Don't they say that it takes thirty days to form a new habit? Does it work in reverse, that is, if you don't do something for about a month, have you lost the habit? If so, I'd better pick up my needles pretty sharpish because it's the 28th. of January and I have not knitted since the year dawned! Even as we speak, wool is gathering dust, and I'll have forgotten what to do with it.
I did do some stitching last week as I said I would, and I hope everyone who contributed to that post made some progress on their projects, too, but today's little goal is to get on with my dovegrey sock (above). "What's grey about that?", I hear you ask - the yarn (Mountain Colors Bearfoot) was a kind gift from the Dovegrey One herself back in the summer, and I cast on while watching coverage of the royal engagement, turned the heel while glued to the snow/travel chaos news before Christmas and then came to a dead stop. I obviously need some other compelling viewing to get me back in the habit.
Sock wool is a gift that keeps on giving.
It is funny how I can look at a finished garment and know which television show I was fascinated with while I knitted away. My Peasy cardigan was knit while watching two box sets of Robin Hood!
Posted by: Darlene | 28 January 2011 at 01:45 PM
Never heard your first "quotation" before, do you have a source?
I notice a significant decline in my flute playing ability after only two days of inactivity. A week off and it's really noticeable. I'd not dare leave it alone for a month! I hope you have found your ideal programme to help you complete your project.
Posted by: Dark Puss | 28 January 2011 at 02:19 PM
Associations can be so powerful!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 January 2011 at 04:13 PM
Not a primary source, though perhaps time spent in searching might yield one, but others abound.
I think your flute requires much more skill than does the type of knitting I'm doing here - and you would not be having one eye on the television while you play, would you?
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 January 2011 at 04:16 PM
I've not had as much time this year to stitch as I would like unfortunately. I think it's like riding a bicycle...you never forget. At least when I do find time I wonder what I've been doing to ignore my project as I can usually get back into it easily. Good luck with the sock.
Posted by: Danielle | 28 January 2011 at 11:49 PM
I'm pretty sure that anyone the healthy habits can be broken much quicker than 30 days, sigh. Thankfully knitting is gloriously indulgent so you should be fine.
Posted by: Rebecca | 29 January 2011 at 08:57 AM
If you are an Andy Murray fan perhaps you could knit along to the tennis tomorrow. If it's nail biting stuff it may be too exciting to knit and watch though.
Posted by: Claire | 29 January 2011 at 09:49 AM
I put down War and Peace for one month whilst going through the prep and research for a new job with accompanying 'phone interview, informal interview with head-hunter, informal 1:1 interview with potential 'boss' and then a four-panel interview - a whole month! I've got two very sharp suits gathering dust in the wardrobe and I didn't get the job BUT I am back with War and Peace. I'm so pleased! I think any more than 30 days off from W&P and I probably would never have returned to it.
Posted by: Rose Harding | 29 January 2011 at 05:22 PM
Good idea, Claire!
Posted by: Cornflower | 29 January 2011 at 08:12 PM
Pity about the job, Rose, but I agree with you that more than a month away from War and Peace would have made it very difficult to pick up again.
Posted by: Cornflower | 29 January 2011 at 08:14 PM
Have you gotten your mojo back yet? I am currently madly in love with the lovely cowl from the MORE Last Minute Knitted Gifts Book, and have managed to steal at least 15 mins from my end of term correcting and start of new term planning every day. . . but that's "in love" knitting. I did knit to Afghan Star last night (fascinating movie but oh, subtitles. . . not the best choice!), and my son and I have a set of "Slings and Arrows" to watch. Have you tried any Agatha Christies or such good-but-gentle knitting fare? Or even an audiobook? The four Tiffany Aching novel, I Shall Wear Midnight, by Terry Pratchett, read by the incomparable Stephen Briggs, has transfixed my family for quite a while. In any case, don't get too worried. I think sometimes our "GOT TOs" can make us turn hobbies into tasks, and that's not the goal, is it?
Posted by: Becky | 30 January 2011 at 12:42 PM
You're so right, Becky, and many thanks for all the suggestions.
Posted by: Cornflower | 30 January 2011 at 04:00 PM