The end and the beginning

When I look back at my knitting for 2007, it seems that it was the year of "a little bit of everything".

I finished knitting:
2 hats
2 cat beds
5 mug/cup cozys
1 shawl
2 pair of socks
1 dishcloth
1 shrug

WIP still going on:
1 scarf
2 pair of socks
1 pair of finished socks to be made longer for me (ds didn't want them)
1 shawl

It also seems that I was unmotivated for whatever reason. I had a big list of "to do" projects and they didn't get done. I seemed to go for the projects that were calling to me at the time.

I think I like that feeling....the feeling of what is calling to me. I think I'll continue that into 2008. The last few months I've been semi-monogamous to my projects. I like keeping a sock going and "something else". Right now, I have two "something else's" going but in a day or two I'll pick up a sock and continue with one "something else".

I've decided to knit more for others in 2008. My immediate family doesn't want socks but that doesn't mean I can't knit a pair for my sister-in-law or my brother just because. I was thinking I needed an occasion, but I don't. They live far enough north that knitting a hat or scarf or socks is a great idea.

One of my failings this year was not keeping up with the Socks that Rock Club packages as they came in. I have one skein of yarn from one month's package on the needles now but I'm using a different pattern. I'm using another skein of yarn with some stash yarn for a scarf. I feel good about using that versus just letting it sit in my stash.

I decided to join the Socks That Rock club again this year. My goal this year is to finish a pair before the next pair arrives. That gives me two months between pair. I can do that if I put my mind to it.

I'd like to set some other goals for the new year.

* Finish what I start. It really bugs me to have two socks in progress while I still have 4 skeins of STR yarn club yarn simmering away and a new skein that will be here in just a few weeks. (Not to mention all the OTHER sock yarn in my stash.)

* Knit 6 projects from books or magazines I haven't knit from yet. I have one pair of socks started from Knitting Vintage Socks. When I finish those, I'll have 5 more projects to do from the books and magazines I own. Knitting books are beautiful. I love ALL books, and having so many great books at my fingertips gives great inspiration, so I don't often stop myself from buying a book. However, I want to knit more projects from them in the coming year. There are so many great patterns in books and for free, but since I've spent the money on the books, I SHOULD use them.

* Knit more socks. I knit 2 pair last year. Let's make 6 a goal for this year. That will cover the STR club socks. If I knit more socks than that, then that's good.

* No deadline gift knitting. I've been good the past two years, so this is just a reminder for myself. If I want to knit for gifts, I need to allot PLENTY of time. I might even start a gift drawer so when projects for others are finished, they can wait in there until the right time. I actually do BETTER with a deadline although it adds to the stress.

* Knit for others. I think I've put off knitting for others because there are not many people in my life who would appreciate the time, effort, love (and expense) that goes into hand-crafted items. But I CAN knit for the few who know would appreciate it.

Are you cozy?

Here is what I've been up to the last few days


This is the Garter Mug Cozy from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts magazine.


Bottom view:


I had to take this pattern and add many more increases (the pattern tells you how to make this customized to the size mug you own). I am planning on getting some eyelash yarn to jazz this up a bit for my friend who has a HUGE mug and is quite the pizazz princess.

I knit this with Lion Brand 100% Wool in the color Rose. The yarn is on the rough side but I didn't block it to see if it softens up. Double points size 7.


This is another version of the same cozy. I made this one for Popeye to go with his new navy blue mug. I used Paton's SWS yarn (70% Wool, 30% Soy) in the Natural Navy colorway. This yarn is VERY soft and was okay to work with. The twist leaves very easily, but it wasn't hard to work with.



I made these cozies for my friend who loves Starbucks. I found the pattern here while I was looking for something else. The original pattern makes the Grande size. I modified the pattern to make one for the Tall size. I plan to make the Venti size for myself. I used Noro Kureyon #188. (Double points size 7)

Time to WAKE up! The Snooze is over...

I finished the Snooze socks for Sweet Pea 2 tonight.





I used a pattern created by Zoomom. The yarn is Southwest Trading Companies Tofutsie in the "Footsteps" colorway. I knit these both at one time on two circulars (a first for me doing socks with heel flaps on two circs.)using size 1 Knitpicks Options.

New Stash Enhancement

This arrived in the mail today. Isn't it GORGEOUS!!!! I LOVE it!




This latest stash enhancement is brought to you by Socks That Rock. This is my last installment for 2007's STR Club. I love the pattern AND the yarn! I think this yarn (called Bella Coola) and last month's yarn (from the Raven series) and my two favorites of the year. The pattern is written by Cat Bordhi! An extra plus if you ask me!

Flaps Down....Snooze Socks

FINALLY, I have a family member who wants socks! My darling little Sweet Pea #2 wants socks to match his friend's socks. Zoomom made these socks for one of her little Monkeys and he just happens to be friends with my little guy. Legs and heel flaps are done and I'll be turning the heels probably tomorrow night (no knitting time before then).

I'm finished, I'm finished, I'm finished...Oh Darlin' Clementine

She is finished and blocked. I finished this shawlette a few days after Thanksgiving. I can't remember exactly right now but I recorded the date in Ravelry. But it seems that they are doing some maintenance over the right now so I can't fetch the exact date.

Here are some pictures of the old girl blocking. (Notice my little supervisor)




And here she is posing for you in our local yarn store.





I'm thinking about blocking it again, but not so tightly this time. I sort of like the look from the magazine (you can see some of it preblocking below). Any thoughts on this?

The stats.....The pattern is from Interweave Knits Spring 2007. I used Blue Sky's Alpaca & Silk in Silk Spring. It ended up being longer even before I blocked it than called for in the pattern, but I'm fine with that.