~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
Last week I gave my two little knitting students a needed pep talk. One of them in particular is having a very hard time seeing her way through her second of two stockinette stitch cowls. She really wants to move on to more exciting things, like Barbie doll clothes (not my specialty.) In fact she was nearly crying in frustration. Here’s (basically) what I said: “When I first cast on a project, I am so excited that I can hardly stand it. It typically becomes my favorite project ever for the first few days. But then something happens. I come across another project that I want to knit and I cast on. This may happen again and again and before I know it, my desk is covered in project bags and I can’t remember which holds what. Here’s the problem with that: that big project that was “My Favorite Ever” starts to haunt me, in a bad way. The excitement dies down, and it becomes the equivalent of my knitting ball and chain. That is what your stockinette cowl has become for you. You’ve been knitting other little projects, and haven’t stayed focused on it. All you can do is persevere, stitch after boring stitch. Once it is finished, you will love it and be so glad you saw it through. And I promise, as soon as you finish I will teach you how to crochet (with a ‘How to Crochet’ book in hand.)” My little friend smiled through her tears and then went on to knit on that cowl for the rest of my time there. Unfortunately, her smile quickly morphed back into her angry bored face as she worked. I sure hope she gets that cowl finished in the next couple of weeks for both of our sakes.
I cast on this shawl in May. I knew I wasn’t really going to work on it then, but I was in love with the yarn and just had to get started. All I did was the set up and then I tucked it in a project bag for later. It is now later, and honestly, I am not tired of this shawl, nor is it a ball and chain. But, it’s lace, and I am following charts to knit it. Therefore, I can’t knit on it during the day when there is a constant stream of small voice chatter. So, I’ve been knitting other things. I finished a hat for Gabe last week (hopefully he’ll let me get a picture. It really turned out well. But, the big boys–they don’t love the camera.) Then I knit Silas a hat over the weekend. But, I am still making progress on my shawl, I really am. It’s just hard to tell in my pictures.
I was at a friend’s house last week, and a copy of Choosing Joy was sitting on her counter. I kept picking it up and thumbing through it. She finally suggested that I take it home, so I did. I’m finding it to be a very insightful read, giving me much to think about.
Maria Fitz says
Yarn Along is my favorite part of Wednesday!
Leslie says
Ginny, I just discovered your blog thanks to Pioneer Woman, and it’s delightful to read. I don’t knit but I read constantly. Thanks to your recommendation I started reading some Willa Cather again, after finishing Mildred Pierce (an amazing book!)
Tina says
Your knitting looks fantastic Ginny and I have added the book you’re reading to my list. Have a wonderful day 🙂
Jenny says
I love the yarn you have chosen. I have joined in with the yarn along for the first time this week.
Mrs. Mallard says
I have a sweater that is a definite ball and chain. I just have 1 1/4 sleeves to finish, but I don’t want to knit it at all! The color of your shawl is lovely!
Helen Pugh says
Very excited to find your blog and have tried to join the yarn along but have no idea if I’ve done it correctly – if only technology were as simple and therapeutic as knitting!
MamaQ @WabiSabi Mama says
what a relief that i’m not the only one who is unfaithful to her big main project. all those project bags … sometimes i need a certain size needle and i can’t find it! it is still on another project!
right now i’m focusing on knitting hats for the oncology unit of children’s hospital in dc. our congregation has committed to making 500 hats to donate by mid-march. if there is any way you can help (by contributing a hat or spreading the word) i would be forever grateful. it is for a good cause!
love your blog – what a special place!
Ruth says
It’s all mittens, all the time for me at the moment. I just finished a pair of Anne Hanson’s Lion Mitts for my 5yo daughter.
I am having trouble focusing my efforts at the moment, too … so many beautiful things to knit, so little time!
Susan @ Tea & Cake says
Oh, the allure of new projects! This may sound crazy, but I only allow myself to work on one project at a time. Because I get bored. And, because when I was young I developed a bad habit of not finishing what I started.
That book looks really good!
Lauren says
I’ve read your blog for a while but never linked before. Your photos are beautiful and inspiring!
Jane says
Good for Larkspur! Keep at it!
rachel says
Goodness, I have a few knitting ball and chains to deal with.
Your shawl will be lovely when it’s finished!
Ashley says
I love that yarn! This is my first post to your yarn along, I’m excited join the fun!
Becca says
What great advice for your young knitter! Does she listen to audiobooks? I have always found a good audiobook is infinitely helpful when I am bored to tears with a knitting project.
Thanks for the book recommendation, need to add that to my library list!
Barbara says
Love that yarn — as always!
I started my first bulle and I’m so excited!
Kate says
Such a great lesson in developing the Will you have given your little friend. Love the colour of your yarn and the pattern is beautiful.
Kelly J. R. says
Hi Ginny – I just linked up. I love doing this every week!
Courtney says
Your posts seem so aptly timed for me recently, lol. I have three long tedious projects on the buffet, another that needs to be frogged and reknit and all I can think about is finding some of the manos maxima in highlighter yellow! Lol.
Carmie says
Hi Ginny, I guess we all get excited about our current project until the next exciting project rolls around! I’ve learned to stop fighting my enthusiasm and just cast on. So what if my knitting bag gets a little crazy? When it starts to feel like homework, then I’ll adjust.
Jazz says
Lovely shawl! At the beginning, knitting sometimes is frustrating, I hope both of you can make it ok.
Charity says
This is my first time joining the yarn along. I just recently found your blog. Sincee I have started reading it has really given me incentive.
Sue says
I think I have got what your knitter has got I really don’t want to knit my second sock x
Mary says
I’m hoping to knit myself something pretty like that soon. I try hard not to cast on a new project until an old one is finished but it’s getting harder!
Renee says
I love your yarn, the colors are amazing! I used to teach beginning knitting. I recall a frustrated woman who did not want to knit a scarf on the first day of class but rather a Chanel style jacket. It was an agonizing day for us both. I have often wondered if she ever became a knitter.
Meryl says
Beautiful shawl–I love the yarn. It sounds like your little knitters have many of the same problems as some big knitters I know!
Stephinie {gypsyforest} says
that yarn is beautiful! and the lace….. wow~
xo~
stephinie
annie says
Ah, the knitting pep talk could be an allegory for so many, many things in life. If only we could all take that one to heart!
Susan says
So very very true, of every project I’ve ever done!
anji says
That shawl looks beautiful – and that colorway is gorgeous. I bet that is going to be an amazing finished object
Megan B. says
Haha, I think we’ve all needed your pep talk at one time or another!
I do love both the color and pattern of that shawl.
Lisa Coffee says
joining you for the first time, Ginny. i’ve long enjoyed looking at others yarn along projects and i’m back to knitting after a long hiatus, so here i am. happy day to you and yours!
Kathy says
I can completely relate to your explanation of the cast on, it is so full of excitement. I find myself bogged down in the middle of almost every project, my joy and drive come back as I near the end and can see the shape taking.
The Barefoot Crofter says
Love the pep talk – just what I needed 🙂
Kim says
Your book intrigues me, I will have to look it up. And love the yarn you are working with.
Jen says
I think that shawl is going to be beautiful.
Emma Galvin says
I am starting to find more and more situations in which knitting becomes a metaphor for life… I think you’ve just described another! Would love to hear what you think about that book, it looks like a good one 🙂 xx
Lisa Uotinen says
I loved your explanation of “keeping at it” with your young knitter. I might copy and paste it into a Word document and then print it out so that I can practice it with my 12-year-old knitter! It’ so true.
Bethany says
I like the pep talk. I can never seem to limit myself to one knitting project (or one book) at a time, but I also hate how I feel when I don’t finish a project. Your shawl is yet another reminder to me that I really, really want to learn some lace knitting techniques. Soon…
Kathleen says
I like your advice to your young knitter. I too have many projects that find homes on my shelves in the bedroom and I can’t ever knit lace when little ones are up. My youngest likes to run with the ball of yarn which can make for quite a mess. Happy Knitting!
Kristen says
Love your explanation of knitting to your young student – you nailed it! She will love her cowl when it is finished. The shawl is gorgeous and I just love that hat you made for Silas on yesterday’s post!
Tracey says
I had to give a little pep talk to myself the other day. I am determined to finish my wips [and there are only three] before I begin anything else. I am ignoring the basket full of lovely yarn my husband gave me for Christmas, but gosh is it hard!
Andee says
That yarn is so pretty!
Joy says
What you say is so true. I have a sweater sitting on my desk that has all the panels finished (since last April). It just needs cap sleeves and facing. That’s it! I got through most of the boring parts, but I hate facing so I’m letting it sit…and sit. The shawl looks lovely. The yarn you chose really is beautiful!
Heather says
I think that may be my voice at times. Sometimes I spend so much time thinking and dreaming about the next project – what yarn, the perfect pattern, the fit, etc- that I lose the right now. I just had that happen with my Leaves of Grass shawl. Thankfully some time away and perspective helped me see it in a better light.
Donna says
I like the title of that book. I will have to add it to my list. Your shawl looks so pretty already!