The War on WIPs

I had to make a confession to my husband the other day. It was hard to admit, but I currently have about 30 works in progress (WIPs).

I wish I was exaggerating.

I think the root of the problem is that I love yarn too much – when I find some yarn I love, I immediately drop everything and start working with it. I think I’m taking too many life lessons from our labrador (“Oooh look, something new, I WANT THAT ONE”).

The problem is, when you’re drowning in WIPs, it’s really demotivating. I’ve been crocheting for months with nothing to show for it but more and more things on my to do list.

So I’ve declared war. I’m being ruthless with my WIPs and I’m only finishing off projects I really love.

Let’s look at an example.

I bought myself this utterly drool-worthy Madeline Tosh yarn from Deramores in their last sale.

It’s incredible – I love Madeline Tosh – she makes such beautiful colour combinations, and they’re always perfectly dyed – no unwanted white patches, beautiful colour transitions. It’s gorgeous. This was the Tosh Sock yarn, which is 100% Superwash Merino – which makes it lovely and soft, but wearable and it has a really unique obvious twist to it which adds texture.

I could go on all day, but let’s just say it’s love.

So I decided to make a shawl pattern I have used before and loved – the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms shawl by Michele DuNaier. Only… I didn’t love this as it worked up.

I think I went for the wrong hook size, which meant the shawl I’ve loved in laceweight yarns felt heavy and dense. But I’m not sure this yarn is right for a lace pattern anyway? It’s a sock yarn after all, so it wants to be one solid piece of fabric.

I worked my way through the whole of the first skein before I admitted what I already knew – I would never love this shawl. And I’m not willing to make a shawl with two skeins of Madeline Tosh that I don’t love.

So… I frogged it!

Would you believe, I’ve never frogged a project at this late a stage before? This is why I have so many WIPs!

It felt great – I actually let out an audible sigh of relief.

I love the yarn again, and I can’t wait to work with it… but it has to be the right pattern. I don’t want to double-frog.

So I’m feeling empowered. I will no longer stand for projects I’m not loving – I am determined to frog everything I don’t love and take a few things off my to do list in the process.

Until next time,

Elsie Pop xx