I hate starting something and not finishing it. A book to read, a cake to eat, a room to redecorate - I am generally good at seeing something through right to the end. If Magnus Magnusson had not got there first, my catchphrase would have been 'I've started so I'll finish'. I am an expert at plugging away at something until it is done.
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But this week I find myself suddenly in a strange, alien world of UFOs - the Un Finished Objects that haunt so many crafters.
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I blame knitting, personally. Since I picked up my needles and the Stitch & Bitch book on Boxing Day I have wanted to make so many things. And knitting takes time - especially when you're learning. I can't make a hat in an evening,m no matter how motivated I am. When I finish a mitten, there is its matching twin to make next. Socks are going to lie around half finished for weeks! The seductive yarns out there tempt me into starting new things and adding new projects to my Ravelry list.
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This year I've also turned to embroidery. I so much enjoyed the tiny bit of embroidery that I did for my holiday traditions swap that I've bought a couple more hoops and a small selection of Anchor threads. I made some little embroidered chickens for a chicken-loving-friend on her birthday, and I've started on another small flock. Yet to be finished.
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I am more used to sewing aprons, book covers, dolls' clothes, skirts and bags that can all be finished in one or two short sewing sessions.
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Perhaps I am spreading my enthusiasms too thinly. I want to make more than just one panel for O's strawberry quilt. I want to do some more embroidery - moving on from chickens to flowers. I need to knit myself a second red mitten and finish that first slow, but wondrous, pair of socks. My sister is getting married in exactly one month's time and I want to make her a wedding present...maybe I'm not spreading myself too thin, but I should just get on and do some sewing!
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So I've made two lists. And as long as the Things to finish list remains shorter than the Things to start list, I think I will be fine.
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I'm similar, and have found that starting more than one knitting project is the beginning of the end. My completion rate has gone right down (especially as I am so slow).
ReplyDeleteWhipping up something sewn is so much more immediate.
oh dear, now I am reminded of all my to finishes......... and all of my to starts, I need to make a similar list !
ReplyDeletelove the idea of embroidered chickens, do we get to see????
I found this recently when I looked in my UFO corner, but otoh there are some projects that take ages and are quite boring for me like blankets, but the result is so useful that i keep on plugging away even while doing other projects and starting more.
ReplyDeleteOooh! You're making a strawberry quilt? How fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteIf it helps I have a nw sewing machine on the floor next to me, a half crocheted granny square on the windowsill and a half finished scarf in the cupboard under the stairs. As well a a huge number of craft books that keep winking at me seductively. Bugger.
Oh yes being a knitter/crocheter definitely turns you into a manic project starter lol. I am always starting something new and gradually finishing stuff lol. Happy Knitting. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm exactly the same! I always feel that there is so much to make, but so little time!
ReplyDeletethis all sounds very stressful. Did you say something about cake?
ReplyDelete