Knitting with ADHD, part 2

If you are a knitter with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), you probably have a lot of WIPs lying around. Some are relatively new and directly result from your latest chase for a new shiny project. Others take you by surprise when they suddenly pop up again, and you struggle to recognise them. Does this sound familiar?

When I researched for this mini-series, the amount of unfinished projects and the complexity of dealing with them was the most pressing topic. So, we are going to talk about it in this episode. I want to help you to get rid of your shame and help you find ways out of the maze. Shall we?

First of all, there is nothing to feel ashamed about.
Your brain works differently. It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong.

Here is why:

With ADHD, you get bored quickly AND can feel overwhelmed simultaneously, but you also get overwhelmed easily. It's tricky to find a project that keeps you engaged while letting you relax. Neurotypicals will tell you a pattern does either or, and there seems to be a tendency for the extremes. Have a stockinette stitch in the round for ages or knit lace with the most complex stitch pattern ever seen. Both are complete killers of our brains.

A little excursus: I tried to start with garment design. I signed up for the Sweater Design School from Claire two years ago and have yet to manage to write a pattern. I took a Raglan Sweater Workshop this summer to get excited about it and stopped after the Raglan line. I knitted a cardigan and ended up on sleeve island. I simply can't do it.

I struggle with the complicated instructions at the beginning. With decent shoulder and neck shaping, you have to do two different instructions simultaneously, and I am completely overwhelmed by that. After the tricky part is done, it's often endless stockinette in the round or flat... and it's boring me to tears. If you wonder why you can't finish sweaters, here is your answer.

I also tried to knit a lace shawl. It's a beautiful design from a very talented designer, and I have been very excited about learning new techniques and wearing this one in particular. Guess what: I got a full-blown two-day migraine. Nothing ever threw me off this much. It was a horrible experience, and I might never try again. My brain could not cope with it.

Let's talk about why you cast on – often.

If you ask me, you must find out if it works for you. Neurotypicals might be able to judge a pattern by its cover and get things done by pure willpower. It's not fun, but possible. But you and I, my sweet ADHD friend, are not made like this.

We need to start and explore the pattern before, test and try to be able to judge if it is a great fit. Only then can we finish.

Sure enough, with time, you might understand what might be a good fit and find designers you are on the same wavelengths with. Nevertheless, we like chasing the new shiny project. It's not bad, but it shows an open mind and a character who gives a chance.

I have a rule with books you can easily transfer for knitting patterns. I give a new book about ten pages to gain my attention. If I am not hooked after that, I drop it unapologetically. I don't care if it won a Nobel prize, my best friend is telling me I have to read it because it changed her life, or the whole world is giving high praise (in other words, it's been on the bestseller list for weeks). It's only worth my time and energy if it's working for me.

Let's get to why you stop:

I believe there is no one reason you stop a knitting project; there are several, and none is laziness.

• You get bored because the pattern isn't engaging enough.

• You get overwhelmed because the pattern is too complex or complicated.

• You also get lost because the pattern instructions aren't written clearly, or the layout makes it hard to read.

• You get agitated because the yarn feels itchy or does not flow over your needles but sticks to them like gum.

• The circumference is too small; the rows are too long,...

• Don't let me start with family members not leaving you alone when you count stitches, have a tricky part to tackle or need an hour for yourself. Is it too much to ask!?

All of them are good reasons to stop. Only some of them are reasons to stop completely.

Now comes the tricky part... what do you do with the WIPs you have?
There are two possibilities: keep it or rib it – intentionally.

Now and then, I suggest a round of cleanup. It will help you to feel better about your craft and yourself. Start with every WIP by asking yourself why you stopped. Whatever the reason, your next question should be if anything changed until then that enables you to finish the project. If so, have a good look and investigate if it is possible to find your way back. Last but not least, here comes the mushy-feely part, ask yourself if you are still excited about this project.

Some things I know about myself might help you here:

• I go through life in circles. Being a woman, it's kinda obvious, but I believe even with menopause or with a different gender, you feel those, too.
  There are times when I need simplicity to cope with the days and others when I thrive and enjoy learning new things. You might have stopped with a knitting project because it didn't fit the state you were in. How about now? Did that change, or might it change in the future?

• I love to learn, and I am a lifelong learner. Therefore I develop, and if I am excited, I do it fast. I am totally obsessed with knitting, and I can knit things now I couldn't create some months ago, often only weeks before.

  You might have stopped with a knitting project because you couldn't perform the techniques. That does not mean you won't be able to get it done now or in the near future. Think about it and take those thoughts into consideration.

• As a designer, I try a lot of new ideas. Often enough, something steps in between. A deadline for a magazine submission, a pattern I promised to get into test knitting, a new yarn I instead try out and also my family obligations,... Whatever it was, the trickiest part is often to find my way back. When I do my cleanup, I think about whether I will be able to get that done or not. So should you. There is no sense in keeping a WIP if you can't find out what it is, where you stopped in the pattern or don't remember essentials, like the needle size.

I hope this questions will help you to sort through your unfinished projects. Remember to rib unapologetically. It will free your mind and your yarn! I love to do that while watching TV or listening to podcasts.

In the following episode, we will dig deeper into visual aids. Those will help you with future projects and the ones you keep on knitting. I developed several habits to ensure I can find my way back when I stop working on a project. As this is often the biggest obstacle, I hope you will find my tips and tricks helpful.

Stay tuned until next time!