I also haven't written because I haven't been all that inspired by my knitting. Don't get me wrong, I've knit plenty and have enjoyed it - I just feel like I've lost my mojo. I think there are a few things that have contributed to it. First, the debacle last summer with the ill fitting sweater. Since then, I've been gun-shy and have mainly knit socks and accessories - things that if my gauge is off, it doesn't really matter.
Second, I've been broke. The changes to our pension and insurance plans went into effect in January and I am really missing that $500 each month. That means MUCH less discretionary money with which to buy yarn - and that means knitting from the stash. Now don't get me wrong, knitting from the stash isn't bad - I've got a pretty good stash, especially with everything I picked up at Sock Summit last year. However, most of my stash isn't sweater quantities - ergo, lots of hats, socks, and mittens. Also, finding sweater patterns post hoc is hard. Trying to find a pattern that a) I like, b) comes in my size, and c) I have enough yardage for is close to impossible.
Third, it's summer. Knitting a size 3x wool sweater in 90 degree heat is not my idea of fun, even in air conditioning. I realized that I have a lot of summer knits. I have more time for knitting in the summer, so I tend to take on summer projects which also knit up pretty quickly. The problem with waiting for cooler weather to start a fall/winter project is it's hard for me to finish a project in the season it is meant to be worn. Usually finishing a lovely sweater means that we will have an unexpected heat wave.
Fourth, the past 7 months have been pretty stressful. Lots of things - some personal, some work related. What that adds up to is I tend to knit like an idiot. I can't count. I lose track of where I am in a pattern. I make stupid mistakes. I've had to rip and re-knit about half of what I've done. It's not confidence building.
As a result of all of that, I've been in search of my mojo. I haven't quite found it, but I think I'm coming close and I think blogging might just help me find it. What do you do when you lose your mojo?
