WIP Wrestling

Summer Treat Cardi pattern by Diane Zangl
Published in Creative Knitting, July 2009

Like many of you, I've got more than a few Works in Process (WIPs) stashed about my work room (aka - house).  This really doesn't bother me.  I'm happy to let projects hibernate until I decide either a) I need the finished object, or b) I need the yarn for another project. 

Inspired by the Ravellenic Games 2012 (a knit along that occurs on Ravelry during the Olympic Games), I decided to wrestle a little striped summer cardigan that I started in 2009.  My version of the Summer Treat Cardi by Diane Zangl, is worked up in Neapolitan stripes of Hempathy (Elizabeth Lavoid).  I had already knit over 50% of the sweater; I knew I wasn't going to use the yarn for anything else; and I figured I could really use the sweater this summer and fall.  So I drug it out, gave myself a high five for storing the pattern, needles, yarn and work done to date all together in a project bag, and set to work. 

About 2 days into my wip wrestling, my enthusiasm started to wane, and I realized why I hadn't finished this in the first place.  Using the hempathy yarn is like knitting with dk weight kitchen twine.  But I pushed on, and finished, though not in time to garner a medal in the 2012 Ravellinics.  And I'm happy to report that the Hempathy softed up into a great fabric with the first washing.  At some point, I may go back and shorten the sleeves.  Seriously, who am I kidding? That's not likely to happen.

Have you done any WIP wrestling lately?  I'd love to hear about it, and see any successes or failures!