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​In The Loop

WIPs and how to manage the backlog (at least in theory)

3/17/2025

 
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I don’t know about you but I’ve got a few, or maybe a dozen WIPs, projects that I’ve started but have yet to actually finish.  A few of them are celebrating their third or forth birthday this year. My New Year’s resolution this year is to actually finish some of them.  Here’s my plan:
  1. I will inventory all my WIPs (Work In Progress)
  2. I will rank them in order of desirability to finish 
  3. I will calculate how far along into the project I got and why it ended up in time out
  4. I will determine if I have the required skill necessary to complete the project
  5. I will try really hard to finish a project before starting a new project

Here’s what I found when I cataloged my projects…
  1. Mattie Cardigan - so close to finishing!  I just need to knit the buttonhole band. Size 1 needle, no wonder I put this on pause.
  2. Garden Cardigan - working on the sleeves, just started the decreases…. Pretty close to finishing and looking forward to wearing this one soon.
  3. Building In Lace Wrap - finished the lace panels and ready to start the ending points.  Now, if I could only find the beads…
  4. Juvie Chevron Cowl - working on the ribbed border. Trying to finish this one so I can teach a class for Tunisian Crochet.
  5. Clue Cowl - working on the gauge swatch….. learning the stitch and figuring out the correct hook size to use.  Seems the forth one is finally on target.
  6. Shift Cowl - started this but stopped so I could work on other projects….. really looking forward to picking up this project again.
  7. Erika Cardigan - time out was for getting better at colorwork.  I’m ready now to tackle this one again… might even try adjusting the pattern by adding a steek and knitting it in the round for easier knitting.
  8. Summer Trellis - stopped because it was starting to look like it was the wrong size… gained a few pounds over the last few years so now it might actually be the right size - go figure!
  9. Bluebird of Happiness African Flower - almost done… just a few more hexagons to complete, then I can sew them all together.  And maybe teach a class for crochet amigurumi.
  10. 5 different socks - I’m gonna call Uncle on these and commission Randi for some help!
  11. And a bunch more I’m embarrassed to admit, but I figure if I can tackle the above list I can work on the rest next year!

Now that I have my list, let’s talk about yours.  What’s on your needles and why did it end up in a back corner of your closet?  Take a look and see if it’s something you’d like to finish.  If so, do you need any help figuring out where you are in the pattern?  Maybe you stopped because you need some help decoding the pattern.  Or you need some help figuring out the necessary techniques needed to knit or crochet the project.  

At the newly renovated The Artful Yarn, you will find the help you need to get your projects back on track.  Here are a few options for getting the help you need.  

”Me Time” Option: Sometimes having a consistent time and day to dedicate to yourself and your current project is all the motivation needed.  Join us In The Loop to knit or crochet and let’s make progress together.
Join A Class Option: Learn a new stitch or further develop your knitting or crochet skills to give you more confidence to tackle any project.  Even the one that’s hiding under your bed.
Private Lesson Option: Schedule a time to meet one on one with an instructor to review your pattern, your progress, and to learn the necessary skill to finish your project.  Sometimes a little personal attention is what’s needed to get the job done.

Favorite Yarn in the shop: All the pretty colors of West Yorkshire Spinners Elements yarn. It's great for crochet as well as knitting. 
Favorite Non-yarn in the shop: Any one of the pattern books, but I need to finish a WIP before I can start working on those cute crochet animals.
What I’m looking forward to:  Spring.  But before that happens I’m looking forward to visiting my daughter when her ship is in Norfolk, VA.

​--Jennifer Levine

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & TO ORDER wys ELEMENTS YARN

In Case You Missed This . . .

3/10/2025

 
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Shop Owner, Tiffany Perry, was live on New Day Cleveland in January to talk about The Artful Yarn, her creative journey, love of  yarn and helping other people realize their crafting dreams! Here's the link. We thought she was amazing and did an awesome job on-air!
WATCH IT HERE

    Author

    Tiffany Perry
    ​Shop Owner

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tHE ARTFUL YARN
100 NORTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 230
​CHAGRIN FALLS, OHIO 44022

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  • Hi There!
  • Shop Online
  • Calendar
  • Classes
  • 2025 OTN Rally Day
  • Yarn Kits
  • From The Square to The Falls Summer Flock-Along
  • Our Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us