Good lord I'm so glad it's not me and that there's a name for my ailment. I've been investing in magazines and surfing through patterns like a mad woman. Planning out lists upon lists of projects to knit for myself, for others, for next Christmas. Thankfully I only have two projects on the needles but there is this itchy feeling of "too much yarn so little time" going on. I've begun knitting instead of eating on lunch breaks, knitting until I fall asleep in bed with my needles at night. I even broke my own record of knitting 14 hours straight this past weekend, ending in my first ever wrist cramps and back strain.

But it's always worth it.

Funny, I have the opposite syndrome on that spectrum - finishitis. I'm hauling out projects that have been hidden for months, feeling this sudden urge to start the year off without "old" projects hanging around.

I can't wait to see what you're starting!

Unfortunately, it's taken me the other way round. I can't find the motivation to do the things I'm doing or start new things. (I know this, too, shall pass.)

I was also just thinking that I was hoping you'd get back to some spinning this year! I'm missing the fiber adventures a little bit.

OMG I've never been first to post.

And to clarify my previous record was 12 hours. I broke the record with 14 hours. Yes, I am nuts. No, I got no chores done. It was bliss.

But, Steph,
WHAT ABOUT GWENDOLYN????

It's all about the New Year! It brings a fresh start to everything. I like to start new things, but I wish I could knit like the wind ~ like you do!
Keep on starting new things and a very Happy New Year to you and yours!♥

I just hope it isn't contagious. I tend to drive myself crazy needing to finish a few things before I can justify buying (more)yarn. Plus, I change my mind so often about what to knit, I try not to think too far in advance. Please keep the startitis at your house, maybe you shouldn't even leave in case it might spread.

I've caught the bug........ what's the cure?

uhhh yeah- i'm doing the same thing. i have about 10 (actually more, but those others don't count) UFOs that need to be wrapped up, i'm crocheting my first thing (and afghan- why not?), and i have 2 hats and a sweater started since christmas with a swatch drying now for another. ahhhh!

I was hoping you'd have another case of finishitupitis. I was just thinking of the Wild Apples Bohus and how it didn't do anything wrong, but got shoved aside for the Knitting Olympics TWO YEARS AGO!!

I am usually a "good" knitter with only two projects on the go at a time - a "home" project and a sock, but I've been feeling the same thing the past few days. My Ravelry queue has grown exponentially, and I'm starting to make big elaborate plans for Stitches West - what specific projects I can stash and start as soon as possible. It doesn't help that now I'm at my first steeks and I'll do just about anything to avoid the finality of that...

I'm jealous. I'm looking for seed potatoes. It is time to start planting the garden for Spring. I would like to have more knitting time. Winter is entirely too short.

Go Stephanie. My own new projects since the New Year only add up to 5, but I have been resisting the urge to cast on socks, a blanket and get out the rigid heddle loom as well!

Well,now I know what is wrong, January Startitis. Have been spending hours on Ravelry and online browsing for patterns and yarn. As if my stash couldn't produce some kind of project. Maybe I should resolve to knit from the stash for the next several projects. Sigh......

YES! You have tipped me over the edge, and I'm going to do it. One project. BAH! Do not want!

That was me this past Autumn, but it was startitus crossed with stash busting. I was fortunate that they were all quick Christmas knits. Now I've been hit with UFOfinitus crossed with Sockitis which is new for me. I've knitted the 2nd sock for two different pairs since Christmas, and had to immediately start a new pair of socks yesterday. Since I have plently of sock yarn stashed I can continue to fuel the stash busting need. Good Luck. I have a few more UFOs that are trying to distract me from the new project.

Oh the dreaded Startitis. It's got me too, but it's not just the knitting. I've got it with house cleaning projects as well.
I can't wait until the kids go back to school next week and I have my mornings free!

New year = new possibilities! Every new project is a possibility in the making, much like the new year!

Would sure love to see how Gwendolyn turned out! Or did she just piss you off and go into hiding? ;)

it has spread as far as buenos aires
! I'm in the middle of a bout of startitis right now

i've got to get three items to mail as soon as done and blocked. mom loves warm items and i love to help her out, with winter on the way in the mid west. then to start and finish several items too. not enought time in the day. can't wait to see what you are up to !!

I was merrily going along until I hit you post today. I had just downloaded a new shawl pattern and dug through my stash to cast on. Of course I have 2 shawls, 1 pair socks, 1 ascot, 1 blanket and 1 estonian scarf already on my needles. Thanks be that it's just the usual startitis.

Alas, it is contagious. I've only started three projects so far, but I, too, still feel the "itch". I also wish I could knit as fast as you do!
To AmyM: Sock yarn isn't just for socks, ya know - it makes really nice scarves, especially the lace variety. For that matter, it makes all kinds of lacy things. Also really nice for kid-knits, toys, even grownup sweaters, if you have the energy to deal with that much of a commitment.

I was suffering from a rare case of knitter's ennui. I figured if I wasn't going to make progress on anything, I should not make progress on UFOs instead of starting project after project that I didn't want to knit beyond the cast-on.

Strangely, the UFO's were inspiring, and I caught a bit of finish-itis. Now, I'm trying to get one more thing done before casting on the pair of mittens that I really need because it's cold out right now!

It's so thoughtful of you to do this to make me feel better. . . only 10?

me too! I am trying to keep to the projects I already have going, but I've been queuing on ravelry like crazy!

You finished all that holiday knitting so you need more projects right now!

I think it has to do with Christmas. Up to Christmas we are knitting stuff for others as gifts and not necessarily what we actually want to knit. Once January rolls around we just have to knit the things we want to knit. Our need is so great to do what we want and have been dreaming about we want to do it all at once. Hence startitis. It takes until February to reign ourselves in.

My startitis started before Christmas, once I had everything in the mail and the last two gifts for locals blocked and felted. Webs delivered yarn I had ordered via standard delivery in TWO days, so I swatched on Christmas Eve and cast on my new sweater on Christmas even though I already had a pair of socks, mittens, two scarves and a shawl on needles. And last night I balled up some yarn for another pair of socks.

That's so funny. I think knitters start lots of things in January because we've been frantically finishing things up and now we have a clean(er) slate with wide open posibilities. I've been visiting the yarn stash myself and am dreaming up the next thing...or two..or three :)

OMG ... I love it! Had to read the post out loud to my 15 year old daughter (that knows how to knit but chooses not to) and said "see, I'm not as crazy pants as you think I am". Her response ... "Mom, you're crazy. You are not Crazy PANTS. And it's her job." I can't win ... lol.

Phew, now that I know it's not just me it's time to just settle into this startitis and see where it takes me! Thanks YH!! Oh, and Happy New Year!

sorry about the double post (sheepish)

Me too, and I'm usually pretty monogamous with my knitting projects. Bought yarn for 3 small projects today, picked up yarn at the post office for 2 more, and already have one in progress...

It's not just you. I realized I had contracted startitis when I found myself pulling all of my sock books off the shelf and matching up patterns with what I had in my stash. It didn't help that a local craft store had gone out of business I had come home with several skeins of sock yarn that I got for 40% and 50% off. I then proceeded to go through the stash again and decide what could be matched up with some really cute hat patterns that I got in a magazine in December.

Hopefully the two afghans I already had going will keep me from starting another. Although now that I've put that out there in the Universe, I might be in more danger than I though.

It is definitely a January thing. I'm trying to channel this energy into finishitis, but the only 2 projects I have right now seem so ... Unappealing. And too time consuming when I could be working on something else!

I am actually sitting in my office crocheting with some old brownie packaging (I work at a commercial bakery) because I'm DESPERATE to do something.

I have this, but I'm using it to build up my willpower. I have 2 projects on needles. I fully intend to finish them before starting back into my whole "knit for the shop, not for yourself" habit again.

I completely understand this. I think I mostly staved it off this year by starting and finishing something in the last week of the year. So, while I have started something this year, I have started one item only.

I think it is a January thing becaus I feel it too. Perhaps it is the success of knowing that you have defeated Christmas knitting? And that your knitting destiny is your own to control for a little while. For me it is: two baby hats, an adult hat, a set of dishclothes and towels, pair of mittens, and I'm starting to eye slipper patterns. By starting to eye, I mean I pulled the yarn out of stash and printed off the pattern. Oh and I'm working on designing a lace shawl.

Wow, now I know what's wrong with me. I have about three projects on needles, just started another, frogged an old project in order to start another with the yarn and am antsy because I don't have a pair of socks in the works. I still have a bunch of unfinished projects that are a-waiting for the finish or frog decision. I also want to clean out the garage, my office and the basement. Just not enough hours in the day.

It is the end of the compulsory knitting that Christmas requires (even if you did get everything done ahead of time...)!

Have fun. Are all the projects for you? Or are some to "put in the box" until next Christmas?

... and the maybe-there'll-be-enough-yarn vest?

I think it is the release from obligated knitting during the holidays. There is a mad feeling to cast on for something - anything - that is of your choosing and not because of a looming deadline. I have some mittens I need to finish and I feel like I need to be physically restrained from casting on socks, a sweater and a shirt.

January is the knitter's version of Boxing Day.

Boxing Day was about giving to those in service a bit of a present, and time off from service. As you said in a previous post, we--the Makers of Christmas--have given our all through the year, culminating in the calendar's version of Hell Week--ie The Holidays--where many of us attend intensely to needs of others.

January is the lull, the quiet after the storm, in which, by contrast, we feel exceptionally free to indulge our own needs. It's the calendar's gift to us--our time to play. We're relatively free (literally and figuratively) for the moment from obligations of house guests and party-goers and extended family. We find ourselves wit this sudden, unheralded peace (xmas carol pun intended) on our hands. Not to mention, we find ourselves stunningly able to actually *think*. Being the knitters we are, we are naturally drawn to the urge to fill this time charmingly--with wool, and stash-rummaging, and pattern-perusing, and starting new knitting projects at will.

January is when we realize it might actually be possible to attend to no one but ourselves for awhile. Ok--us, and the occasional hungry pet, or the spouse still unable to find the time to reprogram the remote control (looking at you, Terrell).

I'm the opposite. I have the unusual urge to finish everything I've stalled out on before I start anything new.

Aha! That explains the forty skeins of Alpaca I bought January four years ago. Turns out I'm allergic to alpaca.....

If any of you have a really serious case of finish-it-up-itis, may I come spend an afternoon with you? Kind of like how I got taken to a Chicken Pox Party in the early 70s...

My January knitting is taking the form of making as many small baby items as possible to use up the extra yarn left over from all my Christmas gifts. First a vest, then a hat, then booties and soon onto legwarmers and little wooly pants! Terribly satisfying (and cute to boot).

Have you made up the sock of the month kits for 2012? Maybe that will help....

New beginnings...

I think you are right about January. I have already finished a scarf,a pair of socks, and a pair of mittens. I am on my second pair of mittens now and I am already thinking about another scarf. I am praying for all of us!!

New year, new projects. Its what you are supposed to do. Go into that yarn shop and get some "snacks"

I have the opposite problem. The startitis hasn't yet begun. Have you organized your socks of the month for 2012 yet? Maybe that will help.

Comrade!!! Nice to know I'm not alone. I have cast on a scarf that I plan on giving someone for Christmas next year! Very sick and twisted, but wonderful at the same time.

Just looked at the post above me. OOooh sock of the month...

Me too!!

I had startitis in the autumn, with the result that I started the year with 39 WiPs!

I always call January the month of selfish-knitting. The week of Christmas and the week after I started (only) 3 projects, all for moi.

You're the one who says Nature Seeks Balance. After the December Festival of Finishitis ...

I am in very good company, then, with my Startitis.

(And 10 WIPs is pretty standard operating procedure 'round here.)

me too! every January, same thing. I finish the Christmas knitting, I get something new and yarny and fun for Christmas, the cold weather really sets in and I want to knit it ALL. now. I only made it worse this year by doing a Finish Up project in which I promised not to start anything new until I finished all of my current projects or Jan 1 came - whichever came first. I made to 8 AM on the 1st - then started a new vest.

I've got it too - but not the knitting variant. I've been starting leather goods for my hobby/business, and ignoring my knitting. Hopefully I get full-blown finishitis to go along with it!

I have been smitten by the mitten(s) of December 2 & 5, 2011. Would like to start these - any possibility of a pattern? I have been ill all week and haven't started a thing but these mittens keep rolling around in my brain.

I overbought for Xmas gift knitting, finished enough projects to look like I had knit everything I planned, and finished the last three projects (2 for people I wouldn't see until after the 25th, one that was a stealth project for my husband) a few days ago, all in time for the gifting opportunity.

I'm now trying to finish as many of the projects started but not finished in 2011 as I can before startitis gets unbearable. So far, I've finished two out of ten 2011 WIPs plus knit a quickie hat (to slake the startitis a tad) and am knitting away on another holdover.

I've already bought yarn for a Central Park Hoodie at a local sale and purchased several magazines, so I doubt I will last much longer.

Wish me luck....

I almost wish I had your problem. My trouble is the few projects I started before I had to drop them for Christmas gift projects. Now that I'm done with the gifts, I badly want to go back to finish them up (hate having UFO's around- it makes such a mess!), but they've all lost their shine.

I can relate to what you are saying. I have a few projects that are so close to finishing and I am already lining up more to do. I made a monthly list of what and when I start a project and check it off when it is done with the date. Any unfinished projects are transfered to the next month. I have to work on at least on of these project that month. I kept track starting in Jan 2011 and I finished 160 knitting projects this year. I only had 5 project unfinished when the year changed.

Oh thank God. Glad I'm not the only one. My self control has been shocking the last couple days. I must finish those socks for my husband before I cast on even more items!

Instead of startitis, I've let myself agree to teaching a FLS class at a new shop. I'd been holding off on starting anything new until I knew the class was a "go."

Of course, my holiday cards aren't done, so maybe I should focus on that instead.

The strain of all the holiday knitting has gotten to us all, it seems. I made myself look at my WIPs and write a list of them. If you count the current sweater project, that makes 7 WIPs. So far, I have only made one yarn order online - 4 sock yarns and 3 yarns for other projects plus a couple of "toys" (what other people call accessories, I guess). And all I want to do is ignore all of those projects and cast on for some socks for me, me, MEEEE. Rationally, I need to get the old projects finished and any new projects need to be for my long-range planning box (thanks for naming that), but wrestling with my inner knitter to prevent casting on my new socks is very draining and as a result I'm not knitting on anything! (sigh) Well, there's a new email from WEBS, so I think I'll go take a harmless peek at that, since I'm not busy....

Oh me too! Only three active WIPs. And I thought I was going to finish the last sleeve on a couple of sweaters and seam a couple more. Kind of the equivalent of cabin fever maybe?

Hear, hear! We're 5 days in, and I think I've cast on something new every single day, with an itch to start even more. plus finish all my UFOs. I'm pretty sure I'm delusional. ;)

There is another very important reason! It's COLD outside!!! We go into cocooning mood, which, for knitters, translates into: more yarn and more knits! We want to covered in wool! It's the knitter's equivalent to gorging on comfort food (which most of us also do), a way of hiding behind all those WIPS to avoid facing the long dark months ahead...

Ha! Doing the same thing over here! What is it with us?!

I have a serious urge to cast on at least one pair of socks, a shawl and a Paper Dolls sweater. I'm resisting because we're supposed to be gearing up for a Niebling knitalong tonight, and I want to be prepared.

I'm really tempted by the Persian Princess shawl that's been in my queue forever, though (and I even have the yarn)!

Yep. Same here. Definitely something they put in the candy canes...

OMG I know the feeling. I have bought 7 patterns from etsy both crochet and knit and have 6 projects on the go plus more yarn incoming from online purchases, lol. I really should find some mitten and hat patterns before we get some snow here in Illinois :-)

I started making a list of patterns I would like to knit this year and realised that perhaps a year isn't long enough.

Apparently there are different strains of this disease. After browsing the internet to spend my Christmas money, I have developed a case of Buyitis, I saw soo many great yarns, new needles, beautiful bags and many small knitting tools that I can't seem to quit thinking about all of the things I need but didn't buy because Christmas money only goes so far. Budget cuts for the unimportant things such as food, clothing etc. are in serious jeopardy if ths Buyitis doesn't pass soon.

hahahaha, my LYS has come up with a solution for my startitis. They sent me home with the Great American Aran Afghan book and 20 skeins of yarn on Saturday. I'm starting square 6...

I'm so relieved it's not just me! Out of the blue yesterday I felt compelled to just stuff all unfinished projects into a deep drawer and start 5 new things. New year, new projects! Go go go!!

I think it's the relief of having successfully made it through another Christmas of doing everything you can to help everyone else have the best holiday possible. For me, anyway, the only stuff I've been knitting for *ages* now has been gift-knitting, so I'm really excited to get started on something for ME! I don't knit as fast as you do though, and my kids are still young, so I think 10 is probably only a little bit too many for you. Not to imply that you're not extremely busy, but I remember being extremely busy before and still having time to myself. Or maybe I just wasn't as busy as I thought pre-kids. :)

Glad to know I am not alone, at least. Still knitting away on the pink blanket from hades, as I have not seen the recipient yet for
Christmas. But what is really calling me is new...yarn...patterns, and, well, everything knitterly. Is there a vaccine for this?

Reading the posts thinking it's "Delayed Solstice Induced Nesting Instinct".

What did women do in winter before knitting. "Annual Fall Baby Boom" probably kept 'em busy.

Has anyone correlated birth rates and knitting FO rates by month? Ravelry should have some of the data.

My knitting group, at our holiday luncheon, solomnly swore to all finish the stuff already on needles before we got carried away this January. We counted up a stagering number of things, made our lists, and dug right in. For 2 days. The Iris started a cardigan because "You can't do fair isle while the grandkids are around" and Micheal started a ski sweater for the grandson because "he asked for one" and Deanna started a new Dale because "the one I had made was too small for the daughter-in-law" and Linda ripped out a project and started a new one, "because it was annoying her" and I would up some lace-weight because it was red and I need a red shawl... I think it is the phase of the moon or something.

OK, I can't spell

9 started in the last month 1 finished.

I hauled out about three projects I already have on the needles and was hoping to get these finished. However, after surfing the knit and perusing a book one of my sons gave me for Christmas (The Enchanted Sole - and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to knit the socks in this book), now I'm itching to start more projects. I just can't knit fast enough!!

the only thing that's keeping me from casting on 5 new projects is that the yarn i bought for them is in the mail. which starts a lovely new startitis syptom- "watching anxiously for the mailman, cursing him when he does not appear, and horribly neglecting the housework".

Oh startitis...I have been forcing myself to ignore the compulsion as I have a baby blanket I must finish. You know before the kid is in college.
But maybe you are givin g me permission to indulge myself. Hey why not....if it makes me happy.....yeah that's the ticket....excuse me....my stash awaits! thanks cg

It may not be January, per se--but the end of the frantic knit-for-everyone-else season just past combined with the insane notion that we could accomplish all that we did in preparation for the aforementioned season -aaaaaand the idea that we really shouldn't do it again next year. Start early!!! (as you yourself did! with demonstrated success) Cast on now with everything you want for yourself and for everybody else (present socks finished in February, anyone??)and get busy!!

Or maybe it's just that it's finally cold up here?

"What is it about January?"
It's that overwhelming sense of relief that the burden of Christmas knitting is finished. And you have to admit, no matter how we love to knit, that feeling of "got to get the finished" IS a weight around your neck.
"I'm free! I'm free! Now what can I knit that's FUN?"
(are we counting NEW projects, or do I have to include the UFOs that I put aside to concentrate on Christmas knitting?)

I'm with you Steph. I drug out my stash bins and had a nice visit with my yarns. Feeling a bit guilty, and remembering why I bought those specific yarns in the first place - I started 4 new projects!!! You are not alone. I am enjoying the excitement of a non-required Christmas knitting job. No stress - just pure enjoyment.

C.J.

Oh yes. I know, I know, I know. It's January. KNIT ALL THE THINGS!!!

I'm on a major finishitis binge - I have a box full of UFOs and nothing new gets cast on until I have at least got the bulk of them out of the way. Complicated by the fact that I may be nesting anyway as baby is due in ten weeks. I did buy six baby patterns yesterday though!

So. . .tell us, tell us! We want to hear about every single project! Show us pictures of your cast-ons, your yarn purchases, your magazines! How else can we be consoled (er, egged on) in our own cases of startitis? The Blog craves validation!

I agree with Amy S. At least show us the projects and yarn!

I'm here to tell you that if you also quilt and embroider, you can break out in Startitis in all three at once -- leaving you helplessly going around in circles starting something in each craft, by turns. And this year, for whatever reason, I have it baa-a-ad!

January is the same way for me! After all that Christmas knitting that "has" to be done, I just want to make what I want, when I want, and finish it whenever I want! :o)

Trying my damnedest not to cast on - but sorely tempted by slipper socks for the grandsons, some lovely leftover baby alpaca that is crying to be a cowl, 2 pair of socks - and trying to focus on the sweater I already have on the needles (but had to interrupt for Xmas knitting) and the blanket I had planned for these dark months. Don't know if I can resist? Don't know if I want to!

Funny; it hit me between Christmas and New Year's but this is a first for me. I've pretty much been a monogamous knitter until now. Let's see; I started knitting (again; after childhood dabbling) - what, 5 1/2 years ago? Is this the equivalent of the seven-year itch?

I think it's an epidemic.

It is time to start! 2 shawls, 1 pair socks & a hat cast on in the past week - can't have the needles getting cold during the Minnesota winter!

For me, it's because I was so busy over the holidays and pre-holidays, there wasn't time to knit. Now I'm thrilled to have all this free time available to finish up projects which were languishing on the shelf, plus a few new ones I've been dying to start!

Oh lord! This is me! I guess that's why I laughed so hard my little Chihuahua left me in alarm...

I only have 5 projects on the needles though...and only bought 3 new books. My stash is definitely in disarray.

It's due to finishing up all those delightful Christmas gifts which became less delightful as the giving deadline neared. It's the sudden freedom to knit whatever we want! Still I've so far controlled myself and only started a new pair of socks because I'm trying to finish up some of the MANY UFO's in my house.

I've been having Startitis Syndrome for a couple of months now. It's getting annoying. I keep starting things, then tearing them out. Help!

Yes! I laughed so hard. I do the exact same thing. I love to get an idea and cast on right away in case I might forget about it. Then another idea comes and another cast on. It will all get done eventually. Love to knit!

I think it has something to do with the fresh year: new calendar, new possibilities, new goals and hopes and dreams, etc. And really, with all that newness, it is only reasonable and logical that there should be some new yarn in there... Personally, several lovely yards of new fabric fell into my internet shopping cart today and insisted it be mailed straight to me.

A new year. New projects. New ideas. New skills. New yarn. New needles. New expectations. New books. New, new, new, new, new.

I have a new job, a new perspective on America, new spinning and knitting CD's. It's all about being able to do, learn, and understand something....new.

Oh, Stephanie, you lucky girl! I ALWAYS have startitis and 20 projects on the needles is just normal for me. And since I'm a slow knitter, I never get anything finished (so it seems!). I think someone needs to do an intervention on me!

Bad or good? Either way, I hate everything I'm knitting. Everything.

Like so many others, I'm relieved to find that others get hit with Startitis in January. Now, if I could only work up the gumption to drag out the two shawls that are at the "neverending knitted-on edging" stage and finish them - but nooooo, that just doesn't appeal. There are seven shawl projects just waiting for yarn to arrive from one of my favorite suppliers.

The feeling of freshness that comes with a new year, I suspect. And, in my case, lots of brightly colored wool to beat back the dark and the cold with!

Somewhere, someone commanded me to go out and multiply.... I chose to apply that command to yarn, needles, and UFOs.
Like rocks in my flower garden my yarn stash increases. Over weeks it tells me what it wants to be AND I listen and obey.
Yes, in my case, startitis is just fulfilling the command to multiply.
This sometimes ends up with projects started and patterns lost...
but then, I just dig out another UFO and give it some love.
Starting is no problem....Finishing? that's where another command would come in handy.

Okay, so it's New Year's resolution time. I figure because I run daily (seriously, 5 miles a day), drink little, don't smoke, spend tons of time with my daughter, limit my intake of junk food, treat others as I would like to be treated, gossip only when provoked, and work with special needs children, the only thing I really need to change in my intake of yarn. I have six totes filled to the brim with yarn of all colors and textures, I don't "need" anymore! I "need" to use what I have in my stash! So, my comment is really to brag about my ability to walk into a local yarn shop today only to purchase four black buttons to sew on a pillow!!!! I am so proud of myself as it's already January 5th!

Good grief I thought it was just me. I got the holiday knitting done (not that it was that much, but it did have a Deadline), and found myself thinking "now what"? Then I got my Best Mittens soiled in a horse barn (don't ask). So (after washing the mittens) I got myself some good sturdy workhorse (pun intended) yarn and started a pair of Barn Mittens (and will learn twined knitting in the process). Then in a yarn shop I found scarf yarn. Then in another shop I found sock yarn. Then I decided to frog a very unsatisfactory shawl and repurpose the yarn in a different (hopefully better) effort. I've never had more than two projects started at once, because my knitting time is limited and I keep telling myself that I'm no fool.

Four and counting. Maybe I need to listen to myself from time to time.

(It does not help that a work colleague got "around the world in knitted socks" as a gift and brought it in to the office ...)

Knitters are simply harnessing the power of the holiday adrenalin and performing their own version of a detox/cleanse to restore balance. Cast on! Personally, I cannot stop churning out headbands and hats.

It seems like I never get to have that problem...and I use "get to have" on purpose. As I'm only 13, and of very limited time to baby-sit, buying yarn and coming down with Startitis just isn't an option for me yet. Just you wait til I make millions of bucks(being a professional knitter)...my case of Startitis will be legend. I can't wait to see what you've knitted!=)

Perhaps it has something to do with January being the START of a New Year? I thought it was only me.

Good Luck with the startitis. Hope it ends well.

On a separate note:
I need some advice. Until the holiday knitting took over, I was knitting myself a top-down cardi. I was only about an inch from finishing the body, and just draped it over the back of my knitting chair (intending to resume knitting it when the holiday crunch was over). Tragically, it slipped (was pushed- the children claim innocence) off the chair and onto the heating register, where it got a bit scorched. The wool itself doesn't appear damaged, but the dye is discoloured. It's a shaded solid Malabrigo yarn. Do you think I could get away with a little spot dying, or is the wool likely weakened in that spot, and do I need to rip out the whole thing (keep in mind I'm a 2x)? Of course the burn is way up at the top of the sweater.

I am currently suffering from Knitting Stallitis. Every year at this time I find myself avoiding my knitting and spending more time reading and exploring other artistic pursuits. I think it has to do with the fact that I knit like a maniac from August to Christmas and I need to recharge my knitting batteries.

I know when I have a run of knitting for others (which I do love to do), I need a serious bout of selfish knitting. Looks like my February is going to be Selfish Knitting Month for me this year (have lots of IOU knits to do yet - those incredibly flattering, though somewhat gutwrenching, "Omg I looooooove what you knit for X...." with my inevitable response ".....what color would you like?"). Plus there is a baby on the horizon that is getting a blanket and after Christmas knitting, baby knits take first priority!

You're all torturing me! I have startitis too but work on a boat for 5 weeks at a time and there are no yarn stores out here in the middle of the ocean! lol Instead, most of the stash has been mentally matched with Ravelry favourites and I'm really struggling not to place large online yarn orders. sigh

I, on the other hand, cannot knit anything until I finish the UFO haunting me. It's a vest for my son, and I, unwisely matched the yarn poorly to the pattern, requiring ungodly amounts of maths just to cast on and get guage, and now, I get a brain cramp figuring out the decreases to shape neck and armholes, and add to that poor and inconsistent record-keeping about What I Have Done, and you might get an inkling of why brains are curdled. Yeah, I'm good and stuck.

I, on the other hand, cannot knit anything until I finish the UFO haunting me. It's a vest for my son, and I, unwisely matched the yarn poorly to the pattern, requiring ungodly amounts of maths just to cast on and get guage, and now, I get a brain cramp figuring out the decreases to shape neck and armholes, and add to that poor and inconsistent record-keeping about What I Have Done, and you might get an inkling of why brains are curdled. Yeah, I'm good and stuck.

It's the cold. Knowing that more snow is on it's way and not everyone (including yourself) has enough woolens to survive. Harkens back to the caveman days. Embrace it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one hit by startitis!

It's the cleanliness of your house right now. Nature abhors extremes and is trying to bring your world to equilibrium.

Over here, there's a case of finishitis in full bloom. I've finished two long-term UFOs since New Year's Eve and have a third back in progress.

I do it every year at this time! Usually I end up frogging a bunch of them once reality sets in. If it wasn't for this knitalong I'm in with my knit group--Cascade Heritage Lace Mittens--that is keeping me focused on one project I would have no free needles right now!
As an aside, this is my first real knitalong with live people, it was so cool last night with eight of us knitting the same project!
So in conclusion, the cure for startitis is a knitalong. Thank you.

LOL I'm still trying to finish projects from Christmas. The afghan was finished today and laundered. Now to finish the quilt and then I have promised myself no new projects until the house is scrupulously clean! We will see how long that lasts!

Housework.... uh, sure. I have started three items in the last two days and fantasized of, well let's seeeeee... at least 8 others. Had 3 skeins wool for a particular (firm right?) project and saw something else I might want to make instead....yeah, and wondered if that same dye lot was still in stock at my LAS (local addiction store). Well I "wondered" myself right in that place... and lo and behold: the matching dye lot. Bought three more skeins. And now? Funny, but now that I have twice as much as before and the possibilities seem limitless (seem)... my firm decision on that project turned out to have a lot of wiggle in it. And that evil place has at least an additional three skeins yet in stock. I want them and I want them badly... and I now have absolutely NO solid idea what I will use any of it for ;) So....? More pattern hunting! Yeah, casting on for the new year... casting on hard.

Ah, so that's whats wrong with me. I have several projects on the go, am attempting to design a project, oh and I voluteered to teach knitting to a large group of Harry Potter obsessed fans. In Orlando. In July. The fact that I can't do a darn thing with my knitting, even though I desperately want too, is the unfortunate result of falling down the stair (yes really) and then attempting to catch myself. Wrists are too sore to hold needles. Have fun, we all know you're the Speedy Gonzales of the knitting world.

I seem to have gone into a cleaning frenzy, tearing through all my drawers and the back of my closet throwing out the old, making room for the new. Oh, and discovering old unworn knitwear that can be ripped and made into something else. It's sort of that spring cleaning feel, but in January.

lol I thought it was just me because I'm on holidays each January....Maybe it is a craft virus which spreads via blogs, Ravelry and craft websites?

I found i now have a issue with facebook games. My mother insisted I play a game with her online. I got sucked in and wow what a eye opener. I got zero work done for 2 weeks. Being really good today I'm reading your post and commenting.

I don't know, but I have the same problem. Part of it, for me, anyway, is the cold. We had a balmy December, but now winter has arrived properly, every time I go outside, I think of another thing I could knit to help get me through winter (I really really hate the cold)

I have a mean case of startitis, which is dangerous because I haven't even finished one of my Christmas knitting projects yet! Instead I started a chunky cowl for myself, and a hat for someone else, and spent hours looking at patterns for my next sweater project (even though I haven't finished the current one)

It's true! It's true! I just counted and I have 7 on the needles and put together projects for at least 30 more!

Sounds like it might be time for an intervention...

Mine hit around the 30th of December when I shopped out my gift cards.

One of the many gifts of your blog is learning I am not alone or extreme in my habits. All the muggles in my world are boggled that I have spent the last 4 days scouring Ravelry and asking everyones wish list!!! Can't wait to see what JAnuary Startisitis inspires in you!!!

We just moved out of the city, on New Years Eve, and into the suburbs with a bus stop just outside of our house. I couldn't wait to ride it in to work everyday so that I could have 25 more minutes, one way, to knit. Of course, that meant that I had to have something interesting to knit...which led to my own brand of startitis. Newly on the needles: one pair of mittens (I realized while walking to work without anything on my hands that this may be a good place to start), two pairs of socks, a cardigan, and...well you get the idea. I love this time of year!

Phew! It's so good to know I'm in good company!

I made the mistake of going to a yarn sale on New Year's Day. Walked out with 2 new Addi Turbo circs,2 skeins of beautiful hanpainted yarn.....and 2 HUGE grab bags of all sorts of cool fibers. At $10 for each bag (probably $200 worth of yarn), it was irresistible. I'm obsessed with hats right now, and found a mitten pattern that looks promising. Plus went on Ravelry and cataloged my needles and hooks, plus put a bunch of my library. I do have a few UFOs, which I am contemplating finishing...the bad part is the REAL owrk that I need to do, plus the photo organizing project I have going....I think it's just projectitis, and it seems to last all year...

I have caught the same disease, but what I end up doing is casting on and casting on. Then I see sumpin' else and frog the projects I just cast on and re-cast on. Help! Is there an antibiotic for this? I can't even like or finish my startitis stuff!

it's cold-wool's warm

I totally know what you mean. I've noticed January to be knitterly inspiration explosion season. I actually just did a whole podcast on it the other day. I'm a little bit of a knitting control freak and my startitis usually consists of like 2-3 extra projects, not 10. But that's just my flavor of it. Same disease. :)

Thanks, I'm so glad I'm not the only one.....sigh.

Oh thank goodness I'm not alone. I only actually cast on 2 new projects over Christmas, but I ordered yarn and bought a bunch of patterns. I'm a pattern hoarder much more than a yarn hoarder my startitis is usually limited to buying patterns, but this year it's bad for some reason!

Looks to me this is the much more constructive way of spring cleaning, with casting on projects you make sure you will have an apropriate knitting project at the ready for each moment you need one in this new year, with spring cleaning you make sure your house looks for at least one week ready to be a guesthouse for a queen. The chance of winning the lottery without buying a "lot" is bigger then the queen visiting my house, so I choose for the projects too, the house gets cleaned enough to be safe and sound, no need to eat from my floor, we have plenty of saucers to eat from, thank you.

January is fresh and new and perfect for starting new things in. Run with it (and please post pictures)!

That's amazing! It must have something to do with the winter solstice and more light in January. A friend of mine reported last week that his chickens suddently started laying oodles of eggs, after months of simply eating in their coop.

So, the thing is, if we aren't all starting lots of projects, there's something wrong with us. Good thing it's Friday--I've got some serious starting to do this weekend!

I've definitely caught that bug. I think it's because I want pretty things to look at and look forward to now that the fairy lights are coming down.

All the Christmas gifty knitting has been completed and the stress of the holiday season has been lifted. January's a time of beginnings so why not embrace your startitis!

Six days into the new year, I have managed to avoid casting on anything. The secret? Having lost thirty pounds and thus shrunk out of the three beloved sweaters I had knit for myself since learning back in the early days of the millenium, I am sweaterless in Minnesota . . . in winter. This calls for desperate knitterly measures and they include fidelity to a single project. The back and sleeves are done for an "off-road" wool cable knit sweater ("off-road" because it is the first time I have abandoned a pattern and am knitting to my own design), and I am desperately working to finish the front. Nobody in my family got handknitted woolies for Christmas this year. Until this sweater is done, I come first, and so does the sweater. Wish me luck. The mercury's about to drop again.

That said, in the spirit of Startitis (which I rather miss), I can't wait to see what's on your needles!

Ahhhh, me too!! I can't seem to stop!! It's getting out of hand!

I am at three knitting projects and a painting project. And three house projects... I've not had this much going on in a long time....

I've put my foot down hard on myself (don't try to picture that) and WILL finish my present WIP before I cast on another. Really. Honest.

Definitely a reaction to finishing all the Christmas knitting. We now have time to knit whatever takes our fancy, instead of specific projects that had to be done to a deadline. I seem to have a bad case of Startitis myself, so far manifested by haunting on-line yarn sales, and the conviction that half-price bags of yarn just can't be passed up, even though I already have reached SABLE and will probably die saying "One more row!"

So glad to realize that I'm not the only suffering from this disease this day/month/year! I thought it was just me. I think I'm at 8 projects, maybe? But there are also the two I already finshed....

For me, it has something to do with being able to start projects I wanted to start last year but couldn't because I was trying to finish up Christmas presents and little hats for the slew of babies I knew being born in the fall. Now that all of that is finally out of the way, I'm working on a Tomten jacket for my baby and two baby hats for my sister's niece and nephew. Then: a Baby Surprise Jacket for my baby (because that Tomten jacket won't fit until she's 4), a hat for me, maybe some mittens for her...I don't know what else. I don't think I'm suffering from Startitis, but I certainly have it!

I managed to avoid January's draw (so far) by casting on a Doctor Who scarf for my husband on Dec 26th (after my Christmas knitting was done & given). His birthday is Jan 29th & I had no idea how long it would take me to secretly knit the thing. Btw, do you know how hard it is to secretly knit a 12 foot-long, easily recognized scarf when the recipient & yourself works from home? I'm halfway done. :)

This hit me right after Christmas- I knit two hats, started an afghan, and cast on a sweater. But the sweater has seduced me so completely, I haven't been able to think of anything else!

What has happened, is I appear to have made a list of every project that I have ever wanted to do- knit, crochet, sewing, carpentry, FOs, books started but not finished, home repairs and improvements- and I am making surprising progress against the list. I'm just hoping like heck I can keep this up until the weather gets warmer, as some of the outside projects on the list have been waiting for attention for years!

(Presbytera- if that counts as finishitis, I'm here for you. C'mon over.)

I've been doing it, too. Over the last week I went through my stash on Ravelry and planned a project for nearly every ball. I have plans to print up patterns and put them in bags with the yarn so that everything is all tidily ready to just grab and start knitting, which is totally uncharacteristic of me. I managed to only start one new thing in spite of 10+ UFO's. But I finished two projects on Monday and felt justified starting a new one.

Perhaps I shouldn't be, but I am loving every minute of it. :)

I'm into "finishitis" right now. Started & finished so many little things for Christmas that I'm ready to tackle those projects that have been languishing in baskets & bags for months/years. Right now am working on a Tomten which I started in 2002. It was supposed to go into my "grandmother's hope chest". Alas, I have had no need for it in the ten years since. (I still have no need. . . just want to get it out of the bag, done & into the cedar chest.)

There's a name for this? Great. I just figured it was a fresh start after all the must-knits I was working on for Christmas. I don't want to have anything I must knit--other than the leggings for my cousin that I just finished. And the baby hat I need to do for next month. And that KAL I signed up for. And...*smh*

Months ago, I set aside "stuff for me" to finish "stuff for Christmas." I have to MAKE myself have an attack of finishitis because I have three sweaters (one of them for Mom's birthday un February), two lace shawls, and at least half a dozen pair of socks on the needles, as well as a scarf for a January Birthday and a couple of hats.

So last night I cast on a pair of blue fingerless gloves for my husband.

Yup, I'm right there with you. Got 3 projects going and fantasizing about (at least) 3 more. Only difference is that I feel like I've got startitis most of the year-round...

New year - new beginnings! I've got 5 things started....trying to resist 3 more...the force is strong....

Fortunately, I am not afflicted at all. Nope. But then, I got a knitting machine...

! I finished three projects on Wednesday and cast on three yesterday, and will probably cast on another two today if I have my way. It's January, it's 2012, time to start new things! Besides, who ever has enough mittens, hats and socks??

I started 3 items this month. I have 2 other WIP, but one is the Johannes sweater that I finished knitting in December and still need to put together. I usually put a sweater together right away, but with the holidays ...

I started 2 sweaters this month. My rule is to have only 1 sweater in the mix. Whoops.

Definitely a time of year thing. I normally have the same thing happen with gardening (we moved, and no garden here, nor space to put one). I'm on a deadline for a baby shower, else I'd be tossing aside hubby's half-finished cardi for something else, new, shiny, to knit. Darn you January!! Maybe it's a bid to keep ourselves distracted from the doldrums of February/March weather?

I have the student version. With no money to spend on new wool or room in the food budget to cut back and eat (more) cheaply I am prioritizing. I had a dream fest on Ravelry where I queued or faved a bazillion projects and now I'm trying to finish up any little projects on the needles before starting something new. Any money I do get to put towards yarn is going to be invested something really fine. My Sister is engaged and I want to make her a shawl for the wedding that will suit the season (whenever she decides that is :D)

my husband will be relieved to hear that it's not just me. he's not the only husband living amidst mounds of unearthed stash and has limited room on the coffee table for his coffee b/c of the WIPs.

Hello

Too much projects to finish since I had a startisis crisis last February. But, I have a baby blanket on my list that I'll start this week-end.

I always have startitis...that plus I love to add new projects to Ravelry and match up yarn etc. etc. etc. I am in no way monogamous when it comes to my knitting.
Oh - and others mentioned a finished Gwendolyn? Would love to see pics...but even more than that, I am wondering what ever happened to Joe's Gansey?

Yesterday at work I made a list of yarn in my stash and matching possible projects plus a list of UFO's.

Decided to try and stick to the list but I could buy more yarn if I finsihed at least 2 UFO's.

Went home and started 2 projects that were not on the list or UFO's
Today purchased 15 skeins of yarn for a KAL I joined.

Decided I have lost my mind.
SO good to know I am in good company :)

i agree, the new year is a wonderful time to start new projects!

our local knitting group has named january "selfish knitting" month. after the rush of holiday knitting, it's so much fun to start the new year with complete knitting freedom. this year, i forced myself to finish all my previous year projects before starting anything new and now i can indulge in whatever my heart and fingers desire with no guilt.

I'm glad I am not the only one that does this.

I'm thinking this January I should avoid the blog. My New Years Resolution: Finish all my WIPs. I have 12 months. It could happen. But not if I fall off the wagon...

OMG I know ! January is CRAZY ! It`s like we have got to fill up that blank spot the holidays leave by starting a billion projects .

Chilly little bugger,Mr. Gregg Berquist! Good grief, feel like we have been placed under a microscope as an example of "an interesting species"! Read on and on, dude. We are a large and very happy group of folks. You could learn something rather unexpected.
Steph, I love this last post. It reflects exactly how I feel at this time of year. Everything looks differently than it did at the end of the previous year. I see potential everywhere, in my yarn stash and in myself. Thanks for expressing the joy of a new year so well!!

LOVE those socks and although i have already cast on two blankets a cushion cover and a baby sweater i will go and buy the pattern and get them cast on straight away! youre right its a january thing!!!

Startitis! and here I thought it was the unseasonably warmer weather that has started me looking at Spring-weather projects and (gasp) cottons and linens! My stash of sock wool is beckoning me, but I can't bring myself to cast on tiny DPN's this month... perhaps something in a spring weight vest or sweater using the sock weight yarn? Now there's a thought! Anyone out there have a pattern idea like that?! I'm all ears/eyes! Happy New Year!

I know what you mean. Besides the sweater of doom, I'm itching to cast on a hat, possibly an ipod cozy, and I've already cast on what will be a 12' scarf. Startitis, and it's pretty much all for me.

Why do I think that because I've knit for over 30 yrs I know more than the designer of the pattern? Why? And I do this every time. I modified this beret pattern to where it is nothing like the original design. Not even close. Then I can't understand why the brim came out big enough to fit a moose,antlers included.

Well, I've been affected by this bug. Especially since a group of us have continued from last year trying to complete 12 projects in a year (12in/2011-2012). I have Startitis very bad, but its so bad I can't figure out what to cast on next! Cursed patterns. Ravelry isn't helping to limit the Startitis either.

Ask me if I mind... :-P

I look forward to every single post! Thank you so much!You have inspired me to make so many different things and give them away!Now I have the pleasure of knitting a piece then give it to someone desearving of my beautiful fiber!I even got into spinning!All because of your blog and books!

Tempted by new books, including yours. Making immense progress on IOU sweater for husband as weather is bad and so is my cold. Resisting temptation to cast on just one more little project. (but resistance is futile)

I was just on the stairs smoking as my apt. is a non smoking zone. With me was your book At Knits End plus my knitting. Reading a qoute" u know u knit too much when u buy a new set of needles even though u have 9 sets of the same size at home so u can knit on the bus going home. " Ha! I carry three different sizes with me to the shop ! Usually cause I know I'll spend every cent on yarn I clearly don't need but Love!! Thanx Steph! I credit u with this inspiration !