UFOs — unfinished projects, and why that's perfectly okay (almost)
There’s a baby blanket under the bed. A half-finished sleeve in a bag in the drawer. A cardigan that’s been missing buttonholes since March. And a scarf that's technically finished — if you disregard the loose ends.
We know the feeling. Because we have them ourselves. Lots of them. And we won't disclose the exact number publicly.
What exactly is a UFO?
In the knitting world, UFO stands for Unfinished Object — a project that has been started but never completed. And if you have more than one lying around, you're in good company. Most people who knit or crochet have a small collection of them stashed away.
The beginner who started too ambitiously. The experienced knitter who got a new idea in the middle of a project. The one who buys yarn for one project and then finds another yarn that's even more perfect. The one who knits a gift and loses motivation when the recipient doesn't deserve it anyway.
UFOs are not a sign that you're bad at knitting. They are a sign that you're enthusiastic.
Why do we do it?
That's actually a very good question — and the answer isn't entirely simple.
Sometimes it's the color. You started with a yarn that looked perfect in the skein, but in the middle of the project, you realize it's not quite what you imagined. So you put it aside. Just temporarily. That lasts three months.
Other times it's the season. The heavy winter sweater that seemed so obvious in January suddenly feels pointless in May. And the light summer top you started in June — there's not really time for it in November.
And then there are the days. The days when you simply can't be bothered with sleeves. Sleeves are boring. Everyone who knits knows that. But next week — next week you might be able to. Or the month after. Or until next winter.
It's about desire
Knitting and crocheting are, at their best, a pleasure — something you do because you want to, not because you have to. And desire is not always rational. It doesn't follow a plan or a deadline.
There's actually a psychological explanation for it. It's called "the shiny object syndrome" — we humans are naturally attracted to what's new and exciting. A new yarn purchase, a new pattern, a new color that just calls to us. The half-finished project cannot compete with the fresh, unopened bag of yarn.
It's not a flaw. It's biology.
How many is too many?
The short answer: we don't know.
Unofficial surveys have been conducted in knitting groups on Facebook, and it's not uncommon to have 5-10 ongoing projects. Some have over 20. One woman stated 47. She didn't win a prize, but she got a lot of likes.
| Number of UFOs | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | You are a normal person |
| 4–7 | You are a true knitter |
| 8–15 | You have a lifestyle |
| 16+ | You are an inspiration and/or a warning sign |
Is it a problem?
Not necessarily. A UFO is not a failure — it's proof that you've tried something, learned something, and perhaps realized you want to do something else.
However, with two caveats:
The yarn should be well-cared for. Yarn left for years can be damaged — especially by moths, moisture, and sunlight. Store your UFOs in sealed bags and consider adding a cedar block for natural moth protection.
The project should still bring you joy. If you open the bag and think "ugh" — then it might be time to let go. It's perfectly fine to unravel stitches and use the yarn for something new. That's not giving up. That's prioritizing your knitting joy.
When should you finish your UFO?
When you feel like it. Not because you have to. The day your UFO calls to you again, it will be ready. It has waited patiently.
And if it never calls? Then perhaps it wasn't the right project. And that's okay too.
A small challenge for you
Look in your bags and drawers. Find your oldest UFO. Take a picture of it and share it in the comments or on Instagram with #daugaardgarnufo — we'd love to see them. No judgment. Only recognition and solidarity.
And if you lack motivation to start a new project — which may one day also become a UFO, and that's perfectly fine — then check out our kits. We promise they're hard to put down 😄
From us three sisters at Daugaard Garn — who together have a number of UFOs we won't disclose publicly 🧶
