the startitis epidemic

I couldn't help but laugh when I walked into Leah's room this morning and noticed this chair. How many handknits and WIPs can you spot? I see at least 10! She's like a mad scientist, only with yarn. All the symptoms of Leah's chronic startitis were there a year and a half ago, with a full-blown case now, for which there is (luckily) no cure.

And nearby, a simple woven sash/strap that she's working on using the 4-harness table loom. I think crochet is a gateway drug. It all started off so innocently, but now she's progressed from a simple hook to the big leagues, looms and Addi Clicks, cashmere and silk.

She dove into the Cece cardigan pattern a few days ago and is halfway up the 2nd sleeve now, using yarn we scored last spring. Her version will be longer than shown, and probably even a bit tunic-length so hopefully it'll last her a couple/few years.

Meanwhile, the beadmakerbaker is brewing up some mad science glass button concoctions of his own. These are each 1" in diameter and, besides being really beautiful, I think, there's something uber satisfying about holding them in your hands. We lurves them.

Didja notice the distinct lack of my own projects to share here? That's because my knitting is a major FAIL lately.

I am not knitting a(nother) Forest Canopy Cowl because the Malabrigo Stonechat was pooling.

I am not knitting a green gansey for Scott because the yarn biased terribly.

I am not knitting a doubleknit hat for Scott because now I know I do not enjoy doubleknitting (but at least I have now learned how it's done!).

I am not knitting the myrtle something or other wrap from Victorian Lace Today because it just wasn't floating my boat.

But I am not discouraged, oh no! Something's bound to turn up and go well eventually. Tonight there will be a tossing of the stash and there will be much knitterly inspiration this weekend, so there is hope! Actually, I am knitting another Flutter scarf because I enjoyed that pattern so much, but I can't exactly get excited about it because it's a fall-back route chosen since everything else I've made lately just plain sucks. :-)

There's always weaving or spinning or Viking knitting or house cleaning...nah, I'm not that desperate!

chronic startitis, a case study

Patient is a 9-year-old female who complains of not enough time to do all the projects she wants to do. Symptoms started at approximately age five, when patient learned to crochet. Symptoms originally intermittent, now chronic, rated 8 on 0-10 scale where 0 is no projects and 10 is an insatiable desire to make things and learn new skills.

Patient admits to symptoms within minutes of getting out of bed and frequently experiences both primary and terminal insomnia secondary to projects in progress. Patient often mutters, "Just one more row."

Symptoms affect activities of daily living, causing inability to traverse bedroom floor, hypervigilance regarding pointy needles, and difficulty passing yarn storage area without indulging.
Symptoms are exacerbated by blogs, friends who knit, hobby nights, library visits, podcasts, and even the patient's own mother and both the paternal and maternal grandmothers. Family history also includes maternal great grandmother with severe symptoms for more than 80 years. Patient states inspiration is everywhere, all the time.
Symptoms are unaffected by the reality of weather, sizing, or costs, as patient will work on wool projects in the heat of summer, make things knowing "they will fit somebody," and will scavenge fabric and yarn from Goodwill, Freecycle, the dump fairies, cast-offs, and even well-meaning strangers. Patient even admits to offering her father's handmade glass beads or mother's handmade soap in exchange for needles or yarn, with full support of these enablers.

Recommendations for treatment include attendance at meetings with others who share patient's addiction(s), visiting only clean and well lit yarn stores, safe scavenging with savings account prophylaxis, and befriending others who create responsibly. Follow-up is PRN; however, this is anticipated to be a life-long condition.