Tuesday, June 1, 2010

June Is UFO Month

I'm a goal setter. I set goals for the year and try to work towards accomplishing as much as the year will allow. I get excited about goals and it helps me to keep on track of daily tasks, working towards the big picture.

I also have goals for my knitting, crochet, and beading projects. I set goals to learn new things such as techniques or stitch patterns I don't know or I want to know. I love learning and expanding my knowledge. This in turn helps me keep my students engaged when I teach classes.

I also set monthly goals. So for the month of June I want to work on the UFO's - unfinished objects (a term adopted in knitting). And if you haven't knitted or crocheted for a while then you have one, two, or several UFO's. Ok I admit that I am in the several categories. So who's counting?

How do UFO's get born? Well, in my case they are born by seeing something else I would like to make or something new I want to learn. Or it could be a pattern that isn't clear and I need time to get in the mood to work my brain through it so I put it aside. I tell myself that I will get back to my UFO. But time has a way of slipping by, and by the way, I am not on a time clock.

But for the month of June it is time to get back, see what is what, where I am at, what I need to do, and most of all finish what I started. So here I go opening up the bags, storage bins and looking on the shelf for those UFO's that got a little pushed aside. I'm excited to see the end results.

How do I keep up with all my UFO's? That's where my trusty pad comes in with a page or two for each project. I have one pad designated for my projects. I mark down important information for each project, like the pattern name and where I stopped. I keep track of my rows and any extra notes I need to remember.

I brake down my projects, especially when it comes to the UFO's. Since I have several, I will only take out a few at a time. Well, I took out four for this week. I like to only work on one project for 1 hour at a time. You have to think about how much time you have to work on your project(s). I don't get bored and it's like a game I play between me and my projects on how much I get done. I am not on a clock but as I said, it keeps me focused on getting it done and keeping my excitement up (the excitement can go down when you are looking at a project that has been sitting for a while and now you are trying to return to it). I also never have hand problems (joint pain) because I switch from project to project.

I'm going to post my UFO's and you think about what UFO's you have. Mine are knitting, crochet and beading. You might have other crafts you need to get back to finishing. Let's get started.

My first UFO is a Cosmopolitan Cardigan free pattern from VogueKnitting. The yarn is called Kabuto by Noro and it is a blend of wool, silk, alpaca and cashmere. I have finished the fronts and the back. I am working on the sleeves and I need to make the front button bands.



The second UFO is a semi-fitted cardigan jacket from a VogueKnitting magazine. The yarn is called Sepura by Stahl Wolle. It is a blend of silk and virgin wool. I've completed the fronts and the back. I am working on the sleeves and I need to make the belt and button band.



The third UFO is an eyeglass case from a VogueKnitting magazine. The yarn is called Prudence by Knitability 100% Merino Wool. I don't have too many more rows to do and since I am working on the front and back at the same time this makes it faster. I will finish the front piece and continue the back piece so that it will extend to include the flap. I won't be using it for an eyeglass case, but it will come in handy for something. I just thought it was so nice.



And the last UFO that is near the finishing line is a vest from the Creative Knitting magazine called Fantastic Faux-Fur Vest. The yarn I used is Boa by Bernat 100% Polyester and Dive by Blilx 68% Acrylic/32% Wool.



So what's on your finishing line list of projects? And what do you plan to do about them? Curious minds want to know. Share a comment or two about your goals to complete your UFOs.

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