Wednesday 24 June 2015

How Many Projects Is Too Many?

Joining Ginny today for Yarn Along.



So these are the projects I currently have on the go - you can see them here on Ravelry. And my question is, how many projects would you have on the go at one time? How many do you think is too many to control at once? Keeping in mind, that this is only my knitting projects - does not include two cross stitch projects, three quilts and one embroidery project! Will the ones planned as gifts ever be finished in time?!



Still working on the back of the Shoulders jumper from November 1933 Stitchcraft and have now added the baby jersey from April 1934 Stitchcraft. Also, not photographed as I left it at someone's house, is the Girl on Fire Shawl and a bathmat that I am knitting in 4 strands of cotton on huge needles.

My reading this week is A Star For Mrs Blake. I am really enjoying this - pretty sure it was a recommendation from a previous week's Yarn Along.


 


The book is set in 1931 and follows a group of Gold Star Mothers as they make the pilgrimage to France to see the graves of their fallen sons. 

From the blurb:

'The United States Congress in 1929 passed legislation to fund travel for mothers of the fallen soldiers of World War I to visit their sons' graves in France. Over the next three years, 6.693 Gold Star Mothers made the trip.'

The Gold Star Mothers group is still active today.


Gold Star Mothers commemorative postage stamp issued in 1948.

I had never heard of the Gold Star Mothers so am really enjoying this book. I am just over halfway through - it is the morning of the day that they are to visit their sons' graves.

My other reading has been the winter issue of Earth Garden magazine. I particularly liked the back cover image - perfect for the cold weather we are having.



Not many flowers at the moment. I am planning to have some more winter flowers next year, but my single camellia has just started flowering.



This is the view from my kitchen window. I am slowly working on that garden bed. See those ugly looking grasses - they are history!

And thank you so much to all my new followers. I know it isn't that many, but I am so super excited to have reached 25 followers!


30 comments:

  1. that book sounds interesting, never heard of them myself either. I didn't feature a book this week on my Yarn Along.

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    1. It is interesting historically, but also the characters are well written and keep you interested in their lives.

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  2. Oh you can never have too many projects ;) The book sounds fantastic :) I shall have to put it on my list :) xxx

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    1. It is great so far. I am a real fan of historical fiction. Hoping to get some projects finished soon though, especially as I just remembered another baby jacket that I have going too!

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  3. Projects??? oops. I can't count that high!!!!

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    1. More than me then? Yay, I'm not the only naughty one!

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  4. So, I think that is why I took a knitting hiatus...I'm a little worried that I'll not finish any of them in time. And then I want to add two more! I have pretty much decided the one I need to finish by August will be a little woobie. The view from your kitchen window is gorgeous!

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    1. Oh my, you have started something now! I had to Google 'woobie'. Never heard of them, but they are too adorable! I am going to have to knit them for every baby I know.

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  5. Beautiful projects, and I don't think it hurts anything to have many going at once! :)

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  6. How any projects is too much? Hmmm - right now I have two pairs of socks, a shawl, a poncho, and lot's of spinning. It really depends on how complicated the projects are. Too much thinking overwhelms me...

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    1. I think that is why I have the extra little projects; so I can spend time away from the bigger, more complicated projects.

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  7. I've just blogged about my monogamous knitting tendencies. I like to have one project on the needles and to see progress on it each day. I only knit with my handspun yarn so I guess I get to spin in between knitting projects.

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    1. Oh, I would love to knit with handspun! I haven't done any spinning for ages, probably don't remember how now. As we have seven sheep and the wool is piling up, I really should get back into it.

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  8. One can never have too many projects! I have more WIPs on Ravelry than I care to share, sewing projects waiting by the machine, a cross stitch project to finish for my anniversary, and then there's the garden...

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    1. Sounds familiar! Exactly like me! I will have to try and wrap lots of the projects up in the first three months as then the garden will become pretty demanding.

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  9. hello jayne,
    i think you can never have too many projects. i have a jumper,socks, dishclothes and a shawl on my needle.the book sounds interesting.i love the view from your kitchen window,it is fantastic!!!
    have a nice day,
    regina

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    1. I think so too - it adds variety! I have read more of the book since I posted and the story took a sudden unexpected turn.

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  10. I TRY to only have 2 knitting projects on the go at once...one secret project (birthday or Christmas knits) and one project to work on when people are around. This is a far smaller number than it used to be, but most of my making time is taken up by pottery now. I also have sewing projects in the works most of the time, and usually one "other" such as a small weaving project, or spool knitting, or beading.

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    1. I like how you have TRY in capital letters. Is that because it doesn't always work out that way?! I always tell myself to finish before casting on something new, but those stitches just seem to jump on the needles by themselves!

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  11. your knit sounds lovely! I have many projects on the go too! 2 quilts, a knitted blanket and replenishing my gift supply of wash clothes! That book sounds quite poignant! Nice to meet you (thanks for visiting me via Ginny's yarn along!) Blessings to you!

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    1. You have reminded me that my dishcloth stash is getting a bit low as well! That is good car knitting, I find. Great to meet you too!

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  12. That book sounds wonderful (as does the magazine actually) - I love the cover art :)

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    1. It is a bit hard to see in my blurry photos, but the cover art is embroidered. It is lovely.

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  13. Is it possible to have too many projects? Most of the time I don't think so, but the other few times feels like maybe one can :)

    Congratulations on reaching 25 followers! That is absolutely wonderful, my dear :) Enjoy your evening. Hugs!

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    1. Sometimes when I have too many gift projects on the go at once and deadlines are looming, it gets a bit much! Thanks - a very small milestone, but one nonetheless!

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  14. I think how many projects is too many depends a lot on your personality. I'm the type of person who likes to get one project done at a time but have two on the go to give a bit of relief if I get bored with one. I think that it would be good to have a mix of projects. One with a complicated pattern and then a simple one that you can do when not so much concentration is needed. Also a long term and shorter term project. I would consider a quilt a long term project that could last over the coarse of a year. Hoping that you get your more urgent projects completed in time.

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    1. Oh my, you are better with quilts than me then! Mine tend to be hanging around for ages! I get the tops done quick smart and then the hand quilting drags on and on! That is why I have to set aside one night a week that is just quilting.
      That sounds like the best way to organise projects - it is no fun when you are rushing to finish things and not enjoying it anymore.

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  15. Maybe there is a proper name for this tendency to have several, or many, projects going on at the same time! I certainly have it.
    I am interested in the book you mentioned too.

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    1. I think I am just easily distracted! I have finished the book now. It was fabulous.

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