Finish for Fall!

If Spring is a time for new beginnings, then Fall is a time to finish what we started!  Join me in Finish for Fall, a project for weaving in loose ends so that our exciting autumn/holiday knitting season isn't overshadowed by the languishing projects of spring and summer. Or last year.  Or the year before that...

We'll go step by step over the next few weeks, tackling with diligence those unfinished objects (UFO's in knitter-speak) until we will end up with finished projects, more room in our knitting storage areas, and a sense of accomplishment that will be worth celebrating.

I am going to be doing this project along with you, and honestly, I can think of several other things I would rather do instead. All of those other things would indicate denial of the issue--I have unfinished business and a real mess in my knitting storage areas.  This may shock those of you who have decided that I have it all together, in which case let me reassure you that the state of my yarn piles is pretty bad.  In point of fact, it tends to overwhelm me because if I had to go right now and look for a certain yarn, I know that bags of yarn (never the yarn I'm looking for, of course) will unceremoniously dump out of my antique armoire (which surely deserves better than this) and make a huge mess on the floor that is both shameful and frightening.

As hard is it feels like it's going to be, I'm going to pull out the big guns here and quote The Eleanor Roosevelt: "You must do the things you think you cannot do."

With her words to under gird us, well, let's do this thing.

Finish for Fall

Step 1: Search and rescue.  I think this one may be painful. Go find all of the knitting projects that you have stuffed in bags, in closets, under the bed, etc.  All of them. 

Step 2: Line up and evaluate. Taking each unfinished project one at a time, make a list (either written or electronic).  On the list, put the name of the project, who it is being made for, and your estimate of completion percentage.

Step 3: Cull. I know this one will be painful. Examine closely each project.  Be honest. Be brutal.  Are they any that frankly don't deserve to take up valuable real estate?  Would they (and you) be better off if they were, well, FROGGED???  Then do it.  It's hard, I know.  Do it and don't look back.  You have better things in store and so does the yarn.  And the needles!

Step 4: Evaluate what's left after the culling. Adjust your written list as necessary.

Step 5: Take a break.  You deserve it.  But do NOT spend your break time trolling for patterns on Ravelry.

Step 6: Find the item on your list that will be easiest to finish first. Number the list in order of completion percentage.  EXCEPTIONS: Items that have a gift-giving deadline that will fall within the parameters of your being able to finish the project.  For example, if you have a scarf that you want to give your sister in Minnesota on her birthday in 2 weeks, and you estimate that you can finish the scarf in a week and a half, finish that first, even if you have a lace bookmark with no deadline that will take you only a week. As you finish the projects that take the least amount of time, you will give yourself the momentum to keep going, as you see that you CAN do it.

Step 7: I can't believe I have to say this to you, because by now you KNOW me and really this should be something you hear me say in your sleep already. 

------------------>KNIT EVERYDAY

Seriously.  Yesterday, I was so exhausted during the short time that I was home (and not cooking) that I only had time and energy to knit a few rows on a scarf, but there was no way I was going to let the busyness of the day rob me of what I love. There's so much value in plugging away at something consistently, every day, without fail. I know I say this a lot but until every knitter hears, I will keep on saying it. Knit everyday.  This is how you will finish those projects that you have dug out of hiding and listed and gone to all the trouble in the first place to even start!

Step 8: (This step can actually be done in conjunction with Steps 1-3, depending on the amount of time you have to devote to the process)

Since you have dug out all the knitting storage, go ahead and sort through the yarn. Is there yarn you regret buying or acquiring? It's ok to let it go--sell it, donate it, trade it, just get that negative thing out of your home. Knitting should be a lot of things, but "full of regret" is not one of them.   Is there yarn that needs to be listed in your stash on Ravelry (yep, pretty much ALL of mine)?  Then set aside some time to get that done, too.  Are there too many storage spots in your home that lead you to buy more yarn or needles because you forgot you had them because that closet is kinda dark in the back and you didn't want to dig through that bag anyway so it's just easier to buy more (hypothetically speaking)? Time to get it together and find out what's really back there.  You may find yet another UFO, but now you'll know what to do with it.

That's it.  That's all there is to it. It is no doubt easier to read (and type) than to do.  However, I'm off to my storage spots now (and there are many) and I'm going to forge ahead in the spirit of Eleanor, who tackled worse obstacles than my crazy pile of UFO's.  Check back next week for an update on my progress.  If you're planning to Finish for Fall along with me, leave a note in the comments--just say "I'm in" and I'll know I'm not alone.

KnitOasis (news), hot off the presses!

I'm excited, and a little nervous, about this.  Today, the first issue of KnitOasis (news) will be hitting in-boxes across the country (and possibly beyond that, since all I have is an email address, and it could conceivably be ANYwhere!).  As with everything I do, I hope it is a success, and as always, that success will be measured in two ways.

Success Indicator #1:

Do I enjoy it? Is this something that I look forward to doing (or writing)? That brings me some measure of satisfaction? 

Success Indicator #2:

Do y'all enjoy it? Is it something that you look forward to doing (or reading)? That brings you some measure of satisfaction?

I'm always telling you that I'm a pretty simple gal--now do you believe me?

So, please, if you get a chance to read the KnitOasis (news) today or this weekend or next week, could you just send me a message, either by commenting on this post, on FB, via email, via the "contact me" form on the website, by Ravelry message, or by carrier pigeon even.

All it has to say is a simple "yes" or "no". 

"Yes" = you consider it a success

"No" = you don't consider it a success

I have already answered the questions from Success Indicator #1 (YES!), so unless I hear from you, I won't know about #2. It's up to you, and I can't wait to hear from you!

PS: If you didn't get your copy of KnitOasis (news), then send me your email and I'll make sure you do!

Simple Knitting Tips: Lighting

Today's simple knitting tip is about lighting, but it is also about SEEING.

You've all seen it: the homespun illustration depicting Ma knitting by firelight in a log cabin, or maybe a little house on a prairie.  I have always wondered how she managed.  I would have been the pioneer mom who did her chores by firelight and her knitting in the open doorway with the chickens underfoot.  I just need good light to see my stitches.

I like to knit using as much natural light as possible.  There are some who have had success with products like the Ott light, but I've not tried them myself. 

The darker the yarn (and my boys like their yarns dark and conservative-looking), the more light I need.  My solutions are two-fold:

1. Knit by a window during the day.
2. Knit something bright during the evening, while sitting next to a lamp.

Why is this not more earth-shattering?  Because:

1. I do not have an Ott Light
2. These are Simple Knitting Tips, as opposed to complicated ones.

So much of the stress in my own life comes from over-complicating things (just ask my kids!) and when I can manage to slow-down, take a deep breath, and think clearly about something, very often the solution really is that simple.  Do I feel a tad guilty when choosing the simple solution when all around me are people who are crazily spinning their wheels making life more complicated than it has to be?  Yes, a little.  I figure we are all on a journey and everyone is at different places and probably most of them will work it out that they could relax more and enjoy life. (Certainly if they read my blog they will get tips that will help them, but wisdom comes from acting on the knowledge we have gained...)

My point is--buy special lighting if you need to, sit by a sunny window if you can, and remember to consider all your options, even the ones that seem too easy.  As Red Green always says, "Remember, I'm pulling for ya! We're all in this together!"

Simple Knitting Tips: Knit for Others

Found these cute labels at Nice & Knit

If you're new to knitting, you may be a little unsure of the suitability of your finished product as a gift to another.  Let me dispel this doubt.  Give!  It is an incredible feeling to knit a scarf and give it to someone and actually see them wearing it. (This is the *only* reason I stare at my children when they are wearing knitted items I made.  Honest.)

Here, in random order, are some reasons why it is so important to give your knitting away:

1. It gives you an excuse to knit more, just in case you feel like you need one.
2. It wraps that person in a tangible expression of love.
3. It can often motivate the recipient to purchase more yarn for you. (!!)
4. It prevents the dreaded I Own Too Many Scarves Syndrome. Once you have given half of what you've knit away, you own Just Enough Scarves.
5. Knitted items make great gifts.
6. Knitting for charity is always in style, but that's a whole 'nuther blog post!

I love getting gifts that were made by hand--all that time spent, making something for ME!  It makes me feel appreciated and special.  I never look at a handmade gift and think, "Wow, they haven't quite mastered that skill, have they?"  Maybe I'm just unusually nice, but I'm guessing that MOST people don't think badly of the skills of the crafter when that crafter gives them a handmade gift. 

So, go ahead, give scarves this year for Christmas.  Or dishcloths. Or whatever you have learned to knit. Be proud of your accomplishments and then go start a new project!  I'm fond of green, in case I happen to be one of the lucky ones on your list...