To ask how you stay motivated for big crochet/knitting projects

[LEMtheoriginal]

So i am about 2/3 way through crocheting a blanket for dd2. Its single bed size and essentially justrepeating the same stitch (attic 24 coast ripple for those who'd know)

It sat in its bag for ages as life got busy and ive got it out again this week after nearly a year!

What keeps you going through projects like thus? I get distracted by my phone but also get a bit borrd but don't feel i can start anything else until this is finished? Do you have mini projects on the go?

If i do a sripe a day and the finishing off i should complete by Xmas

A good film or audiobook (on Radio4 extra or YouTube) and set a target for the day - say 6 rows every day. If I only do 5 then I try to do 7 the following day.

If you like Attic24 stuff look up her join-as-you-go method for granny squares. Game changer for a lazy old trout like me 😂

I also try to keep on top of sewing in the ends, 10 or 20 at a time, as that is my least favourite job.

Oh god the ends - - la la la fingers in ears i cant hear you!!

I have 3 projects on the go at present - one is a huge double blanket and I have had to have a rest from it as the tedium and slow progress was beginning to wreck me.

I like to run

Soz hit post accidentally...

I run projects concurrently to keep me interested.

I started a local Facebook yarn group to try and keep myself accountable!

I find I have enthusiastic periods and then I burn out and don't knit/crochet for ages. I made a lovely tunic- initially I accidentally cast on the wrong number of stitches but didn't realise until I'd done a good 20cm. I had to frog it and then couldn't pick up a hook or needle for months after! Then I got determined to finish it within a year of buying the yarn and finished it in just over a month.

I don't take on long projects- I tend to focus on hats  I'm trying to make more things for me as I've found others don't appreciate the effort (I'm very slow!). That's a nice boost to work when you think of yourself wearing that scarf/jumper/hat.

Another option is to join a knit/crochet along so you are trying to keep up with a group. I haven't tried it yet but planning to join the Esja jumper make along as I love the look of it.

getting off mn and actually getting on with it...

I once made a double bed sized blanket with three types of square... and almost lost the will to live. now if I make anything, every square is different/

I have so many ufos. there are 6 unfinished blankets in this house. (2 woollyhugs)

just had a big push on one of ds's blankets, that goes quite quickly as it is granny square, and I can do that by feel so can watch tv.

dd's current one is on the floor and I am supposed to be finding the video for the square... but you know mn and all that..

It's about the journey as much as the destination.

Yes, I've scandalised my MIL on more than one occasion by getting 80% of the way through something, deciding I don't like it and unpicking and rolling it all back into balls to make something else later!

The ends is why I've sworn off crochet squares in different colours - I just can't stand it (the prettiness of the yoke, and that I can weave in as I knit is the only thing that keeps me doing the icelandic jumpers.)

I was toying with the idea of custom dying wool in exactly the right lengths to get the same effect as different colours on a granny square, but having had the chance to play with that yet.

I don't do squares either, they're sooooo boring and I hate all the ends. I much prefer stripes where I can just mindlessly crochet without any effort.

I'm looking forward to the next Attic24 CAL. I find they're very motivating for me, getting it all done before the next part is released.

I started a double bed size version of the same blanket years ago - no time to work on it now. Same with a gorgeous stranded blanket - just no time. Since the twins came along I have very little time but have made them some lovely toys. Tried to make them big blankets last Christmas and almost finished the first one 😂

I just want to say that in the sea of depressingness that AIBU can be the title of this thread is so sweet it warmed my heart a bit. Good luck with your project, your daughter will love it.

I find I need to not have any tech near me, radio on and just knuckle down. I try to picture the face of the recipient, or if its for us (a rare thing indeed) I try and picture what guests would say if they saw it.

I am currently 8 rows into the neat wave pattern from attic24 in black, white, graphite and silver for my ds for his Christmas present. Its a double bed sized blanket, so hopefully I will get it done

I also want to make a Stitch amigurumi toy for my dd gf for Christmas.

And I am making a purple sparkly unicorn for my 19 yo dd for Christmas.

What am I doing on here?!

Love SSS. I’m an over enthusiastic beginner currently trying to knit my first jumper (using dpns, circular needles, more than one colour - all new to me!)

Podcasts or TV.
Also choose a project according to your skill level - if it's a bit challenging, it'll keep you more engaged. You could go for an easy pattern that you can make without paying much attention while you watch telly. I can do straight knitting and purling without looking.

I am still trying to finish the sodding lily pond CAL blanket almost two years after being given the yarn pack, because it's the least portable project ever, with too many yarn changes.

Worst project by far, though, was making a Minecraft inspired blanket for my son. Same square over and over until I could have chucked the lot on the fire. He was delighted I stuck with it.

I tend to have socks on the go as a side project, but now do 2 at a time to avoid second sock syndrome, and little things to keep me interested. But I must finish the Lily Pond this year. Must. Really. Must

I find it much easier to be motivated when making toys than big items, even though it’s a lot more fiddly and you have to assemble them - although I love it when my twins choose to cuddle up with the baby blankets I made them. Must get around to finishing the blankets for their cots.

I have to fight the inclination to give up when I get to the tricky bits, (needlepoint especially) and ended up with a selection of half-finished project; I found a few things that help:
Tell somebody about a project that you know will ask how its coming on, possibly ask to see it.
If free and its possible, find a "Stitch and Bitch" group. Shaming to get to the weekly meeting with work no further on.
Don't allow yourself a tempting new project until the backlog is clear unless there is a genuine deadline such as a wedding or birthday.
Break the task down into smaller steps.
Give yourself a time target such as keeping going for the duration of a radio or TV programme. Often this gets me into the swing and I carry on happily for longer
I found it oddly consoling to find the failing was inherited. I got a sad satisfaction out of finishing an embroidered tablecloth started by my late mother, which I found when clearing the family home. I remember her telling me that she started it to keep her mind off the air raids. Retro or what? Now trotted out for tea parties with the best china which she wouldn't used in case it got broken.......

It's really hard not to have your head turned by another project or some nice yarn. Especially if you have startitis!

However, I try and only make big projects for people I really love who'd be disappointed if I didn't finish them.

Short answer: guilt!

I’ve been working on the same Attic 24 stripey blanket since the end of May. I chose it because I’m a beginner and it’s easy-peasy - now I realise I should have chosen something slightly trickier, to keep me engaged. And I’m not skilled enough to watch telly and crochet. Audiobooks definitely help, though.