Crafting Goals 2017

I’ve been bad about sharing my finished objects here on the blog. I’m particularly grateful to Marsha from the Twitch & Stitch podcast, Jenni from the Lone Larch podcast, and Chelsea & Sue from the Legacy Knitz podcast for hosting the Project WIP KAL, and Amber from the Yarn Hoarder podcast for her Finish Up Those WIPs KAL. I was motivated by the idea of freeing up my needles for fun new projects in the new year. I’m proud of what I accomplished. It was a lot more than I thought I could get done by the end of the year. Here are a few of my big finishes from the fall:

Pattern: The Love of Spiders by Melanie Berg

Yarn: Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in the colourways Rosebud (pink) and Espresso (dark brown). They have discontinued the very dark brown. I believe their darkest brown is now Bison.

This shawl was cursed from the beginning with many restarts, ripping back, dropped stitches etc. But I have never worked with such a gorgeous combination of colours and I’m happy to have a triangular shaped shawl.

 

Pattern: Close to You by Justyna Lorkowska

Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Sweater Weather colourway

I was so lucky to receive this skein of yarn, along with some gorgeous minis as a gift from Sue and Chelsea when I met them at Rhinebeck. I loved how the colourway knit up. There is no pooling of flashing with this type of yarn and Sue is a colour genius. The pattern in free from one of my favourite designers. It’s simple to memorize and has a beautiful story behind the inspiration. It’s worth a peek at the pattern page to read.

Pattern: Vanilla sock, incorporating my first Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist

Yarn: Austerman Step self patterning yarn in the aptly named colourway 43

I’m very happy with how these turned out. I’d been intimidated by the length of the FLK heel pattern, but it’s very well written and easy to do. I will be using this a lot as it is much faster for me than the traditional heel flap and gusset.

 

 

Pattern: Twice Reversible Poncho by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas

Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool in Natural

This was deeeeeep stash that I wasn’t prepared to get rid of. It’s 100% wool that maybe isn’t the softest thing you’ve ever felt, but a good workhorse yarn. This was the perfect project for it because it was never going to be right next to my skin.

I LOVE this finished object. I’ll admit that it wasn’t always the most interesting project to knit, but I’ve been using it in a variety of different settings. I took the time to learn the invisible graft/seam combination that makes this truly reversible, and now I have a lot of styling options. (Not that I’ve ever been good at styling!)

I debated about setting crafting goals for this year. I feel like I’ve tried before and then stopped tracking them. Aryn from the Bling Your String shop has a thread in her Ravelry group where we could list up to 12 goals and set mini goals per month to keep us on track. So, without further ado, here are my crafting goals for 2017:

1. At least 20 skeins of fingering weight yarn (net) less in stash by the end of the year. (overall stash down quantity and stash up quality)
2. 4 adult garments (or equivalent project of 1000+yards)
3. 2 projects for my partner
4. Learn to sew project bags.
5. At least 6 pairs of socks for me
6. At least 10 squares for my scrap yarn blanket (each square contains 8 triangle wedges)
7. Learn a new knitting technique ie: brioche, double knitting, stranded colourwork
8. Make 20 projects from stash (either pattern or yarn), with at least 10 projects where I don’t buy pattern or yarn)
9. Finish the year with no Hibernating projects – either finish, frog or be actively working on them
10. Knit something from my own handspun
11. At least 5 concrete projects/uses from Knit Stars, Craftsy classes, workshops etc.
12. Sew a pair of pajama pants or an apron.

I have to say I’m hopeful. I signed up for a Sewing FUNdamentals class at a local store and by the end of the month I will have learned how to make project bags. I’m participating in The Canadian Knitter’s Winter Camp and I’m on a team with my knitting friend Shameka (from the Knit Night with Shameka podcast) and two other knitters from her cabin where we will be making as many pieces for our scrap yarn blankets as we can during a 72 hour period. This will happen once a month for January, February, and March. I am knitting a Pinwheel Scrap Blanket by Mina Philipp, Shameka will be knitting hexipuffs for her Beekeeper’s quilt, another team member is making a mitered square blanket and our fourth team member is making crochet squares for her blanket. We don’t yet have a team name – any suggestions? Team Eclectic was the only thing that came to me. I think it’s fun that all four of us are making different types of scrap yarn blankets. I will keep you posted as the year goes along. Hopefully this will keep me accountable.

How about you? Do you set knitting or crafting goals for yourself? If you are willing to share one or two, I’d love to know what your 2017 plans are. I get inspired by things others are knitting.