2018 Knitting Year in Review
As usual I look back on a productive year with lots of creativity. Browsing through the roughly 1700 photographs I imported into Lightroom (never mind those that were made on my phone and never made it into an editing program but did get sent to friends & family!) I have made a ton of stuff, took pictures of a lot of stock items, and had a very productive year both at work and at home.
New this year was the possibility to 'challenge' yourself on Ravelry by setting a number of projects to be finished this year. Last year I finished 21 projects and this year is not much different with 22 finished projects. I've never set much stock by a number I challenge myself to make. Knitting (crocheting) is my hobby and should remain such. I don't buy a lot of new skeins so I don't have an obligation to work my way through tons and tons of stash. This year was even more so: I frogged a number of things that didn't work or make me happy, and approaching Emphebion I struggled with a deadline and deciding not to meet that deadline took away a bit of stress I didn't need or want from my hobbies.
What became of last years' plans?
Oldies but Goldies - knit a pattern from a book. - I cast on a pair of Ludwig Socks from the Op-Art Madness book. They were very roomy and I frogged them and changed patterns. Failed!
Start a Jar - best thing ever. I can put some small change into a jar and when I visit a knitting fair, I take the money along and have a fun day.
Knit the Tempest Cardigan -- Failed. Not even started.
Bonus objective: visit a faire with Anemoona and Kat -- Done! We went to the Dag van de Wol in Ooijen.
Knit the Miranda Cardigan -- Done but failed, as it was very unflattering. Picture below.
Weaving -- Done but failed: I set up a woven belt on my rigid heddle, but found that sock wool is unsuited for weaving. I re-used the long tails of yarn in a pair of fair isle socks though.
At least 1 more pair of socks for Eisirt -- Done!
"I told you so!": join the Sock Madness -- Done, but due to being far too busy I never got invested enough in the competition.
Finished Objects for 2018 collage:
22 projects finished this year:
14 pairs of socks, all for friends and family.
2 hats.
3 shawls: 1 for a friend. My Eriginea crocheted shawl has been lost shortly after finishing it, and I am still sad.
1 pair of mittens for a friend.
1 testknit for a toothbrush and toothpaste.
1 sweater for myself, that was so horribly unflattering I sent it to the Humana bin. I hope someone else is happy with it, it was quite warm.
Plans for 2019:
If I've learned anything about my knitting hobby, is that it should be fun. I should be inspired by the yarn and pattern and enjoy the progress. I frogged far fewer projects than the previous year but I still sometimes struggle with the 'fun' part of the hobby. I try to keep the number of WIPs small to prevent aggravation and try to step back and focus on why I dislike a certain project. So here are some concrete plans:
Join with the Sokkenbreien group on months with inspiring themes.
Finish at least 2, but maybe 3 cardigans this year. Bagtanker and Sprout are already on the needles, and I recycle my Tempest Cardigan goal from last year.
I'll probably join the Sock Madness again, because beautiful free sock patterns are not to be sneezed at. I am not sure if I want to cheerlead or compete yet.
At least one fun yarn fair or event with my knitting and crocheting and spinning and weaving friends.
Keep filling up that jar!
New this year was the possibility to 'challenge' yourself on Ravelry by setting a number of projects to be finished this year. Last year I finished 21 projects and this year is not much different with 22 finished projects. I've never set much stock by a number I challenge myself to make. Knitting (crocheting) is my hobby and should remain such. I don't buy a lot of new skeins so I don't have an obligation to work my way through tons and tons of stash. This year was even more so: I frogged a number of things that didn't work or make me happy, and approaching Emphebion I struggled with a deadline and deciding not to meet that deadline took away a bit of stress I didn't need or want from my hobbies.
What became of last years' plans?
Finished Objects for 2018 collage:
22 projects finished this year:
Plans for 2019:
If I've learned anything about my knitting hobby, is that it should be fun. I should be inspired by the yarn and pattern and enjoy the progress. I frogged far fewer projects than the previous year but I still sometimes struggle with the 'fun' part of the hobby. I try to keep the number of WIPs small to prevent aggravation and try to step back and focus on why I dislike a certain project. So here are some concrete plans: