Help me

There comes a time when a knitter must ask the hard question - is it really worth it? Just because a project has waitied in the wings for years doesn't mean it must get finished. Some times you just have to change the definition of done. Some things were meant to be knit but not to become anything. They are still valuable - you probably learned something from making them and you had a relaxing activity for a period of time. I'm still debating on this one. It's the beginning of a freeform purse. I'm not quite ready to call it quits, but I'm also not ready to move it to the top of the priority list. I have a few others on my blog that I'm debating about too. Why is it so hard to let go of something even when you don't really want it anymore!

Why UFO?

So, here's a fundamentally significant question - why do UFO's become UFOs? I'm all full of enthusiasm when I start the project. Most of them I'm still want to do, I just find myself more interested in other projects. Sometimes it's because the project in question is complex and daunting. Sometimes, I suppose, I just get bored. Regardless, I find that I reach a point having left the project for so long has created new obstacles to picking it up - like this fine snarled mess. Now, I have to spend time unraveling before I can knit (or figuring out where I was in the pattern, or trying to find the directions again, or figuring out where the right needles are) so it just seems easier to pick up something else.

This group is giving me the inspiration I need to jump the hurdles. This is the first UFO I'm taking on even though others might be quicker. This is my Secrets of the Stole, started months and months ago. The pattern was revealed at a rate of about 100 rows a weeks. Some people would finish it within days and be begging for the next installment. At first, I was almost able to keep up but then I wrote a novel in a month (long story) and Christmas came and any number of other projects I really wanted to get done.

The one benefit to having knitted so much in between is that I'm a better knitter now and able to handle the complicated lace more easily. I should set a deadline for myself on this, but I hesitate since we're heading off on vacation and I'm finding that it's hard to get much knitting done in the summer. I will pledge to work on it at least a little every week until it's done.

Half Done!

This UFO has motivated me to finish my Monkey Socks. I have now finished one and have already cast on and finished the ribbing for a second. I've quite a ways to go but I'm really, really going to try to get this done before starting something new. I have Janice to keep me moving since she started after me and will totally finish first! Go Janice.

SerpentineSock1stDone

SerpentineSock1stDone,
originally uploaded by KnittingNiche.

I've been working away on my UFOs, this past weekend, and finished a sock! The other one is done to the top of the the heel (toe up socks) and I hope to finish it soon. I also worked on my Civil War Shawl some and have it ready to start the edging, with a picture on my blog.
Danielle M
knittingniche.blogspot.com

UFO Go go go

Just a note of encouragement to all UFOers - I haven't posted mine yet because we're on vacation in CT. But I'm getting excited about pulling them all out and having a good look. I think I'll offer at least one up for adoption.

Thanks to this KAL, I've already knocked one off my list, however. I frogged it. It was a dish cloth, but I'd lost the pattern. In general, I hate to go backwards, but there is a time to be realistic about the possibility of actually getting it done. The answer for that one was nil.

I've also resisted buying more yarn while on vacation so I can keep motivated to take on the projects I've already got started. I did however, start two more while here. (tee hee)

Keep sharing your progress and send all your knitting friends over to the site to sign up - the more the merrier etc.

Jknits

Danielle M's UFOs & Plan of Attack

I have 14 projects on the needles right now. First up, will be to finish a pair of socks that I've started a couple of times. Next, I may try to finish up my Civil War Shawl. This one is less than half done, so if I finish it, I will be amazed! In August of 2006, I worked on my UFOs and finished nearly every one! This time, my UFOs are in a lesser state of completion, so I doubt that I will get everything done, but we'll see. If I work on finishing the pairs of socks that are started, I have a better chance of cleaning up more projects.
Danielle M
knittingniche.blogspot.com

Janice's UFO's

I LOVE this KAL and really hope it will inspire me to get some of my UFO's off of my needles. (Well, it already has as a matter of fact!!) I did a blog post here on my 9 UFO's that I had on my needles that day. Since then, I finished two of them, and cast on a new pair of socks. (So, down two, up one.... 8 UFO's now!) I really hope to get most of them done this summer. We have LOTS of car trips coming up, and I can knit very well in the car. Thanks for a great KAL, Allison and Jennifer!