When Do You Knit? No, Really...

[Turquesa]

I'm a SAHM to two in diapers. I feel like if I play by all of the "rules" of SAHMing, it is simply impossible for me to knit. My days consist of changing diapers, monitoring DD's potty learning, MASSIVE amounts of laundry, toting the little darlings to play groups and library activities, cleaning up toys, making minor capital home improvements, and, of course, cooking a balanced dinner for the family. It's a rare day when the kids nap simultaneously, and when they do, there's just more to catch up on.

Yes, I realize that I should "treat myself" to a little relaxation time with a project. But it's hardly a "treat" when all I can think about is what needs to get done.

I used to go to a weekly knitting group, but DS refuses to take a bottle and just screams while I'm away.

Are any of you knitters/crocheters as neurotic as I am? How do you squeeze knitting into your day? Or should I just accept this as a phase of life that will have to run its course?

By the way, as I type this, DS is squirming on my lap. So much for the idea of swapping computer time for knitting time....

[jrabbit]

I knit in bed, after everyone goes to sleep. My back, shoulders, arms, etc suffer for this choice, but really, if I don't get some knitting time DAILY, everyone else suffers.

last week's project

I knit while walking around outside with the little one. I knit while waiting for the olders at their nature class (while chasing the little one or distracting her with food or a book or just ignoring her) (ok, I don't *ignore* her, but you know what I mean). I carry the yarn in a bag that I sling over my shoulder, so I can knit & walk at the same time. I usually keep a simple crochet project (like a rattle) in my purse, when I am out & about - I can crochet a few stitches, and I maintain my sanity. I was crocheting at a mom=brunch last Saturday, and I crocheted through every baby-prep class when I was pregnant ... only place I don't knit is while driving (but I do when DH is driving!) or at the beach (but I do knit at the park).

I just got the little one to sleep, and I'm saying good night on facebook, etc - and going to bed to work on the next project. (knitting another cotton dress for DD3) I will likely be awake til 1-2 am. Baby will wake up at least 3 times before I go to sleep - she's in bed with us - I will usually get cranky about it after awhile (WHY won't you just STAY asleep?) (but I always put down the knitting and lay down until she falls back asleep). DH falls asleep while I watch tv ... I sleep late in the morning, but I'm on the go from the second I get up.

I go to a weekly knitting group, too, which I started going to when DD3 was about 10 months old. I don't really do anything else for "me" - and this has been a fabulous thing for me to do. I love my husband for making it work out!

have fun!
--janis

[broodymama]

Usually at night, after the kids are all asleep. During the summer when our local moms group has park days I'll get some time to knit then, while the kids run around and play with their friends.

[Drummer's Wife]

I don't knit much, and am still learning - but I have practiced a lot and made scarves while riding in the car (DH drives). Even if it's just a short distance I can get a little bit done. Otherwise during TV shows/movies, or at night in bed.

[34me]

I just started knitting again at the end of last year. The kids are 16,13 and 11. Sorry.

[IntuitiveJamie]

Between my two littles (4,2) and my business, I don't have time either.
But I'm realizing that I really want to make time. So like jrabbit, I squeeze it into the smallest places. Although I have not mastered walking and hooking. I do it a lot while dh drives. I take it to the park, but most the time can't get anything done. So really, I don't know. I just squeeze it in. And then there are times when I do just sit and give myself time to do it while the boys are with me and busy. Like when they are in our backyard or quiet time in their room. I'm carving out more and more time the busier I get so that I have something sanity saving for myself.

[Dreamy]

When I get home from work, DS wants to nurse for a while, so he sits next to me on the couch and nurses while I work small crochet projects (made two baby hats this week!). Bigger knit or crochet projects are worked about 30-60 minutes at a time while watching TV after he goes to bed. I also bring projects in the car if we're going anywhere that takes 10 minutes or more to get to and DH is driving. Sometimes DH will take DS out to run errands with him so I can have some crafting time too (then DH gets his online gaming time later!).

[MeepyCat]

I'd be knitting in library storytime, or while sitting at the edge of the playground.

I arrange that we eat leftovers a couple of times a week to make cooking less of a hassle, and DH handles bedtime for the preschooler while DD (7 mo) has floor time and I knit. I knit while pumping breast milk. I can sit on the floor and knit while small people chew on their giraffes or play with their trucks.

It gets squeezed in, but I'll tell you, nothing gets done fast. I worked on my favorite lace scarf for the better part of a year, and my niece's birthday sweater was started in February to assure it will be done by June.

[cristeen]

I've been contemplating this problem lately, too. I'm in a knitting co-op and I have a deadline, and I'm already WAY behind because little boy wasn't giving me a break. What I discovered though is that he's at a stage where I can put him on the floor with some toys at my feet while I sit and knit. I may only get 5 minutes, but if I get 5 minutes 5 times a day, then that's better than nothing. The trick is having your knitting within reach, and allowing yourself to do that and not something else. Since he's in a stage where he screams if I leave the room, it's easier for me to justify.

[Ellien C]

Right now I have a 6 week old and I do not knit and I do not sew. It's soul-killing. I really want to make some nursing tops. In the 6 weeks since he was born, I found 10 minutes to seam up a little hat I made him.

Honestly - I started a knitted group at work when my first DD was just over a year old and I wasn't pumping anymore. I knit once a week at lunch.

[momo7]

I knit wherever, whenever I can. Mostly at night after everyone's has gone to bed and it's quiet. I know that it's hard when you want to knit and you can't because you have the child obligation thing going on. Someone above called it "soul killing" and it really is.

Children grow very fast and I bet soon you will find more and time to do what you want to do. I am lucky in that I have older children who help me...since summer is coming on why not find a teenager who is willing to come do things with your little ones a couple of days a week so that you can immerse yourself in your knitting, if only just for an hour or two. Maybe you will find you are better all the way around for it.

[crowcaw]

I stay up way too late every night. I used to be sleep deprived because no one could sleep all night and now it's because I'm just going to do one more row... over and over again. There is hope though. My twins are 4 and I can now take them to a playground and knit while they play with the best friend they met 2 minutes ago.

[honeybunmom]

I WOH full time. Conference calls are my best friend. The longer the better. Main reason I looked forward to the bi-weekly, 2 hour team meetings and the 1.5 meetings that fell on the off weeks. And I had regular Monday and Thursday meetings that were an hour each. I used to knit on the bus, too. But, we moved and now my train ride is only 12 minutes.

I'm at home for a month and I have knit 1 soaker and 1 pair of longies in 2 weeks. Not getting a whole lot done. My kids are 4 and 13 mos, so, I can knit when they are entertaining each other. But, I have so much to do around this house that I probably shouldn't be knitting much right now! Much of my knitting is done after my 4 year old is down for the night. My husband likes to hold the baby until he goes to sleep, so, that frees up my arms after I've nursed him.

When I'm at work, I rarely knit at home.

[MarchMummy]

I mostly knit when I should be sleeping. I knit at playgroup once a week.

I also try to carry a knitting project with me everywhere I go, and I can often find a few minutes to knit, but of course it has to be a fairly simple project.

[pumpkin]

Occasionally I knit in bed in the dark with DD next to me. She won't sleep for more than 10 minutes if I leave.

Mostly I knit 1 hour a week when I leave DD with DH and go to the coffee shop that is 5 minutes from our house. The first time I did this did not go very well because DD was still refusing most solids, bottles, and sippies. After a while they got the hang of it.

Takes me forever to finish anything and DD desperately needs bigger longies.

[bandyr]

It will get better! My kids, 4.5 and 3, still let me knit while I nurse them. I have a little sling bag that holds projects like socks, hats, etc. that I take everywhere - park, storytime, doctor's visits, traffic lights, checkout lines. That way I can get a few stitches done here and there. Nap times and after bed time are when most of my projects get started or finished up. I leave little projects tucked around the house so that when they are playing happily I can grab something and get a little done.

[blizzard_babe]

Very rarely . DS is fascinated by yarn and knitting, so it can't be done while he's around. I sometimes knit on my lunch at work, but usually eat at my desk and work through lunch, so... yeah, not often.

There's a reason it takes me well over a month to finish a simple scarf.

[zebra15]

I crochet at night to keep my mind from wandering (very dangerous) or while waiting for DS classes. He was in a 3.5 hr class for 6 wks every saturday. He will be taking 3.5 hrs 5 days a week for 3 weeks this summer (i will be waiting on campus). I wait several times a month at library classes.

I crochet at the park too. All types of places.

My DS is older (9) and right now I'm not working (but I'm desperately looking for something)

[tngirl11]

I don't bother to try when the kids are awake. There really isn't time anyway with everything else that needs to get done. I try to find about one night a week or so to crochet for a little while once the housework is done (well, it's never done, but at least under control!) I've been making soakers in preparation for my new baby, so it's kind of felt like more of a necessity than a luxury, which makes me more willing to make time for it. I know once the baby comes it'll be out the window for the next year or so!

[Turquesa]

Well, what I'm taking away from this thread is that I'm in a particular phase of life and, "This, too, shall pass."

By the time the kids are asleep, I simply cannot stay up after them. It's a miracle that I can stay awake until they go to bed as it is!

But I like this idea:

Originally Posted by tngirl11

I've been making soakers in preparation for my new baby, so it's kind of felt like more of a necessity than a luxury, which makes me more willing to make time for it. I know once the baby comes it'll be out the window for the next year or so!

Maybe I could just start knitting things that are necessary. Seeing as I always know somebody having a baby, I could just constantly work on gifts. Then, I just explain to DH, "Could you take care of the kids, honey? I'm on a deadline to get this done." I don't care if I give my projects away, anyway. I just care that I become a better knitter, and that doesn't happen without practice.

Besides, knitting is so fun anyway, that's why I don't mind making it into another "chore."