How I get out of creative block with my art is I do side work. So that might work for knitting/crochet. Without any expectation, organize your yarn stash, build out or organize your patterns. Research yarn, or comment on knitting/crochet posts on social media. When I do the visual art equivalent of these things I find that inspiration hits and I can't wait to get creating again! Bonus: when inspo hits your systems will be organized and ready for you to get going.
Socks are my vanilla knitting go to. I collect Sock Yarn and have learned how to knit it without looking. It's my "I don't know what I want to knit" or "I need a palette cleanser" project.
If you look up a charity, they will tell you what they accept. That’s much better than knitting something and trying to find a place that will take it.
I look for something new to me. Maybe a new technique, maybe a new type of item. My current project is my first doily, and am upcoming project will be my first sweater. I spent a while trying to learn new techniques, and trying to combine them (like lace + double-knitting).
And then you find something that almost matches, but not quite. Maybe you just have one ball less than you’d need. But the colourway is discontinued, so now you just have to go buy the whole project’s worth of some other yarn instead…
I have the opposite problem in which I have so many projects I want to make eventually, I get overwhelmed about where to start!
When you say you don't know what to make, do you mean you're still trying to decide between garments versus accessories? Or do you mean, you have an idea what kind of garment, you just don't know which pattern?
I haven’t even made it that far yet. I don’t know what to make at all. Garment, accessory, who knows? Although I don’t think I’m quite experienced enough for full-on garments yet, I don’t have good consistency with tension yet so rows don’t look uniform. Also, I’m not completely new to knitting but my know-how is very much beginner level.
What is the last item you knit that ended up having really good technique such as: good tension, no dropped stitches? And could you tell me if it was a project knit in stockinette or garter stitch?
None of my projects have had good tension, although dropped stitches don’t really become a problem because just as I compulsively hit Ctrl+S, I also compulsively add lifelines.
Also, your username, somewhat cause for concern on a knitting community. Are you okay?
Your username also makes me hope you might know the answer to this question. Sometimes after I’ve been knitting for awhile, continuing makes individual fingers feel the same thing as when you purposely flex your knuckles. Is this normal, a sign I should stop, a sign my technique is wrong, or something else?
The username is a joke because I really wanted an account here in the Fediverse that referenced my hobbies. I was active in knitting and crochet subs in reddit but I had such a random username. Also, if you ever take a peek at my torso garments, I always post how many hours it took me and they're all over 100 hours, so I just think people must assume my hands hurt lol
I have knit and crocheted so intensely or for prolonged periods that I've had wrist and hand strain, but it isn't a chronic pain issue for me. I just needed a break or to be cognizant of my tension in my project. Too high tension = pain for me after awhile. Relevant when I'm doing cabled projects in particular.
Here is an infographic I have mentally referenced many times in the past 3 years to remember how to stretch my forearms and hands.
It's hard for me to envision what you've described, but if you ever have a situation in which you're unable to release your fingers from a curled position, that is called Trigger Finger, and you should consider capping how many hours a day you knit, taking frequent breaks during your knitting sessions, and incorporate stretches on a regular basis.
If I'm really at odds and just need something to keep my hands busy (but isn't a ton of commitment) a tea towel. Two inexpensive skeins of cotton, needles aren't huge or tiny, no fit issues just a general size-ish, and can get weird with colour and texture. I've got a pile of them now, and my friends covet being able to pick one for themselves. There's one for every kitchen and style!
I usually look at my stash for inspiration… Or just cast on a pair of socks or a hat. Something quick to get the juices flowing! Sometimes I also think about what I’d like to be wearing right now and knit that. That’s how I started the current summer secret crop I’m making.
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