I don’t knit for others very often. I gave handknit gifts to everyone one Christmas, and it was a bust. Most people, especially if they are not knitters, do not understand how much time and effort go into a knitted item. So, after that fateful Christmas, I decided not to knit for anyone besides myself (and maybe my cats).
So, I’m a bit surprised to find myself knitting a scarf for someone I don’t know, except virtually. It’s winter in Australia, and a woman I know from a feminist forum offhandedly mentioned that she could use a new scarf, and could I knit her one. After questioning her to make sure a.) she was serious and not joking, b.) that she doesn’t have an allergy or aversion to wool, and c.) that she doesn’t have an allergy to cats, since it’s well nigh impossible for cat hair to NOT get on anything I knit, I agreed to do it.
She said she liked green, so I combed the yarn store for something nice. I don’t want to take any pictures or even get specific about what kind of yarn and what kind of pattern I’m using, in case she reads this blog. She reads my other blog and there’s a link to this one, so it’s possible. Trust me when I say that so far, the scarf is turning out beautifully.
This is going to be interesting for me. I am not on a deadline per se, but since it’s winter, I’d like to get it done as soon as possible. I also have never really knitted on a deadline (except for that one Christmas). It’s not my “thing.” I don’t like pressure, especially for an activity that brings me pleasure as a hobby. If I have to knit, it will feel like a job. I don’t want that.
I’ve decided that I won’t force myself to knit if I don’t feel like it, but if I feel like knitting, I will only work on the scarf until it’s done. No picking up my socks for a couple quick rows. No crocheting on my top-down short-sleeved top. No starting any new projects. I have to knit on the scarf if I’m knitting.
It will be interesting to see how long it actually takes me to knit something when I focus solely on one project. I’ve never gotten an actual true estimate, because I have so many projects going at once, that it seems to take an inordinate amount of time for each one.
I’m thinking I need to change my ways and have fewer simultaneous projects. I don’t think I could stick to just one thing at a time, but 5 or 6 things at a time seems excessive.
