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Consuelo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
582 Posts |
 Posted - 11/15/2010 : 5:16:27 PM
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I've noticed that when I'm "in the zone" I knit significantly faster than otherwise. I've also noticed that if I try to make myself go faster when I'm not in the zone, it doesn't go so well. So, I've concluded I'm not going to worry about speed. Sometimes I'll be fast and sometimes I won't.
How does speed factor in for you?
Consuelo
"Travel is fatal to prejudice" Mark Twain |
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KnittingKittens
Chatty Knitter
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 6:35:56 PM
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| If I rush my way through I am guaranteed to have (ummm--cause) trouble! Having said that, sometimes when the moon and the planets line up juuuuuuust right, I enter a zen-like state of knitting and I reach Nirvana. Unfortunately, I rarely attain Nirvana but when I do it is magnificent! |
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Shalee
Permanent Resident
USA
2021 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 6:41:14 PM
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Never rush through a project. If I do I goof or at the very least my guage will change.
Sharon in NW PA
I always wanted my own library but I didn't realize it would be all knitting books!
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Punctuatedknitter
Seriously Hooked
819 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 6:42:44 PM
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I don't worry about it too much. Knitting is my relaxation. I started knitting as an undergraduate, and then, sure, I would set deadlines for finishing projects. Nowadays I never set a deadline to finish anything. If I'm knitting for an expected baby, I might prioritize that activity for my free time, but that's it. I try to just enjoy the act of knitting at whatever pace feels right.
I know what you mean about "in the zone," however. Sometimes the stitches just fly by! Usually this is when I've got a quiet evening, a good movie and just the right project for my mood. |
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Ceil
Permanent Resident
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 8:25:11 PM
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It depends on what you mean about speed. Four years ago I tripled my knitting speed. It might not be my personal fastest all the time, nor is it THE fastest out there, but I am VERY happy that knitting doesn't take forever like it used to.
Ceil
Time is never a factor when joy is involved. |
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kimkrafty
Permanent Resident
USA
2145 Posts |
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anderknit
Permanent Resident
USA
2549 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 10:44:53 PM
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I have been knitting for over 25 years, and I am still a rather slow knitter. I don't care at all - so much of my life is spent rushing and racing - work, family, errands, etc - why would I want a hobby that makes me feel like I need to rush more? I love the act of knitting and I don't care at all how long it takes me to finish something. If it's not the right season when I finish, it will be perfect sometime next year. And babies grow, so I always knit bigger sizes for the little ones.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' " |
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Consuelo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2010 : 11:57:56 PM
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Ceil, how did you triple your speed? Did you learn to knit continental?
Consuelo
"Travel is fatal to prejudice" Mark Twain |
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Panhandle Jane
Seriously Hooked
USA
607 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 01:03:35 AM
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Occasionally I get myself into a situation of having to knit to a deadline. Then it becomes a chore instead of a joy. I try to avoid that if at all possible.
Blog--http:\\www.panhandleknitandsew.blogspot.com
Ravelry--panhandlejane
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pjkite
Permanent Resident
1198 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 05:00:35 AM
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Speed just isn't a factor. If I rush, I make mistakes. I knit as relaxation, too - and rushing isn't relaxing!
That said, I do seem to be a fairly fast knitter - at least compared to those around me!
Pamela Kite
East Tennessee
http://fiberlife.blogspot.com/
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socks4all
Permanent Resident
USA
1445 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 05:32:22 AM
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I knit for the pleasure and relaxation of the motion. If I were to knit faster it would cost more in yarn needed to keep up. If I have a deadline, it becomes work, not joy. I know when all my family & friends birthdays and holidays are, so I can get a head start. Even with a new expectact baby I usually get at least 3 months to finish a project. I base the gift on not only my love for the family but also the time I have to create the gift. A rushed gift that has become a chore cannot be knitted with the love in which it was intended.
Why rush, with whom are you racing? Do they know, do they care? |
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Kade1301
Permanent Resident
France
1426 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 10:32:59 AM
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My knitting goes fairly fast IF I don't make mistakes that I need to undo, IF I don't knit half the item till I decide that's it's definitely the wrong size and IF I don't hesitate forever about what, exactly, to knit (which is why the second handwarmer most of the time goes a lot faster than the first one).
Compared to those 3 big time wasters, the speed of forming a stitch is not all that important.
Happy knitting! Klara
http://www.lahottee.info |
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Jane
SustaYning Member
USA
4292 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 11:21:38 AM
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If I get into a good groove while knitting, and find a nice rhythm that keeps me moving along fairly quickly, that's always a pleasure. If I'm in a hurry or there's some reason I need to get a project done by a certain time, then I get cranky. I don't want to be cranky.
Jane
Betty deserves everything and more: Make a Donation
Blog: Not Plain Jane
Photos: Flickr Album
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prixby
Chatty Knitter
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 11:40:58 AM
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I am a slow knitter, and it disappoints me greatly because there are so many wonderful projects and yarns that I want to knit up RIGHT NOW! At least knitting goes faster than my other hobby - writing.
Life is what happens while we're listening to music. |
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Cheerleader9
Permanent Resident
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 1:01:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by socks4all
I knit for the pleasure and relaxation of the motion. If I were to knit faster it would cost more in yarn needed to keep up. If I have a deadline, it becomes work, not joy. I know when all my family & friends birthdays and holidays are, so I can get a head start. Even with a new expectact baby I usually get at least 3 months to finish a project. I base the gift on not only my love for the family but also the time I have to create the gift. A rushed gift that has become a chore cannot be knitted with the love in which it was intended.
Why rush, with whom are you racing? Do they know, do they care?
My thoughts are the same as Socks4all,especially this:"A rushed gift that has become a chore cannot be knitted with the love in which it was intended". Nicely worded Karen.
Barb in AZ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheerleader9
http://www.ravelry.com/people/Cheerleader9
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busygirl
Permanent Resident
Australia
1672 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 5:06:56 PM
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I knit for pleasure and relaxation,so don't see the point of rushing to finish my projects.At the moment I am working on a sweater in 8ply yarn,and as it's almost summer here,I won't get to wear it until next winter,so there is no reason for me to be in a tearing hurry to finish it!
Leslie
My Pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/busygirl/
My Blog
http://lesliea-cosycorner.blogspot.com/ |
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purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2715 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 5:58:28 PM
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I don't rush myself, but I am a fast knitter. I knit continental, and generally knit much faster than my English friends. Not trying to, just the methodology!
Rachel
------------------------------------------------------
As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
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Katheroni
Permanent Resident
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 8:46:57 PM
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| Hmm, it's no fun to rush. But I still do care about speed. Part of the enjoyment of knitting (a big part, for me) is finishing a project. |
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Consuelo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 09:56:46 AM
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It's nice to see that we mostly knit for enjoyment... that's what it's all about, NOT the hokey pokey :-D
Consuelo
"Travel is fatal to prejudice" Mark Twain |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 2:01:14 PM
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I like Jane's choice of words - I also get very cranky if I'm knitting on a deadline and need to be rushed. I derive most pleasure from that zone moment when I'm neither casting on or binding off, but just chugging along right in the middle. My pace tends to be somewhere in the middle, which is fine. For me it's about the experience. Once I start calculating how long it'll take me to finish something, the pleasure is gone.
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 6:23:39 PM
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Most of the time, my speed is not an issue. I'm not terribly fast, but know others who are much slower, too. Socks take me forever. That's a place I wish I could be faster. Also, very large projects - like sweaters for ME - make me realize I'd like to be faster. I've actually toyed with the idea of a knitting machine, just for those miles of stockinette on sweaters. I'd hand knit everything but the large stockinette body. Most of my UFO's are things that took so long that I lost interest.
Jan
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Does speed matter to you??
