Sigh.
Here I am. Back to the cardigan.
And while I still think it’s charming, I am in need of a BIG attitude adjustment re: its completion.
It’s slow.
It’s tedious.
I’m tired of the stitch pattern.
I don’t want to knit it anymore.
(But I want to have the sweater, so there’s the problem.)
I’m grumpy.
And I’m whining.
A lot.
I also know that if I put it aside and knit something more exciting (and less tedious), I’ll never pick it up again. And so . . . I plod on. But I’ve got a bad attitude. (Suggestions for Getting Through This are welcome.)
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So how about you? What are you working on this week?
But it looks like you are so close! Maybe start planning where you will wear it when it is finished?
So sorry I have no advice for you. But that cardigan sure is pretty. I hope you can plow your way through it to a glorious finish!
Oh, look at that puppy face!
Sorry — focus on the cardigan! I think you need a good audiobook or something to binge-watch while you knit. I know that when I have a bit of a slog of a project, even if it’s something I want, I need some other motivation.
I’m on board with Sarah! (And while the coffee shop idea is a lovely one, too, I’m WAY too much of a people watcher. I’d be distracted in no time flat.)
It is a lovely sweater (so far) and it will be even better when you can wear it! I was going to suggest a little break in the form of a Sophie scarf, but I’m finding it a bit tedious already and have more decreases to do. Maybe a quick dishcloth would work, or you could write a day for completion in your planner so you have a deadline.
I’m also in Bonny’s camp…but that’s because I’m an Upholder, so deadlines really work for me. (And I can’t remember for sure–but aren’t you a Rebel or a Questioner? So…maybe not the deadline.)
Take thee to a coffee shop. Get the best thing you can think of to drink (and maybe a snack), plug in your ear buds and listen to your favorite music.
Knit that thing for as long as the coffee holds out. Maybe buy another coffee. Knit, drink, repeat.
It is a lovely sweater and will be fun to wear. And you are way more than halfway done. Can you break down what’s left into manageable chunks that would be a goal for each unit of time you plan to knit? Sort of a different version of “just one more row”. Could be one more row of those flowers. Or could be an inch or two. I think you know what I mean….
You must be at least 3/4 of the way done…and 1/2 of the sleeve done. I’d guess there is a button band or some type of finishing around the edges but it’s basically all down hill from here! At least tell yourself that…it might help. I’ll cheerlead for you…Knit Kym Knit (clap) Knit Kym Knit (clap)!
I totally agree with the coffee shop idea. And just the right one. With comfortable chairs and maybe, even, a view. A reward DURING the doing.
I’d be tempted to pick something else up, too. (See my two unfinished Christmas sweaters in the basket by my chair.) I only knit consistently when there’s a deadline (and I missed Christmas this year…), otherwise I can be so easily distracted.
I’m on my fifth (or sixth) iteration of the left front of my Central Park Hoodie for a KAL on FB (see distraction mentioned above). I used the Viking cable modification on the back and am fiddling around with adding a slant pocket and have rearranged the cable positions several times. As our mountain home building is dragging on, I’m not going to need a good wool sweater until later this year…
I hope your Pressed Flowers mojo returns soon. Perhaps a reward for each milestone you reach? THat sometimes helps me.
Can you pair knitting the sweater with something you really enjoy like a great audiobook or tv show? Make a rule that you can only listen/watch when you’re working on the sweater and maybe that will motivate you. Or maybe set small goals (today I will finish . . . ) and then reward yourself with something fun when you do. Otherwise I’d say just put your head down and power through and you’ll be finished before you know it.
This is what I do – I only let myself listen or watch while I’m doing something I dislike in order to get through the disliked thing. Sometimes, though, I try to get down to the heart of the matter – if I *need* the thing finished, like I don’t have enough sweaters, I tell myself it’s a need and just do it. If I don’t *need* it, I let myself off the hook with the realization that knitting is a hobby and if I don’t enjoy it, it is no longer a “hobby” but a chore. (just an example, these are not necessarily my actual feelings) 🙂
I have felt that way too…way too many times. It’s beautiful and when done will look like it came out of a high end dept store. I suggest finish the darn thing and go someplace fancy to wear it. 🙂
Think more of the process (the finish is not why you’re knitting) and how much you love the artof knitting. Each little flower can be a reward. If you’re not into that line of thinking then maybe a new, smaller project will give you the break you need.
Lots of good suggestions above. I like the rewards route — maybe a peanut M&M at the end of each row?
I kind of feel that way about the sweater I’m knitting! I’m with Carole – you’ve got to plod on, make a plan one hour a day (or two halves?)(with wine)> 🙂
I don’t have much to add to all of the good suggestions mentioned in previous comments. I think it is a lovely sweater and worth it to push ahead with it. Setting deadlines don’t work for me, but like Margene suggested, focus on the process instead of the finish. Good luck!
But it is so pretty…and you are so close. The major thing I am working on is a huge grant application…sigh. And I am fitting in a few minutes of knitting right before bed. I jumped on the Saturday Shrug bandwagon and it is just the perfect project for an overworked brain.
That sweater is amazing. Just keep going and visualize your sweet self wearing it when it’s done!
What great suggestions! I have nothing more to add except my wholehearted sympathy. for being there myself at times.
There are lots of great suggestions here. The sweater will be a work of art when it is finished. On my current gray sweater, I am using a progress keeper so I can see how far I knit on it each time I pick it up. I tell myself to knit at least one inch and then I can pick up something else or if I’m not bored I just keep going. I do get quite a bit done while watching a podcast or during Zoom book discussions.
Jojo looks like she is wondering if it is a sweater for her! 🙂 I am nodding with Juliann’s idea… plan where you will wear it (and how everyone will just be in awe of it and wonder where you got it!)