We’ve all been there. You find the perfect project, you buy all the yarn, and you start to make it. You’re excited, ready to go, optimistic, idealistic, ready to plow through this project. It's going to be great.
And it is great, for a time, then it starts to suck. From there your disenchantment grows until finally you would rather do the dishes than ever look at that project again.
Finally you pack it away, vowing to return to it, knowing you probably won't. Even now, years later, you occasionally think about it and a pang of guilt runs through your chest.
Finally you pack it away, vowing to return to it, knowing you probably won't. Even now, years later, you occasionally think about it and a pang of guilt runs through your chest.
WAIT! Don't lose heart, it happens to the best of us, and there are some techniques that can help you maintain interest in a long project.
1. Slow and Steady - Just decide that the project is going to take a while and work it one row day or 10 minutes a day. There are two great things about this method. First, you will usually end up doing a bit more than the one row or the 10 minutes, and therefore you progress more quickly than you anticipated. YAY! Second, even if you only do the bare minimum, you will still make steady progress and all progress, even slow progress, is good.
I've been working this chevron afghan for my niece one row at a time.
2. Pick a large project that is made up of smaller projects and then just focus on completing the small individual projects. Before you know it, the smaller components will accumulate and you will be well on your way to having a completed large project.
These african flower squares are fun to make.
Mile a Minute Strips don't take very long to make and are fun too.
When in doubt, you can always rely on the good ole granny square.
3. Use a variety of colors.
A work in progress is a living, growing entity; changing with each stitch that is worked into it. When you are working with color, this process much more apparent. Each new color changes the entire look, feel, and personality for the work.
A work in progress is a living, growing entity; changing with each stitch that is worked into it. When you are working with color, this process much more apparent. Each new color changes the entire look, feel, and personality for the work.
4. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Print out a picture of the finished project and look at it each and everyday.
5. Do projects that start quickly like a corner to corner afghan. This early progress is very encouraging.
6. If you work well under pressure and it is a gift - tell the person about it.
7. Use a stitch that keeps you interested! This is definitely an individual choice but I find the bavarian stitch captivating.
8. Post a picture of your work on a facebook crochet group page and get encouragement to continue.
With all these said, maybe you find your joy and inspiration right now in creating small, beautiful projects. Go with it.
With all these said, maybe you find your joy and inspiration right now in creating small, beautiful projects. Go with it.
Now go on and make something, anything!
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