Friday, May 20, 2011

Fiber Arts Friday: Too Many Projects

My last  three  projects have taken a lot of time and energy to complete, so I haven't been feeling inspired to start anything new lately.  Which is fine since I have way too many WIPs.  Some are snoozing, some are actually in work and some barely count as being started.  Regardless, I would like to have all of them completed or dispatched before I dive into the host of interesting items on my To Do List.

A quick look at my Ravelry page doesn't show much in work, but the reality is it's way more than the 2-3 projects that I feel most comfortable with.

Spinning Black Huacaya Batts of Wonder


My feet get too cold to spend much time spinning in the winter.  Yes, I suppose I should knit myself a pair of socks or slippers, but I haven't yet.  So I have only spent a few minutes spinning here and there over the last several months.  Which has me about half-way complete with the Black Huacaya Batts of Wonder.

Technically it's not winter anymore, but we have had a mostly cold and rainy spring.  I finally gave up and turned the heat back on yesterday.  So I suspect I won't be spinning much for a while.

Spin Tibetan Mastiff


When last I wrote about the TM fur, I had just finished carding it.  I am looking forward to spinning it.  I suppose this is why spinners have many wheels... I'm afraid though.  If I had more than one wheel, I would definitely have too many spinning projects in process.  It's a good thing our Breeder isn't in a hurry for this yarn.

Recycled Wool Nightcap


I have been quietly working on this hat when I need a little mindless activity.  I still have a ways to go and will have a zillion ends to weave in when I get there.

The Simple Scarf


I'm using this yarn to teach the ladies at the office how to knit.  I didn't really intend to make a scarf, but I like this yarn and think a simple red scarf is good to have around.  Of course, it's been ripped out and re-knitted several times, so I'm not entirely sure this scarf will actually happen.

A Baling Twine Doormat


I haven't posted about this project yet.  Mostly because the photos look like poo but also because I haven't made much progress.  I think I need a larger hook and the puppies have decided it's super fun to play with, so I may let it go and start again.

A Blanket


I haven't posted about this project either.  It was started as something to do mindlessly, but the Recycled Wool Nightcap has taken over that role.  I'm not entirely in love with it.  I may frog this one but I don't have any other plans for the yarn, so languish it does.

The Twitter Knit Along Shawl


I shelved this project in March 2010, that's more than a year ago.  I'm not really a shawl kind of person, but I joined in because of the skills this project could teach.  I reached an extreme level of frustration with 3 sessions of ripping back, culminating with the near-miss of a complete rip out.  I think with the extra year of experience I now have, I should be successful with the lace portion.  I do have a couple of recipients in mind, so I would like to finish it.  But it has become my Everest, so I need to make sure I am in the right frame of mind before I pick this one up again.

So this is my way too long list of WIPs.  I can't really call it the result of Fiber ADD, because I am only actively working on a couple of items.  But I don't like having such a large list of incomplete projects.  Especially since I have several other projects in progress.  But this is Fiber Arts Friday, not Day Job Friday, nor Gardening Friday, nor Alpaca Farm Infrastructure Friday, nor Home Improvement Friday, nor... so be sure to head over to Wisdom Begins in Wonder to see what the others have been up to.

16 comments:

Dutch Hollow said...

Oh my gosh that's a lot of projects! Good luck on all of them!

I think I used a size S hook for my bailing twine door mat. But my twine was natural, is yours the thinner plastic orange stuff?

pinkundine said...

That's a lot of projects! I get stressed if I have more than about 3, but then my ADOLST (Attention Deficit, Oooh Look Shiny Thing...) kicks in and I want to cast on everything, ever ;)

Kathryn Ray said...

@Dutch Hollow - yes, the plastic orange stuff. I'm using a J hook. Your hook was A Lot bigger.

I have a wooden M/N, but the edges on the the hook are too sharp, so I don't like working with it. I'm pretty sure I'll go looking for another one soon.

@Pinkundine - 2-3 projects is really my sweet spot too.

I try to resist ADOLST, but sometimes it is impossible. ;-)

Melissa Plank said...

WOW, you are busy! They are all awesome projects, can't wait to see the fiber spun up!

AllyB said...

Wow, your list of projects in progress looks much like mine. I've determined that I'll work mostly on the 3 large projects I've started and let stall and do a little sock knitting at work on lunch. This way I can get those few big projects done and learn my lesson...I don't care for large knitting projects...hopefully, lesson learned. I can't wait to hear how you like spinning that TM fiber. Isn't that Wonder Why fiber the awesomest?!

Melissa said...

Gosh, you do have a lot of projects in the works. I'm okay if I have 1 beading, 1 weaving, 1 knitting etc. but just can't handle multiples of the same craft.

Good luck with everything.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Mollyandollie said...

I'm with ya on having lots of projects going. At this point, I don't even really know what's in progress any more! Good luck!

Voie de Vie said...

Spinners' projects can be deceptive, since we don't see much in between the fiber and the final product. I'm also not a big one for posting updates, so I could be working on several projects. :)

And on that crochet project - you can get an S hook (super honking big) for almost nothing at most crafty stores. Will probably do the trick better than the M/N. But you have to love that the dogs found a new toy. :)

Kathryn Ray said...

So that's 2 votes for the S hook. I guess I'll look for one of those. :-)

In the meantime, I think I will try to focus on one project at a time to bring the quantity down a few notches. ;-)

Spinster Beth said...

It all looks very promising! I think we all go through the start-itis, and have lots of WIPs going at once. Especially after a major purchasing event, or at the change of seasons ... hard to settle, when the weather won't cooperate with the calendar!

WonderWhyGal said...

Happy Fiber Arts Friday! You are a rock star! Yes, you have found the reason to own multiple wheels. Of course on of mine is broken right now so...I'm at the mercy of one right now. You have officially reminded me why I only like to work with one project at a time. I would get too darn confused with multiple WIP's. I'm very curious about your twine project...looking forward to hearing more.

Kathryn Ray said...

@Spinster Beth - you're right. Each of these projects was started to meet a specific need or intent. And as the seasons have changed or other projects have progressed my needs or focus has changed.

I think I have a plan now to tick a few of these off.

@WWG - you always make me smile. :-)

When I was preparing this post, I knew I had a long list, but didn't really understand how long. FAF has helped me get my thoughts organized. :-)

Fallingladies said...

Lots going on for you, I love to see the photos as I don't spin or knit, (even though I can knit, I'm just not very good) Needlefelting is just so much easier for me! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Vivian said...

I usually stick with one main project at a time, more than that I lose track of stitch patterns or my modifications (I'm a terrible note taker). Right now it's Parker Cardigan. But I also keep a mindless project in the car, and now the results are all going on our living room walls ;-) Good luck with your project clean up!

Unknown said...

Wow, you really do have a lot of projects going on. I love your projects because you're willing to experiment with anything (Tibetan Mastiff fur, bailing twine!) That's my kind of crafting :).

Kathryn Ray said...

@Jaimie - Thanks. I do like to use what we have. ;-)