Stuck
I miss knitting. I have this awful gnawing feeling inside me; first I thought it was my research, which is sort of stalled at the moment for various reasons. I’m having a hard time conceptualizing some of it, which makes it difficult to go look for specific stuff in the archives – and while randomly losing myself in the catalogues is providing unexpected joys, these aren’t enough to tide over my anxiety that I should be More Organized And Have Something To Show At the End of My Sabbatical. Then I thought it was just the usual exhaustion that comes from so much travelling – I just booked a whole lot of tickets for many more trips over the next few months, and just looking at my itinerary is tiring me out. But it’s not just all this. I’m a bit out of sorts because I haven’t knit anything substantial since May. Here’s what I have to show for my efforts:
One lousy sock, a foot of lace, and some cables. I can’t even bring myself to properly cast on for the second sock, even though the anklets my sister has asked for should not take more than 2 days to knit, really. The lace is, well, stalled, and the cables for the Tweedy Aran Cardigan are so not calling me to extend them even though I know they have the potential to look like Neither Hip Nor Funky’s gorgeous version.
It’s not like I don’t want to knit these. To paraphrase the great George Costanza, it’s not them, it’s me. It has been hot, to be sure, and not really wool-handling weather. But it has also frequently been quite pleasant, and it’s not like my work is keeping me too busy. For some reason, I’m just not picking up the projects and enjoying them. I have actually been helping my mum figure out a couple of simple baby projects, but she’s the one knitting them.
Any ideas on how to overcome this? I so want to get back to it, cause I do miss it. I haven’t been on Ravelry in ages. Sometimes the threads, knitting and non-knitting, seem so distant. Even apart from Big Issues Debate, so much of it is so totally removed from any non-US concerns that it depresses me. Surfing all my friends’ blogs and seeing the gorgeous stuff they are making or queuing on Ravelry is increasing the gnawing feeling, plus after having been off Ravelry for so long there was virtually a deluge of new patterns. I thought of junking the aran cardigan and making something simpler – like I need yet another stockinette hoodie, but maybe it will give me a sense of accomplishment. Any pattern suggestions? Anybody else in the same boat as me (trying very hard not to use the words “knitting mojo”…..)?
I don’t have a specific pattern suggestion. But when you find a pattern that piques your interest (even if it’s decadent or whimsical) knit it immediately. Your knitting enchantment will return by the time you cast off.
I just play a Doctor on tv.
These are the occasions when I cast on for a really simple scarf–a 2-skein striped Noro scarf, say. I’m at a point where I really don’t need any more scarves, but there’s something very satisfying about knitting them even when no other projects appeal to me. that would be my vote.
Hey, I’m in this boat, too. And I can’t even blame it on the baby-in-waiting, as I don’t think it has much to do with the baby. I find that the only time I’m knitting much is on those rare weekend days when I actually feel free for a few hours to do whatever I want — a sign, I think, that my knitting is constricted by my overwork in other areas. Perhaps that’s the case for you, too, but it’s the travel and the loose ends on the research that’s the catalyst?
One thing that sometimes works for me (and did last week) is to look at what’s in my stash and find some fiber that seems like it might be interesting to knit right away — not committing to a project, just a few rows. Then I just start knitting and see how it feels and what the next step might be, paying attention to what would be fun to do next, whether it’s something simple & relaxing, or if it’s experimenting with a new stitch or combination of fibers.
Of all things, I seem to have started a mohair log cabin shawl… I hadn’t even thought I liked mohair! But a garter stitch project with just a bit of color and shape experimentation is currently MUCH more appealing than the lace shawl that’s on hold. And if I get tired of it, I’ll just call it a big swatch for future inspiration & let it go.
Good luck with knitting and your research.
First off, totally jealous that you get to spend such a long time in India. I haven’t been back in some years and even if I go I won’t be able to manage more than a couple of weeks. Sigh. Enjoy it!
I had a similar issue with the TAC. I started it about 4 years ago before it had its popularity resurrection, knit a bit of the front, most of the sleeves and then totally lost the mojo. Now with a toddler and a baby on the way it might be indefinitely postponed. So I am going to frog it and make the Radiance Cabled Jacket instead: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/radiance-cabled-jacket It’s much less complicated and I want to make it so it’ll make me get back in shape that much faster. Plus $1.99 is a steal!
I’d love to make a TAC too, but someday not in the immediate future. It requires a little too much concentration.
I’ve had those phases too, when I just don’t feel like working on anything at all. It’s tough for me when nothing’s near finished… I like big complicated projects, but I also need to finish things, too.
HEY! Like books and articles!
What yarn did you end up bringing with you? And have you found anything new? I kind of had this last year in Russia–I was very bored with what I’d brought until I found yarn to buy. I hate to say buy something new, but maybe you just need to find yarn you really want to work with?
Ayyy yi yi — Your story is hitting a bit close to home. I love knitting too. I miss knitting too. My life flows so much better when there are little eddies of knitting in it here and there. But alas, it’s been a month or so… So, what I did was e-mail Orata to meet me at the coffee shop for some knitting time. I figured if I met with a friend, then I could get the knitting jump-started again. This is where laughter is warranted. I went to meet Orata and for no apparent reason that I can determine, instead of taking knitting with me, I threw a crochet project in my book bag. I’m nuts. Sabotage my own plans. Uggg (shakes head in mirth). But here it is a week later and it was so blasted cold this morning walking the dog that I sat down to make some progress on those winter mittens languishing in my basket — or else I’m going to be in a bit of a bind very soon.
Best of luck finding your jump start!
And Desiknitter, thank you for your blog. I have always been really glad that you didn’t give up your blog when Ravelry started pulling everyone’s attention (don’t get me wrong, Ravelry is a great site and internet community, really stellar). And I don’t really know what I am trying to say other than your comments caught my attention. I really like reading about your knitting, or lack there of, here in this space you’ve created — I miss seeing you around Ravelry too, but I love it that you “have people over” in your space here. Besides, your Mom’s podi chutney recipe rocks!!!!! So glad I didn’t miss that.
ps: still reading your book. School is certainly not leaving me much time to read through it, but I am intregued and thinking of the useful applications I can put some of your ideas to. So, thanks for that too.
Aww, you need to drop in and visit us at the South Asian Crafters group, if Raverly in general is too Americo-centric (which I’m sure it is – pulling out hair over the general scene, me-self.)
I don’t know how to jumpstart knitting, though. Or writing. Or research. We all go through cycles of slug.
Might add, too, that Mary is not telling the Whole Truth about her neglect of knitting. (whispered behind hand: she’s been spinning, you know…)
I’ve been in those knitting slumps before. I think the key is to start something that will continue to surprise you. Maybe that’s just me and the constant magpie need for shiny.
How do you feel about shawls? This one is always rewarding for me: http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/shawls-shrugs/feather-and-fan-comfort-shawl.htm
I’m sure you’ll be knitting again when the time is right. Best of luck to you!
Hey , hey , hey, hey… who let Tracy in here? Not fair!!!!!
Truth be known (though no self-respecting historian believes in “truth” anymore), no knitting or spinning has been going on lately at my house. So there. Though I have to admit (since there is a rat fink in this blog) that the spinning has been rather distracting. It’s so soothing.
Man!… friends… gotta love ‘em. Hey, Tracy ji. Who taught me to spin, huh? This is so totally your fault. Desiknitter ji, ignore her if she sends you handspun in the mail (if you ever want to knit again). Madness that way lies.
Perhaps you are just recharging now – sometimes our spirits need to “re-cycle” for the next burst of creative energy