Project Fizzle (or Knitter's ADD)

A new project! You know the feeling... you can't wait to start. You shop for the yarn, find just the right color and weight. If you're like me, you probably then have to wait at least a few days for the mailman. You cast on with great enthusiasm, (and come on now... what is better than casting on for a new project?), rejoice in the feeling of the yarn and the texture of the stitches. Your eyes are firmly set on the finished item... whether it's a scarf, socks, shawl or new sweater... you start counting the days. Ooooh... I'm gonna whip through this one! I just lovvvve this project! My level of commitment to a new project is intense. I could knit hours on end (I'm pretty sure without eating or sleeping) when new projectitis sets in.


So... I'm wondering what happens. Because at some point, my attitude changes and becomes one of - "Almost done, almost done... just a few more rows... I can do it, I can do it...." My joy has turned into determination and that lovin' feelin' is no more. (This is, btw, the point at which the inner debate begins as to whether or not I just need to start something new.) Why am I no longer excited? Why do I just want to be done already? Why do I feel tormented by the need to finish? Instead of a basket of joy and escape, I have a basket of "have to's" and believe me, I enough of those in my life. I will sometimes put things aside for short breaks but this scares me because I can't stand the thought of the hours invested if I "forget" about it and never finish.

Then there are the deadline projects. I avoid these at all cost because nothing will zap my interest as quickly as a deadline. I think it's my mild rebellious streak (my mom may dispute my use of the term mild here). Thus the sad state of the OSU socks that I'm determined to complete for my mom by the #1 OSU vs. #2 team-I-will-not-name in 2 weeks. BTW, I had to restart them because they were coming out way too big (what did you say? did I check what? gauge?) but I really like the less predictable look of these new ones.

Maybe I need to start a new sweater....

Well, my phone just rang for about the 1000th time this week. I didn't answer as I'm sure it was another political call which just amazes me considering the feelings most people have about telemarketers. As if a computer voice on my telephone is going to convince me of the integrity and character of the person or proposition being represented. Well, you know, except for those calls we Californians get from Governor Arnold... how dedicated he is to take such time to call each of us personally! Actually it is pretty funny to answer the phone and hear the Terminator on the other end. (Political side note - this does not reflect in any way my opinion of him... just my opinion of the abuse of my privacy via the telephone in general.)

Okay, rant over, I'm going to order a pizza and go vote.