Reflections On Startitis

I just read the Yarn Harlot's last two blog entries. She is talking about a serious case of Startitis...... she has no idea. Last year I started the Master Spinner Program at Olds College and all year I worked diligently on my homework. When I finished in April I was so relieved to have it done that I started in right away on some "fun" projects.... you know, they are the ones that you do just because it feels like it would be an interesting project. Everywhere I looked there was something inspirational to do and so I became a haven for confusion and unfinished projects. It is now 6 months later, and I still haven't stopped.... I find it hard to finish anything.... I have been working on a baby sweater for the last week and it is fun.... a lovely piece but last night I ran out of yarn and now need to spin more ... this is not a difficult thing because I still have lots of fibre that is dyed and ready to spin but what do I do? Instead of pulling out that fibre I pull out a bunch that is already spun and start checking out new baby sweater patterns. (I don't even have any babies to knit for.) In particular Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Sweater.... something that I've wanted to try since I saw it in the last Spin-Off magazine. I have lovely fibre that would be just perfect for such a little project. But that is just the problem... it is a little project and it would be quick and easy to finish whereas spinning more fibre for a project that I am already working on will mean sitting for long periods and working on something that will take a while before I see the results and I am not up for "not seeing results" right now.

Six months of startitis is starting to affect the whole family as project after project lies abandoned in my house without being cleaned up before I am on to the next one. They are on my couch... We can no longer use the couch as the mound grows... and grows....

Even the computer desk and its surrounds are affected as the mound on the couch is now over flowing.....


Recently my dinner table has begun to be affected too. Between the heaps of mail that comes in and never gets delt with like unwanted flyers and "urgent" mail from Readers Digest informing me that I've just made it to the finalists for some sweepstakes, between the library books that are waiting to be brought back to the libray and Daughter #2's new laptop and charger there is a growing pile of UFOs.

What I want to know is why is it that startitis is more prevalent than finishitis? And why is startitis so prevalent with the things that we want to do but not with the things that we need to do? I should stop starting projects and I should start on my Level 2 homework for the Master's Spinner's program..... but am I doing that? NO! My homework langours in my mind but never comes to fruition..... and while I sit here waiting for these pictures to upload, what do I do? Yes, I just started my Baby Surprise Sweater.... So I'm thinking that a weekend of UFOing might be beneficial.... go someplace retreaty and bring only items not finished so that I can put this behind me and start on my homework.....

Hmmm! A retreat.... I wonder would anyone else be interested in a pre-Christmas retreat?