Goals check-in

I can't believe January is almost over! I'm starting to get used to writing 2012 now, and getting in the habit of keeping the blog updated! So, feeling good about keeping up with my once a week blog goal, and thought it would be good to take a moment to reflect on where I'm at with my other goals for the year.

I'm currently working on a cabling project, and could have used this as an opportunity to try cabling without a cable needle, but it was so natural to keep using the needle! Some habits are hard to break... but before I started beating myself up for not trying a new technique, I realized that this project is entirely from stash! Pattern, yarn, needles, stitch markers, and even the cable needle. So, one goal at a time, right?

Also "finished" one WIP. OK, all I had to do was weave in the ends, but it took me over a year to do that!

And contemplating joining a knit-a-long on ravelry for the February Lady Sweater. Still nervous about making a sweater that will fit, but seems like a KAL would be a good way to have some support and encouragement... Also tempted by Decouverte, since I wouldn't have to knit sleeves!

What was your first sweater? Any suggestions?

Yarn and Tea

Today was supposed to be the Seattle to Portland yarn train. Unfortunately for the Seattle knitters, it was cancelled due to the bad weather earlier in the week and Amtrak delays/cancellations. But, the participating stores went ahead with their specials for anyone who could make it to town.

Since the only train I had to take was the MAX, and I can't resist a sale, I headed to the Pearl for some yarn shopping :) First stop was Knit Purl to check out the Shibui Mix patterns - planning to make Mix 3 (a shawl made from a silk/mohair yarn and silk/merino yarn). Also got some Shibui worsted on sale, but sad to find out this yarn is being discontinued.

Next I wondered over to Urban Fiber Arts to check out the trunk shows going on. Lots of lovely colors, but I finally chose a lovely skein of Abstract Fiber Mighty Sock (along with a shawl pattern) and a super soft skein of Caress Royal Alpaca to make a pair of arm warmers.

Then stopped at the Tea Zone for a Red Velvet Bubble Tea - seasonal flavor (I'm assuming for Valentine's Day), so I had to try it. Surprisingly tasty!

Enjoyed my tea while walking to Dublin Bay. After much contemplation, finally settled on a skein of solstice luna merino and a skein of sweet georgia sock yarn I had been admiring for awhile (the color is snapdragon, which is also my favorite flower). Thinking arm warmers or a cowl for the merino (I think it's a dk weight) and not sure if I want to make socks or a shawl out of the snapdragon...

From there I took the streetcar up to NW 23rd for some iced tea from Tea Chai Te and a "wildflower" sandwich from PBJ's. Also stopped by Let it Bead - got some ideas for beading projects, but wasn't ready to buy anything. Need to look through the bead stash again...

Enjoyed the retail therapy after a long week at work! And love living in such a crafty town :) Time to start working on all of these projects now!

Do you have any favorite yarns or teas?

Start-itis

I've been having trouble deciding what to write about this week, so "startitis" seemed like an appropriate topic.
I keep starting blog posts in my head, so it seemed time to just write something already! But at least that means I have more ideas for future blog posts.

I'm also prone to startitis with knitting projects. In fact, I started a new project today. Wanted to start something for a friend whose birthday is at the end of the month. Also working on a hat for myself. And I've been thinking about knitting a pair of gloves for my coworker. And have been meaning to knit a shawl for another friend.

Also need to finish the hat for my aunt - I didn't finish it in time, so wrote her an IOU for Christmas:




But somehow it's more exciting to start a new project than to finish one....

Anyone else have startitis this year?

Goals

Keeping up with my goal of one post per week! Also updated my profile in case anyone is interested.
I have also been thinking about my knitting goals for 2012. There seems to be an abundance of groups on Ravelry dedicated to making 12 of something (pairs of gloves, socks, shawls, other item of your choice) in 2012. But, as a typical Gemini, I don't want to commit to knitting 12 of any particular item this year. So instead I came up with 12 general goals for the year:
1. Knit a sweater (I've been thinking about this for awhile, so it's time to do it already!)
2. Make a yarn budget - and stick to it! (This should include yarn, fiber, patterns, knitting books)
3. Knit 12 things totally from stash - yarn, pattern and needles (note I'm not committing to knitting the same items, but trying to use down the ever-growing stash)
4. Knit a shawl from yarn I spun (so far I've only knit ornaments from my handspun, so would like to try something bigger)
5. Complete a knitting project with beads (I've started one, but haven't finished)
6. Knit a pair of convertible gloves (something else I've been thinking about for awhile and haven't gotten around to)
7. Knit a pair of socks from the toe-up (I've only knit socks cuff down, so want to try toe up)
8. Knit a pair of socks 2 at a time (enjoyed doing fingerless gloves 2 at a time, so want to try socks)
9. Organize UFOs (not sure how many projects have been started and not finished). Want to decide which ones to frog and which ones to finish - and finish at least one from the pile.
10. Update my Ravelry project page and include pictures
11. Learn to knit cables without a cable needle (I've heard people say this can be a faster technique, and have been wanting to try it)
12. Knit something for charity (always good to give back!)

Do you have any crafty goals for the 2012 that you'd like to share?

New Year

Thought I would start the new year by trying to revive the blog. So, I am planning to post once a week. I know there are 366 day challenges out there, which sound fun, but I think once a week is a more realistic goal for me right now. I believe in starting with small, obtainable goals :)

I have a few crafty goals for the year, but am still organizing my thoughts, so think I will save that for another post.

Happy 2012!