Project ADD
I currently have two projects active and on the needles – Seraphim and a baby hat to go with Nautical Blankie (BTW, go see Snow’s color scheme in progress) and the Flower of Life scarf. I have several others in non-active status – Wear Everywhere Pullover, Leaf Lace Shawl, Siren Socks, and Skyway Scoop, plus I still have Mitten from Holland #2 to knit. Yet I’m itching to cast-on a new sock??? I’m also sort of itching to pull out Wear Everywhere and to finish up Skyway Scoop if I can even remember what the problem was (other than the fact that I’ll probably be drowning in it now – but it should fit my mom if it isn’t scooped too far for someone without a chest). I also want to cast-on for Wobbly Circles and I want to dye some yarn. I have a few books I’d like to get bound here before the weekend too. Oh and there is the site redesign floating around in my head along with setting up a non-yahoogroup-based site for our Monday night knitting gang.
I have project ADD right now. Me and project ADD don’t often get along real well because I also have a problem of liking instant gratification and as those who finished the Knitting Olympics can attest to – project monogamy leads to fast finished projects. Now, I’ll never be completely faithful to one project, that just doesn’t work for me as I always have to have a relatively non-thinking project on the needles for knitting gatherings. Nevertheless my current urgings are totally ridiculous!
Do you get spurts of knitting (or just general project) ADD? What do you think causes yours? Does if come after the completion of a lengthy project so you are just wanting to get going on all those other projects that queued up in you wish list while working on that big one? Does stash expansion contribute to it? Does it come when you are under stress and are just having a hard focusing on anything? I’m curious…
I’ll share my suspicions as to the cause of my current project ADD tomorrow so as to not skew your thoughts on the subject.
BTW, we are getting ever closer to the 1000th comment. If comments continue apace the magic day will likely be somewhere around April 10th and as I’ve mentioned before there will be a special prize package for that special person to leave the 1000th comment…
I’m the antithesis of knitting ADD. My OCD keeps me totally monogamous! Or have we talked about this already??
Comment by Scout — 3/23/2006 @ 9:39 am
I’m feeling a lot of knitting ADD lately, too. It’s spring, I think - the change in season and changing weather is creating all sorts of energy and those of us who are creative are channelling it into starting every new project in our heads RIGHT NOW. LOL.
Comment by Jess — 3/23/2006 @ 9:43 am
I’m forcing myself to finish a sweater that has required multiple rips and re-dos - is it any wonder I haven’t picked up my needles in a couple of days? I would love to start something new! Several somethings new! I like the suggestion that Spring is responsible!
Comment by Julia — 3/23/2006 @ 9:53 am
Personally, my project ADD comes from life. If life is smooth and easy, then I’m way more focused, but when someone I love is ill or in trouble, I start everything is sight and then drop it like a hot potato the minute focus is required.
Comment by Cindy — 3/23/2006 @ 10:02 am
I was just thinking about my own knitting ADD. I think that in my case it rears it’s ugly head when the projects I’m working on aren’t exciting or challenging. The patterns that I choose because they have an interesting technique or a cool looking stitch hold my interest no matter how difficult they are. There’s a feeling that I must keep at it until I succeed. On the other hand, my friends and relatives tend to like/request very simple items to wear and I find those tedious and hard to focus on. I make them happily because I love the people they’re for but it can be torture.
Comment by hillary — 3/23/2006 @ 10:06 am
I think it’s the time of year. And I made the mistake of having 3 projects going and now I’m having a hard time focusing on them all. I’m really a one (or maybe 2) project at a time person and I’m overloaded.
Comment by Stephanie — 3/23/2006 @ 11:09 am
Oh I defintely get spurts of ADD, of course it’s in all aspects of my life, but it comes out in my knitting most. My problem is I see a pattern, fall in love, then just have to knit it immediately. I have no patience.
Like your blanket you designed, as soon as the patterns available, I’m purchasing it to knit an afghan for my husband. Seriously he love sailing and it’s cute, and who cares if it’s childlike. Although I think I’ll convert it to heavier weight yarn.
Comment by Rebekah — 3/23/2006 @ 11:57 am
Heh, blogging has hugely contributed to my DESIRE to start a gazillion projects (oh! that’s so cool! I need one of those!), but I’m trying to stay focused on one or two. I also must always have a sock in my purse for meetings and unexpected waiting, and I have a tendency to get sucked into knitting the sock over any other project.
Comment by Chris — 3/23/2006 @ 2:38 pm
I’m experiencing knitting ADD quite badly currently. Mine is stress induced, primarily. Although long stretches of simple stockingette also trigger it, as well as projects that require too much concentration.
Comment by terby — 3/23/2006 @ 7:05 pm
i’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. today alone i finished three projects that were super close to being done, but i’d set aside. i think i just dislike the actually finishing work, the knitting itself is more fun to me than the mattress stitching, blocking, or weaving the ends in.
Comment by milk and cake — 3/23/2006 @ 9:16 pm
Speaking of Knitting ADD, I’m going to post a picture of all my WIPs on Friday, to keep myself honest. Want to join me?
Comment by Elspeth — 3/26/2006 @ 12:36 am
I agree with milk and cake. Sometimes I’m less motivated to finish a project if I have to weave in ends, sew up things. If I really want the project (basically if it’s for me, I’m all for finishing it! Sad but true!) And if things are pretty busy and hectic, I can be tempted to start lots of things just because. And sometimes I’m just bored with what I’m doing and want to work on something else and I’m not motivated to work on the project on the needles. That’s part of th ereason I have usually have 4 projects going. Although now I have six and that’s not so good either! ;-)
Comment by Wanda — 3/27/2006 @ 5:58 pm