I thought I might have had at least one finish this month but I'm afraid not. I seem to have lost my knitting mojo and have only worked sporadically on the projects I've got on the go.
The Flax Light I was working on for Eleanor's friend's baby was pulled out and started again. I'd changed from magic loop to double pointed needles and as I looked at my knitting, I could see where the tension had changed. I'm sure a soak in some warm water would have relaxed the stitches but I decided not to take the chance. Instead of taking it back to where I could see the difference I just pulled the whole lot off the needles and started again. I then made a silly mistake when increasing so ripped it all out again. I'm just not enjoying working on this project at all. I think my experience when knitting the Flax Light the first time round has really put me off. I've put it all away and I'm not sure whether I will restart the project at a later date or not as I'm just not in the frame of mind at the moment to be doing anything which I'm not enjoying. I'm sure Eleanor's friend will understand.
After treating myself to A Rainbow Of Colours I picked my Scrappy Blanket up again. I haven't added that many squares to it but it's lovely to see it slowly growing. It's such a relaxing project to work on and it's been perfect to just knit a square here and there as the mood's taken me.
Not much to show for a month's knitting, I'm hoping I'll have made more progress next time.
My garden calls me on every nice day, come out and play, so I have less craft time, plus I am reading most days. But never fear the joy of crafting always comes back.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same with my reading at the moment too, I'm not doing much of that. I just can't seem to settle to anything just now but I know my mojo will return in time.
DeleteI think it's off putting when you make a mistake and have to rip back, it takes the shine off the project. Perhaps you will feel more like picking it up in a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteI had a practice run of making a mitered square at the weekend, there are so many tutorials out there though and I think I looked at too many. I made two anyway and they are sitting there for me to decide if i'm happy with them or not. You have lots of lovely colours in yours :-)
I agree, it does take the shine off a project when you end up knitting it over and over. My mind just isn't in the right place at the moment but I feel better now that I've allowed myself to put it away so that I don't have to think about it. I'm using The Coziest Memory pattern by Kemper Wray for my blanket. I too tried out lots of different patterns but I settled on this one in the end and it seems a very popular one. I love having a mish mash of colours in the blanket, I know some people follow a particular colour palette for theirs but I figure it's all about using up scraps so I'm adding whatever I have to hand, and it will serve as a lovely memory of the projects I've made.
DeleteMy progress on my crochet has been slow going. I'm still making that pair of placemats, but I am on the second one now! I've been getting more hours at work, not by choice though. I do feel more tired and less bothered to do stuff. I hope the crafting mojo comes back soon. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteI think there are definitely times when we don't work on our crafts as much as we do at other times. Life gets in the way sometimes and we just lose the momentum at other times. It's a good job that it's something we can do at our own pace, it's meant to be enjoyable so there's no point in pressuring ourselves to get things finished.
DeleteThere are ups and downs in our crafting endeavours. I tend to just go with the flow and only work on what I enjoy. It is frustrating when you have to start and start again. Maybe Eleanor's friend is open to suggestions and would be happy to see you knit something more enjoyable? Hope you find your knitting mojo :-)
ReplyDeleteCrafting should definitely be an enjoyable experience so you're right, we should just go with whatever we're enjoying working on at that particular time. I'm sure Eleanor's friend won't mind that I've decided against knitting the jumper, I'll look for something she might like better.
DeleteI have been making a mitered square blanket for ages. Whenever I finish a pair of socks I add another square with the leftover yarn. It is growing slowly but surely and is a real mix of colours . Yours is looking lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think the lovely thing about a mitred square blanket is being able to look back and remember the projects which each square of yarn was used for. I'm not precious about putting colours which clash next to each other, I think that's the charm of these type of blankets.
DeleteThis time of year does not help my crafting as when the sun shines I want to be outside. As always I have several projects on the go including D's big birthday present which is yet to be finished and his birthday was in April. It will be lovely when it's finished thats what I keep telling him with a smile.....
ReplyDeleteMitzi
I'm not a fan of setting myself targets where crafting is concerned, such as making something as a birthday gift, as I feel under pressure to get it finished but I shouldn't feel that way. It's not the end of the world if it isn't completed in time, as you say, it'll be lovely when it's finished.
DeleteThe scrappy blanket is looking great! I've managed to finish a winter sweater for Lily. It was such a simple pattern and only took me a week. It was good to enjoy making something that didn't require any concentration. X
ReplyDeleteA sweater in a week is good going, I'm sure Lily will be very pleased with it, especially as some cooler weather has returned.
DeleteScrapy blanket is looking great. I've never tried a mitred square, something else to add to the 'have a go' list. Enthusiasm for the wool you didn't get on with is always lacking I find, perhaps time for a different wool and give that away or bin it.
ReplyDeleteI love how mitred squares knit up, it's like magic. I think you're right about the yarn, I'm really not loving it at all.
DeleteLife is too short to keep "plugging away" at a project, which you do not like doing. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I've tried and tried again but I think it's definitely time to call it a day.
DeleteYou need a bit of colour to keep you going at the moment rather something plain and closely knitted, it's amazing how quickly stripy things grow. I love your scrappy blanket.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, stripes are a great way to keep a project flowing.
DeleteWhat a beauty!!!
ReplyDeleteMY NEW POST
Thank you.
DeleteI think you just have to go with the flow of things sometimes and wait for your mojo to come back...
ReplyDeleteThe scrappy blanket is looking really good.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
You're right, especially at this time with my mind all over the place. I'm sure my mojo will return eventually.
DeleteI did leave a comment Jo, but had the feeling it didn't go through, so here I am again. Work on what you feel like at the moment, walk, enjoy days out, then when winter comes you can pick up something more complex & work through it. It's summer, enjoy being outside & the (hopefully), balmy weather. Love the scrappy squares. Take care & huggles.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely just taking things as they come at the moment, crafting should be enjoyable so it's best not to force something which just isn't there. I've been enjoying days out when the weather's allowed, it's amazing how even a short walk can clear your mind.
DeleteThat blanket is coming along lovely. I have only managed a few rows here and there lately, must be the weather.
ReplyDeleteI think it's natural for crafting to slow down during the summer months when there's more going on outdoors, I'm glad I'm not the only one whose projects have taken a bit of a back seat.
DeleteSorry to have been AWOL, trying to have a little catch up.
ReplyDeleteSometimes projects don't want to be made when you think they should - quilts do the same. Maybe if you come back to the Flax Light in a few months it might behave, or you might decide to "gift" it to someone who does get on with it.
Love to Archie. xx
The whole lot's been pulled out again now and I'm definitely not feeling it at the moment, I might do a few months down the line, we'll see.
DeleteAll the best whatever you make Jo, the blanket is looking good, very cheerful. I've not been making very much at all lately, despite a list waiting of projects to finish, oops! I've been trying to catch up on some reading and have sat outside a few afternoons when it's sunny - doing not a lot. Take care and go easy on yourself. Cathy x
ReplyDeleteMy reading has also taken a nosedive, I haven't been doing much of that either. Never mind, I'm sure I'll come back to both reading and knitting again in time.
DeleteI just love your blanket, how I wish I could knit one.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late to learn. It isn't long ago that I taught myself to crochet.
DeleteYour blanket is lovely, such nice colours.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the mojo will return soon, a hobby is meant to be enjoyed, if not it's just another task to complete.
xx
I agree. I'm definitely enjoying my crafting a little more again now. The blanket is lovely as a long term project to pick up every now and then.
Delete