With the new year comes new vigor for new projects and motivation to finish neglected ones. Knit-alongs also seem to arrive with this new energy and I am attracted to them like a magpie to glitter.
Some of you may remember that I started the Hidcote Garden Shawl back in October. Well, I got to the fourth chart, but it’s been languishing in a plastic bag since then. So it would seem like the Hidcote Garden Knit Along would be a superb choice for me. So why am I so hesitant to commit myself?
I look back at some of the other knit alongs I’ve joined like The Amazing Lace, in which I finished my project within a month and then lost interest in all of the subsequent challenges. Or the Frost Flowers and Leaves Shawl, in which I got so frustrated with having to start over and over again I finally gave up. Then there’s the Rose of England, where I lost interest and didn’t even bother starting the project.
The list goes on my friends, it’s not a pretty sight, and it’s a list of failure all around for me, or at least that’s how I see it. Maybe I should change my attitude. I’ve grown with each KAL and I’m sure I’ve taken something from each experience. If only I could look at the positive side of it and not the fact that I didn’t finish the project. Maybe it’s time I turned a new leaf in my KAL book and start again. I mean, there is one KAL I did emerge from with a finished project.* The year 2007 could definitely mean new things for me.
Yeah that’s the ticket. I could even plan ahead and look at another shawl knit along that has been on my “To Do” list since it was published.
*The Diamond Fantasy Knit Along
January 6th, 2007 at 1:29 am
Opal, don’t look at not finishing KAL’s as failure. Every time you join one of those and read the posts, you are connecting with people, and you are learning. I’m like you-never met a KAL I didn’t just love. Have I finished every project? No. But I still read them every day, look at what others have done and learn something new each time I join one. I would never be knitting the projects I knit today without them. And I will continue to join them as fast as they pop up because they give me inspiration. You glean from each one what you need as a knitter and apply that to your own knitting. I know how beautifully you knit. A failure? Not in a million years. Join, join, join.
Sue
January 6th, 2007 at 2:41 am
I’ve also joined KAL’s that I just didn’t either start, finish or really participate in. But…I think joining them allows you to connect with other knitters, and also gives great ideas. I say join! Hidecote is on my list, but not anywhere near the top, so I’m looking forward to watching how you do with it.
January 6th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
ummm we are to finish a knit a long??
WOW!! that is a new concept!! …..dang(looks at last years join list—which is longer than yours..)
Okay- New Year New page–
Join –or I will tackle you LOL.
Huggs
January 7th, 2007 at 1:39 am
I am definitely getting the KAL bug myself. Perhaps in response to the Christmas projects post-project-depression? Maybe I’m just desperate to actually finish a big project and I’m looking at knit alongs to motivate me.
January 7th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Dear Opal,
You knit so many wonderful things that I don’t see how you can beat yourself when something stays on the needles awhile. Besides, knitting for ourselves is a great opportunity to accentuate our postives and to give ourselves an opportunity to grown and learn at our own rate. Finish, don’t finish, you still have a great experience with a knit-along. Happy New Year!
January 7th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Too bad Knit-alongs aren’t called “Start-alongs”, huh? My problem is that I get the jones to knit things whose knit alongs are long dead and gone. Still, it’s nice to go to the archives and messages of those projects; lots of good help and ideas for those of us who need them. And you shouldn’t feel bad, you knit and finish lots of pretty ambitious things!
January 7th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
HI Opal, I tried to respond to yoru most recent post but it was not publishing my comments..so I thought I would just say Hi, I found you through the Hidcote KAL..and I would like to make a guess for your contest.
I think it is Ariann (it’s on my to-do list as well) and yours is looking absolutely stunning!