We’ve all faced roadblocks when it comes to following through on our projects, no matter our experience level. Knitting and crocheting are time-consuming hobbies, so it’s natural that you may be discouraged or uninspired every once in a while.
So why should writers get their own terminology and not us? I’m going to take the liberty to coin the phrase “knitter’s block” right now (I hope you don’t mind).
Knitter’s block was a huge issue for the first year or so that I had picked up knitting. I had really big ideas about what I wanted to make, but I lacked the skills, patience, and motivation to follow through. Sometimes this was extrinsic, like if I had a lot of schoolwork, but sometimes I just felt bored or frustrated with my project and yearned to move on to something else.
So when your inspiration has sunk through the floor, what does it take to stay motivated to finish a knitting project?
1. Set Timely Goals
Are you ever working on a holiday rush, whether for family gifts or your increased sales, and feel like you’re flying through a project? This stretch between November and December is usually when I feel I’m at my most inspired and productive, even if it occasionally makes me a frazzled crazy person.
It’s not every day that we need to rush a project out for a birthday gift or special occasion. In the meantime, create motivation by staying on top of your own schedule. It’s also helpful if you can assign some meaning to the end goal — for instance, I’ll be more inspired to finish if I know I want to add a new listing to my Etsy shop by Sunday.
Setting a realistic and time-bound goal for completing a project is a great way to avoid the feeling that the work is going to stretch on forever. Tell yourself that you definitely want to get 10 rows done a day to finish a hat by the end of the week. Chunk out a daunting sweater pattern so you are finishing up parts on a defined schedule. Make little victories for yourself so you feel propelled to overcome knitter’s block on even the most mundane projects.
2. Be Held Accountable
If you’re part of a creative community, absolutely lean on them to overcome knitter’s block! This is something I would love to work into my creative life more, which is why I shared my go-to resources for locating a community in my last post.
If you’re part of a knitting circle or online group, share progress updates and take advice on finishing a project. Chances are, you’re more likely to work steadily if you feel like you’re being held accountable for the end goal. Plus, many knitting circles participate in knit-alongs, which are awesome ways to share the entire process with your community and adhere to a time schedule that won’t feel arbitrary.
You can also hold yourself more publicly accountable if you’re trying to keep a lively Pinterest or Instagram feed going. Honestly, half the time I push myself to complete a project just so I have a new update to keep my social media presence consistent. It’s a little vain, but if it works, it works!
3. Think of Your Loved Ones
Gathering ideas and getting excited about new projects is one of the best ways to feel a rush of energy to get some knitting done. I’m sure almost all of us love to knit items that will make someone we love happy — we can’t possibly keep everything we make or we’d be letting yarn fully take over our homes, after all.
I always like to spend some time coming up with new ideas based on projects I want to complete for my loved ones. Maybe I want to design a new hat in honor of my best friend’s cat (yes, this is a real goal of mine), but I’ve got to finish what’s currently on my needles first. Or my sister loves coffee, and I’ve been seeing the cutest pattern inspirations on Pinterest.
Boom! Instant creative rush. Jot down some ideas or just let that creative brainstorming overtake you. You might not feel motivated to finish something that’s just for you, but you’re bound to overcome knitter’s block if you’re knitting to put a smile on someone else’s face.
4. Work Toward Something Bigger
Lastly, I’ll share one of my biggest motivators and something that intersects with all of these other tips in turn: keep some lofty goals in mind so you are always motivated to keep pushing with your projects.
Whether this is a new line for my Etsy shop or my desire to attend my first craft fair, finding a purpose for my knitting helps me stay on top of current projects rather than let them fall by the wayside. It’s easy to put a scarf down for one hundred years if you don’t have any plans for it. It’s harder to let knitter’s block beat you if you’re trying to tackle a major goal.
My goals tend to be Etsy-oriented, but they don’t have to be. Aim to learn the techniques needed to complete a really elaborate pattern by the end of the year. Set a goal to knit matching hats for your family’s annual holiday photo. Whatever motivates you, use this energy to pick those needles back up and get to work.
Overcome Knitter’s Block Like a Pro
When your creativity and productivity are at an all-time low, finding ways to inspire yourself can be a challenge. Hopefully, this helps you tackle these problems so you can keep on chugging.
What works best for you when you need to overcome knitter’s block? Share with us below!
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