What's in a year? 2011...

What's in a year?  For me, as a knitter, I always feel like I haven't done enough knitting, not enough projects, or techniques, etc., but then I have to remind myself, that its a hobby, and I work full time, and sometimes more than full time with other jobs, and then, oh yah, life.  So I'm not as dissappointed when I see what I've accomplished. 

If I factor in actual knitting hours per week, I'd say I get probably 10 hours at best combined, and at least 5 hours.  That's not all at once, it's an hour here, 30 minutes in the car (not driving), etc.  I also try to take it easy on my hands and wrists too, so I do tend to limit my knitting at times, more say lately since I injured my wrists months ago working out. 8( 

So, without further adieu, here's pictures of my 2011 Knitting Year.  I'm missing at least 5 - 10 projects that never made it to a photo shoot.

Just a little knitting

My mini-Christmas vacay was nice, and always too short. I made lots of tamales, and did a good amount of baking. I also squeezed in some knitting, primarily for Christmas. There were still a few things I couldn't get done or even start, but there's never enough hours in the day for us knitters, is there?

I wish I could just spend my days knitting all the beautiful patterns out there and then enjoy wafting though the many FOs...heaven 8) But reality always hits and I find myself always squeezing in some knitting, even if only a few rows, or even a few stitches.

I'm at the tail end of a few projects, and have a few news ones I need to get started, alas my New Year's knitting.

First on the needles will be a pair of socks, for the Through the Loops Mystery Kal 2012!

and then at least 3-4 more projects I'll be rotating.

I'll leave you some Christmas knitting...

The Mixt Cowl, on the top, wrapped twice, on the bottom, wrapped four times.

Knit with Cascade Ultra Pima, 1 skein.

1 pair of Knucks = 1 skein of Cascade Ultra Pima.

Mixt Cowl knit with 1 skein of Cotton Supreme.

Quick Post

Just stopping in to post a few things...I always have more to post, just need to find the time.

I have long days that start very early and end late.  I should be sleeping right now, but I'm compelled to post.  Never want to go too long without posting. 

Here's whats ON and OFF the needles.

Quick Flower hair pin knit with Anzula squishy sock yarn

Mixt Cowl blocking

What's coming soon to the needles

• Owls
• Acorns
• 2 additional Mixt Cowls
• Knucks gloves
• Much more...

What's blocking and waiting for a photo shoot

• Bulky Shrug
• Vita Cardi
• Balloon Monkey
• Traveling scarf
• Cerasifera shawl
• Malabrigo scarf
• February Baby sweater
• Mystere sweater
• Elm Row scarf

What's on the needles

• 2nd Mixt Cowl
  
• Rock Island
  
• Kiwi scarf
  
• Cranked socks
  
• Homin shawl
  
• Cotton Candy Hearts blanket
  
• And many others....

In other craftiness, I made a new Christmas Wreath to hang on my door.

I like it, but I think the flowers are too big.  Oh well, it'll do.

Til next post -R

So it begins

In the spirit of "Small Business Saturday", I mosied on down with my Mother to Green Planet Yarn to score some yarn for the annual "Black Sale". 

The haul was all my Mother, she got 20% off the entire purchase and got a great deal on some 100% Trauco Cashmere at 55% off.  It's such a lovely yarn, in the picture it's the 5 skeins at the bottom, in purple and wine.   From right side top, we have Ultra Pima Cotton in a gorgeous Colbalt blue, Mountain Colors sock yarn in pretty varigated purples and brown hues, Cotton Supreme in a very passionate purple, Malabrigo Rasta in gorgeous purple, gold, blacks, and lastly the 5 skeins of Trauco Cashmere in purple and wine.

So it begins, the gift knitting, I know its a late start but I always like challenges.  I'll end up with 5 long Moebius cowls and a pair of gloves and then something more.  The more is a few skeins have undecided fates, but that shall change soon. I'm actually making these items for gifts for my Mother to give, so I'm giving the gift of knitting. 8)  Although thats not considering I get to pet, squish, and knit with the yarn, always nice.

Here's one of the cowls already on the needles.

I better get going now, have alot of busy things to do, including knitting. 

Enjoy!

R

Bye November

November turned out to be a busy month for me and before I knew it Thanksgiving was here.   I know that I received 2 great packages, from a wonderful swap spoiler, Palehouse on Ravelry, and from a close friend, Marisol.

Palehouse sent me my swappy package from the Love Bites swap, a vampy themed swap.  She gave me the coolest vamp package.

Check out these goodies I received!

First the packaging, this is what I found when I opened the USPS box..

It's you standard photo storage box, but an awesome one.  With bats and a glow in the dark moon, and some cool ribbon with a steel key.  I was totally geeking out over the packaging, its the simple things that I love.

Such great gifts and beautiful yarn!  I still haven't decided what to do with the yarn, but I'm excited for when I find a pattern.

Oh, and on the outside of the wrapped Witching Hour book by Anne Rice is this totally cute black Raven!

Such a great package, loved it.  Thank you again to Palehouse 8)

My second package received, such a surprise, from Marisol.  A belated birthday present, she really knows how to spoil me and knows my tastes, well our tastes are the same, makes it even better!

 

I got the cutest mini lace sock kit with beads! Sheepy gift card, Decorative box with a pretty purple pendant necklace (worn this a few times already), Sheep bookmark (I'm a reader!), Fragrant soap (smells so good), black clutch purse (totally cute), Sock Summit WIP bag, Sock Summit post its, Beautifully hand-spun, hand-knit cowl by Marisol (100% BFL!), Bronze shawl pin, Socks that Rock Rare Gems.  Everything is awesome!  Absolutely loved all the gifts.  Truly thankful to Marisol 8)

I've had limited knitting during November, have some FOs to block and will share later this week.  I've also finally finalized my new free hat pattern to post later this week.  I'm also a wee bit bummed, just a teeny bit, my pattern submission to Knitty obviously didn't make it because I never heard from them, although they do say on their submissions FAQ that if your pattern didn't make the cut you'd get a Dear John letter, but I never received anything.  Don't know if its worse that I didn't receive anything or not, but oh well!  I shall keep on trying 8)

Onto December...