Project Updates: Let’s Talk About Perseverance
How old is your oldest Work in Progress?
Recently, thanks to all of you, my fellow Explorers, I took a deep dive into the two baskets where I keep my WIPs (Works in Progress). It gave me a chance to review those old projects that do not always get a lot of attention and it dawned on me that not all old projects are created equal.
For example, I have one sock project that has been missing the second sock since 2020. I haven’t touched it since I finished the first sock and I always forget about its existence. I also have this blanket that I have been knitting on and off since 2020. I do not particularly love the process of knitting these squares, so I only knit when I am in the mindset of finishing something eventually.
The Flower Cardigan (Difficulty level: 10/10)
The third category for my old WIPs is the never-ending project. My never-ending project is the Flower Cardigan by Sandness Garn.
I began knitting this cardigan in February 2021. I aimed to expand my knitting skills after watching numerous YouTube videos (remember those pandemic days and YouTube?) about steeking. The project was also a great candidate for stash busting. I used some red Phildar Cashmere and beige Mondim to begin my sweater. As you can see in this free pattern, you begin the sweater by knitting in the round from bottom to top. Once you reach the armhole level, you split to knit the front and back separately. It took me more than a year to reach this moment.
In August 2022, when counting the stitches to separate the front and the back, I realized I had miscounted them at cast on. The sweater was smaller than the smallest size available in the pattern and there was no way it was ever going to fit me. At that point, I was a little scared that I was not going to have enough of the cashmere so I decided it was time to frog the body I had just knitted and the sleeve as I needed to change the yarn.
For those unfamiliar with the term, frogging in knitting (and crochet) means ripping out your work. In 15 minutes, I unraveled a year’s worth of knitting. I was Face-timing with my boyfriend and he was mortified to see my work unravel that way. I knit for the process, I told him, not for the result. Plus, my closet is small, if something will live there, it has to fit me well!
I have a rule that, if I make a knitting mistake, I have to fix it before I put the work down. Otherwise, it is very discouraging to go back to it. So right away, I picked a yellow yarn (another hand-me-down from the office) and began knitting the sweater again. No time to think, no time to hesitate. That happened almost two years ago. I wish I could say that was the last time I frogged anything on this project.
In November 2023, I frogged another full sleeve. A few months ago, the top of the back of the sweater. I am happy to announce though that I am now close to finally finishing this project, three and a half years later.
That, dear Explorers, is what I call perseverance. Very soon, I will embark on the reason why I started this sweater in the first place: steeking. If you do not know what steeking is, it is the nightmare of all knitters turned into a clever technique. You knit a whole sweater in the round and then cut it in the middle to create a cardigan. Pretty scary, especially when you have spent the last three years of your life knitting this sweater. So far, this is where I am at. I will keep you posted on how it goes!
This project is a 10/10 on my difficulty scale. It has really complex knitting techniques, and the pattern is written for advanced knitters as it does not give you detailed step-by-step directions.
Falling in Love with the Process
Knitting has taught me more about perseverance and patience than I ever imagined. Each project, whether it’s a quick hat or a years-long cardigan, brings its own challenges and rewards. The process itself is a journey. Sometimes it’s smooth and swift, and other times it’s filled with setbacks and do-overs. But it’s in those moments of unraveling and re-knitting that I find the most joy. Each stitch, each row, brings me closer not just to a finished piece, but to a deeper appreciation of the craft itself.
As I work through my projects, old and new, I am reminded that the joy of knitting is not just in the finished product, but in the meditative, rhythmic process of creation. It’s about learning from mistakes, celebrating small victories, and most importantly, enjoying the journey.
Procrastination can often be seen as the enemy of progress, but in knitting, we learn that sometimes setting a project aside and returning to it later with fresh eyes and renewed energy can be part of the process. Each WIP holds the promise of growth, both in our skills and in our patience.
So, whether you’re finishing up an old project or starting a new one, remember to embrace the process and find joy in every stitch.
Happy knitting,