2008 is almost over, so it’s time for the obligatory year end wrap up post!
In 2008 I completed 31 fiber projects. That breaks down as 18 sweaters, 3 hats, 1 scarf, 4 shawls, and 4 pairs of socks.
I took a little break in the summer/fall to work on the house, but I’m back in the swing of things now! This is the year that I learned I can knit lace – I made my first real lace shawl, the Shetland Triangle. I also learned that I am unlikely to enjoy really complicated lace, and that I wear my rectangular stoles more often. I rediscovered sock knitting (and sock yarn) after a long hiatus caused by trying to knit too many boring stockinette pairs. I realized that I do not love knitting sweaters in one piece, but I will do it for the right pattern. Six of the sweaters this year were knit in one piece, but they all made me curse their very existence at some point.
In my personal life, we bought our first house together and moved in July. I discovered a great love of color when choosing my colors to paint the house. Marc’s sister is having a baby in March, and I will be an aunt for the first time (important because I’m not sure that we will have children of our own.) I survived turmoil at work, and started teaching out of my home in September (a long time dream of mine!) We celebrated our first wedding anniversary in August, and I realized how lucky I was to have someone who shares my (admittedly unusual) views on life.
I am not so big on resolutions in my personal life, but knitting goals are easier to achieve, so… here is what I want to do this year:
1. Knit at least 1 pair of socks per month (I’ve joined a few knitalongs and found it really helps with motivation.)
2. Design a sweater for myself
3. Don’t buy sweater yarn too far ahead… I find I tend to get yarn for a project, then forget about it, and then be stuck with yarn I have to use up or destash. I don’t mind having a stash at all (and sock yarn in particular does not matter here) I just want to be sure that I’m using yarns that I love, and that the yarns I’m using are a good match for the project.
And that’s all… other than that, I’m fine with continuing the way I’ve been going!
Speaking to #1 on my list, I wound up the yarn for the socks I want to make in January.
On the left is Fleece Artist Sea Wool to be used for a pair of Hedera socks. I have never made lace socks or one of Cookie A.’s patterns, so I am looking forward to it. The other yarn is by Yarn Chef on Etsy – it’s a self striping yarn in various shades of pink. I’m planning to knit Back to Basics from Knitty, and to conquer the toe-up socks. My last attempts were not successful, but hopefully this will keep me interested so that I can knit toe up in the future. I bought this yarn last year, but haven’t knit it yet because I was worried about durability (it is very springy and not too tightly twisted.) I’ve decided to take my chances, and hopefully have pretty pink socks for Valentine’s day.
I’m continuing to work on Amelia. I am past the waistband now, and working towards the buttonholes. I did not take it with me over Christmas, and the twisted stitches are kind of slow going (and make my wrists hurt a bit.) It’s lovely though, so I’m going to really focus on it for a few days to see how far I get.
Dionne (above) is clearly not amused that I am using her bed for photos.
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
“I discovered a great love of color when choosing my colors to paint the house.” Your love of color is also visible in your project mosaic! 🙂
I only discovered your blog a few months ago so it is a real treat to see this recap and see all the lovely things you made before I started reading.
Off to visit your archives now…
I agree with Toby, above. I’ve only been reading your blog a few months, so the recap was great. I went back and looked up several of your projects. I have the pattern and green yarn to make Something Red so it was a treat to see your version of it! I share your goals, except that my goal #2 is to just knit myself a sweater. I have been concentrating mostly on small things (socks, mitts, hats) and have 5 sweaters worth of yarn sitting around in bags calling to me. Looking forward to seeing more of your work in 2009!
Wow! That’s a lot of projects and they all look amazing and beautiful! Congratulations! And best wishes for happy, successful knitting in 2009!
Those blue walls are amazing! I love how you’re not afraid to use color in your home. It’s been fun watching you transform the walls in your new home this year. I imagine that your house is a happy place to be in because of all those amazing colors. I’ve decided to go for it in at least two rooms of our house in the next couple of months and finally put some color in my house. You’re such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your color fun! :o}
Wow, what a year of knitting for you! You are amazing and such an inspiration to all of us kntters! You could put all those projects in a book and sell it! I love reading your blog and look forward to your 2009 projects! 🙂
Your mosaic is fabulous. What gorgeous knits. It looks like the back cover for a rocking pattern book. I like your versions and styling for almost every single project you knit much more than the magazines and books you take the patterns from. I am very excited by the prospect of your designing yourself (and maybe sharing in the future?) a sweater for yourself.
Your wrap up post is wonderful, thank your for sharing yourself with us all, you are an amazing knitter and great inspiration.
Have a very Happy New Year!!
Hugs from Canada,
Renee
I’ve been reading your blog for over 1.5 years now and I am always impressed by the pieces you make. They’re always gorgeous and I’m always amazed by how quickly you make them. Over time, I’ve become a faster knitter, but I’m still way slower than you. I’m inspired by all of the sweaters you’ve made. My goal this year is to make my first sweater. Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow – it was nice to see your project recap. I also discovered you a few months ago and will enjoy seeing what you tackle in 2009.
I also was afraid of toe-up socks, until I received The Loopy Ewe Sock Club’s 2nd installment – a skein of Wollmeise and a beautiful toe-up pattern. I almost went the easy route of cuff-down, but thought I should learn. They took me 3 months, but I completed them. I’m sure you won’t have a problem.
Congrats on your new home and 1 yr of marriage. My husband and I were married 10 years before we had our only son, so don’t discount the thought so soon. To each their own, though.
Have a Happy New Year!
Good luck with the toe-up socks. They’re my favorite way to make socks and the only way I’ll knit them know. Well, I haven’t ruled out sideways. 🙂
Wow! How do you finish so many projects???
Beautiful…
Everything looks so beautiful! Isn’t amazing to look back & see how many projects we can really finish when we aren’t looking?
Beautiful work. Happy new year!
Your projects all came out so beautifully! I look forward to a whole new year of them!
Happy Holidays
You are always so busy- and to think you work with your hands too!
You’ve had a great year and lots of awesome projects! Congrats, so many beautiful things.
Definitely a trend of blues and greens, with a touch of red/orange to balance it out! Well done! I also think I will steal your “no sweater yarn stashing” goal because I have enough sweater yarn for something like 7 or 8 sweaters, but not quite enough yardage for any of them because I changed my mind on the pattern! Frustrating…
Happy New Year!
I decided I’d finally drop in and tell you how much I love your blog after being a devoted lurker for close to a year. you projects are beautiful and inspiring! Today was my birthday, and one of my resolutions for this year in my life was to knit more, especially beautiful things for me (hey, I know I’ll appreciate them!), and to revisit and keep up with my blog. This was in large part inspired from the lovely collection of things you made last year that you shared today. So I started a new project and a new blog post. I can’t wait to see what you make this year!
BTW, one of my favorites is the Briar Rose bolero which I’ve wanted to make for a long time. I love yours! would you mind if I used the same exact yarn?
I’m looking forward to reading your journal in 2009. 🙂 Have a Happy New Year.
You make so many lovely projects! Can’t wait to see the knits you do in 2009.
Great projects!! I really enjoy your blog – it is one of my top favorites. Congrats on becoming an aunt soon- I am one as well and I am very happy with that status 🙂 Happy New Year!
Wow! That’s a lot of projects! You’re totally my inspiration for the coming year–all of those sweaters look gorgeous.
I am so happy to have discovered your blog and added you to my subscriptions (which are few & far between since my time is limited). Your projects and use of color are truly inspirational, and I wanted to thank you for sharing your creativity with the rest of the world!
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to your future posts/projects.
I tell ya you knit great projects and use practical yarn with great colors! I always love seeing what you are working on!
Here is to another great knit year!!
What a lovely collection of knitted goodies! I love your way with colors!
Happy New Year!
that is quite a body of fine work miss! i too have secretly been following your blog, almost so much so that i feel as though im a stalker! but no.. we just share a love for red hair and the colorways that work so vibrantly and amazingly with them. i really appreciate your eye for colour, it makes learning to knit much more inspiring..to make such lovely things for myself. though im not as motivated as you. congratulations to such a beautiful home, a great husband and such talented fingers! i would love to see what you could do with a crochet needle some time. and i agree with the rest in saying that you should very well delve into the world of gathering writing for your own book.. pattern or a mish mash of knittery.
maybe a suggestion or..rather a help for the rest of us..links to where you pruchase your yarns from.. as the quality is always so stunning.
hopefully i will have some FO’s this year.. i like to start and never finish..i think i fear the finished piece. maybe my blog will be up n running someday too ;P
enjoy the new year!
~jackie~
hi!!
I love your work. i adore your commitment to your projects.
keep up the good work. you are a true inspiration.
regards from greece!!
eleni