Sleeve Drama

I have been trying to three days now to finish the sleeves on my Martha Jo cardigan, to no avail.  And no, I haven't started knitting sometime else although the temptation is so great.  I know I should finish the second sleeve as I actually enjoy the seaming process, but still, I'm going nuts here, I do about three rows and doze off, or find a magazine to peruse or something else.  HELP!  Any good ideas out there?

Comments

[sandy]

Hmm. It's hard to knit on something that is letting our attention wander. But I am no help to you because I have SO many projects going at once. I'll tell you that it's because I get bored. But perhaps it's more than that. It's probably some kind of attention deficit kind of thing!
:)
Socks to me are a good interim project. One that can be worked on a bit at a time to distract the impatience for another project to end.
Or perhaps I'm all wet!
xoxo to you!

[Rachel H]

I'm no help on this one either I'm afraid. I've only got about 2 inches left to go before the cap decreases for the second sleeve of what was supposed to be my Olympic Knitting sweater *ahem*, and then I'll be able to block the thing and seam it and wear it and... I just don't find myself excited about picking it up right now. I did cheat and start a sock. Oh, and a superhero cape for my about to turn 5 year old. I'm trying the 'change is as good as a rest' philosophy on it.

[Libby]

Watch a movie! I tend to drift towards silly ones, or horror movies when I knit, that way I don't have to pay attention to it.

DON'T DON'T DON'T try and watch a subtitled movie. I tried watching the Red Violin the other day, and had NO IDEA what was going on by 10 minutes into the movie. (PS? It's a GREAT movie.)

[Libby]

Ok - let me clarify. If this is stockinette or a pattern you can easily repeat, THEN watch a movie. If it's a Pomotomous sock or a lacey something or other you have to pay attention to, then don't.

Books on tape? That might work..

[angelarae]

Sit outside if the weather permits and watch the goings on while you knit. I have taken to sitting in my car with the windows down and my knitting while the kids play at the park. That way I don't have to worry about my yarn hitting the dirt, but I am in easy reach for them.

Ang

[janine]

Sorry to hear you are feeling down - Hopefully the fact that we are all out here thinking of you ( and saying a little prayer)will help :-)
As for how to get your sleeve finished -I'm probably the wrong person to ask, I have too many projects on the go and even more lined up waiting for the needles. Listen to your body, if it is tired take a nap, the knitting will still be there when you wake up. Give yourself permission to finish it when you can - sometimes just not having the self imposed pressure to finish something is all that it takes to spur you on ( I know that sounds daft but it's true). In my case if I want some no brainer knitting out comes some sock wool and I cast on yet another sock!

[Renée from Wisconsin]

Seems we have to get your knitting mojo working. And since your body is rebeling against forced activity and just wants to shut down and rest, we're going to plug you into the Divine Mercy novena starting up this Good Friday. Now that you are placed in God's Hands for healing and the national bone marrow bank for a incoming match, we're going to start the mojo chant: "Mojo, mojo, mojo....aaaaa........oooommmmmmmmmmm.....mojo, mojo, mojo.........". Rent a silly movie. Rent a romantic movie. Rent one you've seen before. Plop down, rest the sleeve on your lap. Do one stitch. "Mojo, mojo, mojo........." What? You've knit more than one stitch?!? Stop! You're suppose to be depressed and tired! "Mojo, mojo, mojo.........". Relax. Enjoy your life. All things work together for the good. Hugs & blessings.

[Robby]

Maybe it is time to just start a little something to get you over the hump. Maybe knit one day on the sleeve and the other day of the little something extra. Just to keep thing moving. Maybe what you need to to give yourself permission to not knit at all if that is what you need to do for yourself. I will pray for God to keep you steadfast in courage and stregnth until till you get the answers you need. Sometimes I wonder about his timing and lessons and just want to yell WTF. That's the time I need to let go and go with the flow and not let the fear overrun me. Sometimes I like the illusion of control, especially in an out of control situation. You are in good hands and much loved. You are stronger than you know. I know it sucks somedays to have to be strong, so ask for help with that. Love and prayers are with you!!!! I am in awe of your liking to do the seaming, that the part that gives me the willies as I think it can make or break a handmade item and I want it to be perfect. I know just a little control freak. ;)

[Kerstin]

I had fun with these socks: http://whoopsydaisy.my-expressions.com/archives/5114_1341647178/139841

Just enough pattern to keep them interesting, easy enough to memorize.

Winging warm and gentle thoughts your way. I only wish EVERYONE signed up with the national registry. My husband and I did years ago and he turned out to be a very close match to someone in need.

Don't give up hope!

[Carrie]

Hello to all who read this blog. I am Julie's sister, Carrie (also a knitter) and I wanted to share that Julie passed away on April 21, 2006. It was a horrible end and we miss her terribly. We were still very hopeful until the end, but the disease won out. Her husband and 3 beautiful girls are doing as best as they can, and we are in the process of setting up an educational fund for those girls. But her knitting is certainly a legacy. I know that knitting meant the world to Julie and she was interested in it until the end. I hopefully will carry on the tradition. Thanks for all of your support to her.

[sandy]

Oh my god. I am devastated. I knew something was wrong when I did not hear from her.
Thank you, Carrie for letting us know. My prayers are with you and her sweet girls.
Sandy

[Janice]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Best wishes and prayers to the family and all those who were close to Julie.

[Vicki]

Thoughts and prayers.

[Rise]

Carrie, you and the family are in my thoughts.

[janine]

Carrie, I'm so sorry for your loss, best wishes to all the family.

[--Deb]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this, for you and all the family . . . My prayers....

[Emma.]

Please accept my condolences.

[Sheri]

So sorry to hear this news! You're all in my thoughts.

[Manise]

I am so sorry for your tremendous loss Carrie. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Julie's family.

[Ruth]

I am so terribly sorry to hear this, Carrie. My deepest condolences on your tremendous loss ... my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

May she rest in peace.

[Kerstin]

Carrie, if there's anything we can do to help get the educational fund started, let us know. All it takes is a bit of "blogvertisement" to kick it off. My thoughts are with you and Julie's family. I'm so sorry.

[Annette Saylor]

Hi All - I am Julie's Mom (not a knitter) and I am truly overwhelmed by this blog and all of your sweet responses - as Carrie said, we miss her terribly and can't believe she died - I was at her house the other day and saw her daughter outside playing in a poncho Julie had knit for her - thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. Annette Saylor