Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Persistence Pays Off!

I always find the middle part of a large knitting project the most difficult. The novelty of starting the project has worn off and I can't yet see the end in sight. I often feel bored with the pattern and not very motivated to carry on.

A week or so ago, I was very much in the middle stage of knitting the baby blanket diagonally. Although I'd started decreasing one stitch on each row, each row was still more than 100 stitches long and it seemed to take ages to knit just one row. I pushed myself on because I knew there was only about five weeks left until my friend's baby is due.

And now? All of a sudden, I have broken through the middle stage. I have less than 50 stitches on my needle and the rows are flying by! I'm excited because it won't be long before I have finished and am ready to package the blanket to send to the UK. That gives me more motivation to finish!

So, persistence really does pay off! It seems also that there is a lesson in here that I can learn for the rest of my life. It has seemed in the past two years that we are climbing a big mountain but I take courage from the lesson learned from my knitting. Perhaps I'm still in the middle stage as I can't yet see the end. I just need to continue moving forward and, before I know it, the end will be in sight and that will give me renewed energy - that final burst that enables you to achieve and be successsful!!

How about you? Do you experience that "middle phase" in a craft project of any kind? How do you get through it? I would love to hear your thoughts.

6 comments:

yayix said...

nice blog. keep it up!

3D paper models and crafts

Roz said...

Thanks for visiting and commenting, Yayix!

Duni said...

Hi Roz!

hope you had wonderful Easter with your family!

The only time I 'stall' is when I run out of a specific thing, i.e. thread, textile glue, interlining. Now that's frustrating!
Usually I try to keep going at a steady pace - no rushing. I guess with sewing bags it's different, because I get to see a lot of progress after stitching a few seams which keeps me motivated :)

Do post a pic of the finished baby blanket :)

Roz said...

Thanks, Duni! Yes, running out of material unexpectedly is frustrating!

I guess sewing does give quicker results. I only hand sew but still see quicker progress than with knitting and that does keep you motivated.

The good news is that I finished the blanket over Easter!! I've take a photo of it and will post it soon!

Enjoy the rest of Easter Monday,

Roz

Anonymous said...

My life is 1 big middle phase when it comes to crafting, sadly!

Roz said...

Hi notesfromthefrugaltrenches,

How about doing a very quick and easy craft project? It will give you a real sense of accomplishment to achieve something quickly and will encourage you for future projects!

How about making a little notebook: http://craftsonabudget.blogspot.com/search/label/handmade%20notebook or a magazine holder: http://craftsonabudget.blogspot.com/search/label/handmade%20magazine%20holder

Good luck and let me know how you get on!

Best wishes,

Roz

 
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