This weekend I finished the second of Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. This project was quite engrossing and required a certain amount of paying attention. I finally mastered the dastardly increasing in pattern routine and significantly improved my stranding skills. By the end of the second mitt I could predict the pattern and knit on with confidence without feeling like I needed to run to my LYS like the insecure crafter I truly am.So after knitting all day Saturday and for several hours yesterday, I finished. I expected a wave of satisfaction to wash over me. I was halfway expecting a surge of adrenaline and the knitting equivalent of a 'runner's high'. But I just felt...nothing. Perhaps the frigid temps outside are not making fingerless gloves seem all that practical right about now, especially since I'm about to go the coldest place in the world i.e. Minnesota on Wednesday. But still, I worked in a sustained and dedicated manner on these, with yarn from my stash like a good little stash buster, shouldn't I feel something?!
So tell me. Delurk yourselves and answer me this: does completing a knitting project ever leave you with an empty, dissatisfied feeling? Are you ever left wondering, à la Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?"
Hmmm, interesting question. Nope, I think I still get excited over each project I finish. I think I tend to be a Progress knitter, rather than a Process knitter. I mean, I do love the knitting itself - but I get the biggest rush when it's all bound off and done and I can start at the item I created from a ball of yarn. In the case of the Endpaper Mitts, maybe you had such a great time knitting those wonderful beauties that you were sorry to see it end? They came out terrific and you should be very proud of yourself!!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes feel a little sad when I finish a project that I get really engrossed in the pattern. There are times when I'm just plain relieved if the pattern was tedious.
ReplyDeleteI love your endpaper mitts though. It will get warmer again, then you will be super happy with them again.
I love the endpaper mitts! I am working on some too - they are so fun to knit.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I have so many projects I am working on, that they rarely actually get finished...I usually feel joy when I finish something. (not sure if its more of relief or joy that there is one less unfinished project...)
I think the mitts look fantastic!! I definitely want to make a pair for myself and some point - but I also have to master that increase in pattern part.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of your question, I think I'm usually excited to be finished with a project. The only time when I'm not is when the project doesn't quite turn out the way that I want (i.e. - doesn't fit right or just doesn't look that good on me).
What's up girlfriend? I love those fingerless gloves.
ReplyDeleteI have had that oh so dissatisfied feeling a few times. It's like an incomplete feeling, like I spent my time on this project that I thought was going to be spectacular and realize this is it?! Usually, I stuff the finished project on the bottom of my stash and wait a week or so later to see if I feel different about it. Usually, I still have the same feeling.
Nope - I am definitely a progress girl! Love to get stuff off the needles. I did notice, though, after finishing my holiday sock-a-thon, that I felt an almost immediate longing to cast on another pair. There is something soothing for me about the rhythm of knitting socks, especially on teeny weeny dpns, and it's good for me to have a pair OTN, even if I only work on them intermittently. I agree with karen's theory about your Endpapers - good vibe, gorgeous outcome, why stop now?
ReplyDeleteHmmm...Methinks you're feeling a bit of knitter jadedness. This means you do indeed need to go to the LYS for some yarn fixings to cure your ailment. Just kidding. I sometimes feel a bit let-down too after an FO. I think maybe we should call it postknittum depression. There ought to be a conference call for papers for that one!
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the mitts! I definitely want to give these a try.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this was just one of those 'glad to be finished' projects? I get that sometimes when I start off excited, but by the end I'm eyeing 5 other projects I'd love to start.
They're beautiful though, and I hope they help keep you warm on your trip!
Yeah, I've had that feeling. Usually it's because the FO isn't quite what I hoped it would be (that's almost everytime--I have yet to master proper fit). Sometimes after a project I kind of flounder around for a few days, wanting badly to start something new, maybe even trying to, but not finding something that feels "right". I'm kinda in that funk right now! Thankfully, we both know it'll pass and we'll be knitting away happily in a day or two! :-)
ReplyDeleteFinished projects? What are 'finished projects'? I thought we were just supposed to keep casting on and knitting new ones; no one told me about finishing anything.
ReplyDelete[kidding!]
[mostly!]
Interesting question… I finish so few things I wouldn't know ;-D. For me getting something off my needles is a big thrill. May be it's like finishing a really good (like amazing) book, I often get the "Is that all there is?" feeling after a well written, engrossing book. Perhaps the pattern was so engrossing and engaged you so much so that finishing it was a let down. The end result is lovely!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, your mitts are lovely. I want a pair for the cold weather, so that there's no gaping between my mittens and sleeves. Think of it that way, and maybe they'll seem more practical!
ReplyDeleteBut yes, I get that alot. Mostly with garments made for myself. When I finished my first sweater, I was so disappointed I almost cried. It looked good, but it didn't look LIKE I THOUGHT IT WOULD. I'm actually putting off finishing my second sweater, which I started in July and would take me just a few evenings to finish, for that very reason! I'm afraid I'll be disappointed. Or at least not thrilled.
wow, your mitts are stunning! great job girl : )
ReplyDeleteThere have been many projects that I was a little sad to finish, having enjoyed the knit. But there have been a few where I couldn't wait to get them off the needles!