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<\/a><\/p>\nFor my aunt’s mitts<\/a> last year, I timed out that I could work 12 rounds of the pattern in one hour.\u00c2\u00a0 I was working each mitt separately, rather than two-at-a-time.\u00c2\u00a0 The pattern specifies how many rounds is in each finished mitt.\u00c2\u00a0 So I made my spreadsheet figure out how many hours it would take to work all of the rounds for both mitts.<\/p>\n Length to Finish = 166 rounds \/ 12 rounds per hour = 13.8 hours.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n That sounds manageable, right?\u00c2\u00a0 Most of us have enough hours to craft that we could get that done in two or three weeks of dedicated knitting time.<\/p>\n What if I added in a bigger project?\u00c2\u00a0 Here’s another example.<\/p>\n Take the cute stuffed dragon<\/a> or bulldog<\/a> that I made in past years.\u00c2\u00a0 Each one is made up of individual African Flower motifs that are joined together.\u00c2\u00a0 I timed how long it took me to crochet an individual motif.\u00c2\u00a0 Again, the pattern specifies how many motifs are needed to finish each animal.\u00c2\u00a0 Using those two numbers, I made the spreadsheet calculate how long it would take me to make all of the motifs for each animal, then added estimates for how long it would take me to join the motifs and stuffing\/finishing work.\u00c2\u00a0 In the case of the dragon:<\/p>\n Length to Finish = 256 motifs \/ 2 motifs per hour = 128 hours.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I know that’s a huge number of hours.\u00c2\u00a0 Try not to swoon.\u00c2\u00a0 This is why we plan in the first place.\u00c2\u00a0 There’s an old saying about how to eat an elephant (or dragon) – one bite at a time.<\/p>\n So I think about how many hours of Crafting Time I can reasonably squeeze into one week without neglecting the rest of the world and my own basic needs.\u00c2\u00a0 Weekly Crafting Time = Waiting Time + After Dinner Crafting Time + Knit Night + Weekend Crafting Time.\u00c2\u00a0 For me, a typical week averages 8-10 hours (some have a lot more, some have a lot less, it’s an average).\u00c2\u00a0 Your mileage may vary.\u00c2\u00a0 For the sake of your sanity, keep it reasonable.\u00c2\u00a0 If I’m only allowing myself to work on the dragon project, then I divide the number of weekly hours available into the number of hours to finish the project.<\/p>\n 128 hrs \/ 8 hrs = 16 weeks to complete the project<\/p><\/blockquote>\n What that tells us is this particular project would need to begin work in August to make a December gifting deadline.<\/p>\n Still not swooning.\u00c2\u00a0 This is why we begin planning in June.<\/p>\n In my planning spreadsheet, there’s a section for each project and the associated calculations.\u00c2\u00a0 Once I’ve worked out how many hours are needed for each project, I take a look at how many weeks of work it all adds up to.\u00c2\u00a0 Do I have that many weeks left before the deadline?\u00c2\u00a0 If so, I schedule each project in among all of the other things in my daily life.\u00c2\u00a0 (“Sorry, I have to go knit right now.\u00c2\u00a0 I’m on a deadline!”)\u00c2\u00a0 If not, well it’s time for a good hard look at which project(s) can be put off until after the new year.<\/p>\n What’s in the spreadsheet for this year?\u00c2\u00a0 It’s a blank page at the moment.\u00c2\u00a0 I usually put any Special Requests at the very top.\u00c2\u00a0 My family knows how long it takes for these things, so they are sure to make requests well in advance.\u00c2\u00a0 Apparently they’re all well stocked in hats, mitts, shawls, and socks at the moment.\u00c2\u00a0 So now I get to add in all the little ideas for things I think they might like that they haven’t asked for.\u00c2\u00a0 Time for a dip into my Ravelry Favorites list for some ideas.<\/p>\n What’s on your Holiday crafting to do list?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yep, you read that correctly.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s only June and I’m starting to think about planning for any Holiday projects I might like to work into the mix.\u00c2\u00a0 There’s only 5-1\/2 months left until gifting season.\u00c2\u00a0 Plenty of time right?\u00c2\u00a0 It … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n