Tackle Your Crocheted Works in Progress in 2015!
By Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 14 CommentsThe year is changing and it’s time to look around and take stock of what you have and what you actually want in your life. This includes your not-yet-done crochet projects, known as UFOs (un-finished objects) as well as your WIPs (works in progress).
Every so often I do like to take stock of my UFOs and WIPs, and challenge myself to “frog or finish” them. If you are unfamiliar with the term “frog,” it just means ripping back your yarn project. “Rip it” became “ribbit” which is the sound a frog makes. Cute, right? We yarny folks have a lot of imagination!
That imagination can sometimes lead to overly zealous project starting! Have you ever just flipped through a crochet book and wanted to make almost every single project? I totally have. And then there’s another beautiful Crochet Spot pattern that comes out and I must try it. Sometimes I’ll work almost up to the very end of a project and then the finishing is what slows me down. There’s no lack of inspiration out there for starting something new. So that’s how UFOs and WIPs are born. I have no idea how many UFOs and WIPs I have right now, but I can tell you that it is certainly far too many!
Therefore, with the turn of the year I invite you to take stock of your UFOs and WIPs with me and together we’ll work through it all. Let’s “frog or finish,” people! Are you with me?
Do you have any unfinished crocheted projects that need attention? How do you manage your WIPs and UFOs? Please leave your thoughts, ideas and questions in the comment section below!
Indeed! I got stuck into my UFO cardigan which only needed a couple of seams and weaving in…more than half way through last night and will finish today. Yay!
I am also tidying up half-written notes and patterns before starting any new projects. I want a fresh slate for 2015. Good luck with all of your WIPs.
What criteria do you use when deciding to frog a project?
If I have a project that is giving me fits, I’ll stop on it, go to something else for a while, then go back to it. If that doesn’t help, I’ll repeat the whole process. But, if it STILL doesn’t work for me, I’ll frog it, and use the yarn elsewhere! I make so many charity items that I can’t spend excess time with just one pattern that doesn’t “come to me”! Also, if the pattern and/or the yarn just doesn’t “speak to me”, I’ll frog it.
I have crocheted over 40 items from your patterns from baby to grownup last year. You are the greatest for showing instructions for the left handed. I have a premium membership. That is the only way to fully enjoy crochet spot. I plan to do the same for 2015. Keep the great ideas coming. Thanks for being a blessing in my life. janjust1
YES!! I have several UFO’s that I either started and haven’t finished or need to start and finish, lol!! My goal these next couple of months is to finish them all. So I went to the Dollar store and picked up some Ziploc baggies that are big enough to hold the yarn, needle, and accessories needed to complete each project. I found that its easier to have them stacked by my computer desk so I can just pull up the pattern I need and just work away. Also, I try to work on 3-5 projects at a time, a couple of rows for each. This time I think I’ll create a pattern binder so it’s even easier to flip and pick, and it’ll force me to stay off of social media which to me, is a BIG time distracter when you’re trying to get work done!! 🙂
Yes Aida,
I am a pattern hoarder also. I have a lot of patterns that have to be reorganized in binders and folders. The problem is, that I get distracted by a pattern and have to stop and read through it before I file it. Then it just goes into another pile to make or re-make. Every pattern is like an entry in a mental crochet diary. It’s a passion not a problem!
Yes….what “real” crocheter doesn’t? Lol. Every year I set a crochet goals for myself and at the top of my list for 2015 is to finish 2 WIPs in time to showcase them in my crochet group’s annual crochet fashion show later this year.
I must say that I organized and loved my yarn stash over the holiday and found a lot of try-me or how-to’s from Crochet Spot. After I finish a WIP, I usually look through my UFO’s as an interim project until the JoAnn and Michaels coupons arrive online or in the mail. I crocheted so many Christmas gifts, including an Elsa Braid hat for my granddaughter (whew!), that a new project is a bit too much now. I’m back to meditating over the satisfying Granny stitch for a while.
I would love the Pumpkin Baby Cocoon with Hat. Thank you so much, I love your website.
The potporrie flower pot is delicate and so pretty. So sorry about the spelling!
I am new to crochet and I wondered what UFO, and WIP meant. Now I know, and now I know I have WAY to many projects to finish. I agree with you about working on it good, then slowing down with the finishing. I am the same way. I have a granny shrug that needs seamed up but I cant seem to make myself do it. I was my favorite inspiration project but its turned into a lump in the basket. Maybe I need to ribbit. 🙂 Thanks for a great blog. I read, share and follow.
~Crystal
I find it more difficult in the heat of the summer to crochet afghans, which are my favorite projects. To keep the afghans off my lap in summer I have used aTV tray table that folds up when not in use to hold my work.
When it is rainy I also have trouble with the arthritis in my hand, so I don’t get much accomplished then. But I try to do some every day as I always have several WIPS at once.
I always have a project or two going at once, and that’s in addition to my quilting, which always has multiple projects going. Just before Christmas, I was fortunate to have a friend give me a laundry basket full of yarn, some of it ordinary (but nice) and some of it absolutely wonderful. I’ve already finished one baby afghan and that will go to a friend for her first baby.
Over New Year’s Eve and Day, I finished a hooded scarf that had been in the basket for a year. Not only did I finish that WIP, but it was made from leftover yarns. I know have three afghans in progress. One is too large to carry around to doctor’s appointments and such, one stays in the car so I always have something to work on while waiting for appointments, and I just started another baby afghan.
I have 2 WIP and 3UFO’S. I have 3 dresses not started yet and 1 I have started and an afghan I have started. I plan to get all of the dresses done by Valentines. The afghan I’ll finish it when the dresses are done.
Is there anyone who doesn’t have WIPs? or UFOs? I have a few…the largest is my afghan, to which I’ve been giving lots of attention lately..(as soon asI finished with 4 months of Christmas gift making and a Prayer Shawl for a friend.
I did agree to test patterns for someone (can’t talk about it much yet! – the suspense builds!)
So doing that and in between working on squares and larger pieces which will go together for a ‘sampler’-type afghan…for a CalKing bed…so it has to be HUGE!
Don’t spend as much time online – it just uses up my hooky time.
Once this afghan starts nearing completion, I’ll post pix…not entirely sure where it’s going from here…ideas are developing as I find new inspiration.