The forgotten WIP war

In July I posted a WIP rally because I was trying to will myself to cross some things off of the list. Good news – it worked and ALL of those things are finished. Along with my first Ogden cami and the Clover Raglan tank hack.

Along the way I also got a little too organized. I made a list of all the WIPs that need to be finished (and other nagging things on my to-do list) and then proclaimed that I could not begin something new without crossing three items from the list. Maybe that sounds overly industrious, but I’m interjecting an untested method of motivation. (Not to forget exercise before coffee and well, I suppose these are the only two.)

I have a list of stalled-out WIPs:

Retro rucksack – awaiting hardware, but expected to be a quick sew once it arrives (today hopefully!)

Tenement socks – I think it will be smooth sailing until I get to the new-to-me afterthought heel 

Footstool covers for my mum – she requested these last summer & I stitched the accompanying pieces in February. Colorblocking canvas with topstitching. Totally easy once I sit still and apply myself.

Christine Haynes Varda- muslin in final fit stages then on to my April Rhodes Heritage Rayon version. (Sqeee!! Plus I received the sweet Paul Green sandals I’ve been admiring for my birthday. Capsule worthy!)

Petal pouches – finishing out one-offs here and there with scraps that I precut last year (I’ve finished three since last week and could probably make three more)

Elizabeth Hartman Pineapple quilt for my daughter’s birthday – thankfully I think I’ve enlisted some help. I’m a ridiculously slow quilter and her teenager debut is only three weeks out.

My self-designed Allison Glass Cherokee sun quilt – still in sleeper mode, but strategically placed on the sewing table.

I think there are a few Lane raglans to add a neckband to, as well but they’re in the closet and aren’t on my list.
I carefully calculated a list of fabrics/pattern plans to fill in the gaps when I complete other projects:

Since I’m waking up before dawn lately, I’ve done some sewing or prep in the morning. It’s been helpful to have a clearly defined jumping-in place at the end of the day when my brain power is faltering. But so far it’s a strategy that has helped me.

What do you think? Is it too extreme or a wise new way to knock some old WIPs off the list? 

Happy stitching!

~ M

Under Construction

Today is one of those beautifully sunshiney, breezy, cool country days that reminds me of summer in Alaska. I should spend the day outside, no excuses.  Its my day to be me. All the other days are claimed by responsibility and Saturday is the last stake of freedom.

Except that my family is still asleep, so to be free also means being quiet, at least until construction is finished.  I want to be writing up there and gazing out to the south in my sun filled loft.  I want to sit outside on the deck with my coffee and paint while listening to City and Color.

  
Not yet, for I must be patient.  And this weekend that is especially challenging because entry to the addition is sealed to keep our pets out of the insulation. The back patio is the staging area for lumber and the roses are blooming. And the front porch is also home to equipment and disarray.

My creative spaces are all Under Construction. I can not wait! Create anyway.  So I’ll work on my Nettie, and then want to buy high waist black jeans and boots to make the outfit.  Except I have my “no buying” pledge.” And I was going to take the kids to the zoo, but my son has Strep. It’s a day to create and to dream and to be outside. Take the Enos to the woods and my watercolors and the kids and the dogs and breathe cool air.

  
(Eno setup at the hideout last weekend.)

Sock-omplishments…

I’ve documented my knitting WIP’s before, [Maude: hiding in the large sheep project bag; Improv gift sweater: stalled as I determine pattern; Wrist Warmers:began pre-magic loop] but my completed pile includes only socks and one top, Togue Pond.

I began my first pair of socks in the April or May and have since completed  four pairs, and am working on the fifth. Funny that Texas is not an ideal place to have an affinity for wool socks. What’s a gal to do?

The joy of sock knitting, IMHO, is the portability, repeatability and forgiveness. Seriously, if I make a mistake on a sock does it even matter? It’s unlikely to ruin the knitting. And I mainly have time to knit while my kids are at their activities. I make progress on something I want to do while they enjoy what they want to do. Win-win! I am happiest when I fulfill my creative side, so knit on!

 

 
I may have enough sock yarn from my Moonrover splurges to make two more pairs including what I have on the needles right now. Then I will have to figure out where in the merging decreases/increases/sleeves I left off on Maude. Or I will figure out where my improv gift-sweater pattern goes next. Or I will make a hat from the lovely handspan skein a darling friend gifted to me.

Oh, the endless lists! Finish things before beginning new things.

Is your pile of projects out of hand too? Do you lose sleep to tackle your knitting or just haphazardly begin on a whim?