posted by: Judy in MT | June 17, 2011 at 08:28 AM