Thursday, January 3, 2008

Are you looming without obligation?



I read a post on one of my yahoo groups the other day about a lady that felt so inadequate because, although she had been looming for awhile, she still plotted along fairly slowly and felt as though she wasn't keeping up with the rest of her looming community. She would get one project done in a week and she kept hearing how so and so got 5 hats, 10 scarves, and 5 pairs of mittens done in one week... Then I read the most hilarious post from another gal saying she felt the same way..so and so made 1,000 sweaters, 50,000 hats, blah, blah, blah. I had to laugh. It was an exaggeration of course, but it was funny none the less! I felt that way too once upon a time. I still do occasionally. Especially since I am working on being a loom knitting pattern designer. I read all these ladies (and some gentlemen's) blogs that are designing and they have accomplished so much and in so little time. I need to give myself a break. I do have six kids after all! It isn't like I don't have anything else to do afterall. But still, if you feel the same way, feel free to snag my Looming without Obligation graphic (or make your own) and then just do what you can. Looming is suppose to be a hobby after all! If it takes you a year to complete your first project (I am exaggerating again, hee, hee, hee), so be it! If you loom like a mad person and get 1,000 sweaters done, 50,000 hats and scarves, so be it! Whatever you are able to do. Don't feel ashamed you loom too much. Don't be ashamed you aren't able to loom as much as the next person. Just loom without obligation because:

- Your loom is not a treadmill
- Your not a machine (hee, hee)
- You are a machine (Isela, anyone???)
- Sometimes less is more
- If you loom when you are inspired, it benifits the whole looming community (Yeah!)
- Your yarn stash is getting too low
- You feel the need to lower your yarnstash quick before someone finds out how truly addicted to yarn you REALLY are!
- You have a busy life besides your hobbies
- Your life IS your hobby (LOL)
- You only loom for a cause
- You only loom for your loved ones
- You only loom for yourself
- Well, just because!

Thanks for stopping by!

9 comments:

Amoonsinger said...

Exactly.

Beth said...

What fun!

I loom for relation and am doing several projects at once. It is always a shock to realize I finished something.

Of course if I finish something I have to give it away and start on something new.

beth

Robin McCoy said...

I wanted to thank you so much for the post. :D Sounds silly of me, but you will get it in a sec. I was just working on a missions statement for a charity group that Penny ( http://theloomybin.blogspot.com )and I are attempting to organize in our area. One of the things I wanted to make sure was in there was about 'no individual goals being set' b/c of how I felt it could pressure people to live up to expectations and therefore they would lose the love of making items to donate. 'You just pegged it' with your post! I snagged your little pic and am putting it on my blog today!
Thanks!
http://loomingaroundthecorner.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I loved this post. And I've felt this way too sometimes. Plus, in November I discovered I am the slowest loomer in the west. I timed myself so I have proof, lol. I'm not sure EFG is for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Have a great day!

Jenny

Sorka said...

hmm yeah try being the partner in crime of the Isela machine!! I so don't know how she does it!
But hey I plod along at my own pace. I have a few things I want to play around with on the loom.. so I will get there!
Denise

Amy the knittin fool said...

I know exactly what knitting with obligation is all about...I barely started knitting (traditional and loom) and my friends and family are like..."OOH! Will you make me one of those? (hat, scarves, purses)"
Of course, flattered as I am...I say, "sure". Then, I realize I've put down my current project again to make another something for someone who needs it before they leave to go back home...or whatever.
Nice blog! Check out mine! Still a work in progress.

http://www.knittersrefuge.blogspot.com

Amy

Anonymous said...

I felt that way too for a while about my needle knitting. But I stopped and decided not to compare myself with others in the knitting community. Just knit what I want when I want and however long it takes me to finish then so be it. I'm doing it because I enjoy it, not because I'm trying to be like someone else.

Unknown said...

Well said Karen! I always feel like I have looming obligations. I have yet to make anything for myself in all of this that I have done in the past year. I have done Chemo Hats, scarves, baby things, squares and more squares, but nothing for me! That is my next thing I think, to do something just for me! After I get done with just one more thing! LOL
:D

Brenda, Domedweller said...

Thank you for this post. I worry that I'm not doing enough knitting, but right now my obligation is to my family and the knitting is on down the list. Loom knitting is what I do for fun, not because I have to do it. I'm snagging your neat logo, too.