Over the last few months I have become over whelmed by my WIPS. I am a prolific knitter and regularly complete my knitting projects, so I also cast on a lot of things. But for the first time, they seem to be everywhere. Each like a neglected child-small, unhappy and yearning for some attention and always underfoot. They evoke guilt and frustration. As a Corporate Executive, I never like that feeling. I know that any project left unattended will someday come back to hurt you. I need a Project Plan!
The Plan
Step 1: Inventory the WIPs
This is easily done through my Ravelry project page. I can sort all my project by "hibernating" and print out that list. I was sad that Ravelry did not include a feature to export to excel so I could sort, delete or add comments. I would like to sort them by % complete. This would help in evaluating which ones are close - need sleeve(s), an edging, etc. I found a place (an api) on Ravelry that allows you to export you project data in .json format. I have some tech friends helping me find a way to import that data to excel...more on that later. Gather them all in to one place so they can keep each other company while they wait for their fate.Step 2: Organize the WIPs
Through whatever means.... find a way to sort the WIPS on paper
a) Most completed Projects (less than 25% left to be done)
- What really is left to do
- What stopped my progress - problem, sizing, pattern, boredom
b) Finished objects that I really want to complete
- Am I in still in love with the finished object
- Am I in love with the process to get there
- What really is left to do
- What stopped my progress - problem, sizing, pattern, boredom
c) Yarn Problems
- Is it the yarn?
- Is it the yarn/pattern combination?
- Frog and reuse the yarn or give away/trade
d) The Rest
- What is the problem?
- Finish , give away, throw away or frog.
Step 3: The Timeline
a) Evaluate the time to completion on each project.
- Leave time for favorite projects (I am not a monogamous knitter)
b) Establish loose list in order of completion
- Should allow for variety - not 6 cardigans in a row.
- Should consider the seasons
c) Develop a calendar
- by month - set goals with project names.
Step 4: Accountability
The blog.....this is where I pronounce to the world that I have a plan and they hold me accountable. In the dark of my yarn closet I can keep pushing the WIPS to the back. Each week I will chronicle a WIP and track its progress or fate.
If no one ever reads this - its OK. I have a plan.
I read it and like your plan; I may even adopt bits of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're blogging! I will definitely be coming here for inspiration and morale. I wish I wasn't a monogamous knitter. If I let myself stray, maybe I'd end up with more completed projects. I get demotivated on my project and feel some sort of duty to complete it before moving on, which results in me having a TUNIC in STOCKINETTE that I started in APRIL and STILL haven't finished. I think I need a plan too...
ReplyDeleteYes! Good luck with the wips and the blog. It can also start to weigh on you like a neglected child ;) I'm excited you' re trying it out though!
ReplyDeleteI need to do that. Especially the figuring-out-why-I-got-hung-up part. I had a list of goals with my stash at the beginning of the year that I followed through about May, but then it fizzled. Now I need to get some projects finished before people outgrown them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog - and some wonderful ideas! I'm going to do the excel spreadsheet right now!Thanks:)!
ReplyDeleteMy WIP are few - maybe 4 - but I have been in a knitting slump for a year or so.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did do was to inventory by yarn last year. It was an eye opening experience. I used Excel. My inventory included the maker, the content, the recommended needle size, the gauge, the color, the yardage ... and the project planned for each.
What I discovered was that based on knitting 5,000 yards of yarn a year, I could knit for 30 years and never buy yarn during that time.
No, I did not stop buying yarn - but it did slow my purchasing down considerably. And I am crawling out of the knitting slump this year ... slowly, but it is happening.
Elaine
Retired Knitter