Plying the needle

    Mme. Arthur Fontaine, Odilon Redon, 1901

    It's been a while since I did any embroidery or sewing and I want to get back to it, but knitting and needlepoint in the shape of works-in-progress and others which are 'needle adjacent' seem always to take precedence.

    I've just bought a charming book by the Japanese needlewoman and dedicated gardener Kazuko Aoki. The Embroidered Garden: Stitching Through the Seasons of a Flower Garden is full of small, adaptable projects based on delightful designs inspired by the author's well-tended garden, and I'd like to make use of them.

    Having followed Claire Wellesley-Smith's blog for a while, I'm keen to read her new book Slow Stitch: Mindful and Contemplative Textile Art, a guide to "adopting a less-is-more approach" - which I could clearly do with ...

    And then there's Janet Clare, another recent discovery, whose book The Wordsmith appeals, but I fear it would be folly to embark on yet another thing.

    In view of the above, I'm interested to hear from the 'multi-craftual' among you: how do you fit it all in? Do you work on only one project at a time, from start to finish? Do you devote certain days (or seasons) to one craft over another? Do you do a little of everything so that there is some progress across all your work all the time? Do you just knit or stitch or sew as the mood takes you, without feeling overwhelmed, or that you're neglecting what's not in hand at that moment? Are you disciplined about not buying the supplies for a new project until you are free of other work and ready to start it?

    I suspect Mme. Fontaine here was faithful to her embroidery - she certainly seems to display an appealing level of serenity and absorption in her work.

Comments

[Christine Harding]

I wish I were more disciplined, but I usually have several projects on the go,and skip around from one to another, so it takes a long time to finish anything. And I get enticed by 'new' things - currently I want to knit socks (like your's) in Really Nice Wool. But I have two crochet blankets to finish, as well as a little embroidered scroll fabric book, various other embroideries, a lot of embroidered lavender bags, and a journal-type photo album...

[Ros]

I tend to have one of everything on the go and do them at different times. For instance, I like to have a portable knitting or crochet project that I can take on trains and so on, whereas weaving obviously stays at home. Some things can be done in front of the telly whereas others, such as dressmaking, can't.

[Elaine]

I too suffer from many projects too little time. I try to restrict myself so that I have only one, hand quilting, appliqué, hand piecing, knitting, embroidery etc project on the go at a time. It doesn't always work! but if I can then I feel more in control and I just work on whatever I feel like at the time. I find I prefer appliqué/embroidery when it's warmer but as the days get shorter I want to knit or hand quilt.

[Claire]

I'm into baby knitting at the moment which is a lovely reason to be knitting. I used to love embroidery especially crewel work but what to do with the finished articles? There's only so many cushions a house needs!

[Sam]

I am very disciplined in the art of being easily distracted. I have a couple of (very rudimentary) projects on the go (knitting & painting furniture); they have been On The Go for some time now. I admire all these prolific, motivated, talented people in the blogosphere and wonder how on earth they fit it all in!

[Paola]

I too work on several projects at the same time, and get easily tempted to buy supplies and patterns for future ones, which will happen "sometime".
Usually, I have one portable knitting project, and at least one (machine) sewing project which obviously can only be worked on at home. Sometimes I also work on some larger, at-home-only knitting. Then there's the English paper piecing with tiny hexagons made of fabric scraps which, although portable, is certainly a long-term affair. Uh, and the mending of several pairs of hand-knit socks, the alteration of a few second-hand clothes, and the T-shirt yarn to crochet a mat.

[Cosy Books]

Oh sure, remind me of the too-many-to-count half-finished projects tucked away in the spare room closet. Actually, I was relieved to hear from a customer at the library that she finished up twenty-one projects once she retired. I take comfort in that plan!
Your apple socks are really lovely, by the way!

[Spade & Dagger]

Claire, I am totally with you on this one. I really enjoy the process of crafting, but no one really needs anymore clothing, the house is already full to the rafters with 'stuff' and even I don't want to see my efforts on the walls. At least with my allotment activities we can eat up all my efforts.

[Rebecca]

I share your wonderment at those who "multi-craft" and have jobs outside the home for pay as well--I have a friend, a fellow teacher, who knits and also has taken up spinning. My mind boggles.

[Lydia Gravemaker]

As I am retired you should think that you finish all your wips finally. Nothing more is true; waiting are: a dress to finish, a baby sweater ( the baby is too big now to wear it!) some more grannies to make so I can finish that cushion,a few embroidery projects and lots of ideas in my head which I will do "one day"...
But I love it that when I am in the mood for sewing I can start on that dress or try to finish my knitting. It is all about choises and I feel rich to have so many.
And by the way, I enjoy reading your blog.
Lydia