Making a List, Checking It Twice

So here’s the deal.  I’m not a “work on one project at a time” kind of gal.  I like to have several projects going at once so that I can work on whatever I have the brain space for.  That means I usually have a garter stitch or stockinette stitch something going; I usually have colorwork or lace; and I usually have a little something with construction like a sweater.  Plus, I believe that knitting this way keeps my hands happier because I am not fatiguing them from knitting on the same weight/needle size too much.  I knit because I love to knit, not necessarily because I want the end product.  Which is kind of weird when you stop to think about it.

So when I was at Stitches Midwest last weekend the subject of how many projects some of us have going at once kept coming up.  I guess it’s a natural conversation piece when you’re around a lot of knitters.  Barry Klein from Trendsetters Yarn put it this way, he only works on one project at a time because that way he gets projects finished.  He is knitting for a season and to showcase a specific yarn.  I get that.  And yes, my projects are not going to win any speed race records any time soon.   And overall, I’m completely ok with that.

So I decided to take a look at what I was actually knitting along with the things that I know I have to knit soon.  It was a little alarming to know I had so many things on the needles.  And this does not include projects that are in hibernation.  (This list includes 2 things that are not cast on yet).  Now, some of these are just a touch or two away from being finished.  For instance, the orange cardigan just needs a zipper.  I took a class on putting in zippers at Stitches and if it weren’t for having bought a non-separating zipper, this would have been finished.  (Talk about a frustrating moment as my neighbor pointed out that my zipper did not separate at the bottom!)  As soon as the new zipper arrives, I will be 20 minutes of sewing time away from done.  At least 3 other projects are just as close to being finished.

The plan as it stands in my head right now is to not stress about the queue.  However, I am going to make every effort to cull it down.  I really want to get the Owl and the Cowl out of the way before I start the Cedar Leaf Shawlette.  The Cardigan is a shop sample so that gets done as soon as the new zipper arrives.  The Sockhead hat has no real due date and that tends to be my purse knitting – so it can finish any time.   And although I love the knitting, I think it’s going to be very satisfying to X the projects off the list when they are finished!