100th post/2008 wrap up

I love how my 100th post also coincides with my 2008 wrap up.



I knitted/crocheted and or finished 5 pairs of socks, one of which is from my own handspun, 1 pair of mittens, 5 toys, 2 washcloths, 1 blanket, 1 scarf, 1 hat, 1 shawl from my own handspun, and 1 Christmas tree ornament.

I am very proud that I was a bit more selfless with my knitting this year. The duck was for a coworker before I left for my full-time job, the elephants and washcloths were for my cousin's babies, the crocheted toys were for Scott and my brother and the shawl was for my mom. I think I was most proud that I finished the Saffron Cables blanket and my mom's shawl. I never thought that I would finish something so large; it is the most used knitted item in our home. My mom's scarf was the most beautiful thing that I created from the almost very beginning to a completed item.

I also improved on my spinning throughout the year.


The most important thing I learned this year with my spinning is to make sure that I spin all that is needed to finish a project at the same time. I did not spin enough "Walking on the Sun" to finish my shawl, the second attempt at this yarn is a bit thicker than the first sitting but that is fine with me.

There were also some items that were not finished:


I finished 3 single socks (one of which is a knee-high from my own handspun) which are still waiting for their mates, 2 sweaters, 1 which only needs half a sleeve and the zipper, 1 shrug and 4 shawls, 3 which are not pictured (Lily of the Valley, Peacock Feathers and Ene's Scarf), also not pictured 7 socks various stages of completion.

My 2009 plans are to spin one skein of yarn a month to decrease my fiber stash. Now I know that by doing so I will only be increasing my yarn stash, but let's ignore that for the moment. I also want to start finishing my lingering WIPS, especially the sweaters. I would also love to knit a pair of socks a month, but I know that is a lofty goal. I did not finish a single sock from the 2008 Rockin Sock Club, I would love to be able to do so, along with knitting down my sock stash. This will probably not happen, but I would love to try to at least keep up with the current club that will be shipping out soon.

Well there it is, my 2009 goals out in cyberland for all to see and for all to keep me honest. This might be the first year that I set actual goals that I can keep track of so December will be interesting.

Hats*

Now that the calendar says September I’m looking forward to the cooler weather and warm hand knits. So to celebrate the coming fall I knitted this up before we went to DC:





(It is very hard taking pictures of yourself.)

Pattern: Red Light Special by Jared of Brooklyntweed
Yarn: Knit Picks Telemark in Chesnut, Skyline, Colonial Blue and Icicle.
For the lining, Knit Picks Shine Sport in Sky.
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace in US1 and Knit Picks US 3 circular.

This was a very quick knit for me and I enjoyed every moment of it. I love the feel of the Shine Sport on my ears and forehead which are usually really sensitive to wool. Originally the background color was going to be Navy but it knitted up too similar to Skyline, you couldn’t distinguish the pattern. So I ordered Chestnut and Icicle to replace Navy and Alpine Frost. I’m really happy with the colors.

I’ve also dug this out of hibernation and have been plugging away in hopes to finish it before the weather turns:



This is the back of Urban Aran Cardigan, another item I saw at Brooklyntweed and fell in love with! I just casted on for the front last night; I’m knitting both pieces at once to keep them even. The yarn, Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky Wool is nice to work with. I find it very soft and squishy; it also knits up pretty fast. I’ve added an extra stitch on both sides for the seam, and in the front I split it where the p2 divides the cable panels while adding a knit and slipped stitch to hide the zipper. I think I might add a double sided zipper, other people seem to have had success with it so if I can find one I’ll add it.

Since my mind is on sweaters lately there are two that I have been itching to buy the wool for, Cobblestone(yes another Jared’s pattern) and Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang. Maybe when payday rolls around I’ll purchase the yarn for Cobblestone; Scott has been asking for a sweater and he really likes the MacAllistar Orange that is on sale at Webbs.

*Okay I’m stretching the Rent lyric here, they do sing hats in “Christmas Bells” but you wouldn’t know that’s where I took this from unless I told you.