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!

The Central Park Hoodie

The CPH is a pretty popular sweater. I know many have made it and many want to. Knitscene magazine calls it the pattern that made them "famous." Not sure if I've posted about it much or not, but a little over a week ago, I finally c/o the CPH I'm making pretty good progress on it and would probably be close to finished with the back had I actually DONE some knitting this week. As it was I only got 2 rows done at lunch one day, then a couple of inches done on Thursday evening.

I had more time planned, but this was definitely a weird week. Anyway, I'm happy with the progress and OMG... the yarn is YUM squared! It is so super soft while knitting, it's hard not to stop and pet it along the way! :) I think it is the major force behind getting it done... I really want to wear it! Plus, so far, the pattern is super easy to do. I've been to that point where it's become fairly mindless, I don't have to look at every stitch. That is probably why over 1600 people on Ravelry have made it. Besides the fact, it's totally cute.

I am using the Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed. It is a blend of Wool and Alpaca and looks like THIS:


It's not the cheapest yarn in the bin, but I fell in love when I saw it. And funny thing, the Merc had literally JUST put it on the shelf that day. Two days prior (maybe 3), I had stopped in there and chatted with Meagan. I picked up the Universal Tweed (I think) it was in a purple color and was really nice. I had her hold it for me because I wasn't sure on yardage. So that day I went in because I wondered if universal had anything in GREEN (my fave color) and they didn't. So I was going to stick with the purple, it was nice enough. But then... MAGIC... I went down like 2 more bins and there it was. It was fate, I reached out and grabbed it... and like I said, it was a bit of a higher price point, but there is also a more yardage PER skein than the universal. So I grabbed every skein on that shelf (8) and it was mine! I had some wound and off I went.

When I think about this sweater, I am reminded of something. There is more to this sweater than the price of yarn, the time and joy of making it... this yarn is a representation. I am reminded of a friend going through a tough time, she's making a comfort sweater and at first she worried it would remind her of some of the "bad" stuff, but she likened the sweater to a hug... and I get that, makes total sense. The CPH for me though is a different comfort. It will be a success story. My success story.

I have been working hard (on most days) to get fit and healthy. I've been working out and trying to make better food choices. I've established some goals and I've told my friends about these goals... so NOW, I really have to make these goals a reality. I am a little behind on the weight number goal for pounds lost so far, but I have also had some "lazy" days in the past 2 weeks. I'm not going to beat myself up about it, but I AM going to try harder this week!

That being said, let's get back to the sweater. I am making it 2 sizes too small, well smaller than I currently am. By the time it is finished, I hope to be two sizes smaller. I've already lost some inches because of my workouts. My arms are getting more toned. I can see and feel it. It's an exciting time and this sweater will REPRESENT! I hope to be done by Thanksgiving. I would love to take it on vacation with me. I think it will be the perfect, walk on the beach at night sweater! It also dawned on me, when I get to my goal size of being smaller than I am right now... I won't need as much yarn to make stuff for myself... so I can buy MORE yarn of differing varieties and sweaters won't cost nearly as much to make for myself. Now if that isn't another reason to lose weight and be fit... well, I don't know what is!

Accomplishments of the NON knitting variety.

So I've accomplished a couple of things the last 2 days.

1. I signed back up at the Gym. It's been way to long and I REALLY hate paying for the gym when I have access to one at work. The problem with going to the one at work is there is little motivation since I no longer work in the building it is housed in, so I have to DRIVE out of my way to go. I have noticed though that by going to a place a like, while I have to pay for it, I am more motivated to go and because I used to go, I know the circuit training WORKS. I saw and felt the results before and in a short amount of time, the point is I KNOW I will go and I better cause I'm paying for it in cash and in fat (so to speak). :)

2. I booked our reservations at the beach in NC over Thanksgiving. So very excited for that. And even better, I might be able to lose a bit of weight before we go, so I'll be even more fit for the beach, albeit most likely too cold for swimming outdoors, but they have an indoor pool and several jaccuzzis. I love the hotel and am so glad we are going back. It's the place we took our late honeymoon, same time of year too. :)

As for other accomplishments, just minor work stuff, nothing exciting there, I haven't finished the sleeve to the Greenjeans for Joy cardigan yet. I know it will be done soon, I guess at this point I'm just getting a little impatient with it. Of course it's my own fault, I don't totally dedicate enough time to it. I will definitely be glad when it is over. The next sweater I do, I hope to NOT drag out this long... and considering I have 2 more to do for Christmas gifts. And a scarf or 2 for the special olympics... I'll be plenty busy!

Oh and since we are going to NC, I'll have to check out Fiber in the area and see if there are any meetups going on and go meet some other ravellers. I need to put that on the TO DO list. :)