When I first started knitting, I could only manage one project at a time. This makes sense because the learning curve is steep, and working on too many projects would have been overwhelming. But, as my experience grew, so did my pile of WIPs! I've come to realise that having multiple WIPs is actually quite beneficial, and I thought that this week I would share my musings with you.

• Projects For All Occasions
  Having multiple WIPs gives us the freedom to choose a project that matches our current mood/energy level or time constraints. I know that at the end of the day, I'm more likely to reach for something simple (a sock project or working on sleeves), while knitting during a lunch break is great for more complicated things like colourwork, lace and cables. If you are a multi-WIP knitter, you probably have a project or two that you can grab as you walk out the door. Something portable and easy you can work on during appointments, school pick ups, meetings etc.... a project you can easily pick up and put down. No matter where we are or what we're doing, having multiple WIPs ensure we always have a suitable project to work on.

• Sampling An Array Of Complexity 
  This ties in well with the above idea. Let's say I was only allowed to work on one project at a time. I would probably choose something simple, mainly because, no matter the circumstance, I could work on it. Would this become boring? For me, yes it would. Having multiple WIPs means I have a nice variety of complexity. Some simple, some intermediate and some hard. So, no matter what mood/situation I find myself in, I always have a project I can work on. Sprinkling in some challenging projects also helps us to learn more/maintain our knitting skills too!

• Process vs Product
  Some knitters enjoy the process of knitting itself, finding satisfaction in the creation of the fabric rather than solely focusing on the finished object. Personally I am a product knitter, but I can see why a process knitter would find a lot of joy in having a variety of WIPs focusing on, let's say, different stitch patterns or interesting constructions.

•  Increased Sense of Accomplishment
  I don't know about you but I find when I'm working in multiples, I tend to finish a stack of things at the same time. It seems once I get one project off the needles, I'm spurred on to finish the next and then the next: it's like a domino effect. I find that sense of accomplishment is a big motivator for me to get those languishing WIPs done.

• Maintaining our Interest and Feeding Creativity 
  I know that there are times that I suddenly crave certain projects.  I'll see a Colourwork sweater and instantly want to cast it on. Or a pattern has been released and I really want to knit it now! Or maybe even a certain colour or yarn catches my eye and I urgently want to work with it! Allowing ourselves to give in to these urges keeps our knitting mojo high, keeps us interested in our hobby, and is great for feeding/fuelling our creativity.

There are many more benefits to having multiple WIPs. I could have actually kept on writing but I want to keep this short(ish). On the flip side, though, there are a few downsides, too. I think the biggest one is when the WIP pile morphs into a hibernation pile and things just languish. So, I thought it would be fun to make August the month of finishing, which ultimately frees up needles and project bags for more things! I'm going to run a ....KAL/CAL over on Ravelry, Instagram and Discord so we can all work on finishing things and, at the same time, encourage each other with new patterns to cast on. I hope you can join me! Details below.

Ultimately, the number of WIPs a knitter has is a personal preference. I would love to know if you embrace the idea of lots of WIPs, or do you prefer just having one or two? Feel free to let me know by commenting below!

WIP It KAL/CAL

Let's crack those WIPs and get them under control this August! 

• We are hosting our WIP IT KAL/CAL via Ravelry, Discord and Instagram (#wipitkalcal).
•  All you have to do is grab a WIP (or two or three) and work on finishing it. 
• All WIPs are welcome; they don't need to be knit in our yarn. 
• The KAL/CAL runs from 1-31st August.