Comments on: Why Knitting?

By: Deanna Toepke

Deanna Toepke — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:07:51 +0000

I keep meaning to write my will. And plant a garden. And put up shelves. Some of this must wait until my Dad or brother come over, because they’re better at leveling than I am.

By: Nicole Barondeau Johnson

Nicole Barondeau Johnson — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:19:42 +0000

Leaving half-finished projects around the house is my specialty! I love to try everything once — or twice, maybe — but then I’m on to the next thing. I also think I will need everything again, especially papers, articles, and magazines. I was always OK with my organized piles, although I knew it drove my husband crazy (who never leaves a mess anywhere — how does he do it?). Over Thanksgiving, however, I saw myself and my half-finished projects reflected perfectly in my mother, who also had piles of projects scattered about. It was a wake-up call.

I am much more conscious of what it means to live with my projects/mess now, and I can tell you that my number resolution for the new year is to simplify. Let’s face it, I’m never going to get around to scrapbooking (unless it’s digital). And I agree with another commenter that our stuff shouldn’t make us feel bad. It’s time for it to go.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:06:10 +0000

Just want to add… While I think it is commendable to finish what you started, I think it is also commendable to realize “you’re just not that into” that hobby and give it up. Hobby clutter can be just as insidious and draining as any other sort of clutter. Getting rid of unwanted hobby clutter lets you make room in your life (and closets) for something you really love.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:29:57 +0000

I am a knitter and I love it. I will say that it took me a few times to “get it” enough to feel good enough to really want to finish a project and that was this fall. I started late September and really finally understood what I was doing. I decided I would do Christmas presents too. So since late September I have completed 2 men’s hats, 1 childs hudson hat (started another the other day), 3 different patterns of scarves, a Christmas ornament, an ear warmer, and 3/4 of a pair of longies. As well as one sock. Once you find the right hobby and the right time you can do it! If you like math-y try the drop stitch scarf pattern on Ravelry, that is what finally really “taught” me how to knit and count at the same time.

By: Casey

Casey — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:37:03 +0000

Something that I realized after I wrote this post is that I really want to find a crafty hobby. I really like the idea of crafting and creating something. However, I’m still looking for that hobby. I’m sure it’s not crocheting or painting terra cotta pots. I am willing to give stamping another try but not with an investment into an entire stamp set. I’d also be willing to give quilting another chance. I have enough stuff that all it would require is the time. In fact, I actually liked that quite a bit. It’s nice and math-y.

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:58:16 +0000

I often leave projects in a half-finished state. Every time I see one I feel guilty and sometimes even angry with myself. On the other hand, whenever I do finish a project I feel incredibly proud. Even if the project didn’t come out so well, I’m happy that I at least finished.

On that note, sometimes I have to push myself to finish even though I’m not confident it will come out well. I have a tendency to let fear of imperfection keep me from even trying, sometimes even from starting.

So, yeah, I think it’s good and valuable to finish projects. Good for you for pushing yourself.

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:49:48 +0000

Um, yeah. Definitely. At the age of 15, I endured my first (record-breakingly cold) Minnesota winter by taking up cross-stitching. I made a full-size Monopoly board. After that year I bought supplies to make another project, but discovered I didn’t like cross-stitching anymore.

For the YEARS that I held onto the unfinished project, I felt guilty and wasteful looking at it. After I gave away all the supplies, it was a huge relief.

Our stuff shouldn’t make us feel bad, right?