Staying Motivated in the Middle of Projects

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The Cuttle Corner – October 18, 2023

Welcome to the eighth edition of The Cuttle Corner! This week we will look at how I’m staying motivated in the middle of crafting projects.

If you missed last week’s post, you can take a look here.

Now, let’s get cozy!

What’s going on

I don’t know where this week has gone! It seemed like I didn’t do anything and nothing got done, but all of a sudden the week was over.

The rain has settled in and will probably be a constant companion for the next five months or so. This has limited the outdoor activities that we had all been enjoying so much.

To get out of the house I went on a couple of small trips around town. These were more like errands than anything else, but it was a change of scenery. I survived a trip to the grocery store alone with both kiddos and did a bit of thrift shopping.

Even though this week seemed to fly by I managed to make some more progress on my knitting and crocheting projects.

What I’m working on this week

If you’ve been following The Cuttle Corner you know I am in the middle of two big projects. It can be difficult to stay motivated when working on the same thing for so long.

I usually finish the projects I start in a more or less reasonable amount of time. I’ve had the odd project that I haven’t finished. Either I’ve totally given up on a project, or it is something I have every intention of finishing but for whatever reason just can’t seem to get it done. I still have a shawl that is 3/4 of the way done and has been a work in progress for at least five years, but I still want to finish it someday.

With the end of both of these projects a long way off it is tempting to start something new. I wouldn’t even need to buy more yarn!

Even though it can be a struggle to pick up the knitting needles or the crochet hook, once I do start working on something, I don’t want to stop. I try to do at least one row of my sweater and add one more square to my blanket every day. Although this doesn’t seem like much, by the end of the week the progress is noticeable.

Starting The Cuttle Corner has also helped me stay motivated by having something I am accountable for. I want something to show at the end of each week, even if it’s just another pattern repeat.

At the same time, I worry that showing the same projects over and over will get boring. At the very least, it is a testament to how much time it actually takes to make a handmade item.

If you have been struggling to get through a project, try knitting just one more row or crocheting one more round. Seeing my projects grow helps me keep going.

But if you pick up a project and it is no longer any fun, it’s okay to set it down for a while or to let it go completely.

Remember, these hobbies are supposed to bring you joy! If they aren’t, maybe it’s time to try something new!

Crochet

Work on the Hygge Burst Granny Square Blanket continues. It is big enough now that it functions as a blanket as I am working on it.

I’ve almost finished a second ball of yarn to join the squares. I always love getting to start a new ball of yarn. It feels like I’ve accomplished something.

Five and a half rows are done, eleven and a half to go!

Knitting

Like my blanket, I’m still working away on my Kildalton cardigan. I’m still on the body, but getting close to the right length to start the next step in construction.

My progress has slowed down a bit, but every time I pick it up I’m still excited to keep going. This week it just felt difficult to find time to sit and knit.

Until next time, keep cuttle-ing

What are you working on? I’d love to hear about your projects in the comments below!