Why I Love Smaller Projects

I always have quite a few projects going at once.  Ever since I first started knitting this has been the case, although the reasons have changed.

I first learned to knit by going to a weekly class put on through our local school district’s adult education division.  Invariably I would get home from my class and either that same night or the next I would screw up whatever I was working on, and since I was a new knitter I couldn’t fix my own mistakes.  So I’d have to wait until the next class the following week to get my teacher to help me.

But I was completely hooked on knitting and couldn’t go almost a whole week without knitting, so I’d start a new project, and hope not to screw that one up too before the next class.  If I did make another mistake, I’d just start on yet something else.  You can see where this is going.

I no longer need someone else to help me fix my mistakes, but I still always have multiple projects going at once, only now it’s because of my time and interests.

As you know if you’ve been reading my ramblings, I have a young child at home, which means I don’t have much time to knit during the day, and if I do steal a few minutes while the sun’s still out, they are not uninterrupted.  So most of my knitting projects tend to be smaller in nature; things that can be completed somewhat quickly and easily.

Smaller projects also suit my personality because I enjoy learning and doing new things and don’t have the interest for long, drawn-out things.  And I like to have something to show for my work, which obviously happens sooner with smaller projects.

Most of my knitting is done at night after my daughter goes to bed.  By this time of day I’m usually tired and my brain has slowed along with my body.  I have learned the hard way not to work on projects at the end of the day that require a lot of attention.  Which is yet another reason that I have many projects going at once–some that are a little challenging or employ new techniques, and some that are easier and more suited for working on while half-brain-dead or watching TV.

With smaller projects comes quicker completion (and satisfaction).  They also make good gifts because of this, and they’re often great stashbusters as well.  As if these reasons alone weren’t enough to love smaller projects, you also have so many options for them: hats, scarves, gloves, socks, bags, toys, home decor and household items, washcloths and bath mitts, just to name some of the types of smaller projects I’ve chosen to make.

Check of the variety of just a portion of the smaller projects I’ve worked on (and actually completed!) since my daughter was born, and perhaps be inspired to start your own smaller project.

Note: Click on the thumbnail photo to see a full-sized photo of the project.