New stuffs for a new year

I guess I should publish my knitting resolutions - because it's about that time of year.  And yes, we are 22 days in, but you need to stop judging me.

I have some goals for 2012 for my fiber life.

1. Knit 12 hats for Halos of Hope.  It's not a huge stretch for me, but one a month is a good clip :-D
2. Knit at least 3 patterns from the 2010 rockin sock club.  I need to work some of those amazing patterns, even if they aren't in the STR colorways
3. Take Basics Basics from TKGA, when it fits into the budget (after my Nancy Bush Class and After Knitpurlhunter comes to my LYS)
4. Take a spinning class at The Fold.  I'd like to go and try out some wheels.


About these goals.  They are about building knitting karma, using what I have and expanding on my knowledge base.  All things I really do believe in.  I did not talk about stash enhancement nor building a library.  I think I'm good in that respect.

Where am I in these goals.  I have a hat ready for Halos, just need to weave in ends and bring it in.  I have NO socks on the needles.  None, but I am obsessed with the blanket/shawl I'm making from leftovers.  M came over today and we knit and chatted (great time), she asked how much longer I was going to go.  I could not answer, just "longer than this."  It is lovely.

I've been reading the Rav group for the TKGA and their courses.  Based on some of the chatter I hear, instead of jumping into the Master Class level 1, I'm going to take the Basics^3 course.  Get a feel of what they expect and get some initial feed back on my knitting before getting into it.

Last one says it all.  I'm wanting to wheel to take pressure off my shoulder while spinning.  Spinning on a drop spindle is not ergonomic.  I would love to try wheels, The Fold does private lessons too :-D.  

Packer win?

The Packers lost on Sunday - in the first game they HAD TO WIN.  *eye roll*  My Packer Playoff Project was the French Press Felted Slippers - a really quick and simple knit.  I made in Malabrigo Worsted in Jaen - the Packer colorway.

I am ready to felt :-D  Here are my amazing slippers pre-felting.  I will felt Wednesday after knit-night tomorrow.

Not the holiday I had planned

Well, it's been a little bit of a roller coaster over here.  However, I did finish all the knitting I intended too.  I didn't get to get all the baking in I wanted, nor did I get in the cleaning or organizing or decorating.  We always travel to our families for the holidays, and so I feel like I have more time than I really do.  All of a sudden we'll be leaving for Wisconsin in the morning.  This year was no different.  Well, a little different.  I lost an aunt over the holidays, my mom's side of the family.  It was a bittersweet holiday, she hung on through Christmas (which she loved).

Our plans changed a lot, popping back home (300 miles) for the dentist and to complete everything we had intended to do while on vacation that week, then coming back for funeral activities (300 miles).  Then back home (300 miles).  And on to New Year's activities...  Far too much packed in to a small amount of time.  Going back to work was a vacation from this vacation.

When life was getting away from me I was knitting balls.  BALLS!!! (I also made candies ... all in BALL form ... sorry)  I made a few for a knitting friend who lost her Christmas decor in a flood this summer.  Our knitting group pooled together to start rebuilding her collection.  I also made a few more for me.

I also finished (but not blocked) a Spectra (by Stephen West).  It was made with Dream in Color Starry in Deep Sea Flower and Jawoll Magic, a one ply color changing fingering weight yarn by Lang.  So pretty, stunning really.

The Christmas gifts went over well - the flower headband for my boyfriend's sister got a delightful reaction.  My brother's Packer scarf was great, he even said "It'll match my hat!"  Yup, that was the intent :-D.  Grandma loved her slippers, one of my aunts said I should take orders.  Oh, no these are for Grandma only.

And over Christmas I was knitting with handspun... a RhombusCowl out of Beyounce the llama's fur.  I have loved her so much, my mom bought me a TON of her roving for Christmas - there will be a Beyounce sweater - but not yet.  I think I would like a class on plying first.