There's a condition that many Cross Stitchers suffer from. I've heard it called "Pattern Paralysis" and it can be a serious problem. It occurs when you have many patterns that you want to stitch and you can't decide what to do next. This condition leads to secondary illnesses - Start-too-much-and-don't-finish-them-itis, Over-collection-of-project-clutter-monia and other related problems.
Do you have so many patterns you can't decided what to stitch next? What do you do to avoid "pattern paralysis" and other related conditions? Vote in the poll below to let us know how often you suffer from this dehabilitating condition. Use the comments section to let us know how you avoid it or treat it.
Do you have so many patterns you can't decided what to stitch next? What do you do to avoid "pattern paralysis" and other related conditions? Vote in the poll below to let us know how often you suffer from this dehabilitating condition. Use the comments section to let us know how you avoid it or treat it.
Comments
When this gets really bad I resort to the schoolyard One Potato 2 potato rhyme, and hope that it hits one I really want or need to stitch next! LOL
I sometimes wonder if I have ADD for the cross-stitching projects. I have several projects going on at the same time and I can’t figure out which to complete first. I need to learn to finish one project one at a time. Instead of starting and then work on another project….now I feel overwhelmed with so many unfinished projects… CADD Cross-Stitch ADD???
I like the one potato idea! I think I have Cross Stitch ADD too – I start way too many projects. Once in awhile I have to make a rule that I can’t start another big one until I finish two current projects.
Last time I could not decide I let my Husband pick. It took me over a year to complete!!I’m doing an easy Celtic Knot now.I won’t let him pick my projects again.
I gave away to another crafter almost all of my patterns( kept a few). So it is easy for me now.
I look at the priority of the project. For example, I have one that’s due in December. I only have a fence to do on that & I’ll finish it shortly.
In the meantime, I have a loooong overdue project from last year (I had to restart it after it was in a rental car that was stolen). So I’m focusing on that one right now.
I use the 10-hour rule. Work on one project for 10 hours, then move on to the next and work 10 hours, until you work through all your projects. Then start all over again with the first one. Every time you start the next 10 hours, it ALMOST feels like you’re starting a brand new project!
Hi. I have so much patterns that my husband says I need three lives to complete them…. and I continue getting more!!! I learned never to do more than one project at a time, if not I loose love for them and let them unfinished. But, I can’t do like one of the ladies wrote in here where her husband chooses because my husband is driving me crazy to stitch him some dragons, Merlin, and some Japanesse figures. If I let him choose, I will be stitching the next 5 years for him!!! I give priorities: now Im doing a baby shower gift, then I will do some for my husband (so I can be happy!!) and then continue my efforts to finish my bathroom project…is looking good!!!!
God bless….and Im happy Im not the only neurotic obssessive of cs.
I once let my sister choose a pattern – she went through all my magazines and books – and picked the largest one she could find. After I finished it, she wanted me to do the companion piece!
I’ve narrower my “collections” of things over the years–like some people collect antiques, Boyd Bears, etc…I collct cross stitch mags & books. I know I’ll never finish 1/99th of the projects I want to but I figure that if that’s all the “clutter” my kids have to sort through when I’m gone their lucky. I have a spare room that I turned into my stitching room with shelves for all my “goodies”. DH has the whole basement with a den for all his hunting “goodies”, so I figure it’s a good trade-off.
My goal for 2008 was to finish all my (12) UFO’s-and not start any new projects. I have to say that I’ve finished 3 thus far and only started 2 new ones–now they are slowly becoming UFO’s. 12 UFO’s minus 3 finished UFO’s plus 2 new projects still puts me one ahead for the year. I figure I’ll get there someday or I’m sure God will let me take it with me and work on it all in eternity.
Teresa
I love looking at Cross stitch magazines and I hate it because I find so many new things I want to do! I already have a crate full of kits I put together to stitch that I may never get to do because they are pet projects for me and I am still working on baby gifts, Christmas gifts, get well cards…..I may NEVER get to do ones for myself! But I love giving people hand made things because of the reaction I get. So, until I run out of family and friends to stitch for, I too hope that, should I get to Heaven, God will let me work on them there! And thank you for a blog to let me vent!
I have to prioritize. There is a wedding coming up on Dec 25th. I need time to frame it. Then there is the X-stitch exchange, eight by the end of November. Since the Wedding is much more complicated, that is getting first priority, but I can’t wait too long to start the ornaments. When they are finished, I have kits that have been started, patterns that I fell in love with and cross stitch magazines to look thru. First one i grab will be the first one I work on(I think.)
You know guys, I’m proud to say that stitching makes my life relaxed and it somehow created a ball of patience and endurance, but I do experienced this pattern paralysis due to time constraint. anyhow, it’s great doing this kind of stuff. And you know guys, I’m a needle-MAN.
Of course I suffer from it! And how do I cure it? Easy – by buying more patterns. And threads too. ANd then telling my family and co-workers, so if I don’t have something to show them after a while, they’ll shame me out of my lazy arse. It works!
Do you even know what Paralysis is ?
If you did, you would NOT call a simple creative block “Pattern Paralysis”.
Paralysis is a serious condition, that infact changes lives. Just think would you like to live with Paralysis?
The answer is NO, you would not. So just think about that when you are to lazy to think of a new pattern! Paralysis is no laughing matter.
I totally agree with YOU. You should not call something “Pattern Paralysis” , just because you are too stupid to think of a new pattern!
You really would not like to have Paralysis, and you know you wouldn’t !!!
I hope you re-think your attitude and bless your lucky stars you are not ill.
First, as someone who suffers from sleep paralysis, I can easily defend myself if I want to. Next as Bobby, a good friend who is quad due to an army accident says, “Let me fight my own battles. I’m still human and I can talk. Don’t demean me.”
Now back on subject. I actually don’t have a hard time choosing what to do next. It usually is down to two or three projects which are easy to decide from. What I am suffering from seems to be apathy. I look at them. I look at other patterns and I just can’t fire up enough interest to do much. Of course that seems to override everything else right now all of it bores me or makes me tired. Perhaps it is a comment on the state of our society. But the only thing I am getting down right now is marking mid terms for the college classes.