My 2010 knitting resolutions

2010 will be my second full year as a knitter (I started Nov. 2008). I've made a list of knitting goals/resolutions in order to challenge myself a bit more. Without further ado, here's the list:

1. Knit a fair isle pattern.

Stilwell is what is on the agenda (photo from brooklyntweed's website); I'll probably end up using Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed instead of the Classic Elite Portland tweed called for in the pattern. I am under the impression that the individual patterns from Brooklyntweed's last book of patterns will be available separately for purchase sometime in January, so I'm waiting for it to be available before I buy the yarn.

2. Design my own pattern.

I'd like to read some design books before I venture out into this (I don't want to be someone whose patterns are crap because I'm inexperienced). I don't really know what kind of patterns I'll make yet.

3. Knit something without errors.

None of the larger items I have knit to-date has been 100% correct. I'd like to fix that.

4. Complete a sweater.

I started my central park hoodie on Dec. 14, 2008. It isn't done yet. I frogged my Owls sweater.

5. Complete something using the entrelac technique.

Entrelac is a knitting technique that creates diamonds. It kinda makes a basketweave pattern. Here's a brief description. 

In terms of knitting, 2009 was a pretty good year for me. I went from barely able to knit to turning out a full pair of socks in 9 days. I made a lot of new and awesome knitting friends that I am very grateful to have. 2010 should be entertaining as well-I'm the captain of a Ravelympics Team for one thing. I can't wait to see what the year holds-it will be awesome! Yay for 2010!

La digitessa

I wanted to knit a sock pattern that would both challenge me and wow non-knitters (can you blame me?), so I picked La digitessa by Yarnissima. I started it Christmas Eve Eve, and I'm mostly done with the first sock.The traveling stitches make a pretty wave pattern. The yarn is Tempted Good Grrl in Foliage, and I had a hard time photographing the exact color. The first picture is closest.

I also decided to add on to my stash storage, since the yarn was spilling out in the floor. I'm going to add another cube where the wedding pic is soon.

I'm writing a post about my knitting resolutions list, so that's why this one is so brief. Happy New Year!

Stash building

I finally made some time to knit something for myself, and I happen to love it! This is the first of a pair of Augusta gloves knit in Tempted Luxe girl (cashmere ::gasp!::). I really really love it. There is one mistake in the gloves, and I'll have to debate about whether or not it is big enough or noticeable enough for me to fix it. I'll probably end up doing something to minimize it because a knitter can likely pick it out immediately. However, that does not detract from the loveliness of the fingerless glove:

While I may have conveniently used disliked stash yarn for gifts, that hasn't really stopped me from building up other aspects of my (growing) stash. Pretty much all I've bought lately is Tempted yarn, although I did buy some Del Sur for a hat and some Lang Jawoll and Araucania sock yarn for those stocking ornaments.

First up, the sock yarn. It's all Good Grrl. This is passion fruit:

Mocha that will eventually be DH's christmas socks (I haven't started and Christmas is 6 days away!):

Foliage that will be my next pair of socks for myself:

I won the progress pic portion of the Cables on your Chest KAL on the 3am enchantments board on Ravelry, and Keri sent me this freaking awesome and cute Petite KIP bag and Stacy sent some coordinating pink glam:

I need to get back to knitting. I have 4 pairs of Christmas socks to make, and only half of one sock done. Thankfully, the recipients are understanding since my 11 day vacation starts on Christmas eve. I'm ready for the holidays to be over.

FO factory

It seems like all I do lately is knit for Christmas, which is why I haven't blogged. I didn't want to give the secret away lol. I'll show you a quick hits parade of what I've churned out lately, and then I'll save tomorrow's post for the one thing I've been able to make for myself and some awesome goodies I've gotten lately. Without further ado, I present the the FO parade (that's finished object, to the uninitiated):

Pretty little stocking ornaments! The middle one is the first time I've ever done colorwork, and it seemed to turn out ok. Pattern here.

Fingerless gloves! Rav link here. I used some Paton's SWS. Christmas is such a good time to stash-bust! I don't really like the Paton's SWS because it is a bit itchy and it sheds like a mofo, so I got rid of it via gift.

I jumped on the French Press Slipper bandwagon. This was my first pair, and I have to make another tomorrow. After that, I don't think I'll felt anything for a while! I live in an apartment complex, and we have community washers. I don't think I could turn back the dial often enough to felt them. Therefore, I drive my happy butt all the way to Guthrie to use Muriel's washer.

Another stashbuster. This is the Quickie Cowl in Berroco Foliage. Pattern here. I like the yarn's color, but the splittyness drives me crazy.

Finally, a scarf, and yet another way to get rid of yarn I'll never use. This is where I may have experienced what the Yarn Harlot calls "falling down" at the yarn store. When I was told by the store employee that this yarn would be discontinued, I promptly bought the 4 skeins they had on hand. That was last March, and I haven't even used them until now. The pattern is Peasy scarf, and here's the Rav link.
Tomorrow (or Sunday, knowing me lol), I'll post a pic of the pretty gloves I've made with Tempted Luxe, some of the Tempted yarn I've recently acquired, and the 3am enchantment bags I've procured.

Oh, and one last thing. I GOT INTO THE TEMPTED @ 3AM CLUB! Yes, that required yelling.

Crazy busy

I've been really busy with Christmas knitting and I was sick for a few days to top it off, so I apologize for my lack of blogging. Wanna see the cutest thing ever?

They are mini ornament mittens! Adorable, no? Here's where I got them. I'm making a crap-ton of them for mini Christmas presents. I love them! (that yarn is leftover Tempted Bah Humbug)