“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research would it?” – Albert Einstein
This is one of my favorite quotes. It may also explain why my knitting (and thus my knitting blog) has slowed to the speed of cold molassess. I think the problem I am facing is that I have a reached a point with my knitting that I require a design that still has some mystery for me. A sock that is the same as other socks but just a different stitch pattern doesn’t have the challenge that it once did. I want clever and tricky in my knitting. I want to learn something new. I want to get to the same end result but from an entirely different route. I want to be surprised from beginning to end. I want it to be fresh and trendy but practical.
In theory, all of that is great but it comes with a price. Those types of designs are not easily found. Mindless knitting it is not. Patience and time is required to knit tricky and clever. New and surprising requires constant attention.. These are qualities in short supply here at chez’ Some Knitting. Essentially I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. Is there a fiber equivalent of that analogy?
What do you do when your knitting inspiration stalls?
I’s gots an answer but you ain’t gonna like it….
Get a spinning wheel.
Try any of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s patterns. She leaves lots up to the imagination and I haven’t seen that you’ve steeked yet. Maybe that would be a good new challenge for you.
What about an EZ sock with an afterthought heel?
I do something else for a while; dye, spin, weave, bead, sew, paint… It’s all relevant! :o)
i think that explains why i have so many not quite finished projects…i get bored.
Design your own thing. There’s nothing like it for suspense and challenge and learning something new. Just don’t be afraid of the frog pond.
wink and a grin; get out a sewing machine and thread and needles!
That is the one thing about sewing, I’ve got some really intricate involved projects going right now. I actually sat down and picked up some mindless knitting last week, in order to take a break.
Then again, KimD has a point – get out 2 colors and hold one in the left, one in the right, and start making pictures and patterns with color.
I did some embroidery till I felt the call of the wool again!!!
easy – get the latest sock design book by cat bordhi – and you have a whole new world of socks in front of you! :)
I have to agree with the main train of thought here – when I can’t make up my mind what to knit, I sew or spin or bead instead! Kim D. has a point though – have you steeked?
Find an antique pattern from the 19th century for something you’ve never heard of, written in unfamiliar terms and almost certainly filled with typos; translate it, knit it, and make it work.
You might try to crochet. I also like Donyale’s post of get a spinning wheel. I would help you with either one. FYI I am making progress on the Pink Fluff. Maybe it will be ready by Christmas.
I’ve got a suggestion too (albeit late in the peice) – you should knit a neibling. I enjoyed every single stitch of the one I recently finished.