Jan 24, 2013

Blog Luv: Cakes, Teas and Dreams

Since the beginning of 2013, I've noticed a common theme among blogs that I've been reading which has spilled over into my conversations with family and friends.  The theme is about finding a balance between wanting to do everything while also doing everything well. When the new year began, I immediately knew that  my motto for the year would be take small bites.  I'm a fan of Katie's blog Cakes, Teas and Dreams, and she recently wrote about satisfaction and success which then got me thinking about how this idea of small bites can be applied to every part of my life:  work, food, relationships, and, yes, even knitting.

Thermis Cowl

I know that I'm not alone when I say that I rarely often have almost finished objects.  Almost because there's just a small thing left to do before the project is truly complete.  My most recent example is the two beautiful Thermis Cowls that I knit as Christmas gifts for very dear friends (a father and daughter).  The knitting went swiftly but with each, there was one small detail to finish:  to sew on a button. Both cowls languished for weeks in my knitting basket waiting for their buttons, but then I thought about my new motto and realized that sewing the buttons were like small bites. After all, the knitting was done -- all that was left was getting out my sewing box, threading a needle, and adding the single button.

There are definitely times in my knitting when I feel like a task is larger than it truly is (yes, I admit it, I'm thinking about swatching), so I need and want to remember that taking small bites will help me see the project for what it is: not that big!

13 comments:

  1. So true! Those cowls look very cosy, and most appropriate for your winter weather. I'm sure the recipients will love them!

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  2. Excellent reminder! I think we all fall victim to this at some time or another - I know I sure do!

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  3. My face was turning pink reading this; I have two such projects waiting right now. I tend to use the small bites approach to nearly everything. It keeps me sane.
    Beautiful cowls! I love the colors.

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  4. Yeah I have a lining to sew into a bag...for over a year now...those cowls are great...

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  5. Small bites, that's the answer.
    A little now, a little later.

    hugs

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  6. You're so right. I'm trying that too. Focus - not dithering off to do a million different things and getting stuff finished bit by bit. Isn't it so hard though?!!! I am constantly overwhelmed with things I could do, want to do and others are doing... :)

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  7. How very true. As I continue to wrestle with my (current) never-ending project, I find myself setting small, reachable goals: Join one panel. Pick up and knit edging on one side only. And so on. It's slow going, but gradually (gradually!) the end is coming into view.

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  8. These cowls are cozy and wonderful! You are so dead on. There is so much out there to do but so many things to juggle. I lag too on those last, finishing details. I mean look how long it's taken me to finish that snood. But small bites as you say are right. They enable us to smell the roses I think. XO

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  9. I hear ya! I always have to have this little conversation with myself when I tackle sleeves - "They aren't that long, it'll go quickly" - and of course, they fly off the needles once I get going. I just seem to have a mental block about them which I think is similar to how others feel about swatching :) (which I love - weird, I know!)

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  10. Wow, this post has really hit home for me! You are so right about knitting and pretty much anything in life, take it one small step at a time!

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  11. So true, I am terrible about weaving in my ends. I have even been know to use the item before the ends are finished! (I need to work on that!)

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  12. First off, I love that cowl pattern and need to go put in my favorites list! Second of all, I totally hear you on the dread of actually do the finishing parts of projects. Weirdly, I don't seem to dread weaving in ends as much as I do sewing on buttons! I have a pair of baby booties which need some finishing up done, and I hope to get it done today-the driving force for this is that fact that I want to show then in my YOP post tomorrow! ;)
    Happy weekend thoughts sent your way!
    *smiles*

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  13. First off, I love that cowl pattern and need to go put in my favorites list! Second of all, I totally hear you on the dread of actually do the finishing parts of projects. Weirdly, I don't seem to dread weaving in ends as much as I do sewing on buttons! I have a pair of baby booties which need some finishing up done, and I hope to get it done today-the driving force for this is that fact that I want to show then in my YOP post tomorrow! ;)
    Happy weekend thoughts sent your way!
    *smiles*

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