In my post a couple of days ago I mentioned that I wanted to get my UFO’s undercontrol.  I’m a great starter, but completing projects is not something I excel at.  Not trying to make excuses for myself, but I do think the constant parade of new yarns and patterns into the store contributes to my high start rate and low finish rate.

The first step in this process was to gather together all of my UFO’s.  Fortunately, earlier in 2008 I did thake the time to get them organized.  They were in one of two places in three separate bags/baskets:

I unpacked everything and took individual pictures, which I will use to document what I need to accomplish.  I have 14 UFO’s/WIPs.  As I looked over the projects one thing became apparent to me – there are some projects among my UFO’s that will always be just that - UFO’s.  Why?  There are two reasons.

Reason #1:  The boys kept growing while the project did nothing:

This is a hat I started for Jackson at least two years ago.  It’s our standard recipe Hat from Measurements pattern and I was using Valley Yarns Lenox.  I planned to have the main color in blue with a contrasting stripe in black.  As cast-on, this hat will not fit.  It might fit Jonathan, but when I showed him the yarn and colors he wasn’t thrilled.  I’m not going to knit a hat for him that he’s never going to wear.  So, I’ll rip out the cast-on, but the yarn back into my stash and move on.

This sock is also problematic:

Knit using Fixation and standard recipe sock pattern, I started this sock right after I finished my first sock two summers ago.  I wanted to keep on the sock bandwagon and had Jonathan pick the color of yarn and I planned to make him a pair of socks.   This is as far as I got.  His foot, however, did not stop growing.  I have decided to give this sock a reprieve of sorts.  I need to get back into knitting socks and I think I should just pick up where I left off and finish this sock.  I need the practice, if nothing else.

Reason #2:  I’m just not that into you anymore:

The truth hurts, but I have to be honest both with myself and the project.  I know better than to set myself up to fail.  There are a handful of projects in my pile that are just never going to be completed.  I either don’t care for the design anymore, don’t really care for the yarn or a combination of both.  Keep in mind, some of these projects are upwards of four years old.

Here’s a perfect example:

This was suppose to be the Ribbon Shell from Blue Sky Alpacas knit in their 100% cotton.  First off, I don’t love working with cotton, but when I first saw the pattern I really liked it.  I still do, but not in cotton.  Then, I picked navy.  What the heck was I thinking??  I rarely wear navy.  Sorry Ribbon Shell – it’s just not meant to be.

Same holds true with this item:

Tank Girl from SnB that I started (smartly) in black but once not so smartly in Misti Pima Cotton/Silk .  I started this project after the Ribbon Shell and I think I felt I’d be okay with this cotton since it was blended with silk.  Not so much.  Not happening. 

This is also not happening, at least not now:

This was the yarn I selected (and even wound) for the Baby Surprise Jacket - Artyarns Supermerino.  Maybe someday this project will come back around, but not right now.

Then there’s this:

Basic Grannies that I spent several days working on for a possible store project.  I was using Valley Yarns Longmeadow.  The idea is still rumbling about in my head and may show itself at some point.  We’ll see.

Lastly is this:

A scarf I started for my MIL last holiday and never finished (sorry Barbara).  It’s Artyarns Beaded Ensemble.  I ordered the yarn in this colorway, specificially for this project (we only stock the regular Ensemble).  The problem?  First off, why am I knitting this gorgeous yarn on Crystalite needles?  The needles are definitely part of the problem.  The other issue is that I don’t love the rib pattern.  In fact, I’ve stopped and started this scarf at least twice, maybe three times.  I just haven’t found a pattern I like.  I’m not totally tabling this project, but it’s not at the top of the list right now.

So, that’s 6 out of 14 projects that I’m going to walk away from (5 really since I intended to work out the Ensemble scarf at some point).  I’m going to rip out what’s knit on those 5 projects and either put the yarn back into my stash or gift it to someone at the store.

I’m already feeling more in control.  Tomorrow, I’ll share with you the projects that I intend to complete.   Plus two surprises I found.

Now, what about you?  Where do you stand with UFO’s?

Kathy