A Labor of Love is Crafting a Priceless Gift

The journey to crochet a replica of a $1,900 sweater for my son procrastinates on! (LOL it was that kind of week).

This project has been a labor of love, filled with its fair share of challenges and triumphs. Read on to learn to learn how you can keep your project on schedule. In this week's post, I'll be discussing the importance of setting aside focused time for your projects, ensuring your materials are ready, and finding joy in the small moments of progress. 

When working on a time-sensitive project, set aside focused time:

In a busy season like the holidays, checking in with your calendar can help you forecast your making time and even pencil in much-needed stitch time. Setting aside dedicated time for your project can make all the difference in staying on track and feeling accomplished. 

Twice last week, I was too pooped to crochet. One of the reasons I didn’t feel like working on the sweater was because I had a full workday. Another day, I accompanied Auntie Purl to the doctor and we spent the afternoon “running the street.” By the evening, I was wiped out, can’t keep up with these 84 year olds!  I

Make sure your project is ready to stitch:

I was eager to work on the sweater at Miss Purl, but I hit a snag—I wasn’t at a point where I could just pick it up and start stitching. I still needed to take some measurements and hunt down another black skein of yarn to wind. 

To make the most of those precious short windows of time, it's crucial to have everything prepped and ready. Imagine being at a section of your project with a memorizable repeat, and knowing exactly how long it takes to complete a row or round. This way, you can dive right in and make meaningful progress, even if you only have a few minutes to spare. It’s like having your crochet kit on standby, ready for action whenever you are!

Small moments working can add up:

My father and spouse each asked me for urgent projects—one a Santa hat like J.K. Simmons wore in RedOne and another warm hat. I knit fast, so Monday morning I whipped up Mr. Purl’s Santa hat, and Tuesday morning I finished a wide-brim, ribbed hat for Dad. I was about to brag to a friend that I knit each hat in about four hours when I gasped—OH MY GOD, I just spent eight hours working on something other than the Christmas gift sweater I’m crocheting. The blood rushed out of my head. I was in shock and then felt guilt. But then I thought, wow, I squeezed in eight hours of knitting in two days?! That seems unattainable, but it’s proof that small moments really do add up. Every stitch counts, and those little pockets of time can lead to big accomplishments.

Rest when you are tired or else:

Last week, I forced myself to crochet when I didn’t feel up to it. The next day, I ended up having to frog almost four inches of work because the gauge was noticeably different. I was much looser than earlier rows, and the fabric seemed to warp. This experience cemented a lesson for me: when tired or unmotivated, go ahead and rest. We are capable of being productive when the conditions are right, as evidenced by me knitting two hats in two days. Listen to your body and mind—they know when it’s time to take a break. Resting isn’t a setback; it’s a strategy for success.

We should feel good about our progress:

Obsessing over imperfect stitches or tension? It takes away the joy of the experience. This is why I set an intention at the start of the project. The intention is the rubric of success, not the details, techniques, or speed. 

Be grateful for stitch buddies too. It was eye-opening to take a fresh look at my progress through the eyes of friends who gushed at the sweater this weekend. What if we looked at our own work the way we admire the work of others? Let’s celebrate our progress, no matter how small, and remember that every stitch is a step towards our goal.

Concluding Thoughts:

As we navigate the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's important to remember that every stitch we make is a step towards creating something beautiful and meaningful. Whether you're setting aside focused time, ensuring your project is ready to go, or finding joy in the small moments, each effort brings you closer to your goal. Don't forget to rest when you need it and celebrate your progress along the way. Crafting is not just about the end product; it's about the journey, the lessons learned, and the joy found in each stitch. Keep going, stay inspired, and happy crocheting! Mwah! 🎄🧶✨