I’m not sure what’s happened this week – I’ve had hardly any desire to knit at all. And I’ve realised that my ‘knitting blog’ that is currently more like an ‘anything but knitting blog’. So, in the absence of any updates I’d thought I’d share a couple of pictures of where I spent yesterday: the Mark Rothko exhibtion at Tate Modern.
This is the view from the side of the gallery facing the Thames, overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral.
So, I’d appreciate some advice. How do you get your knitting mojo back when it makes itself scarce for you? Any type of project that gets you back into it?
well, i am probably not the right person to ask. i once lost my knitting mojo for 20 years, and i didn’t realize it was gone! i think the blog itself is the greatest reminder to knit, unless of course, it becomes a something else blog? maybe if that’s not doing it, just stick your head in your stash and inhale deeply, then click your heels together and intone “there’s no lace like mine…..”
I can give you a sure fire remedy for regaining your mojo. Tell your mojo that you recognise that it has gone, and you bid it farewell. Then get in and clean up your stash, and give some away. Your mojo will come back with a force if it thinks you are going to ignore it (or perhaps it will go for good – in which case it was probably ready for a holiday anyhow).
oh. Strange. Maybe you should a)choose a yarn from your stash that you’ve been ‘saving for something special’ and b)find the perfect project for it and lose yourself in it. It’s like many things, mojo, get back on the bike and the magic will start by itself.
oh dear. i find the loss of mojo doesnt usually last too long but i like the suggestion of a stash clear out to scare it back. also sometimes i spend my knitting time trawling ravelry for inspiration and that usually sparks me back into action. i also think sometimes its fine to have a wee break, i certainly never mind when knitting blogs do a bit of detour into other things (mine has done much the same recently)
I too like the idea of scaring the mojo by clearing out the stash. But me, I’d probably cast on a few different projects – or maybe that special one that you’ve wanted to knit forever and keep putting off. Something for you that you love. I always seem to knit faster on things that I’ve cast on when I really should have been knitting something else, espcially if that thing is for me and I love it.
Just have a break for a while. Look over patterns you like, fondle some stash. It just needs to reset itself. It’ll be back in no time.
I agree with Shelley- and looking at beautiful pics will inspire you in the future… I find that it happens to me too- and i just suddenly snapp back into knit it.
Also its nice to see other posts, one gets to know another side of you.
Don’t push it, the mojo will fight back. I like to play in my stash & look at my books and magazines or my queue or someone else’s queue. It never lasts long that way.
Oh no! This happened to me a while back too. I’m pretty sure it was because I was feeling over-stimulated knitting-wise, so a stash clear-out could well be a good idea. It also doesn’t help if you’re knitting Christmas gifts as these can make it all feel like such a chore.
Although I’m back to knitting almost daily, I’m still finding it difficult to commit to one project so I’m not exactly stacking up the FO’s! Not so good for a knitting blog, but then I like reading these other miscellaneous posts anyway. Makes a blog more real I think. Don’t force yourself to knit. The mojo’ll be back soon enough.
I usually lose interest when there’s a project I know I SHOULD be working on, but don’t really want to. The problem is usually solved by casting on for some totally random project, that I hadn’t even thought of before (and ignoring the other project for a while). It feels so naughty!
ah, relax. it’ll come back of it’s own accord, particularly when it hears you’re giving away it’s source material, aka: stash clear-out!
FYI: I’m going through this right now and haven’t yet crossed over to the other side. Here is what I have been soing so far in the last few weeks:-
I have kept knitting slowly some random simple hats( so am still knitting; The queque of projects on Raverly is somehow helping to think of possibilities, so take a look at yours and others (but don’t get too carried away with everyone else’s because that tends to overwhelm me; Stash cleaning helps ( it’s like cleaning your dirty kitchen when in a rut) and you’ll certainly find some yarn that will speak to you and cast on a project. Other than that, I think everyone has weighed in well and I might just use some of the tips myself!
Cheers!
I am glad to hear I am not the only one going through this. It has been over a week now that knitting “urges” are not as strong as they used to be and I am almost ashamed of the turtle-like progress I make. Not sure what to recommend on top of all the other wonderful ideas, but just know that there are others with the similar knitting mojo problems.
BTW I tend to blame it on the weather 😉
All of my knitting slumps have been temporary, and I have found that it will burst back on the scene when you least expect it. So take care of some other things, toss the stash, enjoy the mild weather, and wait. It will come back to you, I’m sure of it!
For me, casting on a new project, something that I’m excited to make with yarn I love gets my mojo back.
As someone who does other things creative as well as knit maybe your mojo needs a holiday. How about designing something or learn a new craft?
A little holiday from knitting is not such a bad thing. What about finding a gorgeous yarn in a stunning colour that you absolutely adore and make a smallish project. Also, I’m noticing if I have too many projects on the go at once I get overwhelmed, so maybe just concentrate on one small, lovely thing.
I got my mojo back after losing it, when I re-read one of the Yarn Harlot’s book. I think it was Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Casts Off.
How’s the weather where you are? Maybe when it gets cold you will want to knit.
Well I’d say a trip the LYS might help 😉 It always does me.
Hope you find it again soon.
Other than the good suggestions already left, how about a new craft: learn to spin? I’m going to Ally Pally next Friday and can meet you there if you like.
I would love to see the Mark Rothko stuff, have you ever seen the Seagram murals? Anyway, my mojo and blog mojo has gone, totally and I am just knitting chunky quick stuff but I don’t know what else to do either!
It might be a reaction to the beret frustrations, sometimes my knitting mojo disappear if it gets upset! Also if I am trying to make myself knit something I’m not enjoying or not happy with for some reason – trying to stay knitting whatever I fancy has kept it more on song this year. Tempt it back with beautiful yarn I think :o)
Don’t worry! You’ll get it back. I find that mine will ebb and flow, depending on what season it is. It could just be a sign that you are much more excited about other things going on in your life, and just need a break. I’m sure it will be back in no time
Aw you’re making me so jealous. What a great place to sit and relax! I miss London.
P.S. for the knitting mojo, I just go do something else and wait for it to come back. Good luck!