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Frog or Finish? What Will Survive My WIP Purge?

A Lovely Yarn

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Email: alovelyyarn@gmail.com

Welcome back, friends! In this episode, I'm going through every single knitting and crochet WIP I have on the needles (and hooks 😅). Some have been languishing for years, others are almost done… and a few might just need to be frogged. 😬

Join me as I:
🧵 Share each project and the yarn I'm using.
🧶 Talk through why I started it—and why it's still a WIP.
🧺 Decide whether it's worth finishing or if it's time to let go.

Whether you're drowning in your own pile of WIPs or just love a good yarny chat, I hope this inspires you to revisit your own projects and make some space (mental and physical!) for what’s next.

💬 I’d love to hear in the comments—what’s the oldest WIP in your stash? And would you frog it or finish it?

Thanks for being here and supporting my channel!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoy this type of content.

Patterns/Yarn:
Vertices Unite https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Unlabelled

Harlow Worsted https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted "Lauren's Coral" and "Mourning Dove"

Intertwined Socks https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarns: Unlabelled

Songbird Mittens https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Woolly Thistle Rambler Yarn in "Lupine" and "Natural"
https://collabs.shop/rke3ia

Colorwork Notions Pouch - Pattern only available through Craftsy class

My Jose Hood https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Kelbourne Woolens Scout "Natural"
https://kelbournewoolens.com/products...

Heel-toe-do-si-do https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Supergarne Activ Color 5406

Cozy Memories Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

Granny Stripe Prayer Shawl - No Pattern
Yarn: Yarn Bee Glowing "Song in Sage"

Step-by-Step Cardigan https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Drops Air "Mauve - 29" held double with Purl Soho Linen Quill "Peach Stone"

Roadrunner Cowl (Pattern no longer available)
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios "Jupiter"

Lotus https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Drops Safran colors Sea Green (63) and Red Clay (59)

Fireside Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Kit from Wool Warehouse https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/attic...

Cottage Ripple Blanket
Yarn: Kit from Wool Warehouse
https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/attic...

Luna Sweater - Kit Currently Sold Out
Link to Other Unravelled Kits: https://unravelled.store/ALOVELYYARN
USE CODE ALOVELYYARN FOR 10% OFF YOUR FIRST KIT!

Winglet Mitts: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Knit Picks Palette "Serpentine"

Crocheted Star Blanket (I can't find the exact pattern, but here is a link to a similar one:)
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala "Warlock"

80's Crew Socks - My own recipe
Yarn: Paton's Kroy

Ruska https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted "Lauren's Coral" with contrast colors from Spud & Chloe and Brooklyn Tweed Shelter

Ranunculus https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Yarn: Sandnes Garn Line 5930

Music by Epidemic Sound
www.epidemicsound.com

#knittingpodcast #wips #frogorfinish #knittingcommunity #crochetprojects #knittersofyoutube

20 Comments

@annaRD-knit-run 1 year ago

15 projects to finish aren't that many considering how many are almost done! You'll have to use the snowball method to finish the fastest to finish first, then the second fastest, etc. Just set aside some time each week to work on those less exciting projects, and just getting some done will be so motivating to keep going!

@KatyB-GryffindorChaser 1 year ago

I love frogging .... the happiness of having the yarn return to a state of " possibilities " instead of the "ugh" feeling of a WIP that was unhappy.... i chalk up the time spent knitting to lessons learned, it all adds to my experience as a knitter.

@yarnchickenkim 1 year ago

I think you should apply the Dave Ramsey snowball technique to finishing your WIPs you want to finish: Put them in order of quickest to finish to the ones that will take the longest and just knock them out. Once you finish those first ones, you’ll have some momentum. That’s what I’d do, anyway. The ones you are keeping are all worth finishing. 😊

@Mknittyama 1 year ago

I bought yarn on my honeymoon for a fishermen knit. Long story but I dragged that sweater to five different countries and my oldest daughter got it when she was 17! Other projects I frogged and ditched but I always wanted to finish this particular one. Turned out gorgeous so I was glad it made the cut!

@janicehardin9013 1 year ago

The Star blanket would make a nice size baby blanket or a back of a chair accessory or even a great pouf pillow. I’d call it finished and not frog it. It’s beautiful.

@heatherboone3066 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your WIPs! No shame in the game! I have 5 WIPs only because I have to limit myself.. I make a deal that I can have no more that 3 of a certain type (blanket, garment) at any given time before I start a new one. I also assign specific days to work on WIPs to keep it going and motivate me to finish lingering projects before I cast on a new one.

@sylviamaxwell504 1 year ago

Keep the ripple blanket by your comfy chair..so it's right there and you can pick it up...tell yourself " I'll just do a few rows, and then I can do my other project "😊😊😊that's what helps me..

@cynthiakolb233 1 year ago

At 73 I just started embracing my curly hair two years ago. So much easier to care for. Love your hair. It looks great on you.

@Carola-By-The-Bay 1 year ago

Sarah, of “It’s a Sarah,” uses the term “heart-jumping” for something that brings you joy. I love that phrase.
(Love your wavy hair, too.) 🌻🧶☺️

@denicelovejoy9720 1 year ago

I just found your podcast a week ago. I loved this one and am ashamed to say I don’t even know how many wips I have. I made a goal last year to finish an old wip after finishing a new one. That last a few months. I did get a couple wips finished. Yay! I’m sure I have at least 15 probably more. But watching you makes me realize I need to go through them one by one and make decisions. Thank you for your content. I love that you just talk about knitting and crocheting and not about other stuff. I will keep watching!

@KaraParkman 1 year ago

Several years ago some friends and I did a WiP Down for several months and then had an online frogging party! I had well over 30 WiPs and it felt so good to get that down to a manageable 5. And I’ve kept my WiPs to 5 or less ever since (excluding scrappy blankets). I’ve also started quilting again after a 10 year knitting obsessed hiatus. 😂. Watching this tonight has helped me decide to frog two of my current WiPs that I just don’t feel like finishing.

@karenlarsen1128 1 year ago

I only have 2, maybe 3 WIP’s at a time… a garment, a pair of socks & maybe something small or a long-term blanket. More than that and I get overwhelmed 😂

@michellepissk-schupak5440 1 year ago

Love your new hair style. I appreciate this topic very much. I love yarn and buy it without projects in mind. I also love purchasing patterns as well. Together I hope to make projects and clearly do not have enough time or the skills yet to tackle every project. Part of the fun is dreaming about doing them. I know I am not alone in this behavior. I also will start projects and then might put them aside for a different one. Later I come back to it and might no longer love it so understand that this is part of our craft. It is good to feel normal and learn that advanced knitters like you also do it.

@etkeith1216 8 months ago

I am so happy I found your page! No tapping spoke to my soul!! I’ve actually been eyeing that yarn journal for a couple weeks now!! Thank you for helping me make my decision!

@annjavoroski491 1 year ago

What an episode. It is like a cliffhanger last segment of a continuing program. I will have to return to see how you solve this!

@conniesmith1081 1 year ago

You can do it Amber! It really is so much fun to finish them. I think its totally normal when you love to knit and love yarn! Enjoy the process! oh and I love your hair!

@Drinni_handwork 1 year ago

Thank you so much for mentioning my pattern again. It's truly beautiful in your choice of yarn and colors. And yes, sometimes it's better to frog something out and knit something new with it.

@darlenemartensen8303 1 year ago

Omgosh your cozy memories blanket is gorgeous

@RoseSmith-lq7bk 10 months ago

Ironically, I also have 15 projects either partly done, yarn reserved for chosen projects and yarn I purchased without a designated project. It helped me see your podcast, I don’t feel so obsessed. I recently frogged a completed sweater that was too small so know the anguish! Thanks for a motivating podcast.

@MiMiOnTheGoGo 1 year ago

So many thoughts to share Amber! First, (another curly girl here) your hair is gorgeous, love it when your chin is down and I can see how much gray has grown out. I’m growing out a short cut that’s taking forever but your current length is very pretty and inspiring. You’re keeping me from reaching for scissors during the weird in-between stage.
THANK YOU for sharing the WIP dilemma process. It’s very helpful to hear you talk through the decision making. I only have 3 WIPS right now, loving them all, but it took a year to muddle through the piles. My tip- find another stitcher to frog anything you decide isn’t going to work. We all love ripping out things WE didn’t make. All the satisfaction without the emotional attachment! My knitting buddy just handed back a bag of wound yarn that was the most awful sweater I’d ever knit. 😂 We were both so happy and I’ve already cast on a Ranunculus (#2 for me) with it. 🎉 As for the brioche hat, I recommend finishing-because the pattern is not intended to have a folded cuff, so it seems like you are very close to finishing. Sorry it’s not enjoyable but feel just a few minutes a day would have it done in no time. It was very flattering and looked so warm. I believe you’ll be sorry if you don’t line the colorwork notions bag. It’s tightly woven fabric but very likely stitch markers, scissors etc will snag and tear floats, which would be awful! 😭 You’ll have it tacked in place in just minutes, very worthwhile. You have a great attitude about crafting-if it isn’t bringing joy, ya gotta just let it go. It’s so freeing. 😊 Lastly, the best way, IMO, to power through multiple projects is pick the WIP that can be finished the fastest. It’s very inspiring to quickly have one less, and fuels our emotions to tackle the next one. Happy stitching! 😘