Gradual Progress
The only problem I can see with having both knitting and spinning as hobbies is that they are more or less mutually exclusive. When I am spinning, I cannot be knitting. When I am knitting, I cannot be spinning. If someone out there actually knows how to do this, please don't share it with me. I'm sure that it wouldn't be healthy for me, all that activity at once! Thus, when I embark on any one or more long projects in either of these categories, the result is that at times I end up with not too much to play show and tell with that is actually interesting. Would you like to see that 1 full bobbin if the natural colored wool/silk noile? Probably not. How about the first 4 inches of the second toe-up sock for my husband? Still not enthusiastic, eh? Oh, well, I can understand. But it's hard for me to have a post without a picture. So, I decided, boring or not, I would take a picture of a project that hasn't been seen in a while (not since November 3rd!) so that there would be proof that I actually am still working on it: the Melody Shawl.
This is one of those projects that I know will reward me with something I enjoy, but it is also one of those projects that reminds me that I am more of a product knitter than a process knitter. The sheer process of knitting forever in the round (and a very big round at that!) on big needles with laceweight yarn does not actually thrill me. It must be done, but, because it is pretty uninspiring, I save it for when I am parked in our home theatre, and when I a sock is too challenging to deal with. I am finally getting to the point where the size of the yarn ball does not seem so ominous any more. But given the fineness of the yarn, I know that there is still an appreciable amount to go.
Amazing that when I posted in November I had hopes of having this done by Thanksgiving! Obviously, I had no real idea at the time how big that yarn ball really was. I'm not going to try to make any additional predictions (which I imagine would end up being wrong), but it would be nice to have this project out of the way while there was still some mildly cool weather to enjoy using it in. At the very least, I'd like to have it done by the beginning of May before I head off to MS&W. I love the Morehouse Merino booth, but it's hard to justify getting more yarn unless I've actually finished off what I got the year before!
Since I started spinning I too have been torn with how to balance my knitting and spinning, while still feeling like I'm progressing on either. Maybe the Harlot's idea of designating one (or more) days as spinning days makes sense.
I have also started a melody shawl back in november and my progress is very similar to yours. I try to sneek in a few rows when watching tv every once in a while. ;) Like you said, it's all about production. ;)
If it is any help, I finished mine and I love wearing it. It is so soft and fun. Just think about the result!
I understand how you feel about MSW... I am planning on going to Rhinebeck in October, but not if I can't knit up the yarn for the 4 sweater and miles and miles of laceweight I've bought. It wouldn't be so bad if I weren't going alone; normally my boyfriend would go and act as my decision maker when I just can't decide. When I'm alone, it becomes, "What if I want it later and it's gone? I'd better but $700 worth of yarn now to avoid any regrets later." (*sigh*).
So, here I am, knitting away on my Chamonix pullover. Good luck to you!
Yeah, that's one of the bad things about spinning . . . not that it's VERY bad, but! Sometimes I wish my hobbies were more congenial toward each other, but even the reading/knitting thing doesn't work for me. (I think because I read too fast . . . too much page turning, having to put down the needles . . . something like that!)
It's lovely!
I am making similar progress with my Melody shawl, and yes, because the yarn is so fine it is vey easy to underestimate the amount of knitting time it still requires(or required in the first place - small package, instructions are short...)! I got all inspired seeing Alison's shawl, you see...
I agree with you about not being able to work on both knitting and spinning projects at the same time. Having said that however, I do keep several spindles at various locations around the house so that when I'm waiting for my kids to get their jammies on or whatever, I have something to do. But it's not serious spinning on the wheel, it's just here and there. Your 663 yards looks beautiful! Isn't it amazing how much faster wheel spinning goes? I do love my spindles though!
Heh, heh, heh. Maryland. Hee, hee, hee.....
UGH. I cannot do any more of my Melody shawl. I don't know how you and everyone else are doing it. It's driving me crazy and the thought of endless stockinette in the round is just. Not. Appealing.