How I spent my time...

For the last several years, at the end of December, I take stock of my knitting and crocheting life and review what I've done, and what - sadly - I've left undone.

Here is 2008, in order, with clickable thumbnails leading to the original posts and some with patterns:

January:



February:







This year as I searched through past projects and designs, I realised that I had completed fewer projects than in the past 2 years. As many as ten fewer. It was also clear that my projects were both more professional, and more complex and that I had designed more.
March:



April:


One thing I really regret is that, although I took really good notes, I have not typed up many of my designs of this past year. Designs that I love, like Guinevere's Wedding Stockings, the Sensitive Man Socks, Jackie's Acorn Hat, To Sleep, and Scarlet Woman.

May: Nothing!

June:


July:




August:



September:



Because I was designing more, I also some design failures that were never recorded in my journal. One is a soft bulky cardigan that was meant as a gift, but is now headed to the frog pond... Another failing that has contributed to my shorter project list is that I've started several projects and not finished them. Just in recent memory there are two pairs of socks, one Lumpy Bumpy scarf, and Jewel, from Kim Hargreaves...
October:

November:

And, finally, my list of this past year's projects is scattered across 3 computers and two flash drives, so I may discover some more to add to this list in the next couple of days....
- Malabrigo, black, not posted to blog
- Malabrigo, black, not posted to blog

Lumpy Bumpy Scarf - Farmhouse Yarns Lumpy Bumpy hot rose (not photographed)

Lumpy Bumpy Scarf - Farmhouse Yarns Lumpy Bumpy red & green (not photographed)

December:




My resolutions are for more completed projects and more formal pattern-making of my original designs in the coming year. (But I've never been very faithful to New Year resolutions...)
Happy New Year, friends!

The Knit Year in Review

Every year's end, I like to review what I've done and make plans for what I'll do in the coming months. As I looked over the things in my portfolio, I was disappointed that I had completed so few knits (and no crochet!!)- only 37 items! Many of these were original designs, and yet I haven't written up the patterns. I resolve to do better in 2008. I am also starting this year with a new knitting notebook - my red one is completely full!

The 2007 knits:


1. Angora Gloves w Lace Cuff – Louisa Harding book

2. Wise Woman Raglan Cardigan - original design

3. Argyley Scarf – original design

4. Black Cashmerino Raglan T-neck – free web pattern Magknits

5. Bracken Seattle Bus Mitts – free web pattern

6. Broccoli Driving Mitts – original design

7. Butterfly Slippers – original vintage design

8. Cotton Angora Night Cap – original design

9. Daniel’s O-Wool Chapel Socks – Thuja Knitty.com

10. DNA-ish socks – original design

11. Duckies Angora Socks – Knitting Vintage Socks book

12. Erin Lace Socks – original design

13. Exsanguinate Chevron Scarf – Last Minute Knitted Gifts book

14. Feather & Fan Face cloth – free web pattern

15. Garter Rib Silk Merino Crepe Scarf – Jo Sharp Knit Vol 1

16. Garter Stitch Eyelet Edge Face cloth – original design

17. Garter Stitch Mitts – free web pattern Ysolda's blog

18. Gold Sun Round Face cloth – free web pattern

19. Grackle Grackle ZeeBee Hat – free web pattern Schmeebot's blog

20. Malabrigo Seattle Bus Mitts – free web pattern

21. Jule’s Birthday Feather & Fan Socks – free web pattern Antique Rose

22. Lavender Garter Rib Face cloth – Jo Sharp Knit Vol 1

23. Ribbed Lace Bolero Deep Teal – free web pattern

24. Noro Charity Hat – original design

25. Noro Pointy Charity Hat – original design

26. One-Skein Noro Picot Edge Hat – original design

27. One-Skein Noro Top-Down Hat – original design

28. Orange Top-Down Charity Hat – original design

29. Orange ZeeBee Charity Hat – free web pattern

30. Peaceful Feeling Fixation Socks – original design

31. Road to Lothlorien Socks – original design

32. Rose Leaf Cotton Socks – original design

33. Spring Forward Fall Back Noro Sweater – free web pattern Thrifty Knitter

34. STR Silk Orchid Socks – free web pattern

35. Van Helsing Candle-flame Socks – original design

36. Wandering Leaves socks – Favorite Socks book

37. Watery Cotton Lace Socks – original design

rain day

Today is a cold rain - almost feels like really wet snow - and I'm coming down with a cold and want/need to stay home today! I just want to cuddle under the comforter and drink tea and read a medieval mystery!

I just finished my first project from the new Crochet book by the same person who wrote Stitch ‘n Bitch: the Cupcake blouse. Its a really good fit (even though it looks funny in the photo; that’s only because I haven’t blocked it) - something I haven't experienced in crocheted items in the past, so I think the fact that the author is a knitter has definitely helped her shape garments to fit the body! I used a delicate self-striping wool sock yarn.



I'm on a campaign to finish up all my WIPs so that I can jump into some Spring inspiration knitting without guilt! I got tons of yarn and knitting books for my birthday in March and want to make:

1. A long hooded cardigan (sort of like a bathrobe I can wear outside)
2. A lace work coral shawl - short enough to not get tangled up in my computer at work
3. The Branching Out scarf (from Knitty.com)in Frog Tree laceweight alpaca - ivory
4. A summer tank top from some variegated handpainted leaf green yarn, maybe the one from One Skein
5. A short summer capelet from one skein of Blue Heron Yarns "Confetti" in the colour: Heather
6. A One Skein Wonder or the short Anthropologie shrug or the pretty Bolero from Rowen's 'Classic Woman' from dark green alpaca

That will keep me busy all spring and probably summer too!

Will I actually follow through on any of this? We'll see! And this list doesn't include all the things I want to make for friends! (guess I'd better get started...)