My Knitterly Life

My friend Yankee Lagniappe tagged me to review my 2007 knitterly accomplishments and my 2008 knitterly resolutions. Here goes:

My 2007 Knitterly Accomplisments (not necessarily in order, because who can remember?):

1. I was a big, brave girl and went to my first Stitch 'n Bitch meet-up. One of the best things I've done - knitwise and lifewise. I've met a wonderful group of girls who have become great friends - and they share my knitting addiction. Can't beat that.

2. I started this knitting blog!

3. I got my invitation to Ravelry and found yet another endeavor to keep me from doing laundry and dishes.

4. I knit my first pair of socks. Socks. I made socks. From scratch. With a recipe. Proud!

5. I learned the magic loop method of knitting in the round. Love love love it. Nothing against dpns, but magic loop really helps me avoid lots of dropped stitches and mess-ups.

6. I spit-spliced! Thanks CostumeChick!

7. I went to Rhinebeck! It was my first trip to the New York Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY with 4 fabulous friends from SnB. What a great day. It was knitter's heaven.

8. I knit lace. Okay, so I didn't use laceweight yarn (even though I bought some at Rhinebeck). I tried, but I just wasn't ready for that tiny little string. I consider my Candle Flame Shawl my lace, so I'm taking credit for this accomplishment. Humor me.

9. I figured out how to modify an existing pattern to knit something I really wanted to make. Believe me . . . this was a proud moment!

10. With a lot of help from smarter knitters, I completed Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. EZ patterns, to me, are so not easy!

11. Two men fought over a sock that I made!

Okay, so maybe I'm going a little overboard with this accomplishment thing, but I'm having fun.

12. I knit with Knitpicks Options needles. (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

13. I wound my own balls. With this.

I think I'm done. I think. That's enough, right? Are you bored?

My 2008 Knitterly Resolutions:

1. I will organize my yarn and accessories. I'm in search of a yarn wall (like CostumeChick and Anphoe). I want to have my yarn in a place where I can not only find it, but enjoy it by just yooking at it.

2. I'll knit real lace. With that tiny little string.

3. I will knit a sweater for myself. A grown-up, adult-size sweater.

4. I'll finish my WIPs. Be quiet. There's no laughing allowed. It's rude to laugh at someone's resolutions. Geez.

5. I'll teach some of the kids at school to knit. Maybe. I have some major concerns about sitting in a room with a bunch of 8 and 9 year-olds while they're holding pointy sticks. Maybe we'll try crochet. One stick per kid - and not so pointy.

6. I'll do some charity knitting - maybe for the Snuggles Project.

7. I'll try colorwork. Maybe just a little swatch.

8. I'll organize my knitting patterns into a pretty binder with page protectors. Right after I finish my WIPs.

9. I'll finally go to WEBS in Northampton, MA. SnB girls - you're with me, right?

I think I'm done, although it would be nice to have a nice round 10 things on my list. Wait . . . what am I thinking? 9 is more than enough to tackle.

When we go back to school on Wednesday (ouch . . . that was painful to say), I'm going to have my kids write about their New Year's resolutions. I make it easy for them by having them write answers (in complete sentences, of course) to a series of questions about their resolutions. I think I'll pick my first resolution to write as a model for them. If I do, I'll share it with you. Chuckle, chuckle.

Gotta get knittin' now.