Some tips on reducing decision fatigue and maintaining your making mojo...
Do you ever get stuck wondering what to knit, or crochet, next? There are so many great patterns out there that are all equally amazing and are all a must-make! Our queue can get a little out of control and leave us paralyzed with decision fatigue on what to cast on next. Have you ever felt this way? Here are some things we like to do that help us easily get from one project to the next while still maintaining our joy as we continue to create! Also, we will consider a few ideas that can ignite our creativity during those times when our making mojo wanes a bit.
Taking the Stress Out of Making
Throughout our knitting journey, one of the things that we've found most helpful in reducing the stress of deciding what to make next, is actually to start thinking about it during our current project. For instance, say you're working away on the sleeves of your sweater, this is when we like to start thinking about what we would like to knit next. Is it another sweater, or maybe it's time to switch things up and make a shawl or cowl? Sometimes scrolling through Ravelry for patterns we've favorited or queued helps in making that decision.
If you decide to make a sweater next, we like to take an evening and cake up the skeins we'll be using and make a swatch to see what gauge we get and if any adjustments need to be made. Then once we're off sleeve island or finished that current WIP, we're all set to cast on the next project! This process can feel more gentle and conscious, rather than rushed and frenzied.
Another Tip to Maintain Your Mojo
Another method that works really well for those times we get stuck, or unsure of what to make next, is to cast on a small, simple project like the Conversationalist Hat or some Vanilla Socks as a nice palette cleanser. These are easy projects that help clear our minds and allow us to be present in our craft and just feel the yarn pass through our hands and put aside the pressures we may put upon ourselves to be productive.
What If You've Lost Your Making Mojo?
But, what if your making mojo just gets up and walks out the front door? 😱
It's going to be okay... it will come back, we promise! Sometimes looking for different avenues of inspiration can help. Maybe flipping through some of your pattern books, or watching your favorite podcaster to see what they are making will spark your creativity. Or, perhaps even trying another craft for a time, maybe weaving or sewing, as a creative outlet can challenge you in a new way and ignite your knitting or crochet mojo again. Or, maybe, for a time, not making is the answer.
Keep in mind that in our core, we are all creatives, so we can have confidence that we will find a way to express our creativity in one way or another.
Hopefully, this little blog post has helped you if these are some things you might be struggling with. We would love to hear any methods for reducing decision fatigue or finding your mojo that you may have! Feel free to reach out via customerservice@thepluckyknitter.com or find us on Ravelry and share your thoughts in the group!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!