Showing posts with label unfinished projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unfinished projects. Show all posts

Thursday, April 16, 2009

I've been haunted lately by the ghosts of unfinished projects. When I see a fun craft online, or when I am inspired to get out the sewing machine and make a pretty spring skirt, my unfinished projects call to me from their shopping bags. I've decided not to start any new projects until these three things are done:




1. Green sweater:
I really liked this pattern when I found it in February. I rushed right out and bought yarn, and got a good start, but I've lost my enthusiasm. Perhaps because the weather is getting better, or maybe it is because St. Patrick's day has come and gone.
current progress: 50% done
The hold-up: This sweater pattern is easy, repetitive and boring. It would be a good pattern to work while sitting and watching TV, but since I decided to write every day, I don't have time to sit and watch TV.
Target Completion Date: April 23. I have committed to entering something crocheted into a contest on the 24th. (that's another post.) If I don't finish the sweater, I have a couple back-ups, which sort of defeats my "Gotta finish before the deadline" purpose.

2. Felted sweater quilt:
A couple years or so ago, I decided it would be neat to felt old wool sweaters, cut the sweaters into squares, and make a quilt. I went to the thrift store and bought as many wool sweaters as I could find. I washed and dried them until they were good and thick. I was so excited for my blanket that I thought I would just "eyeball" the squares, knowing that the strips wouldn't be perfect. I told myself that my blanket would have wabi-sabi.
So, I cut and sewed, and now I have a wool quilt top with puckers. When I lay the thing out on the floor, it looks like the blanket is trying to make a turn to the right.
Current progress: Either 80%, or 20%. I am to the point where I either finish it or take it apart and start over.
Target Completion Date: May 17.

3. Bag made out of bags: Last summer, Madison and I saw a girl carrying a tote bag that was crocheted using strips of plastic grocery sacks instead of yarn. We both thought it was cute, and I thought, "I can do that." So I found instructions on the internet and began saving plastic bags. It takes an ungodly amount of plastic grocery sacks to make one crocheted bag.
Current Progress: 75% completed. I just need to make the flap and the strap. The pain-in-the-ass part is making more "yarn" as you go along. Also, I HATE the sound of crinkling plastic bags.
Target Completion Date: May 31.

So, if I meet my target dates, I should be all set to start some more projects that I won't finish in June. It's all about rewarding yourself.