Moving Ahead / Next Steps

I am always looking at moving ahead and I often forget to look backwards. My inclination is to always be seeking my next steps, but there is a lot of value in taking a look around and noting the bricks that were set down to make the path that got me there.

Is Advancing Age Moving Ahead?

In about March I start thinking about myself as being the age of my next birthday.  This is to practice; some years take a long time to get that new age to feel comfortable.  This was one of those years, and I’m not sure it does feel comfortable, but I have practiced a lot. Each decade has things to recommend it and I enjoyed my 40s and 50s because they were so different from my previous decades and had new doors open.  

I haven’t quit enjoying, but boy is being in my 60s hard to swallow. Mostly, I have less energy than I have had in the past. This has turned out to be a bit of a mixed blessing.  I haven’t lost my ability to keep dozens of projects moving ahead, but I do have fewer reserves of energy to keep projects moving ahead.

Just to give a shout-out to myself, I have now been doing Pilates for 12 years and know I am stronger than I was when I started. My current pilates instructor keeps threatening to take a photo of me doing short box (my most hated series) because I do it so well. I started running regularly when I was 54 and I continue–fewer miles, less frequently–to run. Starting late means I don’t have worn-out joints. This morning I put on a camisole that had been in storage since 1998 and it still fits. Yes, I have no waistline anymore.

How Does a Knitter Keep Moving Ahead?

I’ve written a lot about planning projects, setting small goals within projects, taking breaks from projects, reassessing projects, and finally, just getting them finished. I’ll tag a couple of blog posts at the end if you want to read about that.

I knit every day. It is an odd day that I don’t pick up my needles for at least a few minutes, although if we have plans in the evening, sometimes I just don’t get to it.  Mostly, I knit roughly between 8 and 10 pm. This is not enough time to get tons of knitting done. I have used knitters in the past, and am starting to do so again.  My plans are just too big to wait for me! Plus, I haven’t completely recovered from the stress (wrist) of moving, so I have to be slightly gentle with myself. Also, knitters give me insight into my patterns that I just don’t have.

How Does a Designer Keep Moving Ahead?

I keep trying to stop designing new things, but it is virtually impossible. Maybe if I never saw great yarn, in fabulous colors, it would be possible, but not likely. So I have reduced my focus to allow myself to continue to design without going in a bunch of different directions. I am always trying to be a better designer, and realize that my ability to design things that fit is a plus. This darling child’s cosy (short poncho/fits like a tea cosy) came from having yarn I didn’t particularly like, but knew it was perfect for a younger spirit.

What Is Moving Ahead?

As someone who, as I usually say “gets shit done”, I am aware that everything I do doesn’t necessarily move things ahead in a way that meets my long-term goals. I’m working on that!

• I am redoing patterns that need new samples made due to discontinued yarn, these will continue to trickle out of here;
• I am doing the occasional small design project just to keep myself amused (this is very important–the amusement part);
• I am working on a project about pullovers;
• I am writing my blog and newsletter;
• I am drawing (okay, I’ve not done much the past couple of weeks) because it is good just for me;
• I am planning two knit-a-longs starting in early 2017;
• I am doing a self-paced email tutorial on sweater adjustments (click on the subscribe button below–and choose email classes/Sweater Adjustments);
• I am going to get back to finding homes for things in my studio.

There is probably more, but that is what is counting as moving ahead for me right now. This morning I made a list of next steps for my top 10 projects which will keep me moving ahead for the remainder of 2016.

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