The number of projects I actually completed in 2009 is reflective of the way I knit: slowly and methodically. Overall, I'm proud of what I accomplished. From developing an appreciation for knitted socks, to finishing projects languishing in the UFO pile, to challenging myself with different types of patterns and deadlines, I've definitely covered a lot of ground and become a more competent knitter in the process. Let's take a look back at the projects of 2009:

Wicked Eyelet Rib Vest

When I saw the Wicked Eyelet Rib Vest pattern it was love at first sight. Everything about it is perfect from its femininity right down to its faux cables. I chose Lily Chin's Gramercy yarn for this project partly for the gorgeous raspberry color and partly for the price point. In retrospect I wish I'd chosen a yarn that was a little thinner and not quite so splitty, but I'm fairly pleased with how the vest turned out. This project was relegated to the UFO pile for a few months because of my abhorrence of seaming and a very tiny mistake on the back piece of the vest that made me not want to look at it. Ultimately, though, I just sucked it up and pushed through. The result is a beautiful FO...which I really haven't worn. Actually, I'm still trying to find the perfect top that will do it justice and that's definitely not easy given all the junk in the stores these days.


Eyelet Yoke Baby Cardigan

In keeping the the eyelet theme, when I stumbled across the Eyelet Yoke Baby Cardigan I knew it would be the perfect project for my co-worker's baby. The cardigan knit up very quickly in Cherub 4-Ply. I made a matching hat (courtesy of the Baby's Beanie Hat pattern) and a pair of booties (courtesy of the Classic Cashemere Bootees pattern) to complete the set. I've only seen photos Miguel in the cardigan -- I'm sure he has long outgrown the hat and booties -- but he looked looked absolutely adorable in it!


Nutkin Socks

I came across the Nutkin sock pattern when looking for a pattern that would work well with a skein of Lisa Souza Sock! Merino in the Berry Poppins colorway. My frustrations with the yarn aside, it works very well with this pattern. This was also my attempt at a no-wrap short row heel thanks to a great blog I found. Sadly, though, the blogger's Photo Bucket account is not active so the photos no longer appear with the text. I'll be sure to update the link once I find well-documented instructions for this method.


Jaywalker Socks

Next up is the Jaywalker sock. I chose this pattern because I needed something that would work well the Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock Yarn in the Alice colorway. This was my first time working with a heavily variegated yarn and I ended up learning a lot about pooling and flashing through trial and error. Although the socks do not match exactly I really love them. The yarn was particularly nice to work with. I guess that's why several of Dani's Twilight-inspired colorways have found their way into my stash. Yes, I'm a big Twilight fan. There. I said it.

Amazingly enough most of my knitting took place towards the end of 2009. The Wedding Clapotis, the French Press Felted Slippers, the Super Cupcake Hat, and the Almeara Gloves were all finished within a few weeks of each other. Since I've already blogged about the majority of these projects I think it will be easier if I just include the links. The Almeara Gloves, however, will be featured in a separate post as I have a lot to say about this particular pattern. Believe me when I say a lot.

Well, that's my year in review. What's in store for 2010, you ask? I've set the following knitting goals for myself:

• Knit more socks: Let's face it, you can never have too many of them and there are so many great patterns out there.
• Knit a lace shawl: See my previous post
• Learn entrelac: It doesn't look too hard, maybe a little fiddly.
• Keep working on things from the UFO pile: Some projects in there are screaming to be worked on.
• Colorwork: Enough said.
• Design an original project: I've got something already in the works.
• Be better organized when it comes to projects: Plan ahead, review what's in the stash before buying yarn, etc. Sigh. I know, but I've got to try
• Join a sock club: Kind of defeats the purpose of the previous goal, but I guess that's part of the fun =)

In my last post I was frantically trying to finish the Wedding Clapotis. Did I make my deadline? Well, if you would look to the sidebar on your right you will see that it's officially off the needles and in the FO pile! I got the piece blocked Sunday/ Monday and handed it off to my co-worker on Tuesday. Overall I'm satisfied with the way it turned out, although blocking the finished Clapotis was more work than I had antipated.
I've never actually blocked lace and had a hard time with pinning out the edges. Also, the room where I blocked my other Clapotis no longer has carpet -- it was so easy to jam pins into the carpet but you can't exactly do that with a hardwood floor. Boo! Anyway it's done and I am very glad to see the back of this project. It had just gotten to the point where it had become more of a chore than something I was actually interested in doing. Granted, I would have been knitting anyway, but I didn't feel the same connection to the project that I get when I'm working on something for myself or when I'm knitting for someone that I care about. I don't know if my co-worker's daughter will wear it during her wedding reception today and frankly I really don't care. However, I will be sure to post a picture if she does end up wearing it.

Fast-forward to the present. I'm in the process of finishing up the knitting for the French Press Felted Slippers in Patons Classic Wool Merino yarn (Mercury). This has definitely proven to be a relatively easy project, and although you do have to make two of everything the pieces knit up quickly on large needles. For whatever reason my m1 increases on the knit sides have produced gaping holes. I'm a little nervous as to how this will affect the actual felting process, so I may may some adjustments prior to sticking the slippers in the washing machine. I hope to get these done either today or tomorrow.

For the time being, though, I'm going to keep the Thanksgiving momentum going and make Pumpkin Creme Brulee and Sage and Onion Stuffing for dinner tonight.

Congrats to all my fellow Twihards! We've made it through a year of waiting for New Moon to come out. Everything I've read so far has been fairly positive. Good thing too because I don't think the director and the studio fully realize that even the slightest inconsistency could trigger riots of massive proportions. At this point the only thing that's standing between me and the next showing of New Moon is the damn Wedding Clapotis. The bottom line is I have to finish the knitting and start the blocking process within the next 24 hours. It's definitely doable (yeah, I've said that before) given that I'm well into the Section 4 decreases. Of course, I just dropped ten stitches typing this post so I'm going to have to do some back tracking. Blah! At this point my only incentive to get this done is the reward of a Sunday showing of New Moon. That being said let me get out of here and get my knit on. Team Edward all the way ;)

As I continue to slog through the last few repeats of Section 3 of the Wedding Clapotis I find I'm thinking about potential projects for the coming months. I've gotten it into my head that I want to tackle knitting a lace shawl for my grandmother. No doubt I'm setting myself up for all kinds of torture in the long run, but as I turn the idea over and over in my mind it occurs to me that this is probably one of the few things I can knit for her. Sizing is definitely a concern as my grandmother and I have very different builds, and since I don't get to see her as often as I would like -- she lives in Southwest England -- I'm not really in a position to get her measurements. I do have one particular shawl pattern in mind: the Mystic Light Shawl by Anna Dalvi (aka knitandknag on Ravelry). Carin of Lime and Violet and Round the Twist fame (aka alcariel on Ravelry) worked on this shawl a few years ago in the Jaggerspun Zephyr and seemed to like how it turned out. The added bonus is that the Jaggerspun Zephyr comes in tons of colors and it's super cheap. So...it looks like there is more lace knitting in my future. Oh joy.

Another pattern I stumbled across while skulking around Ravelry is the French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi (aka frenchpressknits on Ravelry). I absolutely love the photos I've seen of the finished slippers. I'm all about form and function and this pattern is put together in such a way that it satisfies both criteria. Yay! These are probably going to get bumped up to the top of the queue because it's getting cold and I need something to keep my feet warm as I roam around the house. Besides, it looks like a quick project. I'm contemplating stash diving on this one, but I may also end up buying some more yarn for this project as I'm already going to be placing an order for the Jaggerspun Zephyr. Yes, thinking is definitely dangerous.

Back to reality and the last repeat of the Wedding Clapotis!

Amazing! The first post in almost two years. Let me preface this by saying that I'm not sure how long this renewed fascination will last. Lately I've felt that I have more to express than I'm actually saying, so this is my way of just getting it out there. Chances are I'll be the only one reading my ramblings, but others may be interested to get a glimpse into my bizarre little world.