*almost* done...

I took a few minutes this morning to take stock of the items lurking in my various knitting bags. First of all, please don't tell my husband how many knitting bags I have or he will keep calling me the bag lady. And second of all, oh dear me the UFOs are threatening to take over!!

It was just over ten years ago on an email chat list about knitting that I first heard the term UFO (which if you don't know, means Un-Finished Object). The term was coined by knitters who found themselves with multiple Works-In-Progress (WIPs) in addition to several projects that had been set aside for lengthy periods of time (presumably to focus on the more current WIPs). UFO really refers to a project that is not in the active knitting rotation.

Upon learning what UFO meant I remember thinking two things: One, what a brilliant knitting term. And two, these are my people.

Knitters come in many forms with various knitting styles, technical preferences, and general philosophies of knitting. I've always admired those knitters able to limit themselves to one project at a time, but I freely admit that I will never be one.

I started out so innocently with one simple project and one complicated project at all times. This allowed me something interesting to knit when I wanted to pay attention, and something mindless for watching TV or reading. But, my best intentions quickly went awry. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried I was always setting my current projects aside to whip up something for Suzy-Q's birthday or Jane Doe's baby shower. And once a project has been set aside, how quickly it can be forgotten when a new yummy yarn or tempting pattern appears.

Of course now that I own a yarn shop, this is further complicated by customer requests for fixes and finishing work or the need to knit shop samples. Now it is actually my job to give into the temptation of a new yarn!! What is a girl to do?

For several years after college I was also able to use moving as an excuse - the constant packing and unpacking of boxes resulted in multiple projects being misplaced. Unfortunately my husband and I have lived in our house for 5 years now so that excuse is wearing a bit thin. Not too long ago, I was looking for some yarn in my home stash when I happened upon a half-knit baby sweater, I'm guessing a size one. Sadly, I cannot even pretend to tell you who the intended recipient was. My first guess was my youngest nephew, but I've decided that would just be embarrassing since he will be turning eight this year. Of course you'll notice I *still* haven't finished it since I found it...

So after this morning's review of the knitting bag I have decided to set some finishing goals for this week. The goal: to finish at least three almost done projects. This is the saddest aspect of my UFOs - they are all inches away from being done, or just need something simple like the neckline ribbing.

First up: My Lucia Tee knit in Ty-Dy Cotton.
I need to knit about 2 more inches in the established pattern, purl one row and bind off. The simple lace pattern around the yoke knits up quickly and easily, I could even be wearing this top later this week!! Well, that implies that I'll actually block it the moment I'm done. Now that's a whole different story!!

Happy Knitting!
Maggie