Why You Should Have Multiple Crochet WIPs

How many times have you started a project, but shortly got tired of it? This is by no means the pattern’s fault. Monotony is challenging. Especially as a crafter. We get side tracked and sidelined by new and shiny patterns or projects. Here’s why you should have multiple crochet WIPs at a time. 

If you’re new to crochet, or knitting, you might be asking what is a WIP? A WIP is simply a work in progress. It’s a project that you’re actively, or inactively adding to before it reaches its final form. 

Alleviate Frustration

It’s easy to feel frustrated when working on a challenging or intricate project. By having multiple WIPs, it gives you the opportunity to put a project down. In the past, if I’ve put a project down without having something else to work on, my frustration increased. I would spend my time frustrated. Frustration aimed at not being able to figure out a pattern. Frustrated because I wasn’t being productive. This is a big theme for me. I like to be productive and hate to lose time doing nothing. 

Break up the Monotony

For some, doing a repetitive pattern repeat is a preferred technique. It’s easy to work on something that doesn’t require a lot of focus or brain power. When using crochet as a simple means to keep busy, repetitive and monotonous patterns are a great thing. 

However, the repetitions can cause you to lose steam. Losing motivation in a project is a good way to put something down and forget about it forever. You should have multiple crochet WIPs because switching to another gives you a break from the monotony. It retains the motivation to complete a project. 

Good side projects to have on the go are smaller projects than your main. My Ridged Chevron Baby Blanket was a great one for me because it worked up quickly. It was easy enough that I could also put it down to return to my main projects without losing my place or forgetting the pattern.

Increase Creativity

I can’t tell you how many times in the past I’ve put my head down to focus on completing a simple stitch repeat project. The drawback with this, is that it doesn’t leave much room for creative thinking. 

Multiple WIPs at a time often gives me ideas on how to incorporate different stitches into one project. Seeing how different patterns work together sparks my ambition to try new things (after I’ve completed my current projects…or at least one). 

Boost Productivity

With an increase in creativity comes a boost in productivity. Of course, it seems counter intuitive to have multiple projects in an unfinished phase. But, working through multiple at a time actually increases and generates more productivity. 

Personally, I’ve found myself working harder to finish projects as the ideas start flowing. I can’t wait to see how new projects will come to life. I get excited to begin new things… and of course finish projects that I’m working on. Even if I get frustrated in the process. 

Final stitches become accomplishments and I can take a step back to admire my work. Projects that have taught me to persevere through the frustration have been some of my absolute favourites. 

I certainly can not tell you a specific number you should have multiple crochet WIPs on hand at a time. In fact, some people might not benefit from having multiple. But, it’s definitely worth doing in my opinion.