WIP Wednesday: Slow & Steady Progress and the Art of Multiple WIPs

Happy Wednesday, friend! Welcome back to WIP Wednesday — your weekly behind-the-scenes look at what’s currently on my hook. This week I have a honest progress update on the Petals of Hope Baby Blanket, and I also want to talk about something I get asked about a lot — why I almost always have multiple crochet projects going at the same time. Spoiler: there are more reasons than you might think. ????

What Is WIP Wednesday?

Every Wednesday I share whatever crochet projects are currently in progress in my craft room — no finished glamour shots, just honest behind-the-scenes updates on the yarns I’m loving and the stories behind why I’m making what I’m making. It’s one of my favorite things to share, because crochet is so much more than the finished piece.

This Week’s Crochet Work in Progress

Petals of Hope Baby Blanket — Slow and Steady

Garden Grace Collection · Coming soon to the shop

This week’s update is a simple one — the hexagons are growing. Slowly, steadily, beautifully. I’ve added more hexagons to the collection this week and while the progress may not look dramatic from the outside, every single hexagon brings this blanket one step closer to done.

There is something I really love about hexagon construction. Each one is its own little finish line. You complete one, weave in the ends, add it to the pile, and start the next. It is satisfying in a way that is completely different from working a blanket row by row. I find myself reaching for this one when I want to feel accomplished without committing to a long stretch of stitching.

The color planning is still in progress — I am working out the math on how many hexagons will be made in each of the five colors, and I am enjoying that part of the process more than I expected. There is something really fun about mapping out a design before it comes together.

Golden Linen Wrap — WIP on the Go

Stitch the Season: Golden Hour · Launching August 2

And this one has been keeping me company in the car lately! This is the Golden Linen Wrap — the anchor pattern of my upcoming Stitch the Season: Golden Hour collection launching August 2. It is worked in Lion Brand Coboo in Olive and I am absolutely in love with how the linen stitch is coming together in this yarn.

The Art of Having Multiple WIPs — Why I Almost Always Have 6+ Projects Going

If you have been around here for any length of time you have probably noticed that I am never working on just one thing. Right now I have around six works in progress going at any given time — sometimes more. And honestly? That is just how I crochet.

Here is why it works for me:

Some projects take longer than others. A large blanket is a long commitment. If I only worked on one thing at a time I would go weeks without finishing anything. Having a mix of big and small projects means I always have something close to done, which keeps me motivated.

Some projects are portable and some stay home. I always have at least one project with me no matter where I go. Whether I am on a flight, running errands, spending the weekend on the boat, or waiting at the college — my hook comes with me. Smaller, simpler projects are perfect for on-the-go stitching. The bigger, more complex designs stay home where I can give them my full attention.

Most of my work is design work — and sometimes personal makes become designs. The majority of what I am working on at any given time is a design in progress. Sometimes I start something as a personal make and realize it needs to be a pattern. And sometimes it goes the other way — a design turns into something I just want to keep for myself. Either way, I end up with a lot of irons in the fire.

My daughter keeps me on my toes. ???? There are times my daughter wants to crochet or knit the same thing she is working on or wants to start — and just like that, a new project is born. I would not trade it for anything, but it does add to the WIP pile!

And then there is the classic reason every crocheter understands — I get excited about a new idea and I simply cannot stop thinking about it until that first chain is made. Even if I have five things already in progress. Even if I promised myself I would finish something first. The idea wins. Every time. ????

I always try to keep a backup project with me too — especially when I am getting close to finishing something. Because running out of something to stitch mid-errand is simply not an option.

Does any of this sound familiar? I have a feeling I am not the only one with a stack of WIPs and zero regrets about it.

Why Slow Progress Is Still Progress

I want to say something that I think is worth repeating — slow progress is still progress. Not every week is going to have a dramatic update. Not every Wednesday is going to have a big reveal. Sometimes crochet moves at its own pace, and that is okay.

The Petals of Hope blanket is coming together one hexagon at a time. The Stitched With Love blanket is resting while it goes through testing. My couch, the shelf behind my desk, and my desk all have projects patiently waiting their turn too.

That is just how it goes — and I love every single stitch of it.

I’ll be back next Wednesday with another update. In the meantime, I would love to know — how many WIPs do YOU have going right now? Drop a ???? below and tell me what you are working on! I genuinely love hearing from you.

And if you are looking for your next project, the shop has plenty of patterns ready and waiting for you.

Until next Wednesday — Happy Crocheting, friends.

Mistie