Looking Back and Looking Forward

January 2, 2009 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)

As I look back on 2008, I have to admit that I didn't finish nearly what I had set out to at the beginning of the year. Of course, I didn't factor knotions into the mix back then, and when I consider all the work it's taken (and will continue to take this year) I'm (almost) happy with what I've completed.

At the end of each year I take stock - reflect on the (now previous) year and think about what I want to continue doing and what I want to fix. Last year I talked about knitting more socks, knitting more designs from books I already have, and branching out into more mixed-media knitting. I didn't hit a single one of those goals. To be fair, I didn't plan for knotions when I wrote that list, and that has to be considered some kind of FO, no? ;)

I have some bigger ideas for 2009 that are still ruminating, so for now I'll share with you a few of my knitting-related goals.

I want to design more this year. Knotions took up more time than I ever expected and I haven't been able to design nearly as much as I had hoped (and I have a sketch book bursting with ideas to prove it). So for this year, I joined NaKniSweMoDo. The group is dedicated to knitting 12 adult-sized sweaters/tops during the year. My goal is to design at least half of them, and I've already started on the first.
Use a little more color in my knitting. I have no problem using color in socks and accessories, but I want to do something a little more daring (for me) with a sweater or a top. This one is going to take some effort - my latest WIP is a charcoal gray.
Work through a little more of my sock yarn stash. Do I really need to elaborate?
Don't grow the stash (again) this year. I'm really not sure if I made this goal last year. I really didn't buy much, but I also didn't knit much. On second thought, I'm sure the stash has grown in 2008 (hello MDSW, Rhinebeck and Stitches East), although I did sell quite a few things that I no longer had an interest in knitting. Selling off stash feels like cheating though, right?
Blog a little more. This one is somewhat difficult because when I'm designing I can't blog as much, but I'm going to try because I really miss it.
Always have a simple project on the needles. Sometimes I just want to knit - no note taking, no measuring. Just. Knit. So, I plan to always have a simple sock or scarf on the needles that I can pick up at any time I crave a little simple knitting time.

Will I achieve these goals? Only time will tell. I do plan to do a monthly check-in though - I had forgotten several of my goals for 2008, and there's no chance of hitting a goal if you've forgotten what it was in the first place.

If you've set some goals for yourself, I hope you have a great time working toward them. Have a wonderful 2009!

32 Comments

patty said:

I think given the economy lots of us will be shopping the stash, selling the stash, trading, or buying but not as much. I look forward to seeing what you do in the upcoming year, and wish nothing but time and energy to complete, what goals you have.

January 2, 2009 9:35 AM

sarah b. said:

I completely agree with you on a monthly check-in...I got to thinking about 2009 goals and had to look back at my blog post to figure out what my goals were in 2008. So, I think a monthly check-in will be in order in my world, too!

January 2, 2009 10:52 AM

Jessica said:

Happy New Year!!! Given the BIG things you did in 2008, I don't think you have anything to feel badly about. Your work is wonderful and thoughtful and excellent. Quality not quantity! :) I hope you have an even better 2009 and can't wait to see what you do.

And selling stash... totally not cheating! ;)

January 2, 2009 11:39 AM

Kristy said:

Happy 2009! Yes, Knotions counts as a huge FO/WIP, so it makes sense that you don't have as many others to show for it. It looks like you have some good goals for the new year, and checking in monthly is a great idea!

January 2, 2009 1:09 PM

gleek said:

these are all fabulous goals! and knotions is a real crowning achievement! definitely don't discount it :) happy new year!

January 3, 2009 10:50 AM

Jody said:

I wish you all the best in 2009 - and Knotions is quite an acheivement! I look forward to many more new designs!

January 3, 2009 4:34 PM

Stacey said:

Those are great goals - I too need to work through the stash! I thought about joining the sweater a month, but I'd need to buy yarn for sweaters 5-12 and that would negate my other resolution! :) Happy 2009!

January 5, 2009 7:37 AM

mel said:

Those are some great goals - and yes, I would say that Knotions absolutely qualifies as an FO! Congrats on a productive and creative 08, and wish you lots more good things in 09. Happy New Year!

January 5, 2009 3:12 PM

Hadyamesy said:

Что-то ты недоговариваешь…

January 13, 2009 6:42 PM

Briliorge said:

Блог интересный и полезный. Разместите все-таки информацию о donations (денежных перечислений от посетителей блога). Можно указать электронные кошельки или sms копилку. Я бы перечислила.

January 14, 2009 5:05 AM

Pioggia said:

I think you have many more knitting accomplishments that any of us do. Knotions itself is worth the whole knitting year!

January 19, 2009 12:46 AM

optockgow said:

Скажите, а у вас есть RSS поток в этом блоге?

January 19, 2009 5:23 PM

How Do Solar Cells Work said:

It looks like you have some good goals for the new year, and checking in monthly is a great idea!

March 21, 2009 4:34 AM

AkBilly said:

Да,согласен с предыдущими вы ораторами