The Sweater-That-Never-Ends
Okay, I’ve done the front.
I’ve done the back.
I’m halfway through one long black sleeve.
And I’ve stopped. (Yes, I know I should be doing both sleeves at once but I didn’t get that excellent piece of advice until I’d already started the first one and I couldn’t mentally shift gears.)
What’s left? Finish the first sleeve. Start and finish the second sleeve. Sew the whole thing together. Knit the collar on and stitch it down. Put buttons on the front pocket. Install a zipper (which is a whole other ball of wax I’ll be consulting you experienced types on when the time comes). It’s very daunting.
Right now the only thing that keeps me from putting the whole schlemeggy (sp?) in a dark corner of the attic is the fact that I love my mother-in-law and her birthday is in September. Of course, there’s always Christmas….
My question for all you pros is: how do you keep yourself going on a really long project like this one? What methods do you use to keep your interest up?
I’ve done the back.
I’m halfway through one long black sleeve.
And I’ve stopped. (Yes, I know I should be doing both sleeves at once but I didn’t get that excellent piece of advice until I’d already started the first one and I couldn’t mentally shift gears.)
What’s left? Finish the first sleeve. Start and finish the second sleeve. Sew the whole thing together. Knit the collar on and stitch it down. Put buttons on the front pocket. Install a zipper (which is a whole other ball of wax I’ll be consulting you experienced types on when the time comes). It’s very daunting.
Right now the only thing that keeps me from putting the whole schlemeggy (sp?) in a dark corner of the attic is the fact that I love my mother-in-law and her birthday is in September. Of course, there’s always Christmas….
My question for all you pros is: how do you keep yourself going on a really long project like this one? What methods do you use to keep your interest up?
posted by Nancy Herkness at 8:38 AM
9 Comments:
I am doing a tedious sweater for my DD now, I have been making myself do some each day. I am also working on socks at the same time, so I am trying to do inch for inch...ugh
I use the timer on my oven A LOT! I will set it for 20 minutes and work on an ugly task (cleaning the bathroom, working on a tedious project) and then set it for 20 more minutes and do something I want to do. I am always amazed at how much I get done this way, silly as it is.
I was fortunate enough to have DH read HP 7 aloud to the family. It took 21 hours over two days. I finished the whole body of my sweater and spun 800 yds of yarn!
I take the project along to my weekly knitting with friends. When I forget it or just don't feel like doing it, they always ask about it. So I keep knitting on it, knowing that they want to see the final product and share in the joy of accomplishment.
I like Tanya's idea though....going to have to give that timer a try!
Kim
I struggle with this too - especially "deadline" knitting. I need to crank out a baby sweater for a shower this weekend and the more the deadline looms, the more I hate that darned sweater!
I have no good advice about this, but thought I'd let you know that I do feel your pain! :)
I admire you for getting this far. :) The black yarn would have killed me by now.
I haven't knit a sweater yet. The largest project I've done is a sundress for my daughter and it went quickly because she was there to constantly pester me about it. :)
Nancy, I think you've done a great job so far. I admire you for tackling all that black!
I listen to books on CD (or downloaded on MP3 from Audible.com or my local library) while knitting. I only get to listen while knitting, so that alone makes me anxious to get to the needles.
You guys have great ideas! And thanks for all the sympathy; it's much appreciated.
Believe me, the black wasn't my idea, it was my MIL's request. I understand how useful a black sweater is but, man, it's hard on the knitter. Next time, I'm going to insist on some variegation at least.
Tanya, I can't believe your DH read for 21 hours over two days! He must have have a throat of steel.
Thanks to all you all for encouraging me and giving me practical advice. This blog is the best!
I love the timer idea. I've tried that to keep my ever-widening butt in the chair when I'm writing. (I seem to have springs attached to said butt that work as an ejector seat. Every time I start to get into what I'm writing, I swear it bounces me out of the chair and into trouble somewhere else.)
Nancy, this isn't going to help you get through your m-i-l's sweater (sometimes you have to suffer for beauty and that sweater is going to be beautiful) but next time try to find yourself a top-down pattern or one done mostly in the round. There's a huge psychological advantage to working that way. Just knowing you've eliminate considerate seamage makes the tedious parts more bearable. Still, what is it about Sleeve Island anyway that brings us all to our knitting knees?
Good news! I'm almost done with Sleeve 1! Wahoo! You all have inspired me so I think I can even face Sleeve 2. The other stuff, well, that may be harder.
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