I had such a good post planned for today. Heaps of photos on the holidays and gift giving; a whole parade of handmade goods. After the sick-o-rama and then my holiday break, I was ready to jump headfirst back into blogging. Then, I dropped my camera.
My poor Sony landed with the lens hitting the floor, and now all it will do is make a sad, whirring/grinding noise as it tries to pull the lens back in, which it is grumpily refusing to do. So all those beautiful pictures I took for you? Stuck in the camera. So now what do I post about?
I guess I will start with the FO from my last post, the Webs Tam from Interweave Knits, Holiday 2007.
The yarn I used was Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Ruby Red. Lovely to knit with and a nice sheen. My gauge was dead on.
I used size 3 Addi Lace circulars, 32 inch. I was able to use the magic loop technique for the whole project and I am in love. I never bothered to try it until Mama Grouch showed me at our knitting group and really, it is the easiest thing. I just needed someone to start and show me how it’s done. And I swore I’d never give up double points.
The pattern was a fairly simple one (except the spiders in the middle threw me a bit) and I really have no complaints. This project was for my mother and it’s perfect on her!
On to a new year of knitting. Last year I set a few goals. Some I did well with, some not so well. I did increase my time spent sewing and spinning, and I did finish my raglan and cast on for a lace shawl (only four inches but hey, I tried it). The blankets and scarf are on a break, a big break. The only one I had been in a panic about was Knittybaby’s heart blanket, and he’s been given another years reprieve from his cardiologist*, so that can be slowly worked on as it looks as I’ve got a few years to get it done.
I also started the Ten Project Challenge this past year, and I have to say I’m happy with it and sticking with it. LimeDragon has come up with a great version of this; check it out if you’re looking for some other stash management techniques.
So where does that leave me for this year?
1. Try to get back to my one night a week spinning idea. I sew enough now that I don’t think I need to stick with a specific night for that.
2. Speaking of sewing, I’ve got 13 (13!!) windows that need new curtains. Think I’d better get to it.
3. Knitting? I’m got plans for the first few months:
January: the month of small things.
February: Sweater for me and one boy
March: Sweater for another boy and the Skeptic
April: Finish up the Skeptic and hit the lace
I also want to keep plowing through my sock yarn stash. Socks will be a good place to end this post. Remember the issue with these socks?
There was debate as to whether the Skeptic, in all his glorious Skeptic-ness, deserved any socks at all. Well, he’s hooked. Since it’s been cold out, I’ve been getting comments like this:
“I wish my socks were clean to wear right now. My feet are cold.”
“Can I wear these two days in a row?” **
“Will you knit me another pair? Soon?”
“You know, these wool socks I got for Christmas are nice and warm but the fit just isn’t as good as yours is.”
He also showed them off to all his cycling friends on their last winter bike ride. Case closed, huh?
*He actually went in for his yearly check-up today. His doctor said that if he keeps doing this well he won’t need surgery for a very, very long time. If your new to the blog, he has what’s call a coarctation of the aorta. Initially it was thought he’d need heart surgery by age one. So obviously we’re thrilled to get this good news today!!!!
**He does most of the laundry in the house, but he’s not allowed to wash anything hand knitted. He just doesn’t get fiber.
Knittymama 
I’m so glad to hear about Knittybaby’s check-up! I just thought about him yesterday and made a mental note that I wanted to check with you on that. Great news. 🙂 Thanks for the help with finding Sigg bottles before Christmas too!!! 🙂
Congratulations on the good news about knittybaby!!! That’s fantastic!!
And the Skeptic has truly redeemed himself – those are exactly the kinds of things a knitter loves to hear! I predict more socks in his future.
That is good news about Knittybaby! As for the Skeptic and his socks, unless he’s got really stinky feet, I don’t know why he couldn’t wear them twice before washing. Honestly, that’s what I do with my hand knit socks, since I think washing can be very hard on them.
Great news for KnittyBaby! I am so happy for you guys. Not so hot news with the camera. I hope you have a lovely 2008 and meet all your goals! I think I may have to designate a spinning day, too. I have some yummy fibers stashed and I enjoy it when I spin, but never think to pick it up and do it!
Very good news about KnittyBaby!! The color of that tam is amazing. And I say to the Skeptic “Ha!” 🙂 Bummer about your camera, though. 😦
Hooray for Knittybaby! That’s wonderful news.
Nice list of upcoming projects and goals there, too. You are far more organized about this sort of thing than I am! 🙂
I’m glad Knittybaby is doing well – that must be a huge relief.
And well done on the Skeptic socks! My husband asked me to knit him a hat and we have finally found a pattern he likes so I have cast on tonight – on DPNs. I am still at the stage of hating circular needles …
Happy New Year to the whole Knitty Family! And what wonderful news about KnittyBaby!
That’s no fun about the camera. I’ll bring my card-reader to Knit night and you can barrow it if you want to get your pictures on your computer. Also, bring your camera, I might be able to pop the lens back in. Though it’s pretty much done for so if you want to try pushing on the lens, it’s not going to make it any worse.
Oh and thanks for the Ten-Project idea. I’m using it so i don’t spend all my $ on yarn and actually pay bills.
Thanks a ton and have a wonderful new year!
Thank goodness for the good news about Knittybaby! I’ll have to check out the 10 project idea from Limedragon. She’s often the speaker of good sense.
Great news about Knittybabys checkup
Congratulations on the health news front! Also, thanks for the pointers on stash management. I’m not sure if I’ll actually make a “declaration” but I should would like to free up some room behind the knitting chair. That’s where I keep the “unofficially for a project” yarn.
Oh, where did you get the Tam yarn? Very nice!
Hooray on the news from the doc! Love the webs tam! : )
Happy New Year! How awesome way to start it out with good news about your little one. Can’t wait ’til your camera is fixed so I can see pix of the handmade goodness!
Great news about Knittybaby! What a fantastic way to start the new year.
Sorry about the camera. I hate broken things – especially if I’m the one who did the breaking.