Knitting with brain fog?

[untonuggan]

Hello lovely dreamwidth knitters,

I'm having issues with knitting right now because of [health issue] that is causing both brain fog and finger stiffness. Both don't always happen at the same time, and on some happy days I am able to pick up that second sock on DPNs. However, recently I have found that this is a bit beyond my ability both mentally and physically.

I'm having trouble knitting with small needles, or with DPNs. (SO glad I already finished the lace weight scarf.) I also am having trouble concentrating on patterns, and cabling and/or charts are out when my brain is foggy. Thus the patterns that are "really exciting" when I'm doing well are Mount Everest Frustration when I'm having a flare-up.

My current project is a garter stitch scarf using chunky wool on US #11 needles. However, I would like to do something a *little* more interesting when I finish. I have a fairly ample stash to choose from due to some compulsive yarn buying, so I ask you...if you were having brain fog, what would you knit? (Easy on the hands is also a good thing.) Not knitting is driving me a little bonkers.

Thanks in advance,
lizcommotion

ETA: So here's the decision. I now have a project list! Yay!

1. A hat knit from a ball of scrap yarn tied together that I have been hoarding for about six months. It's a really simple hat pattern, but the yarn should make it *very* interesting. (I have cast on and finished the ribbing, and it looks ugly-awesome-beautiful. Pics will definitely follow later.)
2. A kid's blanket for Project Linus. I think I will basically make a giant Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth, only it will be in acrylic instead of cotton and thus it will be a blanket. Also I'm going to do stripes because I have two colors of yarn. And this way I can stash bust the yarn from Michael's that I bought on impulse before finding out that my niece-to-be has blankets out the wazoo.
3. A shawl or kerchief of some sort. I haven't settled on a pattern yet, but this gives me time to pick one and figure out which size needles I want to use and all that goodness. I am leaning toward something ridiculously easy such as the Romney kerchief, but I haven't ruled out doing something in a drop stitch pattern. Because I like that those go fast. ^_^

Thanks again for all your help! I knew you wouldn't fail me!

Comments

[untonuggan]

I had been thinking dishcloths but I'm having trouble with cotton right now. It does not like my fingers. However, I am concocting the following plot using a combination of suggestions: a striped bias knit garter stitch baby blanket for Project Linus...easy as pie but just interesting enough.

Question: if you were using greens for a baby blanket (thus for a boy or gender-neutral) would you use yarn-overs, kfb, or make ones for the increases?

(I was thinking of basically making a giant Grandmother's favorite dishcloth, only it would actually be a blanket)

[jumpuphigh]

I'd use yarn-overs. I'd also increase the size of the border before the yarn-over by a few stitches to make it more appropriately sized for a blanket.

[untonuggan]

Good call. I had been wondering about that. Would you also change how many stitches were cast on in the beginning to accommodate that? I think the dishcloth cast on is four.

[jumpuphigh]

Good thought. You'd have to, wouldn't you? I'd cast on 2 more than whatever number you decide on for your border.

[untonuggan]

Excellent plan!