Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive
Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Process vs. Product

1/21/2015

40 Comments

 
If you knit a sweater in 2014, but fail to weave in the ends, sew on buttons, and block it until 2015, does it add to the tally this year or last? Sounds a bit like splitting hairs to me. I had every intention of getting this sweater posted prior to 2015, but I'm lazy. And, I didn't get around to it. 
Picture
If you've been reading these rambling for any amount of time, you know that there are several other pieces of unfinished business, in the form of sweaters and socks, sitting on a chair in the corner of my bedroom. The pile never gets smaller. It seems like it's one-in, one-out right now. Someday, I will catch-up with myself. *DREAMS*  
Picture
It's a really stupid system I have going. I can't wear any of those sweaters, socks, etc..  until they're finished. Wearing those garments is the whole point of knitting them, right? For me, I think the wearing is only a portion of the equation. 
Picture
I've often heard knitters toss around the idea of 'PROCESS' vs. 'PRODUCT'. I think members of the sewing community can relate, to a degree. There are those who like to plan more than they actually sew, for example, and, I think a lot of us associate a meditative element or stress release with sewing. Still, there is a level of instant gratification with sewing that cannot be achieved with knitting. If you knit sweaters, you know you're going to spend 40+ hours working on a single garment. You create Every. Single. Stitch. It's far more laborious and requires a different type of commitment.    
Picture
For a lot of people, this act of creating, or the process of knitting is enough to fuel them through endless blankets and sweaters, socks, etc... The counting, the intricacy, the charts, these things are why they knit. There's ultimately an endpoint, but it's not the focus or purpose of knitting. The act of knitting, in and of itself is the whole point. 
Picture
Then, there's the product knitter with her eye on the prize. Just. Keep. Knitting. The "I will suffer through miles of stockinette, because I get a sweater if I do" knitter. For this knitter, the high comes at the end of a project. The ultimate goal is an FO (finished object, for non-knitters).
Picture
I think I'm divided between these two camps. I love to have finished knitted garments and accessories to wear. I also really love knitting just to knit, because it does strange things to my brain. I'm sure my balance between these two camps shifts occasionally. Mostly, I think I'm down the middle. Where do you fall?  
Picture
Pattern: Looking Back by Joji Locatelli

Joji doesn't disappoint. This is my third sweater from one of her patterns. They all stand on their own with unusual construction and techniques, interesting shapes, and beautiful stitch patterns. This is exactly the type of project that feeds both sides of my knitter brain.  
40 Comments
Sam link
1/21/2015 03:29:08 am

That's a really lovely sweater. I have one of Joji's designs in my queue at the moment - Make a Wish - and I'm searching for the perfect yarn for it.

Like you, I think I fall into both the camps you describe above, leaning slightly more towards the "process" side. I love the rhythm and relaxation of knitting, and don't always love or wear the finished product.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:11:57 am

Oh, I hope you find the yarn of your dreams! Joji's patterns are a lot of fun to knit.

Reply
alicia link
1/21/2015 03:31:34 am

Gorgeous! I think of myself as more of a product knitter, because I am highly covetous of the finished object, but then I have so many WIPs and so easily get distracted by a new project that I think I must be a bit of a process knitter, too.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:12:51 am

I am fairly easily distracted too. I try to make a plan, but it's always more of a suggestion than it is an actual itinerary.

Reply
Miss Crayola Creepy link
1/21/2015 04:18:36 am

The buttons down the back are such a beautiful detail!

I think I fall between the camps. I am definitely eye on the prize (very little UFOs in my life!), but I do enjoy the process. I love watching TV and having needles in my hands. In fact, it's now hard for me to just watch tv without keeping busy. I'm too restless!

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:15:20 am

TV knitting is fabulous! I almost can't watch TV now without needles in-hand. I know what you mean about feeling restless. I have a similar sensation when I find myself stuck somewhere waiting without a project to work on.

Reply
Teresa link
1/21/2015 04:34:23 am

Love the button back detail. I prefer the flexibility of sewing as you can adjust the size more as you go along. But you can't beat curling up on the sofa on a Winter's evening with your knitting needles.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:18:31 am

Knitting was made for winter winter evenings. It's very relaxing! I'm to the point now where I can modify most knitting patterns (sometimes I completely rewrite them on the fly) to suit me. But, I've been garment knitting for a while now. It's almost second nature. My sewing mods are not as complex or versatile. But, I'm not as qualified with sewing.

Reply
steph link
1/21/2015 04:44:11 am

She's one of my favorite designer, too!!!! Very very wearable knits! This one is really lovely. Me? Process all the way. The end result often isn't even something I'd like to own....just wanted to knit. (I'm trying to be a bit better about this one!) And I vote for this to be an FO in 2015....you haven't actually WORN it til now, right?

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:20:22 am

Having read your blog for a while now, I would have guessed you were a process gal! You're very generous with your knitting and you always have something fun and unusual on the needles.

Reply
Reana Louise link
1/21/2015 05:00:16 am

What a wonderful garment, and a delicious colour. Love the buttons down the back! I think the reason why I haven't been able to get into knitting yet is because the process kills me. It just takes soooo long and I can't see where it's going. But, on the other hand, I adore the processes in sewing - especially the planning.

Also, your heart necklace is AWESOME.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:25:56 am

Awe, yeah, I can understand what you mean. If you really decide you want to be a knitter, maybe you could try some instant gratification projects? Chunky cowls are a good place to start and they are fun to wear.

Reply
Lisette link
1/21/2015 05:07:00 am

That sweater is beautiful. Come to think of it I have one in my closet that has almost that same lace panel down the front! But I really love the wine color you chose.
Ugh process/product. With knitting I love the process, with sewing I usually love the product.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:29:03 am

It's interesting that you have different perspective/motivation between knitting/sewing. I think sewing is much more product driven for me too.

Reply
Lynette link
1/21/2015 05:08:25 am

I love your sweater, the color and the details. It's a beautiful combination.

I''m more of a product knitter. My Ravelry queue is so very long, and I love to reach the end of a project. However, I also love the knitting act itself. It's very rewarding to be on both sides of the fence.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:30:27 am

Oh, my queue is ridiculous also. Haha. It's almost embarrassing.

Reply
Liz link
1/21/2015 05:14:31 am

I think I'm right in the middle also. I feel quite at a loss if I don't have a knitting project to work on - on the commute, during my lunch break, at the doctor's office, etc. But I have so many projects that are completed except for blocking & weaving in ends - it's quite embarrassing at this point.

I love the buttons up your back. Are they functional? Can't wait to see this in person. :D

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:31:42 am

The buttons are functional! It's a little awkward to reach them if one comes undone. But, It's a nice crossover between a cardigan and pullover.

Reply
MarrieB link
1/21/2015 06:06:20 am

This is a beautiful sweater! Will be adding that to my queue. :) I think I lean slightly towards being a process knitter. I love the finished products, but that's never what motivates me to knit. I'm also terrible about finishing my knits, I think if I was a product knitter I wouldn't procrastinate that part so much.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:32:53 am

I would love to see your version of this pattern! I'm right there with you on the procrastination (clearly). :-D

Reply
florapie
1/21/2015 08:30:20 am

You and the Yarn Harlot are discussing the exact same thing today-what a knitterly connection!
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/2015/01/product-vs-process/

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:34:14 am

HAHA. That is a wild coincidence!

Reply
Mary Danielson Perry link
1/21/2015 09:39:27 am

What a beautiful sweater! That color is just fabulous on you.

Personally, I'm in the "cannot even imagine taking 40 hours to make a garment camp" still. I want to be a knitter, I've learned the basic stitches, but I'm too impatient to knit a scarf, before getting to try a sweater. I shudder to think how impatient I'd be, during the actual knitting of the sweater. So, I just remain in awe and gawk at amazing pieces like yours!

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:36:56 am

LOL. Knitting is definitely a 'divide and conquer' sort of thing. The journey seems long, but you rest a lot along the way and you're there before you know it.

As far as patience, I think you'll find most knitters consider themselves to be aggressively impatient. A lot of people say they have to knit, so they don't don't lose patience. I know it seems counter intuitive. :-D

Reply
Lisa link
1/21/2015 12:39:01 pm

**LOVE**

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:37:22 am

THANK YOU!

Reply
tanyamaile link
1/21/2015 10:36:15 pm

That color is so beautiful on you! I love all of the details like the back buttons and the front design. I'd say to count this as a 2015 make as you completed it this year!

I still haven't progressed beyond knitting scarves (probably 15 now made...), but I think I'm in the second camp as I can't wait to see the finished project! I'm probably that way with sewing as well. I enjoy the processes in making things, but am always looking towards the end result.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:39:20 am

If you have knit 15 scarves, that's easily equivalent to 3 or 4 sweaters! If you understand the basics of knitting, you know how to knit a sweater, you just don't realize it yet. :-D

Reply
Gail link
1/21/2015 11:31:38 pm

Beautiful sweater - I love that back button detail.

I'm with you in the middle, for both sewing and knitting. My high comes during construction. BUT: even if I don't wear some of the things I make, I'm not enough of a process "maker" that I'll make something I can't wear - for instance, a knitted blanket, or a sewn outfit for someone else. For me, part of the fun of the process is imagining how the piece will fit in and make outfits with pieces already in my closet. That said, I'm trying to convert that love of process into a willingness to make for others. Baby steps, as I've always been a selfish knitter and sewer.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 01:43:29 am

:-D I am almost obnoxiously content with my selfish nature when it comes to sewing and knitting. :-D I'll help anyone learn. Always. But I won't do it for them.

Reply
Jennifer link
1/21/2015 11:54:38 pm

What an awesome sweater. That back detail is so awesome!

I think I'm with you - I'm somewhere in the middle. I also think it depends on the project. With my tights, for example, at some point it became all about the product as opposed to the process, but with sweaters and things with a lot of interesting detail, I tend to enjoy the process just as much, if not more, than the product.

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 03:43:03 am

I can totally see how the end result would propel you through knitting tights! I really want to knit that pattern! Your tights are a thing of beauty!

Reply
katie metzroth link
1/22/2015 12:54:57 am

It takes me like a year to do finishing work. I intend to do finishing, like sewing on buttons, but I hate it. and I've accepted this about myself. Therefore, I knit mostly seamless things, which is why I stick to socks. I am a process knitter in that I love the feel of the yarn in my fingers and refuse to use more hardwearing yarns because they are not as soft and enjoyable to knit with. But, I thrive on that feeling when you finish an object. Which is another thing that leads me to socks because you get that feeling twice per pair. AND one never finishes a pair of socks and then decides the design is not flattering which can happen with other items of clothing.

Your sweater looks GREAT! Love the yarn and pattern pairing and can only admire all the buttons. : )

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 03:44:59 am

Sock are VERY forgiving that way. Although, I did just knit a pair of toe-up knee high socks that are a little big... and I was mad at myself for screwing up. Rookie mistake. Hopefully they will shrink a little after a wash.

Reply
Amanda link
1/24/2015 12:53:56 am

I love the color you chose, and the pattern itself is beautiful! I'll have to add it to my queue.

So far I've been a bit of both when it comes to knitting. I love knitting on my commute/travels/lunch breaks and I've been happy so far that I've stayed focused and have only worked on one project at a time. I've also been disciplined about yarn buying. This is in stark contrast to sewing where I have a larger stash of fabric and patterns, and don't always have a set plan as to what I'm going to tackle next. And there are definitely some UFOs hanging around...

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 03:49:01 am

Yes. Yes. Yes. I knit in all of those places. You're very disciplined to only work on one project at a time. I used to. It's a slippery slope. Once I got started juggling multiple projects, it spiraled into the mess that I am today. :-D

Reply
Carla link
1/24/2015 09:44:57 am

I'm a process person, oh goodness. I plan and plan and rarely get to the end. But, a lot of the time, I'm a product person when I have a set deadline.

I LOVE that sweater color on you, btw!

Reply
Michelle link
1/30/2015 03:50:14 am

I am wretched about meeting self-imposed deadlines. I always cut myself slack, too much actually. (HAHA.)

Reply
Bonnie link
2/3/2015 04:24:36 am

Your sweater looks GREAT! Good job! I'm much more of a product knitter than process. I get a great amount of joy from being able to switch a project's status from In Progress to Finished!

Reply
Dana Bultje link
2/20/2016 07:35:55 pm

I'm definitely in the middle... I love the finished object (obviously, otherwise I wouldn't be making it), but I love the process too. For me, knitting is relaxing, stress relief. I like to get into a mindless rhythm with it, and just forget everything else. Also, it gives me something to occupy my hands, so even if I'm doing something completely unproductive, like watching TV, I still feel like I am accomplishing something.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    “The
    follow us in feedly
    “Vintage

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

Thank you for respecting the intellectual property rights protected by the copyright laws of the United States and International Copyright Treaty.
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive