Friday, April 24, 2009

unfinished everything

unfinished soaker

unfinished arm

Do you ever get into a funk where you can't seem to finish any projects?

This is really bothering me. I don't like unfinished projects. They really aggravate me. But everywhere I look, they seem to surround me.

The sloth softie that was supposed to be done for HWWLLB's birthday on March 27... still armless and lying around in pieces. The big pile of soakers I thought I would have finished by now... still a measly pile of 2.5 completed soakers. Those aren't going to last long. And all my secret plans for cute little booties, caps and blankies - ha! Barely more than a twinkle in my eye.

I don't even want to talk about all the unfinished non-knitting projects. I can't even seem to finish an email lately! What is going on? It really is very unlike me.

Does anyone have any hot tips for breaking out of the Unfinished Projects Funk?

12 comments:

  1. I'm in the same predicament with a sweater I started ages ago. Whatever you do, don't look at patterns for new projects :)! You might try a good audio book or a television series on DVD to give you some idle hands time. Good luck!

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  2. I like the audio book idea, and something else that always seems to help me is to find something quick and easy to finish. That then gives me hope and courage to tackle the next big thing.

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  3. Just let it go... do some baking instead. It'll come back to you. xo

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  4. Realize that once you're little one is here, you will have NO TIME for these projects. So finish them now or they might never get done!

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  5. I'm up that same creek with you, so I have no helpful tips, just commiseration.

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  6. It's hormones - relax nesting will lead to finishing.

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  7. i don't know if you are allowed caffein but I make a pot of really good coffee and get a small bag of good chocolate coffee, put on some good music and settle in for a good knit. Sometimes I watch a movie & knit but fast, upbeat music makes for fast knitting.

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  8. Good grief, not enough coffee yet today for me. I meant good candy.

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  9. I'm sure the sloth wouldn't complain about your timeline.

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  10. I have found that one of the two following strategies usually works for me:
    1. Forget about knitting completely for a little while. Focus on other projects that need your attention, and eventually you'll feel enthusiastic about getting back to work on something.
    2. Work monogamously and methodically on one project at a time, gunning them down at a steady pace. Reward yourself with x for finishing y.

    Good luck!

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  11. i think we've ALL been there. :) here's a great little post on breaking out of a creative rut...

    http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/05/life-art-top-tips-breaking-out-of-a-creative-rut.html

    hope this helps!

    ~ shelley, waldorfmama.com

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  12. With all of the unfinished projects lying around my house, my best advice is .... don't let it stress you out. With a new baby soon to be here, your life will become full of half finished projects, and not all of the artistic variety. Your knitting is not going to go bad while waiting for you to pick it up again. It will be there when you are ready for it.

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