All the WIP’s – how to get knitting done

Unsurprisingly, the big secret to getting knitting done is … knit. Nothing happens when you leave projects in bags. You’re the only one who’s going to knit those stitches!

But how do you fit it in? When do you find the time?

Even though I often feel like I’m unpicking more stitches that I’m knitting, I do get a lot of knitting done and, when I think about it, I realise I’ve adopted a lot of strategies to make sure I get through those rows.

KNIT EVERY DAY

I don’t mean ALL DAY although that’d be lovely!

However, making knitting a normal part of your day and turning it into a habit is a good way to get more knitting done. I knit every day, even if it’s only a few stitches. And, all those stitches add up!

CREATE KNITTING RITUALS

I knit when I watch tv. I knit when someone else is driving. I knit when I chat and when I sit at my kids’ school assemblies. I’ve been doing it so long that it feels weird not to.

Always being ready to knit when I sit creates lots of moments for knitting and they’re a bit like regular rituals for me.

I often like to take a knitting break in the afternoon, especially just before or just after the kids get home from school. Once they’re fed, I stop, sit and knit for a bit and it gets a few more rows done.

If you peek your head in my window on weekend mornings, you’ll invariably find me sitting in bed with a hot drink and my knitting. It’s a ritual!

MAKE KNITTING CORNERS

I have a few places around the house where I like to sit comfortably and knit. Some are outside to catch a bit of sun, and some are inside on comfy chairs.

The inside places have knitting near them so it’s easy for me to grab my project. A large basket or bag holds loads of bags so you can quickly grab something when you sit down. Dot them around the house!

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!

Make sure you’ve got some simple knitting on your needles so you’ve got something you can knit while you chat. If all your knitting is complicated you’ll miss those wonderful opportunities to get a few rows in.

Same goes for watching the kids, I find it’s better to have something that doesn’t require too much counting or watching stitches when I’m knitting and supervising kids – constant interruptions are not conducive to tricky lace or cables!

TAKE YOUR KNITTING WITH YOU

Obviously, it requires a bit of planning (see above) to always have something portable on the needles.

Lots of people knit endless vanilla socks but I find anything with stocking stitch or a simple pattern very portable too.

I often do swatches when I’m out and about and I love stocking stitch sleeves and sweater bodies for when I’m on the go!

KNIT EVERYWHERE!

This ties in with taking your knitting with you but it’s a little different because here I am wholeheartedly advocating that you throw caution and self-consciousness to the wind and knit anywhere and everywhere.

Be fearless!

You’ll get so much more done and you’ll never care about waiting in a queue ever again. Plus, you won’t believe how many people will talk to you. I guarantee you’ll meet some new people!

People are usually very kind and will probably tell you stories about their knitting or their mother’s knitting, but very occasionally they might make an odd comment about your knitting.

Don’t listen, it’s likely they’re just desperate to have a go ;)

ORGANISE YOUR TOOLS

I have a notions pouch filled with tape measures, stitch markers, crochet hooks, stitch counters, post-it notes, safety pins, little scissors, nail files, and pens. I keep wee notebooks in my project bags. Basically, I have to hand, everything I could need for any project.

It saves fluffing around looking for things, which means more knitting time.

GET YOURSELF SOME LOVELY PROJECT BAGS

Sound crazy? It’s not!

A gorgeous project bag calls to you; “open me!” and so you do. And then you get more knitting done.

TAKE A BREAK

This one sounds odd but trust me, if your mojo is low don’t beat yourself up about it.

Forcing yourself to knit when you’re not in the mood is likely to make your mojo even worse and it could take longer to get back into the swing of things.

If you’re not in the mood to knit, take a break, do the thing you really feel like doing (maybe sleep?!) and you’ll find you’ll come back to it refreshed. When you’re feeling in the mood, your stitches will knit themselves faster!