Doggone it! NOTHING is working out.

**Early Bird** · 02-02-2009, 06:58 PM

Y'ever get in a needlework slump?

I'm there. Don't feel like knitting anything.

Of course, there are some reasons:

The sock I finished seems a touch small. Might have to rip out the kitchenering, splice on some new yarn, and knit 2 extra rounds to get the fit right. Not fun!
The neckwarmer I finally finished fits oddly. Might have to rip back, redo buttonholes, replace the ribbing with a continued pattern, and then knit about 6 rows to finish it. Not a fun prospect.
DD's scarf is lovely. I keep seeing it scrunched up in a pile on the floor. Why did I bother?
Knitting the washcloth doesn't feel good to my hands. It might be that I'm using addi turbo (very blunt) needles. Or it might be that I'm used to knitting with wool, not cotton.
I spent a lot of time working on fingerless mitts for DD#2. Still not done, and they're not looking right anyway. Yesterday, she found a pair of gloves at Kohl's that she likes better anyway.

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-02-2009, 07:26 PM

you know i think any crafter can get into a slump and wonder "'why do i do this anyway?"

i make jewelry...and there are days that i am so inspired i could make my own 'monalisa' other days...i can't put two things together and make them look right....but just remember that you are creating something that is a little bit of yourself...and one day your family will have something to look back on and say 'our mom, g-ma, aunt...made this and they will begin to appreciate it.... my mom made quilts for all of us by hand...and yes, one day she will be gone...but our quilts will live on and we know that this will always be just a little part of her that she put her heart and soul into...and yes, i'm sure even the thought of "why am i doing this....".....so don't give up....coz even rembrandt wasn't appreciated til years after his own death....
and personally i think its great what you are doing !

**Dave'sGirl** · 02-03-2009, 05:38 AM

EBird, Everyone goes thru times when you just can't get it together. I'm sorry abI don't knit, so I can't give any out some of your projects going wrong, but put them down for awhile, take a breather then decide if you want to refinish them or go on to something else. You are doing this because you love to do it, so take a breather and get back some of that love.
I don't knit so I can't give and advice on how to fix it, just moral support.

**madhen** · 02-03-2009, 08:02 AM

I definitely hit those slumps, and I just switch to another craft for a bit. I knit, but I also make jewelry, and I'm trying to crochet a blanket, getting back into plastic canvas, and am also experimenting with knitting with recycled plastic bags. So I consider a slump in one area a great chance to see if I'm "peaking" in another!

**YankeeMom** · 02-03-2009, 08:49 AM

Ugh, that would put me in a slump too!

I'm still slogging through this blanket for ds. I just want to get it done so I haven't been working on anything I really enjoy (socks!). It's not that it's boring, the basketweave pattern keeps me from wanting to stab my own eyes out, but it's taking forever.

**Early Bird** · 02-03-2009, 09:16 AM

A good night's sleep made a difference in my attitude. Tonight, I'll pick up the knitting again!

**Pamela** · 03-27-2009, 09:19 AM

I do alot of knitting and crocheting and get in a slump sometimes. I think it happens when it's time to give our brain a rest. I know when ever I put it up for a few days, sometimes a week I feel much better when I start back up. Then I will fly thru projects too....I call it mind jam!!!!!

**Early Bird** · 03-28-2009, 11:41 PM

Just wanted to update 'slump' progress:

Originally Posted by Early Bird

Y'ever get in a needlework slump?

I'm there. Don't feel like knitting anything.

Of course, there are some reasons:

The sock I finished seems a touch small. Might have to rip out the kitchenering, splice on some new yarn, and knit 2 extra rounds to get the fit right. Not fun! Ripped back & re-did. Now they're my 'instant warmth' socks.
The neckwarmer I finally finished fits oddly. Might have to rip back, redo buttonholes, replace the ribbing with a continued pattern, and then knit about 6 rows to finish it. Not a fun prospect. Ripped back, but still need to finish it.
DD's scarf is lovely. I keep seeing it scrunched up in a pile on the floor. Why did I bother? Because it's very pretty, soft, and warm.
Knitting the washcloth doesn't feel good to my hands. It might be that I'm using addi turbo (very blunt) needles. Or it might be that I'm used to knitting with wool, not cotton. finished.
I spent a lot of time working on fingerless mitts for DD#2. Still not done, and they're not looking right anyway. Yesterday, she found a pair of gloves at Kohl's that she likes better anyway. Cast on 2nd mitt again. A couple more evenings would finish it.

**mauimagic** · 03-29-2009, 02:36 AM

Isn't sleep and a new perspective wonderful!! With the support of your friends her, some zzzs, and your own common sense, you figured it out. Mahalo for sharing

**peanut** · 03-29-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by sabrelvssammy

...but just remember that you are creating something that is a little bit of yourself...and one day your family will have something to look back on and say 'our mom, g-ma, aunt...made this and they will begin to appreciate it....

This is so true. My mom passed on a couple years ago. You know the one thing everyone was protective of? Her knitting! My dad had to hide it until things had settled down. Then he gave it to me...the craftsperson in the family. And let me tell you...some of those sweaters have been worn ragged! Hardly worth keeping...but I do... I remember Dad wearing them when I was younger and we lived in a happier time as a family. You bet I keep them!

I'm glad everything worked out for you in the end.