That's a sweater, a blanket, a pair of mittens, a pair of fingerless gloves, a sock, two lace shawls, a lace scarf, and a less-lacy scarf. Not pictured is Brigade and another pair of fingerless gloves. Normally I'm ok with having this many projects on the needles, but the problem is that these ones just sit around with their fingers crossed hoping that I'll see them next time I walk by. You see, the mittens, the sweater, and one lace shawl haven't been touched since this summer. The blanket, the blue scarf (not to be confused with the blue shawl) since last May. The blue shawl has been hasn't been worked on since June of '08.
Countless other projects have just come and gone with more priority than these, which makes this pile of UFOs more substantial than it may seem if I were actually working on these things. However, there's still a large queue of things I need to do before I can get back to these projects - a blanket for a brother, a hat for a brother, one or two other sweaters, maybe another lace shawl and a pair of socks... and I guess that's ok. I do love all of these projects, so I don't think they'll fall forgotten by the wayside, but ooh, hey! I just thought of something. What if I made it my resolution to finish all of these things before the year is out? Maybe I can do it, I won't hold my breath, but maybe. Except for the blue shawl which I think I'll rip, the blanket which is an ongoing joint project with my sister, and the socks which may also get ripped.
There, I now have an impromptu resolution. Make way for new projects in 2010!
(Brigade is almost done, he just needs a collar and a zipper. Hopefully I can get most of that done today. Classes start today and I want to get him out of the way before I get too busy... or cold.)
Woohoo! I have no knitting goals because as soon as I set myself a goal I go out of my way to break it. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWe don't talk about UFO's, or at least I try not to. David sometimes feels the need to point them out.
ReplyDeleteAt least, you always have something on the needles and don't have to wonder what your next project will be. ;^)
ReplyDeletexo
Bet you can finish up the ones you are choosing to keep working on. You do have a lot of siblings to knit for tho...maybe you could just scale down on those? :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cookie--too much to knit is better than too little, and Anne hit the nail on the head with scaling down the knitting for others. The other thing to do is to rip the stuff you know you're never going to finish (I need to do a couple of those, too). Doing those thing will solve half your problem right there! :)
ReplyDeleteHoly sh!t, Peter, how do all those UFOs not strangle you in your sleep? LOL You think they're just harmless projects, languishing away. I'm here to tell you that, while crying in their beers, they are also plotting sweet, sweet revenge. They'll show YOU for carrying on with those fresh project floozies.
ReplyDeleteAnd BOO on Blogger for not allowing blue language. Boo, I tell you.
Holy. Well, I have quite a few, but you've got me beat. They all look beautiful, though, if that's any consolation. I think your goal is an admirable one. I may just join you on this ridding of UFOs.
ReplyDeleteThat collection makes a beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I guess you could look at them and think: "So many fun projects to finish if and when I feel like it!"
I think it's a good idea to rip out those you're sure you won't finish, though. (Or give them to someone who wants to learn knitting to practise stitches on?)
Love it! I should take a picture of my UFO's all together each New Year! Then at least they may get to meet other half-knitted misfits and know they're not alone in their misery.
ReplyDeleteAs for never having to wonder what to knit, with as many wonderful UFO's as I have, I still have that problem! I use the excuse that the knits aren't so unhappy at all, and go through cycles. There's times they feel like being knit, and times they wanna be left alone.
Now the catch to your resolution is this: you can work hard to rid yourself of these ol' faithfuls, but come next New Year, I bet more UFO's take their places! (add echo:) You can never get away from the truth! Mwahahahahahaaaa!
I think Anne's advice should not actually be taken to heart. As your non-knitting brother, I would like to pose the question: Why knit if it's not for others? I mean, sure, knitting things for yourself is well and good, but isn't it so much more fulfilling to knit for others? Just keep that in mind...
ReplyDeleteDamn. I don't feel so bad now. I just need to knit more for myself. Period. Granted, James has a point, in that knitting for others is fulfilling, and it's a good thing to do, but we do need to knit for ourselves.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I need to go on a vacation from knitting for others.
Once I finish this shawl.. Oh! And that hat..
I'm hoping to get some of my lingering UFOs out of the way this year, too...it's so hard, because when I have a design I want to knit up, that always takes precedence over everything else, but my brain won't stop coming up with designs it wants to test out. I'm never going to finish anything at this rate!
ReplyDeleteLook at all those WIPs. Welcome to the club.
ReplyDelete