Procraftination

Procraftinate: verb.

The act of avoiding a task by crafting instead.

Most creative people will admit to indulging themselves this way at least once or twice (or daily) and usually we're avoiding thrilling tasks like laundry or dusting.  But did you know you can procraftinate on other crafts?  I know I sure can. And have been.  A lot.

My creative mojo has been difficult to find the last few months, but I still need something to do while watching TV (BTW, 9 seasons of Supernatural = a lot of knitting time).  Back in December, when it was cold and I was searching for something, anything to do, I decided I make a few hats (these will be donated).

This is the result of those efforts:

Anyone else singing "one of these things is not like the others"?

At the end of this, I got a bit of my mojo back and embarked on two large projects.  One is done except for weaving in ends (should get on that).  The other is stalled as it needs a piece to be frogged and re-knit (and it's a tunic~that's a lot of frogging).

Neither of these activities appealed and even though I had several new projects lined up (and countless WIPs and UFOs) I just couldn't settle on anything.  So another round of hats ensued.

This may have gotten out of control.  That is 30 hats.  Yes 30!  Think it's time to move onto something else.

Alongs: To Participate or Not

So, I'm in a funk and haven't been doing anything interesting creatively (or even non-creatively).  I've been considering ways to regain my mojo and am thinking about "Alongs".   Now for those who don't do such things, alongs are organized (semi or completely) events where creative types work on a project simultaneously. Often there is a place where people participating track and discuss their progress, encourage and help each other out.

Right now two of my favourite knitting pattern designers are hosting Alongs. Thea Coleman of  Baby Cocktails is hosting the London Calling KAL . And Andi Satterlund of Untangling Knots along with Lauren of Lladybird are hosting The Outfit Along 2015 (knitting *and* sewing!).  Of course the these two things overlap, that's the way things go, no? 

So, is it crazy to consider doing both Alongs, which would mean knitting 2 cardigans and sewing a dress in the next two months, when I haven't been able to finish anything substantial in ages?  Is this the kick in the pants I need or is it compete and utter insanity?

I suspect insanity, but look, the dress, it's me no?

The version I like has sleeves, but that image wasn't available (of course).  McCall's 6887

And the coordinating cardi is perfect.

Vianne from Untangling Knots.

But just to complicate things, I also love this cardigan, I think it would look great over jeans or a cute summer skirt.

Dubonnet from Thea Coleman/Baby Cocktails


I have a little bit of time left to decide which way to jump, but I think I'm leaning towards yes to both.  I may have already found materials for all three of these projects.  And I may have already bought one of the patterns. 

Once more into the breach

Going to give blogging another go, hope I can do a better job of keeping up with it this time.