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Now that I brought up the issue of timing myself, I need to know- is this something you do when you're knitting? I often find myself with the clock/calendar pulled up on my computer so I can see how much time- down to the second, it takes me to complete a row. From then on it becomes a little game- can I beat my best time? Why did that row take so long? What did I do that past row that made me so efficient?
I know there are many knitters out there who say it's not how fast of a knitter you are, it's the quality of work you produce. It's not that I disagree, but with only about two hours a day (on a good day) of knitting time, I just feel I need to put those seconds to good use!
I enjoy the 'journey' and the 'destination'. Sometimes the journey is a little more fun when I can be a bit neurotic about timing. I can't be the only one out there...
Anyone?!?
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Ooh, love the colors together. Can't wait to see how it turns out!
ReplyDeleteI tried switching to Continental to speed up, but after struggling with it for a while, my Mom asked me if I was knitting for fun, or to go faster and that really made me think! I immediately went back to my comfy if inefficient method and plod happily along!
ReplyDeleteomg, I never even thought of doing that!!!! lol
ReplyDeleteI have tried to count how many hours would it take me to knit a shawl. But along the knitting inevitably I forget it, and then I can only approximate.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do this *all* the time. Like you, it's not that I'm into production or want to finish a project quickly -- I blame my inclination on my having three brothers who are constantly saying stuff like, "Yeah? You can't beat me" or "I can do that faster/better."
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous colors. Enjoy the ride!
It depends on what I'm working on- I probably tend to do that more on bigger projects, like sweaters. The smaller ones are usually mostly done before I can even get into that much of a rhythm!
ReplyDeleteI totally do this! I've been knitting tiny mittens as a stash buster, and trying to time myself on each. I've lost track a few times, but next time maybe I should set up a timer right next to me while I knit?
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing already! That's cute that you race yourself fore each round- I think that the speed would depend on how many times you have to check the chart or check to make sure you have dropped a stitch, or carried a float funny, etc. I've never timed myself, although older ladies on the subway seem to love to tell me that I knit slow and should knit continental because it's faster.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad someone else does the neurotic counting time/rows thing too! I think it's amusing how it happens subconciously at first then becomes an outright game with one's self. The cowl is beautiful, btw!
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of timing myself and don't think I'll try it as I knit for relaxation. Every other part of my life seems to have to fit into a time constraint or deadline so when I do have an opportunity to knit I like to just knit at the pace I'm feeling that particular moment and enjoy! I think it's wonderful that you enjoy timing yourself and it doesn't seem to stress you out but simply challenges you as you go.
ReplyDeleteLove the colors and the cowl...any info or ideas on how you choose your colors for your projects! Looking forward to seeing the final cowl!
Yes! I also keep track of how long it takes me to knit/crochet a row or section. I must say it helps me get through any 'boring' bits. I feel like I am a slow knitter and like you I don't have much time to knit so I am considering learning to knit continental style....I just want to make loads of stuff and there's just not enough time!!
ReplyDeleteThose colors together look so pretty! I also tend to time myself while knitting. Lately, I've been timing myself while watching Buffy and Psych on netflix.
ReplyDeleteit is going to look just gorgeous - love the colours!
ReplyDeleteI don't dare time myself - I have not too much time each day to knit and I just have to plough on and hope for the best : )
Love it! I've done that too before, especially if a project seems really daunting. I like to work out how long I think it will take me to be done :) I love knitting and the process and all, but I also love being able to actually wear the stuff. Right. NOW.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the color scheme!! I had to giggle a little when I read about how you time your knitting. I don't do it, myself, mostly because my knitting is usually done here and there, when time permits. But I'm loving the visual of it and might try timing myself, *just so I know*.
ReplyDeleteI don't keep track down to the second usually, but I definitely like to see how long it takes me to do a row and ask myself the kinds of questions you ask about why 1 row takes more/less time and see if I can beat my personal best. It doesn't mean I'm not having fun, I'm just trying to see how well I can do.
ReplyDeleteI just enjoy one stitch at a time and I never put pressure on myself. I try to just enjoy the moment I'm in, is that a process knitter?
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely. I suppose you can say that I'm a bit competitive even with myself. Your post made me laugh as just the other day, I couldn't help but calculate how long a section of my knitting took me so that I could estimate when I would be able to work on the next part.
ReplyDeleteI often look at the clock to see how long it takes to make a row and evaluate if I should make another one! However, what I would really want to do some time is calculate how long it takes to make a project. I wonder if I should substract or keep adding when I undo (which I always do!) ;-) Oh and the two colors look really good together!
ReplyDeleteFor me, it depends on the project. I timed each square in an afghan I was making to see how long it would take. I timed the rows in a coat I made for my daughter because it seemed never ending. Mostly, I time things I made for sale, because time is money in that sense, and I need to be able to gauge how long I need to spend building stock and accurately price new items.
ReplyDeleteThings that are "pleasure knits" - things I make for myself or just because I can - I don't time. I think that would put too much pressure on something that needs to be fun and relaxing. Then again, my daughter is 7, not 1. If she bugs me when I'm knitting I try to sit her to down to learn.
Love the blue and green color combo. Beautiful. I try not to clock watch while I am knitting but sometimes I cant help myself. It is a bit of a game.
ReplyDeletei knit for both pleasure and profit. i enjoy knitting, and i would do it regardless of being paid, but since i am being paid, i like to choose items that will pay my bills efficiently. i've timed how long it takes to knit various items (a dishcloth, shawl, scarf and cowl) and tried to figure out which would be most profitable, so i could make that the focus of most of my time.
ReplyDelete-Nicole
Knit, Nicole, Knit!
it´s great to see your ideas put together.
ReplyDeleteI do that with everything so it naturally has moved to knitting. I also try to figure out the number of stitches I knit, though with the lace shawl that I just finished (it's blocking as a write), I decided to forego that exercise. However, as I was knitting last night, I was absolutely timing myself and 1) trying to beat my time and 2) comparing the knit rows to purl rows for time taken.
ReplyDelete