How do you cope with interruptions? - Page 2

newknitter23 · 01-20-2009, 02:04 AM

I have two girls One is 2 yrs old and the other is 3 1/2 mnths old, so distractions are a given in my house. I also have a husband who loves to tell me all about things I don't get or care to, is that mean? Oh well, I have gotten better at repeating to myself( in my head) where I am at before I put it down and that helps me remember later. When I have printed out a pattern I use a erasable highlighter, works great.

TrishL1975 · 01-20-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by newknitter23

I also have a husband who loves to tell me all about things I don't get or care to, is that mean?

I don't think it's mean at all - it's a coping mechanism. I tried to compare it to listening to a TV in the background or a police scanner. 99% of it isn't important, but you're there and paying *enough* attention to catch the important things.

I tried to explain that when I outright told him I ignore him - and it worked!

blueygh2 · 01-20-2009, 02:25 PM

Never really happened to me, that people talked to me. Once when I worked on granny squares, but that doesn't matter too much.

Else, when I put down work inmidst of pattern, I finish the row then put the number of the row somewhere on a post it.

Since sometimes I forget if I actually finished that row or not, I put a bar below the number if that's the next row, a bar across the number if that's the row I'm on and a bar above the number if I finished that row.

sakura-panda · 01-20-2009, 02:44 PM

I have multiple projects going at the same time.

If it is something that I want to concentrate on, and not risk being interrupted, I knit at night after the kids are in bed and while DH is watching TV in the living room.

If I think I might get distracted -- like in a waiting room or something -- I have a blanket that I won't lose my place on.

However, knitting is not my primary hobby and one reason I do it is to have something to do with my hands when I'm otherwise stuck sitting in one place for a while. I haven't tried anything that has a complicated pattern.

globaltraveler · 01-20-2009, 02:49 PM

An erasable highlighter! what a GREAT idea!!!

Luvmyrottnboy · 01-20-2009, 06:56 PM

Cyrus, Cyrus, Cyrus.

My dog.

Every time I settle down and pick up my knitting...he can be sound asleep...he can be in the other room...he can be playing with James..but the very second I pick up my knitting he barks to go out.

Even if he just came in.

Last night he jumped up on the sofa and settled on my lap. My arms, with my knitting, were pinned under 100 lbs of fluffy Rottweiler.

Nanaof6 · 01-20-2009, 07:22 PM

I can relate ! I finally bought myself a digital recorder and as soon as I am interrupted I stop and before I respond ,pick up my recorder and record where I am in the pattern.

It has been a life saver to keep me from

underthebelljar · 01-20-2009, 07:48 PM

My great aunt was a phenomenal knitter and needleworker until just a few years ago, and the television was always her greatest distraction. Once she was watching the hockey game on a Saturday night and knitting a sock. As the minutes passed and she worked away, her eyes on the game, her two teenaged sons began to poke each other knowingly and stiffle their laughter. By the time my aunt asked them what was so funny, the foot of the sock was about twice the pattern length!

I myself don't find television all that distracting yet -- my husband and I happily can both sit on the couch -- him watching sports, me buried in knitting, counting aloud and muttering to myself.

As for avoiding other distractions, I save new and complicated stuff for times when I'm home alone and can ignore the phone (which, granted, doesn't happen that often!). I bring easier projects "on the road" so I don't have to pay as much attention.

globaltraveler · 01-20-2009, 07:53 PM

LOL -- great story about your aunt's sock!

JB4Knitting · 01-21-2009, 04:25 PM

I'm now trying to knit at work during my lunch hour, so I'll see how that goes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

At home, my husband usually leaves me alone because he knows that it's a good hobby for me (and keeps me outta trouble!), but I still don't get enough of the needle stuff done at home, which is why I'm also trying it at work.

But, if I didn't vote for "Set to Kill, Scotty" I would've voted for the Starbucks one.