WIP MANAGEMENT THOUGHTS FROM A PROJECT MANAGER
When I started this blog, I was an aspiring Project Manager. Now I actually am one! I've noticed that I apply project management principles when managing my knit/crochet WIPs. Basically being clear on the aspects of the project, breaking down the project into manageable tasks, making deadlines (loose deadlines--I don't need my hobby to feel like work), monitoring progress, prioritizing/toggling tasks for multiple projects so I can make headway on all of them, and of course adjusting and pivoting when things don't go according to plan.
Too many unfinished WIPs make me stressed and leads to clutter. If I have something unfinished, it will linger around in the back of my mind as a pending to-do forever. Of course working on one project at a time from start to finish is probably the most straightforward way to get things done, but I have discovered that, for many reasons, it is benficial to juggle multiple projects at once.
One of the best reasons to have multiple WIPs going at once is because, if you're anything like me, sometimes I'm dying to work on that new pattern I bought or try out that new yarn or needles/hook. If I'm already working on something, it would be torturous to toil away on it while eying the next shiny thing. Another reason is when I get stuck on a difficult part of one project, I might procrastinate for days until I revisit it again. Those days are wasted when I could be working on something less cognitive and make progress on another project until I get the motivation to tackle the difficult part.
...
With that said, I do embrace multiple WIPs if I know I can manage and eventually complete them all. I've found that I can probably handle a maximum of seven projects at once if they meet a specific purpose. Let me explain. Below are the seven categories of WIPS that I've found make it easier to get more projects done in less time!
The Long-Term WIP
The Long-Term WIP is what I consider to be my heftiest WIP. It could be really large like a blanket or sweater, or it can be tedious, like a fingering weight lace shawl on tiny needles. Whatever it is, it's going to take me a longgg time to complete. With it being so hefty, this is a great project to work on smaller projects in between when I need a break from the grind.
I also find it more motivating if it's a gift or a commission piece that has a deadline. If it's just for me, I tend to procrastinate.
The Portable WIP
The best way I make progress on projects is to have a WIP with me everywhere I go. So if I have a WIP on the go, I can do a row or two in the car, while waiting in line, or visiting and chatting with a friend. With these portable WIPs, I probably don't want to take a long-term project because those can be too large or complex and might accidentally get messed up during travel. That means maybe something that isn't knit in the round, nothing complex that needs specialized tools (cable needles, multiple stitch markets, etc), and no multiple colors where I have to take more than one ball of yarn with me.
The Comfort WIP
This one is my favorite category of WIPs because it's completely mindless. This is what I work on during internal work meetings. I've made whole sweater panels and sleeves during work meetings/training and then I sew it up at night. This is where a pattern made completely of stockinette or double crochet and no shaping/design comes in handy.
When I knitflix at night, I need a lot of light, and I watch things I don't have to concentrate on. However, some movies deserve at least 90% of my attention and dim lighting, so in those cases, I'll pull out my stockinette comfort WIP cause it's the only thing I can work on without looking at my hands.
Note: There is some overlap on some of these WIP categories because a Comfort WIP can also be a Long-Term WIP (i.e. big blanket).
The Freestyle WIP
I do this thing where I cook with a recipe, but I don't follow the recipe. I just can't stand measuring the ingredients and looking back at the recipe every few minutes. And I'm not that good of a cook too, so I have no business not following it. I love watching my mom or any immigrant person cook--eyeballing, using a plain metal spoon or rinsed out yogurt cup for measuring. Same concept applies to following a pattern. Sometimes I just want to play around and do whatever I want, especially with crochet. Or I want to make something that I can't find a pattern for. I feel like these WIPs usually don't result in anything groundbreaking, but I learn best by experience, so these help me think outside of the box for a little.
The Challenge WIP
This WIP is similar to the freestyle WIP where I try to learn something new, but the difference is that I am using a pattern that I've specifically chosen to learn a new advanced technique. I can't teach myself what I don't know, so I stand on the shoulders of others who have paved the way. I've used these WIPS to learn eyelets, bobbles, yokes, cables, lacework, shaping, etc.
The Quickie WIP
Sometimes I just need a small win. These WIPs work up super fast, so I can enjoy a finished product like instant(ish) gratification. They only take 2-3 hours max, so they're perfect for last-minute gifts too! Use bulky weight yarn, and it'll be done even faster. Think a coaster, beanie, headband, crop top, basket, etc.
The Passion WIP
This last category of WIP is optional. I just added it to this list because it's the most important category for me. Yes, I like to make things for fun for me and other people in the short-term, but I am always looking ahead on the horizon for more. Yarn crafts is more than just a hobby to me -- it's therapy, a creative outlet, a potential income stream, a timeless portal for human connection regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or nationality.
I used to bring my knitting to class in high school (I can't imagine kids being allowed to bring metal needles to school nowadays), but one of my teachers thought it was really cool and told me stories of basketball players being encouraged to knit to help with finger dexterity. I also learned about prisoners using knitting/crocheting as therapy and to give back to hospitals and homeless shelters. One time in a Michael's yarn aisle, I struck up a conversation with an elderly woman who told me she knits beanies all year round to donate to hospitals for preemie babies (you have to meet certain yarn requirements so that it doesn't irritate the babies' skin). Even during the Australian wildfires in 2020, there was a call to makers to make koala blankets and joey pouches for all the displaced wildlife.
These stories inspire me to share this craft and my journey so that others can feel inspired to connect with themselves and other people in the maker community. Some people are just makers at heart, and I feel a kinship with them. I tried many other handmade hobbies, but I feel at home with knitting/crochet.
So whether your Passion WIP is to help you gain skills to become a designer, selling your pieces to make a living, warming the bodies and heads of babies, animals, and people in need, all those would count under this category. My Passion WIP is always lingering in the back of my mind until I can finish it and share it with you all someday.
...
So there you have it! My approach to working on and finishing so many projects in a year. Of course, there is no rush in knitting/crocheting. It should be relaxing and enjoyable, so you don't have to think about it as work project like I'm describing it. But it works for me because there's so much I want to do and accomplish that I want to be efficient with my time and tackle all the things I care about.
