~ 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.
marzia says
Hi!
there you will fin my first yarn along post
http://tempodicreare.blogspot.it/2013/01/yarn-along-30-01-2013.html
I hope everything is right, this group is so lovely.
thanks
marzia
Sylvia says
Sometimes it helps to let a project sit for a while and come back to it with fresh eyes. Love the yarn for your shawl!
Claire @ The Norns Progress says
Thank you, Ginny! As always, I love joining all of you inspiring knitters for the Yarn Along. 🙂
Jennifer Miller says
I learned to knit when I was 5 or 6 and in 4H for the first time. My first big knitting project for the county fair was a poncho. My mom made me sit and knit biring stockinette stitch for what seemed like hours. I know it wasn’t and In the end I won a blue ribbon for my efforts.
Robyn says
Just learning about blogs. Am looking forward to following Ginny’s.
Eileen says
My very first Yarn Along. Thank you for creating this beautiful way for us all to share our creations and inspiration. xoxo
Luisa says
don’t we all have those knitting frustrating moments.
sheila says
I SO know what you mean about all the “projects in grocery sacks”…..PIGS! They are everywhere! Great post.
Best,
sheila
amey says
I need to round up all my PIGS (as Sheila said) and organize them some. I really am more of a “product” knitter than a “process” knitter so I need to make a list and prioritize things in some kind of order.
sheila says
Amey, go to my Craftsy store and get some free Project Cards http://www.craftsy.com/user/25217/pattern-store
Print these cards off on your printer, punch a hole in one corner and attach it to you project! Easy way to keep track of your PIGS! There are 10 cards on a page with all the information you need on one side, and plenty of room on the back to write down additional notes.
Sandra says
Lovely yarn and pattern. It’s always fun to start a new project but hard not to start another one that catches your eye. So many pretty patterns and yarn and not enough time. :o)
Joining the Yarn Along today and look forward to visiting others who are participating.
Sandra
tea and simplicity
Becky says
Lace work definitely is not a daytime while the kids are awake activity. Good luck with tackling it!
Erin @ Wild Whispers says
I love the colors of that yarn Ginny. Beautiful!
Heidi says
Just discovered you from Pioneer Woman! Love your blog and the posts about your family! Your knitting experiences are mine…..so excited to start projects but then find other ones that are just as/or even more exciting! Too many projects and not enough time! At some point can we find out where we can get the pattern for Silas’ hat??? Its darling! Thanks alot!
Ginny says
Hi Heidi! Here’s the link that goes to my Ravelry page with the hat details: http://ravel.me/GinnySheller/lfzif
It’s such a great pattern!
gentlestitches says
I have linked in and I think got it right. I loved your post. I always try to choose Joy. Obviously it isn’t always possible but it it often is. I was feeling a little overwhelmed as a young Mother because my son hated the bath. I read “if it isn’t a yoy you are doing it wrong” (Penelope Leech) I started washing him instead of immersing him and suddenly there was joy in our home. XX