I did it! I set out to finish 52 projects in a year, I actually surpassed my own goal! In one year, I knit up 15,888.66 yards of yarn into 57 projects. Wow, that’s pretty amazing! If it weren’t for some miscalculations in my stash, gifts and some necessary purchases, my stash amount would look like it went down over the year. But because I miscalculated and missed several skeins of lace weight, it’s hard to guess really how much I had at the beginning of the year. In any event, I completed 57 projects this year! I still can’t believe. When I undertook this project, I was a little weary of how I would accomplish my goal. But thankfully, I kept up with finishing a project a week, and in most cases, stayed on track.   [ Read more ]

In preparing for my NYE party this year, I draped two strands of mirrored garland around my fan like a chandelier. It’s now my new favorite decoration and I’m toying with the idea of leaving it up for awhile—at least until I have to turn the fan on!

The rest of the “loot” has finally made it’s way under my tree along with the first load. It looks even more amazing all piled up like this.

Here’s a bird’s eye shot. You can see the pile of Senseo items. I got the machine and a bag full of coffee. I have been sampling the Colombian variety, which is really quite tasty.

Back to the homestead and I have unloaded about half of my “loot” from this year (the rest is still back at my mom’s house). I really am shocked at how much I have received this year. It was most unexpected and so nice. I will post a gift rundown once I get everything to my place. I just wanted to post this picture with gifts under my tree.

Imagine these blocked. No, really. Imagine it. OK, now I feel better. Right now, these socks look like a big old mess. I really need to block them but I have never invested in sock blockers because there has never been a real need. Well, today is the day, my friend. I need me some sock blockers like snow needs water. It just has to happen. I need to take care of this pretty soon though, since this is a gift for a New Year’s baby.   [ Read more ]

Another set of dishcloths, this one named after the colorway: Midnight Magic Double the Fun Dishcloths. I gave these to my mom because she seems to like them!

stash knit down 2009 total: 56 FOs

My mom was jealous of the wreath I made in 2007 out of pine cones from the tree in the front yard, and requested that I make her one too. So she collected all the cones before the snow hit and as a Christmas bonding activity, we put it together. I say we, but my mom was really there for moral support. We laid out the pine cones and I really like the look of the layered cones. I then had to attach each cone to the metal ring frame. This took forever and resulted in sap covered hands. We then added these berries to give it a punch of color. I really like how it came out. Oh, and just a tip: If you have sap covered hands, use canola oil. It will break through the sap right away. Don’t try to scrub your hands to death because it just won’t work.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I set out to knit up two skeins of Rowan Romance in a light blue and a light purple. I came across the Quickie Cowl and thought I’d give it a try. As I started knitting, I was concerned about the scratchiness of the yarn on my neck—it was a little rough. But I kept knitting, not knowing what else I could do with this yarn. Once I finished, it was apparent that the cowl was a little thick to fit my neck and the scratchy issue may still be an issue.   [ Read more ]

A last-minute Christmas gift for Dad, I whipped up the “A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend” pattern. It seemed simple enough in taste for my dad. I added the extra inch to pull down over his ears. Plus he has a larger sized head so I wanted to make sure it fits well. The pattern was easy-peasy.

stash knit down 2009 total: 54 FOs