Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year

I'm reading everyone's summaries of what they did in 2012 and how they did against their goals.  The message there is don't set a goal of reducing your stash.  It is just not physically possible, no matter how much you knit.  I know mine didn't go down due to the yarn crawl and going to two TKGA shows, DFW FiberFest and Kid N Ewe.

We had an eventful year.  Moved to a new house.  Worked like the dickens at three different consulting clients, until finally joining one as a full time employee in November.  Got my Master Knitter's.  Was published in Vogue's Ultimate Hat book.  Had two other sweaters accepted for magazine publication for 2013.  Won two ribbons at the State Fair.  Survived my son getting his driver's license.  Finished 18 projects during the year - some were small.  Joined the Master Knitter Committee and realized how much I have to learn.  Conquered my fear of Knitting Socks (toe up is the secret).  Hurt my hand but managed to find a way to knit through the pain and healing process.

I had really wanted to be published this year in three publications.  I didn't quite make that but I'm happy with what I did accomplish.  My goal for this next year is to knit what I want to knit - not get distracted by knitting for publications.  My other goal is to improve my skills for assessing Master Knitter submissions.  I was working on one yesterday, level two, from a very good knitter who wasn't getting it on picking colors that go together for Fair Isle.  I ended up doing a bunch of research on color theory and importance of values in Fair Isle knitting.  It was so much fun and I learned more than when I did my own.  If I learned a tenth of that amount with every submission, I would be thrilled.  And my other goal is to get back to my Beekeeper's Quilt and do a hexipuff per day.  It is sinking in that my son will be going off to college in 18 months or so (don't make me do the math) and it is probably the only knitted thing he has ever expressed interest in.  How could I not make one for him?

One last picture from the beach, my favorite place.  Along the coastline, by the remains of some very old and decaying boat, with the state flag hung in distress mode, someone painted this sign.  It translates to "while I breathe, I hope."  Here's hoping you have a safe New Year's and a joyful, healthy and creative 2013.


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Work in Progress Wednesday - Holiday Version

Merry Christmas!  I hope you had a great holiday however you choose to celebrate.


We went to church on Christmas Eve, woke up to a terrible rain storm and by time we were finished Christmas dinner, we had snow!  Where many of you live that isn't a big deal but this is North Texas and snow on Christmas is not a given.

It was a fluffy, wet, heavy snow.  My poor roses were laden down - they were blooming a week ago!

In total we probably had three inches.  The snow has now stopped but it is very cold and the roads are icy.  Unfortunately I have to go to work but I'll wait an hour or so.

I did get a lot of knitting in over the last four days.  Unfortunately I don't have a lot to show for it.  The socks still look the same.  I'm working on a sweater that has been accepted for publication and that means I obsess about it being perfect.  I have started over twice now, hoping that the third time is the charm.  My mother did love her socks and they fit perfectly.

I'll skip the pictures of WIP because they haven't change.  Head over to Tami's  to see great projects in progress and have a great day.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Finished Object Friday

I did manage to finish one Christmas Gift for my mother.  Socks!  She picked out the pattern and tried them on as I went so it won't be much of a surprise, but I'm happy with how they turned out.

I don't have a good picture of the lace pattern once they were finished and now they are wrapped.                                                                                                      I hope you have a great day and a wonderful holiday.  Check out the great finished objects at Wisdom begins in Wonder  and Tami's.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Work in Progress Wednesday - Healing!

The good news is after six weeks of having my ring finger taped, strapped or otherwise immobilized, I am now able to return to normal activities.  For the next three weeks, if I'm doing heavy activity (lifting, moving furniture, exercising, gardening) I have to put the straps on but the rest of the time I am free.  I still have to do my exercises three times per day for six weeks, but other than that I am basically healed.  The doctor says I will still have daily pain for three more months and then occasional pain for a year.   Yeah!  this is a big step forward and will speed up the knitting!  Also typing is much easier so I don't have that excuse on not blogging!

I finished a pair of socks for a Christmas present.  I started a new set for me.  Toe-up and with a mock cable.

Have a great day - hard to believe it is a week before Christmas.  Go check out the great projects at Tami's