Startitis

There are, I think, 2 kinds of startitis. The first kind is magnificent, even though we (stupidly) tend to feel guilty about it. We've all been there: for whatever reason - change of season, arrival of the latest IK in our mailbox - we're suddenly overcome with the urge to cast on a bazillion projects and just indulge in the Glory that is Knitterdom. We're in a frenzy of creation and devotion to our art, and when you really think about it, what's not to like about that?

The second kind of startitis, on the other hand, does not come from within the knitter. This kind of startitis doesn't have anything to do with his or her love of the craft, but rather has everything to do with a need to produce knitwear. You, as a knitter, are not going on a wild spree with squooshy, cushy yarn and a fabulous lace pattern. No, you're knitting a stole for your mother-in-law out of fuzzy mohair at 2 AM on Christmas Eve, and all the joy of knitting has been sucked right out of you.

Outside startitis is a stressful and frustrating moment that all Knitters are going to experience at one time or another in their lives. When it hits, you feel like you're never going to get it all done, you're never going to meet your deadlines, and you'll never again be able to knit something because you enjoy it. Ever.

(This is usually when stash enhancement occurs. Non-knitters call it hoarding and say we're out of control, but we knitters recognize it for what it really is: a cry for help.)

This morning I realized that outside startitis is about to hit me full force. I have to: finish a pair of mittens for my Dad; cast on and knit a pair of mittens for Phil's birthday (which, coincidentally, is in 2 days - Hah!); cast on and knit a pair of "stripey mittens" for Émilie; cast on and knit a hat for Émilie to replace the one she "lost" when she was playing airplane with it on the school bus and dropped it out the window; cast on and knit a cardigan or sweater for Maxime (which he'll probable never wear) all because of Phil's offhand "say, Maxime doesn't have a cardigan, does he?" and now I have the guilt; cast on and knit September's Hat Trix. All of which needs to be done pretty much now.

Outside startitis: a force that's devastating knitters everywhere.