2008 Goals

As many do, I spent time today thinking about personal goals for the next year.

• Lose 20 pounds. As a formerly anemic skinny girl, it is still shocking the weight that I’ve added since I turned 40. I’ll be 48 in 2008. It’s about time I get a handle on this one. I suspect this one is always tops on everyones list!
• Take walks with hubby
• Quit smoking. This is one I know I SHOULD do. I’ve just got to get past the fact that I enjoy it.
• Take a yoga class. Maybe this will be my exchange for quitting smoking…a new way to relax.
• Practice random acts of kindness. I recently sent a package to a fellow blogger, it felt really good. Do more of this.
• Re-energize romance…kiss more!
• Read, read, read (It is totally silly to even add this one, because I love books!)
• Get a massage once a month
• Conquer the pile of never ending laundry in the laundry room and keep it manageable. This may in fact be the hardest goal listed!

Here are some fiber related goals I want to accomplish in the coming year, in no particular order.

• Learn to knit lace, from Knitting Lace Triangles book
• Learn to knit socks, turn a heel
• Knit a mitered blanket from the Mason Dixon book
• Buy a sweaters worth of yarn and knit an adult sweater
• Attend a knitting weekend, take workshop/classes
• Attend fiber events
• Learn to weave on a harness loom
• Organize stash
• Get a photo tent for better pictures for the blog
• Continue to learn more knitting techniques/stitches
• Teach others to knit, on needles or loom

A year of knitting!

I’ve been knitting for a year! I have learned so much this past year, about knitting, weaving, podcasts, blogging and about myself! The sheep above was one of my Christmas gifts this year. Isn’t she sweet?

Son #3’s mother delivered twin baby girls on Christmas Eve. He delivered these cute booties for the new arrivals!

 

Greg’s Aunt was thrilled with her new shawl. Her mother was a knitter and she said that this is the first time, other than her mother that someone made something especially for her. I beamed It felt great to make this shawl for her and even greater to see her proudly wear it and tell the room, “Hey everyone, look at me!”

I received the “Knitters Book of Yarn” for Christmas! It is a wonderful book. Not your typical knitting book. I plan to read it cover to cover as it is full of great detailed information about yarn. It is a family tree of yarn, everything you could possibly ever want to know about yarn. It is a must have in my opinion! It also has some great patterns in it! I am making the baby soft cardigan for a friend who is expecting in February. I had the Blue Sky organic cotton in my stash and had never knit with it before. It is very nice to work with, and super soft!

Watch a great interview with the author, Clara Parkes here!

I also knitted my first dish cloth and discovered I really like knitting mitered squares. I’m thinking a mitered square throw will make it to my to do list for 2008.

I am also excited about knitting lace in 2008. This book inspired me!

Here is a great after Christmas buy I made! It is a container made to organize Christmas items. On sale at Sears for $5.99. I have organized my knitting tools…scissors, needles, stitch markers, etc. It is nice because each layer snaps into place, making it easy to get the item you need quickly.

Thanks to all that read my blog! I love being a part of the online knitting community. I’ve gotten as far as I have with my knitting thanks to your blogs and of course Ravelry! I look forward to learning even more next year! Look me up on Ravelry, my username is RiverCitySTL. I wish everyone a blessed and happy new year!

Slacker no mo

Ho Ho Ho!!!

I got a job, albeit a temporary position, working in Human Resources. (Not IT YAY!!!) The company is a wonderful not for profit helping adults with developmental disabilities find the services, support and care they need to reach their highest potential. It just feels good to be working in this environment! I’m hopeful that once the temporary position comes to an end, there will be money in the budget for a permanent position.

Here is a shawl I knit for Hubby’s Aunt. I got it done just in time for Christmas!

2 skeins Wool in the Woods yarn, Sparkle

Size 10 needles

modified knit knack kit

light and lacy shawl pattern

Let it Snow!

 

I love the first snow!

Friends

My buddy Shelly and I

 

Remnant Scarf

 

Flawful Fibers & Yarn Handspun Yarn of the Month Club yarn, 130 yards

k3, p3 rib

 

Hat, Scarf, Booties and a Rug…Oh My!

 

I wove the scarf on my Ashford Knitters Loom using

Doodlebird’s Courage Nifty Wool yarn.

The hat is my new favorite (same hat made in previous post.)

 

 

The booties are a gift for a friend who is expecting. Soooooo cute!

Its hard to believe my sons size 11 feet ever were this small!

Baby Bee Sweet Delight

Surfmommy #38 and Crayons Ombre #115

Size 3 circulars

I guess I am a yarn snob. This yarn is acrylic, and it splits like crazy.

I figured it would be best to make baby items out of acrylic.

Oh well, the yarn is pretty knit up!

 

I am making progress on my Circle of Fun Rug. I am about half way done knitting the outside ring.

 

Here it is with just the center two sections. I hope to have the outside ring completed this weekend!

 

 

Awesome Colorways

I love this hat! It took less than 3 hours to make! I need to find the perfect button for the flap. I’ll be making several more of these! Get this free pattern here.

Miss Babs 100% wool yarn in the colorway Forest Afternoon on size 10 1/2 needles

I also finished the fingerless mitts to go with the dulles hat in my previous post.

Malabrigo, violetea colorway, Size 5 circular

Too Funny!

This guy (Frank Caliendo) totally cracks me up!