Depending on the cause of my slump, be it excess of work and exhaustion or tired of what i'm knitting i'll either- go to b&n, get a giant sugary drink, peruse the knitting section and rack up my amex. Or I will pull out a lace pattern i have put on hold for what ever reason and jump in head first.
good luck, those slups are awful.
Uh, buy new yarn? Not that I would do that, of course...
Seriously, there's always a few patterns that I have my eye on, so if a project bores me, I just start up a new one. Then, when the new project bores me, I can go back to the old one! Diversity is key 
Others. It's almost always the work or words of others. I'll read a Yarn Harlot post and think, "I feel like I could be that funny today" and I'll write something up. With blogging, I'll jumpstart myself by sharing a funny story or conversation I was a part of. With knitting and spinning, I almost always get bumped out of a slump by trolling the 'net and looking for inspiration - thankfully I subscribe to enough blogs that I get to see lots of great jumpstarters. One really stunning skein of handspun can get me in front of the wheel for an entire day!
reading other peoples' blogs always gives me ideas - especially craft blogs that are non-knitting. sometimes it's good to try a different craft. then i always come back to knitting feeling excited about it again.
When I'm in a slump, I usually order a new knitting book I've been eyeing up, or buy a pattern online I've had bookmarked for a while.
I just had a knitting slump last week. I went to the beach and sat and contemplated why it was happening and what in my life was going on to make it interfere with my creativity. I then cast-on a new project! It's ok to put down a project for a while and come back to it when it's renewed! By the way, the new project I cast-on?...a sock in Brooklyn Handspun Signature sock! The first skein I ever bought from you.
*sigh* everyone already has touched on things that I do to get out of a slump - From browsing other peoples blogs, to taking some time "off", to casting on something new and different, to treating myself to a book or two or ten off my wishlist....organizing, believe it or not, sometimes sparks interest because the stash is so ridiculously large, going through it periodically brings to mind new projects
ps. I heart your mountain photo
Talking to other knitters. I had not knitted in months, but you guys inspired me on Saturday night and I spent all of Sunday in Prospect Park with a project.
I always try something totally new to get out of a knitting slump. First it was cables then lace then lace with charts. You get the picture. Something to challenge my knitting or I just get a really great skein of yarn and make something small and fast.
I have three slump strategies.
(1) Flickr Flickr Flickr (which could now also be Ravelry, I suppose).
(2) knit something small, simple, practical, and visually stunning (a Noro Ipod cozy, e.g.) for a friend who will really appreciate it.
(3) ask for commissions -- offer to knit something small for a friend, to his/her specifications.
Good luck! Take care.
Like other people I often read blogs for inspiration. I like to search for patterns that interest me in Flickr to see what the finished products look like on real people. I start something new (which is bad, bad, bad). Lately, for blogging, I have been feeling a little blocked as well. I have a lot of things I want to blog about but I don't know how to make it sound clear. So, share some links. Maybe you came across something cool while surfing or there is a good cause to promote. Share more photos. I think a blog post with just photos is ok!
Good luck!
Yarn/knitting slumps: I check other people's knitting photos and/or start a simple project full of colour (striped blankets, variegated scarves, etc).
Blogging slumps: I am in the middle of one and believe I will come out of it as soon as I learn to use my new digital camera. On to post great pictures at last!
Well, if I'm in a knitting slump, I usually spin; to stave off a spinning slump, I knit. Sometimes I have to play with dyes to fix either... keeping in mind that these slumps generally pass quickly.
On the rare occasion that nothing else works, I start a plain sock. Just a couple inches of ribbed cuff and stocking stitch to the toe, whatever heel in between. I knit on that sock while doing other things (watching tv, waiting in line, etc.) and the monotany and habitual movement knitting forces my creative side to come up with something to amuse itself...
Ha! I just buy new yarn, of course. Also I find that keeping up with all the knitblogs I subscribe to provides a constant source of inspiration.
When I hit a slump, it actually helps me to get out of the house a bit. I'm just now coming out of a huge slump and have started blogging about buying a house and going on hikes. I also try to take as many pictures as possible because them I have something more substantial to talk about.
When I am in a knitting slump there are a few things I try and do. I try and pick something knew to knit. Usually, for me that's either socks or lace. Or I spin for a while. Our bi-weekly SnB doesn't hurt either.
1) I get out and take a nice walk ... if I'm lucky I head out through a park but even skipping a few subway stops is better than nothing.
2) I will take something small and easy that will give satisfaction and I can give away (baby bibs get knit lots during this time).
3) I will scrub my stove top. The hard physical effort has solved lots of things this way.
4) I force myself to a writing schedule. I must blog every day* [exceptions being traveling or holidays]. Most of my posts are crud, but I think one or two come out ok.
5) I will do other things if I'm not knitting, crochet, creative cooking..
6) I generally get out of these funks when the weather is wonderful like today!! Now I have to calm myself down because I know I can't do all the things I want to at once.
good luck!
In order to get out of a slump, I shelve all current projects and start something new...something easy and cheerful...or I switch crafts...from knitting to spinning to quilting (and on and on)
When I get into a knitting/spinning slump I get myself to a newbie group. The sheer enthusiasim is sure to get me off my butt. As for blogging, as I have a foodie blog I just read Anthony Bourdain's venom about on the Food Network and it gets the juices flowing.
I look at the blogs - seeing good photographs of other people's knitting and reading their enthusiasm for the projects they're working on and the yarn they're buying refreshes me. I find it kind of breaks through my own knitting blahs and gets back to the basics of what I love about yarn and knitting.
I look over my new and old knitting magazines for inspiration. Not that I EVER knit anything from them: I prefer to do my own thing. But it's fun to get ideas.
Go to the gym for a really, really great workout. Coming home feels soooo good!
Start a new project. I must have a lot of slumps because I have at least 10 ongoing projects.
And then start a new sock. I can always knit socks.
Can't comment on the blogging slump-in one myself! LOL! But for knitting, I surf knitting blogs, and forums, and online knitting shops, which then results in some credit card damage and one (or maybe more!) new skeins of yarn. That seems to do the trick!!
I was just thinking of you because I'm knitting a pair of socks with the yarn you sent me for secret pal...was it #7? I'll be blogging about the socks soon.
Ok, in order to get out of a slump I'll either organize my stash or frog everything on my needles. I like to organize the stash because I'll usually find something I forgot I had. I frog in order to feel as though nothing is hanging over my head, that makes it easier to start something new. I also like to surf around Flickr for knitting pics.
You could always blog google a pattern you've had your eye on to see what other knitters are doing.
If I'm in a slump because I'm bored with what I'm knitting I'll buy some brightly colored sock yarn. I try to be good about not having too many projects so sometimes that makes me feel bad enough to plow through the older UFOs to get to the "reward" of something shiny and new! (And sometimes I cast on right away and forget the older projects.)
If it's the slump is for some other reason then there is lots of strenuous activity (running, rock climbing, etc) and maybe a day or two of no knitting and lots of cuddling with husband!
two words: new project!
If I hit a slump, I take all my WIPs (and I mean all of them, no yarny or even fibery visual baggage hanging around) and put them into a cardboard box so that I can't see them and I don't get that I-should-be-getting-some-work-done-those feeling. Seriously, like, tape the box shut. Then I just pick some mind-soothing yarn from the stash (usually noro... or something equally lovely) and choose a pattern that is simple but will result in something you will want to use, like a purse or something. Works for me. The stripes in noro really help as motivators- you know, i'll just knit to the end of this stripe, etc.
I do a lot of what everyone else has suggested. If I am not enjoying it, I let it be - typically I will dive headlong into another pursuit that I enjoy until the facination wanes and I meander back to knitting.
Knitting slumps . . . they happen. That's when startitis or finishitis usually happens for me, or I reorganize my stash that sort of thing.
As for blog slump, that's when I like to go back and read the archives of the blogs that inspired me in the first place.
here's one that won't hurt your wallet, lol. read knitting blogs. there are so many knitters out there who have explored a myriad of patterns, yarns, and equipment, that i just adore reading the blogs. that will do it the most for me (i hadn't knit since last thursday, and after reading a few blogs (i'm behind as well, lol), i actually started the second half of my asymmetrical v-neck sweater (teva durham's loop d'loop. if you don't have it, check it out. the construction is amazing!)
When I am in a slump, I start leafing through my old Interweaves or looking through my massive book collection to see if anything hits me. If that doesn't work, I rifle through the stash. I frequently find yarns that I forgot I even owned!
lush bath with their bubble bar and ballistics, preferably blue skies and fluffy white clouds paired with big blue
then a browse at people's blogs see what they all are making. Accompanied by good music, Carolyn Hillyer and dead can dance work for meIf that doesn't work then a walk through the Galloway forest, the colours and sounds always work
hope that helps
amber
Joining a local SnB group helps keep me out of the knitting slumps. And different things work during different times of the year. First I generally have a pair of socks going, if that gets boring, then I start by looking at my pattern books (especially lace) I can generally find some inspiration there. But if all else fails, I shop for yarn. That always seems to work.
Whenever I'm in a slump, I treat myself to a gorgeous fiber I've been drooling over - I'm a big fan of Etsy and have a metric ton of fiber "favorited"! That inspires me to clear off the bobbins if there's anything on them, so that when the "perfect" fiber arrives, I can spin it right up! Although, this most recent time, a trip to MDSW and an absolute embarassment of fibers broke me out of my current slump!
I sit down with my myriad of knitting books and go through them one by one. THat certainly gives me inspiration! Often that is all it takes, but sometimes in addition I need a "lift" by visiting my local yarn shop and browsing for a while
Hope your low lifts soon!!
I'll usually start a small, fast project. Nothing like instant gratification to get one out of a slump.
Definitely comb the internet......flickr.....blogs.....I buy almost all of my yarn online, so I typically stalk colorways and patterns that inspire me before I buy!
(I would love to try some of your yarn! Might there be an update soon?)
I think a yarn bath is in order. Take out your stash and put it all on your bed, the floor, wherever. Look at it, lie on top of it, fondle, smell, rub it against your cheek....you know where I'm going. Fall in love all over again
Then pick a quick and chunky yarn that will finish the next project fast. You'll get the mojo going when you bang something out quickly. Hopefully that will inspire the need to post, and get you back on your feet again.
If I can see an end in sight of the particular project I am working on, I just keep plugging away, knowing it will be over soon. If I just need something to break it up, I pick up a new project and alternate between the two. I usually try to work on two different kinds of project: one on small gauge, one large or one fast project, one that I know will be more involved or one pair of socks and something else. Just something to break up the monotony of the other one. Also, it's nice to knit for someone else occasionally whether its for a gift for a specific reason or "just because" or maybe charity. Thinking about that and the love you are putting into the project can be a good motivator. Hopefully, you'll get out of your dulldrums soon!
Oh, what a wonderful contest!
Knitting slump:
1) I pick something totally different from anything I've knit recently, buy yarn and cast on.
2) I knit a scarf (scarves always make me happy!)
Blogging slump:
Post pictures. Next thing you know, you'll want to TALK about the pictures. And that, my dear, is a post! Repeat daily.
Well, I can't tell you what to do to get out of the slump...but I can tell you what *not* to do.
Don't start knitting a full size shawl for your teenage daughter (if you had one, that is) two weeks before prom. It sucks the knit-force right out of you. Ask me how I know...
For blogging slumps, I have no idea. I've never had one.
For knitting slumps, I either pick a small, quick project or motivate myself by looking at other people's creative work (not always knitting - not always even fibre-related).
Methinks you have a classic case of post-holiday blues. But you've brightened my my day with hope of winning yarn
For me a slump just passes (usually when the extracurricular stuff stops bogging me down). Hooooowever, new yarn or an interesting pattern can also be just the kick up the arse that I need.
The only way to cure a knitting slump is to buy new yarn and cast on right away. That sometimes works for me. Otherwise, I just stop knitting for a week, until I suddenly feel like doing it again. I just say, "knitting, we need to go on a break".
Oh, do I ever understand what you mean by "slump".
Any time I need to spur my creative juices, whether it be knitting or blogging, I try to get outside, for some reason that inspires me. The colors, the freedom. It does something to the psyche.
I also find that if I do some free form writing, just random thoughts, that often gives me an idea for a blog topic.
Well, you know I don't knit or blog, but to make you feel better, I can take you to Cold Stone...mmmmmm...
I wish I'd gotten to see you in NYC - I would have loved to hear all about your African excursion! I'd imagine coming back down to earth after that kind of adventure could definitely give a girl the blogging blues. I usually try to kick out of mine by taking pictures - it's easy to be lazy and post those instead of real content. But if I were you, I'd dye up some awesome new colorways based on your Morocco pics and then post that they're available in the shop, hint hint!
I have STACK O KNITTING MAGS. Huge stack. Big. Huge! I go through all of them. It's a kick to see one's I used to love but now... eh. And one's I thought were way too hard but now... go for it! And then there's the one's I loved then and still love and those are usually the ones that inspire me to start something new.
move continents or take a trip. not that that helped in my case. though to be fair (in the latter case), i got home to non-working internets. by the time it was back, the blogging vigor had left me, but i'm having a serious case of the startitis. with old yarn!
When I get a slump I remind myself of how far through a project I am, and I start looking through my knitting/spinning/weaving books for my next project. This then gives me something to look forward to, an incentive to keep going with my current projects. I research through the internet the best yarn for the future project and order it when about 2/3rds of the way through the current project, this gives me a push to complete a project. I have a couple of projects on the go at one time, so vary what I do, a couple of pattern repeats on my weaving, a short break of spinning and then mostly knitting.
With my blogging I find it takes me ages to complete a project so I post only a couple of times a month, I have now started taking photos of my garden, which has given me renewed interest in blogging, I also search other people's websites for inspiration on other topics to post on.
I try and make each craft/blogging time special, as a relaxing treat from getting out of the daily grind of a demanding job, so look forward to just even completing a couple of rows of knitting, or a short time spinning/weaving before preparing for the next day at work.
when in a slump I swatch and swatch and swatch. swatches make me feel so special- like I'm a real knitter and a smart one who swatches. te task itself is easy. If it's blocking I don't have to do anything and discover that I don't HAVE to be knitting 24/7 and finally when blocking is finished, I look and imgaine what will happen with that yarn. O.k. to be honest I've only done this once, but so far it's worked.
A knitting slump requires that I put down whatever project is the culprit, because for me it's always project-induced or project-specific. I then bust out an easy ass project, maybe get a yarn out of my stash that I've always wanted to use, and make something with a low cognitive load, like fingerless gloves. This seems to help me get my knitting mojo back.
Blogging slump: normally related to knitting slump, by knitting something that make me feel the knitting love again, this usually takes care of that.
It was nice to meet you last month at the Point, and I enjoyed seeing both you and Craptina's Morocco pics...
I find that my blogging slumps usually are a result of boredom from a project. For a long time I had start-itis and that just meant it would take longer to see any progress on my projects since there were so many going at the same time. But I got hooked on the idea of making my first adult sweater and it has been the focus of my attention. Until a couple nights ago I couldn't resist any longer (and I'm on sleeve island) and I cast on a quick project: baby socks for a co-worker. Just the perfect diversion! Now the baby socks are done and I'm back on the sweater sleeves and making a post on the blog. so for me, boredom = blogging slump. When you have something exciting to share, you want to share it with everybody! (Like my new foray into spinning....) Fiber addiction? What fiber addiction?!
My blogging slumps are usually when I'm so busy my brain is going to explode. I usually fill in those times with a meme or two. I also find going somewhere new every so often gives me plenty of material to blog about and gets me out and happy
A slump? When I'm feeling less than motivated to knit, I make a batch of chocolate chip cookies; prepare a pot of coffee; and gather my knitting books, magazines and the myriad patterns I've printed from the internet. Then I find a quiet spot where I can eat the cookies, drink the coffee and look for a new project. This always lifts my spirits and reminds me that there is much I want to do and I'd better get busy.
Most of what has already been suggested works well.
When I'm in slump I stop my crafts for a few days and followw my other hobbies like cooking, reading and dancing. After a couple of weeks I pick it up with a new and quick project.
As for blogiing ..... once you stop you your craft ( temporarily) you can blog about what other things you did and don't forget to get outdoors as often as you can. And ofcourse enter various contests at other blogs and play games like bingo etc at other craft groups are boards!!!
Believe me you have enough material to blog about at the end of it ....or just make a note of what you are doing!
And another to really lift one up is meet out with friends you are close to. And don't forget the pictures!!!!
As a fairly new knitter I have not yet lost the thrill of the multitude of yarns available and the blogs that are so free with advice. I agree that when I am bored with a project or afraid to start the 'difficult part' I start something new and let the old project percolate in my brain until I am ready to try. I also buy a knitting book I've been wanting or as I did last month treated myself to a swift and winder from Webs.
Maybe you could knit someting mindless or an old favorite to remind you of how far you are away from a beginner. Or maybe this is a time to just relax from knitting. You could always come organize the stunning amount of yarn that has appeared in my house in the last 5 months! Where did it come from???
Hope you feel better soon.
Katrina
aww, don't feel pressured to knit. it's no fun any more if you feel pressured because you're not done with a knee high. (yah, this is coming from someone who has a dozen differnt socks going on at any given time.) don't let the project defeat you, marie!
you know, i picked up a really neat book at borders the other day called the crafter's companion. it's a really neat book that highlights crafty blogger people, their stories, their inspiration, and even some projects they put together. i think it's worth a good read.
i don't think being in a slump is anything problematic. sometimes, it just means there are some good ideas fermenting inside your head that aren't ready to come out yet. or maybe it just means you have time now to admire the things around you and give them the appreciation you otherwise wouldn't if you were so focused on just knitting a knee high. you know?
worse comes to worst, you can always spin up some fluffy, wine-colored corriedale *wink, wink* :D
i hope you're feeling better by now. might just be the post travel depression affecting your creativity...? enjoy life. revel in your vacation memories. forget the sock!
When I'm in a slump, I reorganize my stash. I usually run into a yarn that I absolutely HAD to have and fall in love with it all over again and find a pattern for it and cast on.
When I'm in a knitting slump, I try not to stress about it too much. I try to to get involved in other things. I'll read a book I've been putting off reading, or I'll go to the beach and take pictures. Usually the break does me good. Before long, I'm dreaming about yarn and needles and I start knitting again.
Going into my LYS always inspires me. Seeing all the beautiful creations makes me want to create something too. Learning something new always inspires me too, thats why recently I took up spinning which has made me want to spin yarn to knit something with, see how that works
Janet
Hi
I will be looking for more patterns to do when I feel better. Also, I surf the net to find some contests which I can enter. I do read motivational books to make me feel energised.
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