Today's lesson is...

Patience.

That's what I think the universe is trying to teach me today.  Or perhaps this will be my lesson in 2012.  Patience isn't a virtue that I possess is business or in my personal life.  But I'm trying to be better.  Here's what's teaching me to be better this week:

Mario Kart.  Oh, how I love Mario Kart.  James loves it too, and since Christmas it has become a fun family activity as we all try to bump each other off the road with our wii-motes.  But we have just two controllers and three people, so sometimes I sit out a game.  When I sit out, I try and knit a few stitches on this.  Which leads me to my next lesson in patience...

Knitting a project in which you cast on over 400 stitches.  Ugh.  It's taking the fun right out of knitting for me.  I'm a girl who like a mindless knit, so I figured I would love this pattern.  But the rows are so long that I knit for an hour and have barely anything to show for it, at least in my mind, and that frustrates me.  So I'm trying to coerce myself into knitting two rows a day so this project doesn't languish in the UFO (unfinished object) pile and so I can wear it this winter.  We shall see what happens.

Now, many of you would just tell me to let it go and start my next project, but I really want to knit a pair of self-patterning socks next.  Particularly from the Van Gogh collection that won't be available for at least a month.  And I have so much yarn on order that isn't arriving for weeks or months that, again, my patience is being tested.  I'm in the mood to buy and unpack boxes upon boxes of yarn, and it's just not happening.

So, I sit here at 5:30 in the evening, on the couch with Joe and James, watching them play Mario Kart.  But now it's MY TURN, so I've got that going for me.  What do you hope you'll learn in 2012?

Comments

[Kathy]

Your comment about huge cast-ons reminded me of a test-knit project. I had to cast on 1,996 sts. And I had to get the lace done in a week. Here's a picture of it: http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/27906.aspx
It was supposed to be knit on a circular needle but I had to start over so many times that I eventually just knitted it flat.
So I feel your frustration and hope you make tons of progress soon!

[Jane]

Re-learn how to concentrate on one task, so I can de-clutter my house. I suppose that is similar to having the patience for a project with realllly long rows. If I de-clutter my house I can keep it clean and have my knitting group over to my house without total humiliation.

[Joyce]

I hope I learn how to find balance. Between work, a personal life, working out and crafting, I often let one go for the other and I KNOW I should be able to fit it all in.

[Robin]

I understand about knitting over 400 stitches and feeling like you are getting nowhere. I cast on Caireen and the first row took FOREVER!!!!

[Leslie Fehr]

I hope to learn how to stick with a project until it's done! I end up with 3 - 4 projects at any one time because I just have to start that wonderful new pattern I found LOL They all get finished eventually - but it would be faster if I just stuck with one at home and one take-with project at a time.

[SusanB-knits]

I could use a little more patience too, lol. I haven't decided yet what new technique I'll learn will be for the new year. Last year I took a class on entrelac, love it! But haven't made much with it yet. Maybe this year I'll continue with the entrelac and make a few things so I get better at knitting backwards.

[April]

Remembering that the only thing normal in our house is the setting on the dryer :)

[Kathy Latta]

I know what you mean. I also, am knitting the same scarf and am trying to knit 3 rows each day. It's slow going. Thank goodness for the color changes to keep me engaged. Good luck!
Kathy

[Anne Marie]

I hope to learn how to keep a tidy house. Can an old (40) new mom (#7) learn new tricks?!

[Vivian]

Thanks for the word on patience. I will beginning a project in which I have to cast on 300 stitches. Patience and peserverance. I also have that new project model - just have to cast that new pattern on while the other 3 on needles wait for me to come back to them. So I have my work cut out for me in 2012. But I am working on completing a pair of socks before I pick up the sweater I started (there are 2 of them) lol.

[Liz]

I'd like to learn some new ways to knit toes and heels. Trying new things might be fun, but I always come back to "if it's not broken, don't fix it". I think I'd like to try though.

[Marsha]

I'm continuing to strive for balance in my life. Work, family, hobbies, friends, and home are not always given equal or enough attention. Learning to say "no" is on my list for 2012.

[Jan]

Patience is a virture this knitter needs more of as well. I start too many projects and many times lose the patience needed to finish them. I am pushing myself to finish one right now. Not hard -lovely to look at but I just not excited about it right now. I started the 10 stitch blanket with the glorious "on sale" Rhythm Superwash. It gets a bit tedious after the 3rd ball of yarn. However, my "patience" has paid off- I am on the last ball in the bag. Should be finished before dark, and it gets dark early in Indiana right now.

[Elizabeth]

Perseverance: "steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks". The companion to patience in both knitting and life. Sigh!

[Andi]

I too have been trying to learn more patience. With that comes learning to love knitting projects that I know will require it. Right now I am working on the Rill Scarf, which is with lace weight yarn on size 1 needle. We are talking almost 800 yards of yarn. Patience needed.
I am excited to see how wonderful your scarf comes out, but I will be patient! :)

[Elizabeth]

Maybe we are thinking of the same pattern since I am thinking.... 400 st's? But I want the cowl!