Say hello to the antique sheep who guards my knits.
The start of a new year is often a time of reflection, so it’s fitting that many of us (us being knitters, of course), like to look at our accomplishments and quantify all of the completed projects and miles of string used into tangible, hard numbers. Honestly, that has never appealed to me. I’ll certainly end up disappointed in some aspect, then creating even loftier goals for the year ahead. It’s a vicious cycle! But as I was scrolling through my blog posts yesterday evening, I came upon my proclamation for 2011 – and it actually made me smile.
I didn’t say I’d knit x-number of projects. I didn’t make a promise to quit buying yarn. And I definitely didn’t set a limit on the number of WIPs I could have at one time (thank goodness). My only thought was that 2011 would be the YEAR OF SELFISH KNITTING. I think I reached that goal heartily, and it’s changing the way I feel about knitting altogether. I quit focusing on deadlines, expectations, and obligations in my hobby and instead focused on the pure enjoyment. Sure, I watched plenty of my talented friends knit circles around me, and I am constantly enamored by their speed and prowess. I concentrated on doing my own thing this year – diving into my giant yarn stash and working on projects at my speed.
Yes, I realize this is common sense, but I am the type to take on too many projects and spread myself a bit too thin, especially at the request of my family and friends. Attempting a slower, more intentional pace with my favorite hobby was a reminder of why I love to knit in the first place.
Did you reach your crafting goals in 2011? What does this new year have in store for you?
What a lovely concept. I need to do more selfish knitting this year, or at the very least knitting that helps towards my aim of getting more patterns written. Less knitting for other people unless I really really like them and they are suitably grateful AND buy the yarn.
I think the less knitting for unappreciative recipients is something I’ll be focusing on this year, too. I’ve made that mistake many times, and it’s just not worth the energy!
I think I vowed to do more selfish knitting last year too…and for the most part I think I did. Baby steps at least. This year, I want to use the lovely yarn that I’ve bought sometimes as long as a couple years ago!
I definitely think you did some awesomely selfish knitting last year! Revisiting the stash is a great goal for 2012. I should probably take your lead on that one, haha.
I think selfish knitting is the way to go. A lot of knitters put pressure on themselves to create gifts for others. We should spend our precious free time relaxing and enjoying knitting – not rushing to meet self imposed deadlines!
Reading your comment, I can only say, “Hear hear!” Yes, the deadlines are the worst thing about knitting gifts or commissions. I just can’t seem to stick to them, myself.
I’m not sure it’s just abut selfishness. Taking a break from comparing ourselves to others, getting back in touch with the reason we enjoy knitting, and making sure to work on things we enjoy sounds like a very introspective goal to me, not a selfish one. It’s a good thing to do every once in a while. I didn’t state it as a goal this year, but “make sure I’m knitting things I enjoy” is definitely part of my informal resolutions.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Since so many knitters make resolutions and goals for the upcoming year, I often can’t help but get wrapped up in the proclamations. Focusing on enjoying our craft is an amazing mantra to keep in mind every day we knit.
Hey!!
I like the way you think! I have taken on some projects for others as of late. But I actually enjoy that too. As long as I don’t get too stressed out about it.
I’m even planning to knit some things for others in the coming months (shocking, I know! haha). If you’re taking your time and enjoying the process, then it’s all good!
i don’t know what the new year has in store for me just yet.
taking it one day at a time is sometimes the way to go, darl’.
Hello. I hope this new year has an MA degree and acceptance to my desired PhD program. *crosses fingers*