Social Distancing and Lack of Focus

Knitting i-cord into super bulky yarn

Are you feeling a lack of focus from the social distancing? I’m not really because I’ve worked from home at least part time since 1989. Yep! I was made for this. All my work is here, my projects, waiting for me, and distractions when I want them.  But it is hard to stay focused and not feel the impact of social distancing.  Today I read that it is because it is externally imposed, which totally makes sense to me.

I’ve had the distraction of doctor’s and imaging appointments. I’m trying to stay in touch with those who aren’t lucky enough to have a partner to share their space with. We try to get out most days for a walk; we’re finding morning is better because fewer people are out.

Lack of Focus Generally

The gal who applied pressure after Tuesday’s biopsy said that the University of Washington campus near where she lives was flooded with people over the weekend. She and her partner (can’t recall if it was a boyfriend of husband) are cooking more, but lack experience so are finding it difficult to know what will turn out well; the other MRI tech is crocheting baby blanket and making quilts. Those of us with crafty projects are lucky.  But they too admitted to having a lack of focus.

Mitch makes sourdough starter; even better the second time!

Mitch started sourdough starter.  He is perfect for the precise directions and daily feeding.  I would have lost my mind by now.  He had just gotten over the hump and was on twice daily feedings when I turned the oven on to bake cookies, forgetting that the starter was in there. We had a good laugh, but I did feel badly. Then I couldn’t find rye flour.

I was telling my story to my butcher on Saturday and he said he could give me some. We stopped at one more store then texted him that I needed a pound from him.  We walked to the market to pick up that and Italian sausage on Sunday and Mitch started over on Monday. I am dependent on my trips to Rain Shadow Meats for a little check-in with someone who isn’t social distancing.

Lack of Focus Specifically

My office is chaos as I am sorting through, trying to pare down and make it more user friendly, while also working on projects.  It is hard to consider letting go of things, but I want the space, so things have to go. Making those decisions causing more lack of focus for me than being home.  I’m working on it for a little while, then switching back to project work.

Yarn organization and inspiration. A partial shelf.

I am enjoying a swatch organizing project. It is quite calming for me.  My other project is sorting out bits of yarn. A lot of it is just enough to be a sample of the yarn, but for others there are partial balls. I’ve started grouping yarn by Yarn Company, so I can also put WPI (wraps per inch) cards with the yarn and the labels and have a centralized source of information. WPI is a good comparison when planning to swap out a yarn, or trying to categorize yarn. It is very useful for projects that need to be updated in currently available yarn.  This project is kind of tedious, but I know I’ll be super happy when I finish it.

View of the ordered storage cabinet

A minor adjustment was needed in my storage cabinet reorganization (done over the weekend) when I realized that the paper I had stacked on top of a set of plastic drawers was too heavy.

Monday I took all my thread and distributed it by color into four clear containers (three snagged from my vase collection).  Surprisingly, I had the most pinks and purples. I have a lot of thread for someone who doesn’t sew anymore!

I should be working on sewing masks.  Turns out I really don’t love sewing anymore.  I am not jazzed to get the product, so it is easy to ignore.  Mitch wants to wax the dining room table, and I would like to not feel guilty any longer, so I’ll have to take some action.

Lack of Focus Pattern Suggestions

Whether you are buying new yarn, or working from your stash, this is an excellent time to tackle projects that will improve your focus. The table below has information on about 30 of my patterns.  Some of them are in magazines and the rest are available on my website and Ravelry.  From today through April 23 the patterns in the table that I sell are 25% off.

I have given the full price, the yarn used in the sample, the amount of yarn you need, and of course you can get all the pattern details on any of the pattern pages.  I am linking to my website, but you can also get the discount on Ravelry using the same pattern code.  Powell Boot Toppers is not available except on my website, and it does not have a final photograph. The free patterns are only available on JillWolcottKnits.com

Pattern Code:  Focus-1 (Jill Wolcott Knits & Ravelry)

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