10 Ways To Finish That WIP (That you just don't really want to work on)

We've all had those projects that we dived into head first with full enthusiasm only to hit the wall a while later. The struggle to take them over the finish line is real but here are a few ways of clawing back control and getting them out of the WIP basket.

1. WIP Wednesday - Pick a day of the week to work on that boring project and use your other craft time for more exciting things. Having one day a week where you work on just those projects will make sure they are scheduled into your diary without them being all you work on.
   

2. A row at a time - Or a 5 minute timer. Just a small target that won't take much time but is done once a day or at the start of each craft session before the good stuff. This is another method of slowly chipping away at the project, making progress but not getting bogged down.
   

3. The TV power through - Put on your favourite TV show or audio book. Your project might be boring but your experience doesn't have to be. This is especially great for those larger but more simple projects.
   

4. Frog it - I know, it feels like cheating and you're not one to quit. This is crafting, the stakes are not that high, we are literally supposed to be enjoying ourselves. If the struggle of completing the project isn't worth the end result use those materials for something else.
   

5. Adapt your project - If the endless rows of plain stitches are just too much, add decorative stitches, or colour changes. Something that can make your piece more interesting to work with.
   

6. Take a break - Sometimes the issue really is too much of a good thing. Put the project down, go for a walk and come back. You can if needs be, put it down for a bit longer too such as for a week or until you've finished a smaller project.
   

7. Go back to the beginning - Why did you want to start this in the first place, was it the materials, the pattern or did you see a photo online of a similar item. Did you really need this item in your wardrobe or household. Whatever it is go back to that spark and relight the inspiration.
   

8. Take it with you - Sure it's boring at home when it's competing against more exciting and important things. But what about outside, while you're on the bus, somewhere you know you'll be waiting a while or at the beach. If your project is more exciting than doing nothing at all you might feel more compelled to work at it.
   

9. Break it up - Divide the remaining work into smaller sections and plan them in your diary, this then allows a count down until the end to begin. With each session you know exactly how much you have left to do and how long this will take. Those long sections then become multiple smaller goals, each of which is exciting to reach.
   

10. Accountability - If external pressure works better for you set a deadline and tell a friend, family member or supportive Facebook group/online forum that you will be back on a specific date to show off your finished project. Make sure your goal is reasonable and that they will be supportive of your efforts whether you finish or not. Again we are here to have fun. If on the deadline you are not quite there, share the work you have any way and set yourself an extension.
    

    Bonus Tip

11. Check your tools - Is the yarn just two slippery on the needles or hook that you are using or perhaps not slippery enough. Try changing the material of your tools for the project. You can try using a higher quality hook, sharper or more blunt needles. You could change to wood or plastic or metal tools. Do you need to change from a fixed cable to a swivel cable? Whatever the issue may be changing up your tools might be the solution. If you are unsure you can always ask you local yarn shop or a supportive online group/forum.