Is Startitis Driving You Crazy?
The surprising benefits of “Startitis” and multiple WIPs–and why you should give yourself a break
“If I’m honest with myself, what I’m struggling most with is completing my WIPs. I don’t have any problems starting a project but finishing one?”
“[I struggle to] actually find a pattern I will finish and not get bored halfway through. Loads of WIPs in my house.”
“How to decide what WIP to work on? Currently I have 12. There’s new stuff I want to try, but I think if I don’t work on the old stuff, I will never finish anything.”
“Currently I just have too many WIP on needles and feel out of control with it all. In fact, I just began a baby sweater, adding to the chaos!!”
“[I struggle with] finishing what I start! Too much yarn and too many little projects still on needles!!!”
“I start to knit an article then put it aside when something else more interesting comes along. Frustrating.”
“[I struggle with] Startitis! Too many things on the needles and too many wonderful things to knit.”
Could you have said any of these? If so, you’re in good company. These are words directly from a number of folks who have shared their biggest knitting struggles with me.
Why Multiple WIPs Are Actually a Good Thing
I was surprised at the intense frustration I felt emanating from these responses. 😠
Usually, I find my multiplying WIPs a source of amusement. But for these lovely knitters, the large numbers of WIPs are sources of annoyance.
Even anger… at themselves!
So the first thing I want to say to any knitter who feels angry with him or herself at your large number of works in progress: please give yourselves a break!
Take a deep breath and repeat after me: “The number of projects on my needles do not reflect my self worth.” 🧘
Do you feel a little silly saying this? Maybe you’re even saying, “Oh, Nicole, of course I know that my self-worth has nothing to do with how many knitting projects I have going on.”
If so, fantastic! Understanding this is half the battle.
Because, truly, having a number of projects on the needles is not a character flaw. It is not a sign that you are fickle, inconsistent, flighty, et cetera.
I truly believe that this drives the anger that some knitters feel with themselves over their vast number of WIPs. They believe it is secretly (or not-so-secretly) proof of their lack of character.😒
Let me remind you that it is not. Having a number of projects on the needles is actually a coping mechanism. And, I might add, a very healthy one.
Who are you hurting by having many WIPs? Unless you are throwing them across the room at someone else, I think you know that answer is “no one.”
Now, who are you helping by having many WIPs? Most likely: yourself.
Here are a number of ways that having several knitting projects in the works can actually benefit you:
- If you become overwhelmed or frustrated with one project, you can easily switch to another without having to find needles or yarn to cast on a new project.
- When you feel like you’ll cry if you have to knit one more stitch of black or green or brown (or any color you’re getting sick of), you can switch to another project. Maybe one that’s multi-colored or hot pink or has stripes.
- Bored silly knitting endless rounds of stockinette for a pair of socks or a sweater? Switch to that cabled project or that complicated intarsia and re-engage your brain.
In short, when you have a whole lot of projects on the needles, you always have a way to easily switch gears whenever something in your current project isn’t bringing you joy. And that is good for you.
After all, why else do we knit? If it’s not first and foremost to bring joy, then I don’t really see the point!
Startitis Isn’t the Enemy
There’s really only one time when Startitis is a genuine problem: if people are specifically depending upon you to finish certain projects.
If you’re fighting to meet a knitting deadline and can’t seem to fend off Startitis, the problem isn’t really the Startitis.
Your problem is more likely one of the following:
- You’re completely sick of the project you’re knitting under a deadline, and you need to start something else to fend off that boredom.
- You’re so anxious at the possibility that you won’t meet the deadline that you feel the need to knit something else just to help alleviate that tension.
At that point, it may be time to communicate with whomever your deadline is serving.
- Explain the situation, gently. That is, if the problem is that you’re sick of the project, perhaps you don’t need to say that! You could instead say that you’ve become over-extended or that you over-estimated the amount of time you would need.
- Ask either for a deadline extension or to knit something else that isn’t so time-consuming.
Not Good Enough!
I’m anticipating two responses thus far.
1: “Gosh… you’re right! Too many WIPs? Serious case of Startitis? No big deal. I’ll just roll with it!”
2: “Ugh…. If I’d wanted self-help twaddle, I’d have watched a video starring some woo-woo positive-thinking guru. This is a serious problem! I want to overcome it! Please help!”
So what can you do if you really want to turn your Startitis into Finishitis?
Head over to part 2. Here I discuss some strategies to manage Startitis and turn those WIPs into FOs.
In the meantime, share below. What drives you crazy about Startitis and multiple WIPs? Do you find any benefits at all to having multiple WIPs?
My name is Laura and I have startitis! That what I would have to say if there was a startitis annoymous. I never imagined that something I loved could make me so miserable! Crafting I mean. I am not sure not everyone would agree. But this is a disease! My mother also had it, and she managed to cure herself. Of it. I just recently had the worst bout ever! I bought my crochet startitis was bad. With the 10 scarves on the go, but the sewing startitis, that has been the worst. There is so much cool fabric out there. My mother had it she told me she got it because of sudden access to 2 awesome crochet magazines that filled her with ambition. But after a while the ambition just left. I am found the Same. Its not just oh, I like this project I want to make it in every colour of yarn I can get and every pattern of fabric. It’s also, you gotta have that project for a rainy day, or so you always have something to work on. ) but as life goes on. There is obligations, appointments, chores, that cool new movie that you actually have to watch every minute of, but you have those 10 bins filled with ufos, and I don’t mean alien space ships! It’s weird, the more I have on the on the less ambitious I actually feel to craft. I used to start a scarf and finish it in a day, now I started 10 scarves and don’t finish one for 3 months. Crafting is supposed to fun and pleasurable. But to me with startits I feel overwhelmed, under the gun, because I really should be working on this or finishing that, but there’s that movie I want to really watch or that meal, oh not to mention exercise, preparing healthy meals, appointments, etc. angry, irritable, agitated, are not words you would normally think go with crafts but with startitis I feel all of those feelings and more. It is a life destroying disease like alcoholism or drugs. But I have decided I am going to do something about it. My mother actually suggested I make a list of the projects I do want to finish charting projects is a good idea. My mother said back in the day she finally cured herself by throwing out older projects she lost interest in and she now will plug away on a project until it is done. Come to think of it. I don’t know why I thought I had to have a bunch of things started so I will always have something to do because there always is something to do! There is always new inspirations coming along and of course life and chores. So I got rid or dismantled some projects I no longer want to finish, and it will be really hard, but I am vowing not to start any new projects until I am all caught up, on my unfinished ones and I had do the priority projects. I really hope I can cure my startitis like my mom did.
I believe in you, Laura! I believe you can overcome this and make (and finish!) projects that you love and are super-proud of. You can do this! ❤️
I have lots of stuff in progress in both knitting and crochet. I keep a “waiting room” project of squares for an afghan in a bag or yarn for soap sacks. Something small, simple and portable that I can make without having to read a pattern. Then at home I have my WIPs in bags so I can switch between them as I feel like it. I feel that I have too many so I’m trying to finish one before starting another one. I’m trying to also figure out where the finished project will go as I make afghans to donate, but want to make friend presents too. Sometimes I make a project sample for my classes and that has a definite deadline to meet.
Nancy, you might feel like this is a lot or even too much, but to me you look organized and, frankly, brilliant. I love that you have various types of projects so that you have something to work on in “waiting rooms” as well as things you can work on at home, depending on your mood/interest/etc. I think your system is fantastic!
I like having multiple knitting and crocheting WIPs because sometimes I just HAVE to knit (or crochet), but I’m bored with what I’m working on and if I have more than one project then I can switch. The problem is that I have too many of a good thing. I have something like 3 or 4 complete sets of knitting needles and crochet hooks (mostly bought separately because I’m already using the ones I already had) and most times I want to start a new project I cant find a vacant pair of needles or hooks….I can think of six crochet WIP that I started within the last year and probably four knitting projects started in about the same time period.
That wouldn’t be so bad, except that I also have 2 80-gallon bins crammed FULL of WIPs that go back to college (approximately 13 years). I will never finish those because I’ve lost the pattern, or run out of yarn, or some other similar problem. I should frog them and make something new out of the yarn but I don’t since I manage to convince myself that someday I’ll find the pattern, or figure out how to switch to a different yarn, or how to turn it into something different. I also have something like two dozen projects that are completed, except that I’ve never wove in the ends, or sewn on buttons, or other minor details like that.
Its interesting to note that of all these older WIPs, they are made of cheap acrylic yarn (Red Heart, Lion Brand, etc). Nearly all the ones that are almost done are either of nicer yarns (like bamboo or alpaca). I also have a considerable stash of that nicer wool, alpaca, cotton, silk, bamboo, and linen yarns some of which were acquired as many as 4 years ago. I keep asking for more for birthday, mothers day, and christmas and not using them because I want to find the “perfect” pattern. I also have a sizable stash of handspun yarn that I’ve never done anything with and wool and bamboo and other fibers ready to be spun that I’ve never done anything with.
My single biggest problem with this…the organization! I have the two bins of old WIPs, a bin of my nicer yarns, and a bin with my handspun and my raw fibers, but the rest of it covers my desk with barely enough room for my keyboard and mouse pad, covers the bottom of my closet, various WIPs stashed on bookselves (and really any other flat topped furniture around the house), the extra coffee table in my bedroom, a couple of tote bags in my car, and three boxes and four tote bags that have WIPs and stash yarn scattered around the house.
Yeah…I’m pretty sure I have a problem and I hope next week’s article will help!
Danielle, next week’s article should help you get organized. And a soon-to-come article series will also address another problem you may have (not judging, understand): the overgrown stash!
I do also think it might be time for you to be honest about those super-old WIPs. When you consider addressing them, do you feel excitement or dread? I have a feeling it might be the latter, in which case I do think you might find yourself feeling much better if you frog them and reclaim the yarn (as well as the needles). Just a thought!
I agree with Tamara – I like having 3-4 projects going so I don’t get bored with just one. If I have one that I’m avoiding, I will work on that one for 10 minutes before allowing myself to go on to one I really want to work on – sort of a reward system for myself. I find I move along more quickly on all projects if I use this method. I typically have one “long project”, a sweater for example, and then 2-3 short projects (hats, gloves etc). The long project is the one I tend to avoid until I start seeing progress, such as the back completed.
Melinda, you just gave me a great idea on how to make progress on the never-ending sweater I’m knitting for my husband, haha! 😀
I am so glad you wrote about Startitis, as I am seriously afflicted with this condition….it’s been a source of shame to me, along with the buying of yarn whenever I can’t resist…I really do intend to finish all my projects and use all my yarn…
I am happy to see how other people feel about Startitis!! I was starting to wonder if I didn’t have a horrible personality disorder!!!! Soldier on, knitters!!
Aww, Evelyn!! I hope this post set your mind at ease. You’re not alone, and there’s no reason to feel ashamed of all your WIPs. You always have a fun project on your needles, and that’s something to celebrate! 🙂
I have so many WIPs that I now have them in two fabric totes(decorative, since they sit in my living room). So I find myself buying more needles and project bags to start something else. I already have a S.A.B.L.E.(Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy). Some WIPs are put aside cuz I no longer enjoy working on them, some I’m stuck and don’t know how to continue. I think it’s time for me to look seriously at each one and decide: tink or save. Thanks, Nicole, for providing great topics, patterns, charity sources.
You’re welcome, Carol! You’ll definitely want to tune in next week. I’ll be offering a free resource to help you do exactly what you’re talking about here!
I am a started and not a finisher unless it’s a prayer shawl for someone. What I’ve learned is if I leave a project, it would be a good idea to write myself a note with important info, such as what size needles if they aren’t already attached, a copy of the pattern, where I left off and where to start etc. My WIPs currently have none of that info and sooner or later I will be frogging and beginning again. On the flip size it’s such a great feeling to wrap all that lovely yarn into a ball to begin again. Thanks Nicole for all the fun info on your emails.
That’s a great idea, Chris! I should definitely do that with my WIPs, especially with my never-ending sweater for my husband, lol. 😀
I don’t mind my WIPs, I say that I have Craft ADD and it’s great having something different to pick up when I get bored. Now, my hubby, he’s the one with the problem. He’s always nagging me about finishing things so we can give them to the people I originally intended them for, he has a problem leaving things half done and can’t understand why I don’t. It’s a joke in my family that I finished my first daughter’s baby blanked in time for her 16th birthday!
Hahaha Beth! I’m with you, definitely see the benefits of Startitis. I almost wish I had Startitis more often. I finish everything (except for my really lengthy projects) and then often find myself with nothing for travel knitting! Oh no! 😉
Nicole, I have a malady that is the opposite of startitis, maybe it could be called stuckitits. I need a new project, possibly to make for the two upcoming birthdays for 4-yr olds or to use up some stash or to finally dive into a lace project. I spent most of yesterday on the computer, just looking for patterns to fit the girls or to fit my available yarn.
Any suggestions for getting unstuck? I think the answer is just “pick one” but I am seriously stuck in limbo.
Oh Beth, now I truly feel you here! I’m constantly getting into “Stuckitis” where I have about 3 or 4 different things I’d like to try next but I can’t figure out exactly what. “Just pick one” is probably the best advice I have, but with a twist: Pick one and see how it feels. You might realize after you cast on, or a few rows in, that you’re not really feeling it. Then give yourself permission to either set it aside or just frog it (especially if you want to reuse the yarn and/or needles). I think if you try this, eventually you’ll find a pattern that you’re excited about. Good luck!
This is exactly me. I am so afraid of having startitis that I am stuck. I have a five year old and a three year old. I think * maybe* because we have littles and our time is scarce that we put more pressure on ourselves to get it right the first time. Idk just my analysis after not knitting much since kids. We are having our third in October, God willing and I really want to get a project going!! Hope you are able to narrow down the projects and then happy knitting! ????
Congratulations on baby #3, and I hope you can find that perfect next project!
Thank you!! ????
I don’t mind having multiple projects on the go because I like to have the variety of switching between them. I do find if I leave a project for too long though I tend not to go back to it. Those projects really needs to be frogged and the yarn needs to go back into stash. I could get better at doing that. But I don’t really beat myself up about it. My crochet is about the only area in my life where I’m allowed to have multiple projects on the go and not finish them!! Looking forward to part 2 Nicole!
Thanks Tamara! I tend to keep projects on my needles for too long as well. I’m getting better though! 😀