Overcoming Option Parlysis and Finding Focus in Loose Parameters
Monday, March 6th, 2006I can’t remember if it was in the Yarn Harlot’s most recent book or on her blog, but somewhere she recounts being driven to tears (yet again) by her knitting pursuits, at which point her husband looks at her and says, “I don’t know why you think you like knitting.”
I can relate to this. I don’t know if it is insanity or ridiculous expectations (yeah, I know, what’s the difference) that make me feel like every decision I make is a really big deal, but I have been known to be reduced to a heap on the floor while trying to decide what to get at the grocery store or which book to read next. In short, I don’t always deal well with transitions. Once I decide on something, all is well, but the process of making that decision can be exhausting.
So, when it comes to starting a new knitting project, you can imagine the ordeal that must take place. When the dust has cleared and I’ve settled on a project, things usually move along quite nicely and I get in that zone. You know that space where you are just happily knitting away, stitch by stitch, transfixed by the object that is taking form right in front of your eyes. And better yet, at the insistance and actions of your own hands. But getting to that point is a different story.
Since the Knitting Olympics ended, I have yet to finish my slippers. Option paralysis has set in as I look for “the right border” to place on the cuff. On Saturday I finally received word from the library that two of the Barbara Walker stitch treasuries were in and waiting for me to pick them up. I figured there most certainly would be something in there. So far, still not the right cuff. I may just felt them without one, but I can’t seem to commit to that either, so there they lie in my knitting basket by the couch. I’ll probably finish them just in time for summer.
While trying to decide on my next endeavor, Project spectrum caught my attention. Not in such a way that I was ready to commit to it or anything, but in a “I’ll wander around blogdom and see what others are planning” sort of way. Then I read January One’s review of the upcoming book from Kay and Ann of Mason Dixon Knitting and I realized what it is about things like the Olympics and Project Spectrum that really intrigues me. Loose structure. Creative parameters.
Flaunting sky-is-the-limit options paired with very specific goals and objectives (goals and objectives that are open to a vast number of interpretations, mind you), these events help provide some structure without clamping down and forcing you into a box. They allow you to add definition to your own work. And since the option paralysis really seems to be a focus issue, finding some constraints at least helps narrow down the field a bit.
As I contemplated what I could do for Project Spectrum, I remembered the 700+ yards of a brilliant, fiery-red, silk/mohair I have from Alchemy Yarns. This yarn has been sitting in my knitting basket for a little more than two months now, just waiting for the right pattern to fall in my lap. Well, it hasn’t fallen in my lap yet, and I can’t tell you how much time I wasted spent this weekend scouring the web to find that right shawl or wrap or what have you that would be worthy of this yarn.
Finally, I gave up and cast on for this:
It is the Kousa Dogwood Shawl from America Knits, designed by Selma Miriam, cofounder of the vegetarian restaurant/feminist bookstore Bloodroot.
Yes, I realize that this is not red, nor is it Alchemy Yarns. Quite the opposite in fact. It is natural white and the yarn is my own handspun. I assure you there are connections to project spectrum, but you’ll have to wait and see how that takes form…
In the meantime, I am keeping the contest open for recommendations of roving/fiber sources until the end of the day. Be sure to check it out and submit your name and suggestion!
