Goals: December 2007 Archives

I love the end of the year. I get to reflect upon what I accomplished (and didn't!) and look forward and dream about what the next year has in store for me.

2007

This year had some nice highlights for me. I tackled my knitting nemesis (a really great thing) and made my first (and definitely not last) knitted skirt.

However, I didn't get done nearly as much as I had hoped or would have liked. I have 11 FOs from this year and I feel a little unfulfilled because of it.

It's not just the fact that I only finished 11 things (although sure, I'd love to have a couple more hand knit sweaters in my closet and a drawer full of hand knit socks [very cool pic, you have to click]), but more so my reaction is that I didn't finish many of the things I started.

2008 - start less, finish more, sew more, frog less

I've given this one a lot of thought. For 2008, I'm going to make a serious effort to finish things. I never would have finished St. Brigid had I not had the Rhinebeck deadline. Same goes for the wedding stole I just finished.

Part of the cause of this not-finishing thing is that I have a tendency to start projects on a whim, and once I see it's not doing what I want it to, I abandon it for the next thing.

This goal has a second benefit too -- stash management. My unwieldy stash is at least in part caused by the fact that I start so many projects. It's hard for me to go back and use an "old" yarn. So, finishing things will make for a smaller stash (and a happier me).

My 2008 goals are really pretty simple:

• Finish what I start.
• Knit 12 projects from books or magazines I haven't knit from yet.
• Knit more socks. I knit 3 pairs last year (although if you count half-pairs I probably knit twice that amount). Let's make 6 a goal for this year.
• Branch out more into mixed-media knitting. This could be a bag with a fabric lining, or a sleeve with some embroidery, or a top with some ribbon applique, or a small sewn quilt with a lace edging. I miss the other crafts so you'll be seeing more of them in the coming year. I won't just be knitting, although I'm sure I'll be knitting more than anything else.
• Keep the stash organized.
• End the year with less stash than I started.
• No deadline gift knitting. (I've been good the past two years, so this is just a reminder for myself)

The book idea originated in a NJ knitters' group forum on Ravelry, and is one I really love. Knitting books are beautiful, and having so many great books at my fingertips gives great inspiration, so I don't often stop myself from buying a book. However, I want to knit more projects from them in the coming year. There are some really great patterns out there.

While i'm not choosing which 12 things I'll knit from my books in the coming year, I did put together a few possibilities.

click for descriptions

I already have yarn in my stash for many of these sweaters. A small confession -- I'm secretly hoping to knit three sweaters next year. In reality, I should be able to do it if I stick to the finishing thing. But, for the past 4 years I've finished exactly 1 sweater per year, so three feels a little pipe-dreamy for me.

click for descriptions

And here's a sampling of accessories I'd like to knit. There are also a few bags that have caught my attention. Can you believe I've never knit a bag? Two of the bags in the latest KnitScene are great! Pam Allen's applique bag really speaks to my desire to mix media in the coming year too. Plus, who doesn't like an excuse to go fabric shopping?

In closing, I want to thank you all for the comments, advice, inspriation, support and encouragement. This community is an awesome resource and I'm thrilled to continue to be a part of it. I wish you all a wonderful 2008, filled with your favorite yarns, your best needles and your prettiest FOs!

ps - I upgraded to MT 4 over the weekend. It's going to take a bit of time before I have my templates updated, but for now this one gives a glimpse of what I plan for this blog in 2008.