Knitting: Sometimes organization is bad

Mostly it is good though.

Case in point... I had the brill idea to make a pattern/project binder for 2010. Sort of like the ravelry queue. And while ravelry is still a genius and I am its slave... I need tangible. I need something that I can carry around with me and touch and feel. I know this is weird because with the Iphone I can actually carry ravelry around with me. But anyway... binder it is.

So I started planning. I had 2 projects in the binder. The lovely Welig Gloves and The every way wrap. Both started around beginning of January/end of December? Anyway, I was a good girl and soley worked on these 2 projects. I finished the gloves. And decided to start a simple sock project to go along with the wrap. I cast on Spring Forward. It took it's place in the magic binder.





Then I did a dumb thing and went to knitters mercantile. I bought this fantastic self striping/patterning yarn by Regia. I went to a friends to watch movies, needed something even more simple, so I cast on for another sock! That has no pattern though, so no insert into the binder. I will write it up though for prosperity, and to OH yeah, make the 2nd sock match the first. har,har, har.

The pic is of the in progress, but the 1st sock is actully complete.

Then, I went on Ravelry forums and started reading the January challenge for SKA and I cast on another sock! It's a made up pattern from BW stitch dictionary... and I haven't gotten far on it. The sock yarn is alpaca and is super slippery and fine to knit, so these may get frogged or take forever, not sure.



THEN... if all of this wasn't bad enough... my first shipment for the Rockin' Sock club came on Friday. Holy crap, do I love this yarn. It''s this gorgeous red/pink with a bit of bluey/silver, some orange and pinks and it is way too fabulous! I was actually leaving the house on Friday, pulled my car over in front of the mailbox because I saw a package. I sat there on the wrong side of the street facing the wrong way and opened the amazing. I was in love right there. It was like this was the most perfect yarn in the prettiest of colors and I felt like it was made just for me. I checked the patterns quick too and they were stunning as well.



Instead of running back into the house to immediately wind and cast on (which was truly a thought), I went about my errands. I didn't even cast on for a whole day! But then I just had too. It was staring me in the face and I knew I couldn't knit on anything else.

So, I cast on Flabella. I read through the pattern multiple times and on I went. Until the 1st freaking row. Yes, this pattern has bobbles, which normally I don't like, but they look so pretty in the pattern, I knew I had to knit them and would be pleased at the end. Well, I had problems, after about the 4th bobble, I decided to give up. I plan to potentially still knit this pattern someday, but in the mean time, I decided to cast on the other pattern that came with it, Cascadia.



It's a toe-up so not my fave method, but I did it. And for all of you that know me and know my relationshp with Judy's Magic Cast on... I actually did it. First time ever it actually came out fairly well. I just have one little hole to fix up instead of the usually craziness that happens when I do it. So, I felt better about that... then onto the pattern. It's just awesome. It's pretty and easy to memorize, the directions are written very well and the charts are awesome. So I'm half way through the foot (I think). And the yarn as knitted is still amazing and lovely.

Oh yeah, back to the binder... so on my lazy Sunday morning, I notieced I had patterns skattered about and thought I really needed to wrangle them in. So I put some random patterns in another binder. And I started putting the "I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THAT!" in the 2010 binder and lo and behold it has grown!

I think it is mostly due to ravelympics. If I get on a crazy knitting roll during this time, I want to be sure to have enough projects in my "queue". So I've picked a couple to knit, since Vivian is going to be knit another time. I have the twilight mitts to knit with Jackie and Karen. I thought maybe another sock pattern to go with the SKA Feb. challenge. And then I forgot about this cowl I want to make AND there's a blue moon team too and the criteria there is just to use Blue moon yarn, so enter in another project! Of course I could merge the Blue moon and ska into one thing and have my blue moon entry and the ska challenge be the same pattern.

Anyway... at this point in time... the binder has gotten out of control. I'm pretty confident I can finish the twilight mitts during ravelympics. I MIGHT be able to squeeze the cowl in, too... but much more than that is probably hopeless. I need to slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time, not sure if that will ever be possible, though.

Oh well, at least I enjoy what I do!

Misc: Land of the lost

So in my still posting nearly daily phase of January, here I am again. This time not talking about knitting. I've been a bit spacey lately, enter "land of the lost." It's kind of weird because normally I'm pretty grounded, logical and let's face it overly dramatic... I'm good with all that. But then there's this spaciness that I just don't get and I don't really like it all that well.

I think it mostly stress trying to eek it's way out of my brain and giving me a way to deal, so it makes my brain mush and spacey. It's ok, I'm not like drowning in space or anything like that... I definitely just feel in an odd state of being right now.

I think the stress is mostly work related. It's not bad stress necessarily, just a WHOLE hell of a lot to do type stress. But, I made the proverbial LIST of things to do, and I'm just going to work that list and if new things crop up, they will get added to the end or if high priority, might get inserted in there somewhere. So that's the plan for today. And this is my next to last day of work this week. Having Fridays off is great indeed. A HUGE gas saver for me and it gives me that much needed 3rd day to the weekend.

While this schedule is great and suits me fine, sometimes these 10 hour days are just so long! In the mornings when I come in (usually first on the scene), I feel like I was literally just here 5 minutes ago... and I'm not always last to leave, but nearly so. The days are getting longer though, so when I buzz out at 5:30, there is still a bit of light before dusk really settles in. It's nice. For awhile in December there it was pitch black coming in and pitch black leaving. That really sucked.

Anyway... I digress. The days are getting longer and with this seriously effing cold front that is kicking in, I'm really looking forward to spring. I need to finish cleaning up my front yard and flower beds (atrocious) and then my pretty stuffs will start popping up and be lovely. I hope to plant more "things" this year, but we'll see if I can get the lazy out and actually do it.

Knitting: The lure of the Ravelry boards

I really need to stay off the internet and ravelry boards, etc.

I have so little will power and there I go again casting on for yet another project?! Why????? The lure of a possible prize... of course I have to finish the darn project! But I'm getting faster on the sock knitting, so I think I have a chance. I have until the end of February. I've also already decided I probably won't do the February challenge, so... I can certainly give it a shot to finish these socks.

The January SKA challenge is a textured sock. There were several patterns out there I like, but the one I liked best was a toe up and I'm just not in the moode for that right now. I grabbed the BW treasuries and scanned and found a pretty pattern already charted. So I'm gong with it.

I even went into my STASH and pulled out some Alpaca Sox yarn, I purchased last summer(?) maybe. Anyway, I didn't make the pattern that the yarn was originally bought for, so now I'm using it. It's kind of a coral/terra cotta color. I like the color a lot and since it's alpaca, it's pretty soft and buttery however... it's also a very thin, just a 2 ply yarn, so not sure how great this will be... might be a floppy sock, but I'm really trying to tug tight on my stitches to keep it together. The pattern is looking nice so far.

But even though I casted on last night, I will continue working on the socks for Brian. I had a good idea though, I might do Brian socks at work during lunch since it's basic stockinette and I don't have to worry about patterns/mistakes, etc... and then in the evenings, I'll work on the Celtic Pattern sock. I really don't have a clever name for it yet. But maybe when I'm done, I'll think of something.

On to work....

Knitting: Off track again?

Well, I wouldn't totally say off track, but yeah, kind of. I was supposed to be working on the Every Way Wrap... but due to attention span and not having the time or placement of actually concentrating, I have not knit on this thing in over a week. Shame, shame, shame.

But it's definitely a project I have to pay attention to and lately, I haven't had that opportunity, so being a little smarter than the knitting, I decided to do something less attention needing... that would be a new sock. Yes, I cast on another darn sock. However, this sock is using REGIA self-striping, so it is just plain old stockinette from nearly beginning to end. I've decided to do a turkish/afterthought heel because I couldn't bear doing another heel flap right now. I just finished the flap for Spring Forward... and I just hate the flap. Anyway, haven't done the afterthought heel before, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. And these are for Brian and I don't think he'll complain about the look or feel of them. My only worry is they might be a bit to big for him.

I did a c/o of 54 stitches because my long tail wasn't long enough.
I did 1x1 twisted rib for 1".
Next round I increased 10 stitches around with K1FB (64 stitches).

Then just knit. About half way in the picture, you can see the waste yar, it's pink/green/yellow and that is where the heel stitches will go. I have about 5 inches done on the foot so far and that is where I'm worried it will be loose. Also Brian has a very skinny ankle, so we'll see.

In any case, I have to do about 2 more inches and will then start the decreases for the toe. I started this sock Friday evening, worked it a bit on Saturday and Sunday and I'm really pleased with the yarn, the striping pattern and the colors.

Knitting: On the horizon

Sometimes I don't know what is wrong with me... I have all these projects going on and rather than keeping in time with them, enjoying them, my mind is off and running thinking about the next 47 things I want to knit. So much so that I also dream about and often times BUY more yarn. I am ridiculous. I have a problem.

I suppose it's not a bad problem over all, I mean I could be addicted to drugs or booze and I'm not. So yarn or knitting addictions... is it so bad really?

But yesterday I splurged a little. I've been good for weeks mostly because of car issues and being a little broke. So a little retail therapy did the trick. While I've mostly avoided Cat Bordhis methods and socks... I decided I might go ahead and try some. Ya see a gal I know, Beth (yarnaholicbeth on rav) is teaching a class on Cat's new method/book, Personal Footprints. I like Beth, so I decided why not give it a try. I bought the book yesterday, read it last night and I'm not sure about it. Seems like it might be a lot of work, even though Cat says it isn't. We'll see. I'm still going to take the class. It's for 4 mondays in March which is a lot, but hopefully it will go well.

Then I was in NEED of needles that the merc didn't have so I ran over to the Yarn Shop on Kenny. While there I got my needles, the latest issue of Spin off and yarn. It's sooo pretty. See below.


So now I really want to knit that up into some fabulous socks... but I'm being good and only working on what I am working on! :)

But I can still think of the future, right?!

So for the future, there are some patterns I want to make (hopefully soon), but definitely after the wrap and ravelympics.
1. Mystic Sea (socks)
2. Knotty (gloves)
3. Winter Witch Mitts (mittens)
4. Ribbed hat for Brian (hat)
5. Winter Twilight Mitts (fingerless gloves/wristwarmers)

So that's on the agenda and very soon will be added to the Knitting 2010 Binder. I think there may be another thing or 2 in there already. I get so easily sidetracked.

And I need to get back to the WIPS too. I want to finish 2 sweaters that I started last year. One is probably a 3 season peice and the other is def Spring/Summer... although since I'm usually always on the warmer side, it may end up being a 3 season piece as well and I'll wear into the fall.

Anyway... that's the horizon... and don't think I've forgotten about the spinning and the weaving... those ideas are percolating too!

Spinning: The wonky wheel

So I haven't done much spinning lately... or ever really. Last time I had the wheel out was late last spring/early summer. I remember because it was a lovely warm day and I took the fiber and wheel outside on the deck and spun some lovely Corriedale top roving. This has become my favorite fiber so far. Granted, I have a limited scope.

I attended 2 fiber fests in 2009, the Great Lakes show in May and then the one at Young's Dairy around September/October (maybe)??? Anyway at both I purchased some roving and it's sat in it's little area of my home in various balls or bags of fluff.

I haven't done much spinning because my wheel was a little broke. The connector between the treadle and arm (this is what makes the wheel spin) had broken. We rigged it up so it would work but that resulted in uneven treadling. So it was more bother and frustration than I could handle. Problem #2 was my tension. When I receiving the gently used wheel the tension spring was quite stretched. It was ok though and still worked. Problem was, I could never get really good tension for my spinning. It either was too fast or too slow. I couldn't get it JUST RIGHT.

Just before Christmas, B and I headed down to Nelsonville for boots at Rocky Boots. We also stopped by a LYS. The owner sold ashford wheels, looms and carders as well as had various supplies. I bought the "repair" kit for the wheel, but left it in the bag until I was ready to spin again.

Enter last Sunday. I was invited to a spinning party. I got the wheel out, fixed the connector thingy and READ how to use 2 springs instead of 1 for the tensioning. It was a lifesaver. It has made such a difference, I can't hardly believe it! I also oiled the wheel and put a new drive band on. She's all fixed up and ready to go.

So I went to Stephanie's house which isn't far from mine (cool). And set off to spinning. I recently purchased this super cute BFL Top roving from Miss Babs. It's hand dyed... and I just love the shades of reds and pinks. Received several compliments on the roving and everyone asked where I got it. I happily talked up Miss Babs because she is such a sweet person. I met her back at Sock Summit and she was so helpful and kind and just a great business person. She is also a super fast shipper! I like her sock yarn and colors are fantastic. I did purchase roving at SS, too, but I've misplaced it in my house somewhere.


Anyway, I snagged a photo from her site, so you can see the colorway. By the way, it's called GLEE, which I think is very suitable because it makes me happy to look at it. I initially purchased just one 4oz portion, but decided I might want more. It was in the sale bin and there were 3 left, so I went and purchased the last of it! I don't know if she'll make this color again, but now I have 16oz which should make me something nice (I hope).

But as far as the spinning is going... it's good! I'm excited! There have been a couple of oopsies or thick spots, but... I'm learning and I am fairly consistant, so that is good as well. Last night I worked on this roving again and I think I'm nearly half way through, maybe 1/3 of the first hank I purchased. But I'm hoping to continue this week and into the weekend and maybe have a finished bit of yarn by next week. Of course this means, I have pushed the Every Way Wrap off to the side... and I really need to work on it! The spinning is definitely a nice break/addiction though.

Knitting: Yes it's another sock

Since I'm going to Sticks 'N Stitches today, I decided I needed something fairly simple to knit as well as something on wooden needles. I currently don't have any WIPS that fit either category. Hard to believe, but true. So in the wee hours of the morn when I woke up, ie. 6AM on a Saturday... I cast on another project.

It's a sock project that I've been wanting to do for some time. It was featured in Knitty, sometime back, Summer '08 (I think). It's called Spring Forward and I was going to use a lovely shade of green to knit this however, I deicded I really wanted to use some of the lovely blue moon yarn I purchased back in November. So I'm using the Water Lilies color way (think Money painting). And what better time to think of Spring that in the middle of cold snowy January.

So I cast on. Did 1x1 twisted rib for an inch and have already completed a few rows of the main pattern. It's a pretty easy repeat to remember, so I hope these socks go quickly. I'm not entirely positive how much knitting will be done at the Hockey match... because I am a Hockey addict and LOVE it... so I may not get much done. No matter, I am ready for both.

Had a bit of bad news this morning. A friend of mine is having a rough time right now and another friend from my home town just lost his father. Dan was a really great man. Being from such a small town, you really DO know everyone! Anyway, Dan worked for the fire department as well as did tons of odd jobs around town. My gram hired him to plow her drivewayn every year. It's a really long drive and up hill. He and his wife Carol, owned the "Corner Cut/Rate" for years and years. Just really nice people. Anyway, my thoughts are with Jim, Jamie, Carol and the rest of their family today.

Knitting: Best laid plans?

Well, I don't know who out there is reading, but I promised a picture of the wrap. So here she is, the lovely Every Way Wrap in Progress.



I really do love the look of this. It's just very tedious knitting, which I need to learn to deal with. As I said before this project is definitely a trial in patience.

So all week, I've been looking forward to knit knite! I've missed a few weeks because of various issues, but I was finally able to go. So I start working on the wrap and it took me a bit to find where I was. I thought I had stopped on a particular row, but the knitting was arguing with me. I finally agreed with the knitting and started along. Well, with that very first row I started, I realized I was not paying as much attention as I should because lets face it, I like to talk and listen to all the stories going on at the table. So I pulled the row out and set the knitting off to the side and conversed for the rest of the evening. Yes I should have taken something extra to work on, but I'm trying to be good and not cast anything on.

Which leads me into a nice segue way. These gals I knit with are terffic. They are kind, funny, talented, witty, amazing... etc. They are also a bunch of freakin' enablers!!! I am too, but just when I think I've gotten on a good track things go astray. I really feel that I'm going to be good and I'm not going to cast on anything else or buy yarn. I mean I REALLY thought I had gotten rid of castonitis... but lo and behold these wonderful people just bring it right back out of the wood work! :) They could sell yarn to a sheep, I'm not kidding!

It's all good, but after chatting about projects and ravelympics, I have some seriously itchy fingers! So much so, that I spent the first HOUR of the day today looking for the Vivian pattern. I printed it awhile back but can't find it anywhere. As well as my size 8 interchangeables. Now, I have the wrap which I need to be working.... but that Vivian, she is an evil siren and is calling to me. She is my Ravelympics challenge and I cannot start her yet.

So I swatched! I pulled out my yarn, a previous purchase for another sweater. I calculated the yardage I currently have and realized I don't have enough because the previous project was a short sleeve - 3/4 sleeve cabled/lacey sweater and vivian is a cable/seed stitch long sleeve cardigan hoodie. So I need about another 5 skeins of yarn. Good thing I realized this now, so that I can order and get before ravelympics start.



I feel pretty proud of myself for showing some restraint and actually swatching. I'm horrible about it normally, but I said, "Self, do this right and you might actually make something that will fit properly!"

What I learned with this swatch is that I'm still a knitter that can get guage with said needles for said type of yarn. I swatched with a size 9 because I couldn't find the 8 and my guage is off. It's off just enough though that I know I can get guage with the 8's once I find them. So another guage swatch isn't necessary. The pattern gives guage in stockinette and seed stitch, so I incorporated both into my swatch, rather than doing 2 separate swatches.

Oh and while I was thinking about projects and itchy fingers... I happen to see something in my stash and got a fantastic idea! Last fall, a few of the ladies and I talked about doing a KAL for the Winter Twilight Mitts. I know Karen and Jackie recently picked out their yarn and ordered from Knit Picks. I hadn't ordered because I thought I would use some stash yarn. I have massive amounts of sock yarn I want to use up. So I was good. Well, about a month ago, I was trying to pair up yarns and wondering what would look nice together, etc. I have a lot of knit picks Palette yarns, differing colors... but nothing was jumping out at me. For awhile, I actually thought about dropping the idea of joining the KAL.

But today... I spied with my green eye what I think will make some very nice mitts. I have the Knitpicks Imagination in Mermaid Lagoon and the Essential Kettle Dyed in Eggplant. They look REALLY nice together. See!



So I'm considering that pairing to make those mitts. And of course I want to start RIGHT NOW!

But... I'm going to be good, at least for the next few hours and work on the wrap.

Knitting: The very long wrap

So lately, I'm wondering what I have gotten myself into. I've wanted to make the every way wrap for quite sometime. Well, I started it as my 2nd project of 2010. I'm trying to be as monogamous as I can, so that I may actually get some finished goods out of this year. Anyway, as most know, I hate ribbing. So this project starts with 5 inches of 2x2 Rib. BUT... somewhere in 2009, I realized RIBBING although tedious and annoying does have a purpose and to skip it, means you are lessening your garment. So, I have RIBBED. And, what I did decide is that I really love 1x1 Twisted Rib, ala Cookie A. I've come to love that for sock ribbing. And what is funny about that, is most typical patterns require about an inch of it, I've been going PAST an inch... so I've come to enjoy it more.

However, still not a fan of 2x2 Rib. But I did it for the wrap, however I went to just shy of 4 inches instead of the full 5. I can't recall the size I chose to knit, but it's the next to last one. It's a c/o of 126 stitches. Around half of those stitches become odd, but lovely cables. I'm saying odd because they combine K2 and P2 within a cable, something I'm not sure if I've really done before. All the cables are 4 stitch which makes cabling without a needle a bit faster. However some of them, I still have to pop off the stitches and rearrange a bit. Anyway, they are like slip 2 to front P2, K2 from cable needle. Anyway, the end result looks nice and I like it, it's just different/odd.

Now the other half is MOSS stitch... another "stitch" I dislike. It's not hard, but I find it a nuisance, it's all K1P1 and P1K1, over and over and over again, row after row. But... I like the wrap, so I'm doing it. It's a bit tedious and monotonous and it's almost mindless... so it is definitely a relaxing knit. One where I can watch TV while knitting and still pay attention to both the TV and the knitting without mistakes.

So I've made it to row 18 and it is at this point that I need to repeat rows 3-18 another 16 times to get the full length of the wrap. I'm thinking... OMG!! Can I actually do this?! I'm still trying. I still want this wrap and I can only think it really will get faster, won't it? If I keep working on it, little by little it will be done, no?! I'm hoping so. My goal was to have done by knit camp which I leave for on 2/18. However, Ravelympics are starting on 2/12 and since I have a project potentially picked out for it, then I need to be done with the wrap by 2/12. So at this point, I have 29 days.

I'm using Cascade Eco+ Wool in a nice navy blue. I really like cascade yarns and can't wait to give this a nice wash in Kookaburra. It will smell and feel great. I just need to keep plugging away and it will be done.

I promise to post a photo soon. I've been slacking in that department, but it does look nice so far. I just wish it was moving faster. This project is definitely something that is helping me build patience.

Knitting: New Gloves for a New Year!

Those are my finished masterpiece. This was a great lesson for me in knitting. I doubted my progress several times when I shouldn't have. Consequently, they took me longer than they should have. But, I liked this pattern a lot and it was good fun to knit. Had many cables and crosses and twists. And I think the finishe project looks fantastic. The yarn I used was purchased at the great lakes fiber fest last May. I spent the day there with Cath, Audra and her mom Sandy. We had a nice time and I found this lovely shade of green-blue Handmaiden Casbah yarn. The yarn is a super soft superwash merino, nylon and cashmere blend. And the skein is so hearty, that while I made the set of gloves, I have enough left over to make something else. I have to weigh the skein first, but I'm hoping and THINK I might be able to get a pair of socks. They might only be anklets, but am hoping I have enough for pair. Or else, I'm sure I can get a pair of fingerless gloves.

So I'm kicking off 2010 in a good way. One finished project under my belt and I'm moving on to my next WIP. It's the Every Way Wrap by O. Park. I think it was featured in the fall 2009 of Interweave Knits. I've been wanting to make for some time, and I cast on a few days ago. Ther first 5 inches is 2x2 ribbing. I think I have about 3 1/2 inches so far and I really think that looks good enough. I plan to start the cable and seed pattern today. I would like to try and get at least an hour a day in on this. I'm not sure if I can do it during the work week, but I want to have this completed in the next 3 weeks, so that I can take to knit camp with me.

We've spent the weekend mostly relaxing, watching movies and knitting and a wee bit of cleaning too. We've watched; Star Trek, 4 Christmases, The hangover, The Final Destination, Angels and Demons, The Ugly Truth, Extract, and we tried to watch Taken, however the disc was bad. And today, we have Terminator Salvation, UP and GI Joe. Guess I'll get back to my knitting! Cheers!

Knitting: Finally a list

So I've been meaning to post for a couple of days, but time just escapes me. New projects at work are definitely a time suck, but also, it was REALLY hard to get back into the work groove after so many days of off/on style work with the holidays.

I have been successful at work. With these new projects, I have a plan. Hopefully one that I will get written out and it will be well execute, but the wheels are already turning and things are going well so far.

Which leads me into the year laid out before me. I've been trying to turn a corner with my knitting. Not starting so many projects, but actually finishing a few. Now, yes I have many items in hibernation on ravelry and will those get touched/finished... I really can't say. Some of them have definitely lost there lustre and may just end up going to the froggy pile, while others may still have a spot of hope.

So, for 2010, I've decided to make a special binder for all my projects. Yes I realize that we have a great tool in Ravelry, but one thing I know about myself is I like tangible things. Yes I can look online at all things, but to shop, I like to touch and feel what I am buying. SO anyway, I've created a binder for my projects. I've put copies of the patterns I want to make this year. Now, here's where best laid plans fall apart... new magazines and patterns and books will come out this year and probably tempt me. So I have to leave some room for the new stuff.

Anyway, so far this year, I've only knit on 2 items. I started a KAL with Cath of the Welig gloves. I love this pattern. I've never made gloves before and this pattern is definitely a fun one. Lots of twisted stitches and cables. And the yarn... I'm using the Handmaiden Casbah yarn. It's a dream and so soft! I can't wait to wear these gloves. I worked up through the pinkie on the first glove and then decided to make the 2nd glove before finishing all the fingers. I am hoping to be done with both or one by later today.

The 2nd project I cast on for is the Every Way Wrap. I'm going to knit camp in a month and I really want to be able to show off this project. So I have just around 4 weeks to complete it and I think this is do-able. Just concentrate and don't cast on anything else.

So this will be the year of the sweater for me. I have several sweaters/cardigans/jacket patterns in my queue. Of course if you think about it... I don't have much time because soon, summer will be upon us, so I really have to whip my knitting into shape! After the wrap, I think I will start Vivian. And I really want to knit Heroine and the Bountiful Bohus cardigan. Can I do all these before winter's end? And, will I get burnt out doing so many big projects. Yes, possibly.

So, with this predicament, I think I will try and finish a sock (from all the unfinished pairs I've started), as my in-betweens. Or just work smaller projects, like hats or mittens (gifts) for next Christmas. Hopefully this will get me on my way for gift knitting and not running crunch time like this past year. I also have squares for an afghan to make as well. So the year ahead will hopefully be a prosperous knitting year. I have a plan!

And the best part of this PLAN, I am going to destash while making these items. I bought bulky yarn awhile back for a sweater, that I wasn't crazy about after I started. So, I can use that yarn for Vivian. For Heroine, I will most likely have to invest in yarn because it's a felted piece that requires a LOT of yarn. And the Bountiful Bohus will require a new yarn purchase as well... however, for all my small projects, I have plenty of yarn. I also want to do an inventory and find projects for all my single skeins or smaller amounts of yarn.

So that is how I am starting the year.

Knitting: What was 2009

I remember at the end of 2008 or beginning of 2009, I made a post. A sort of resolution type of post... and sure I could look it up and read what it said and see if I accomplished what I set out to do. I feel like I should make another such post about 2010 and what I hope to do/see/make/accomplish. I think it's good to have goals.

But before doing that, I already feel like I might have done some of those things in 2009... and I may not have and if I didn't, it's ok because I realize that for me 2009 was definitely a growth experience.

I've heard quite a bit here recently that poeople didn't really like 2009, they were glad it was going and looking forward to 2010. My 2009 was really not that dismal. In fact, I can't really recall a SUPER BAD time of 2009. Sure, there were ups and downs but mostly what I remember are some of the amazing experiences I have had this year.

So before I make my 2010 LIST, I'm going to go back on what I'd like to call HIGHLIGHTS of 2009.

First memorable moment, spending the weekend with Cath and Audra and Tammy in Hocking Hills at a cabin. Unfortunately a couple of others couldn't make the trip due to weather. It was sad and we missed them. But, I found myself having a great time in spite of some of those things. We had great food, knitting, a roaring fire, lots of snow and ice, one seriously BROKEASS truck that barely got us there and home and one helluva large icey hill that promised to be the death of my beancountknitter. All in all I can look back and laugh. It was riot! I hope to have another of those weekends this year, but in better weather for sure!

#2, my lovely Knit Knite gals gave me a LOVELY birthday knit knite with Graeters Rasperry Chocolate Ice Cream cake (thanks JULANE!). It was such a great birthday, surrounded with friends, knitting and ice cream cake! YUM! I have had the unfortunate experience of some less than stellar birthdays in years past, so this was definitely one fantastic day.

#3, Knit Camp with Sarah and Audra in the middle of somewhere in PA (seriously). The camp was great, I met a lot of wonderful new people (knitters). We chatted and knit all weekend, had great food and bought some alpaca and got to pet my first Alpaca. His name was Pretty Boy Floyd and he was certainly a charmer. Speaking of which, I still have that alpaca yarn, I must work something up with it, soon!

#4, While still in February, I took on a new position at work... this was both great and bad. And let me tell you there was a LOT of bad with this one. But I got through it. I wasn't the best person during this time, to myself, to my co-workers or to my family. I didn't like who I was most of that time, but I was just so unhappy and I couldn't get out of it... but Brian did put up with me and we eventually took a vacation that managed to fix things.

#5, TRIP TO BOSTON! It was definitely a good time. Highlights of the trip were going to Salem (loved it) and meeting up with Brian's grandparents. It was so nice to visit and hang out with them. Then we took the train to Gloucester to meet up with them the next day, too. It was a fabulous time driving around the peninsula and checking out the boats, beaches and even a yarn shop!

#6 SOCK SUMMIT... so roughly 4 weeks after vacation I headed out to to Oz... at least that is what it felt like. All the buildup all year for sock summit and it was finally HERE. I had a wonderful time. There was a lot more I wished I could have done, more people I wanted to talk to, more pictures I should have taken and bravery I wish I had... but all in all it was a spectacular experience. I am so fortunate that I got to do it and so happy that I did. And the yarn.... oh heavens the yarn!

So those were the major highlights/memorable moments in 2009. There were lots of knitting gatherings, fiber festivals attended and a LOT of yarn was bought. Oh and I did sell some of the stash too. But I still have a lot left and I'm still not knitting as fast I want, but maybe some day, I can use it all!