2007 Year in Review

Before I start posting about what I have done so far this year, I did want to take some time and review what I got done last year. I made a bunch of resolutions last year and posted them here. I was pretty good overall, although I tanked in some specific areas.

Stash Reduction:

My sock and general stash reduction goals were not met. At all. I was great about this for the first few months of the year, but then I the whole 'dieting' thing got to me and I broke. I am happy that my stash did not get bigger at least - my new acquisitions roughly equal my yarn used. I am okay with that. But this year, well...my resolutions are going to look a bit different.

Organization:

I had pledged to make a database for all things knitting. I started it....and then Ravelry came along. They incorporated everything I wanted and way more. I am absolutely in awe of their vision and execution of this personal database + community + ultimate reference site. Thanks for completing this resolution for me, Jess & Casey!


Want to Learn:

This didn't get much checked off. Overall, I think I improved my knitting abilities, especially in the finishing and colorwork areas. But - most of the specific areas (steeks, cardigans, improving spinning, and entrelac) I didn't end up working on at all. This year I will see what I can do about this.

Projects to Knit or Finish:

Of the 12 sweaters I wanted to knit or finish, I completed 6 of those listed (Hourglass, Erin, Cheesy Puffs, Zara, Rogue, generic grey turtleneck) and subbed Cobblestone for Joseph. While not meeting my goal of 12, I am pretty happy with finishing 7.

All in all, I finished 39 projects in 2007:

7 sweaters
21 pairs of socks
4 hats/head covering stuff
3 scarves
1 kitty pi
1 pair handwarmers
1 bad juju doll
1 pair of warshcloths

I have many of these projects up on Ravelry, but I am still working on getting better about photographing my projects. Especially with my socks. I will try to get better about documenting FOs, and Ravelry is a good incentive to do this. So this is my pictureless, verbous, year end round up for 2007.

Next up - what I have been doing this year so far and resolutions, smesolutions.....

Mama's got a brand new bag....

I am a utilitarian kind of gal, with a mean obsession with storage. So the other day, my DH and I were at our local general store and I found the coolest new bag for sock knitting. (imagine trumpets blaring):

It is marketed as a tool bag, but is perfect for sock knitting projects. It is made of canvas and so is sturdy, but lightweight, and has four pockets on each side to hold all of your sock DPNs. But wait! That's not all, folks! There are also 4 pockets on each side of the inside for all of your little notions. AND - it has a zip enclosure, with no velcro anywhere that could mess with your yarn.


I'm in love. It's roomy, but not too big to carry around, has places for everything, and is not too shabby looking. To top it off, it was only $10, people. Is it illegal to marry a tool bag? You can find it online here. It is a few bucks more than what I paid at my local Anderson's.

Next up, I finished Rogue. -ish. I still have to sew up the damn hems, but since I could wear it out in public in it's current state, I am calling it done. I will worry about hems at a later date, as the weather is in no way making this a viable clothing option currently.

Details:
Pattern: Rogue
Yarn: Jaeger Shetland Aran in Sage. I used about 7.5 balls for the large size.
Needles: Addis size 8
Mods: I added one extra cable repeat on the body to make it longer
Started: June 15, 2007
Finished: August 10, 2007
Issues: None...this was a great pattern. Well written, very detailed.

And finally, I started a new sweater:



It is Bless from the Cork Collection. I am using Rowan Cork in the Mouse color. Big needles, lofty yarn, and a relatively straight forward pattern. Just what I need.

More Sweaters!

I have been a bad blogger. This is nothing new.

Oh well. I will distract from my bad bloggyness with some fun FO's!
First up:

Cheesy Puffs


Pattern: Cheesy Puffs from Knitty

Yarn: Merino/Cashmere blend from SchoolProducts Inc. I purchased a 2.2 lb. cone of this when I was in NY in 2005, and this sweater took all but maybe 160 grams or so.
Needles: Addis size 8 for ribbing, 10 for pattern
Mods: Neck, wrists, and bottom edging all done in rib
Started: January 28, 2007 (Hiatus from end of Feb to June)
Finished: July 4, 2007
Issues: None...although, if I were to do this again, I would do most of it in the round.

Next up:

Basic Gray Turtleneck


Pattern: I used the basic shaping from the retroprep pullover pattern from IK, and then used EZ's math to do the rest
Yarn: Rowanspun DK in Mouse. I used about 5 balls
Needles: Addis size 6 for ribbing, 7 for stockinette
Started: May 12, 2007
Finished: June 1, 2007
Issues: None, I love it. It's a great basic addition to the wardrobe, and it fits great.




I am still behind on the Sweater a Month KAL, but these help. To recap:

January: Hourglass Sweater
February: Zara
March: Erin
April: Cheesy Puffs
May: Gray Turtleneck
June: (here is where I am behind)

I am working on Rogue, and am on the hood. All else knittin'-wise is complete, and one sleeve is already seamed and attached. This will count for June. I am planning to kick it in the ass and do two next month.....we'll see. I need to start thinking about Christmas knitting (OMFG! already???!!??) so, this may change.

I have been knitting socks (15 pairs complete this year) and sweaters (5 done this year) almost exclusively, although I have been puttering with the occasional scarf, hat and some afghan projects. I was working on the sock blankie pretty obsessively while I was working on my dissertation, but I have put that aside for now. I'll leave pix of that for next time, so it will tempt me to post SOON! I normally don't like doing scarves all that much, but with all the sock and sweater knitting, I have been nutty about wanting to cast on for like 15 scarves. Just goes to show, whatever you aren't doing sounds better than what you are.....