Happy New Year!

So long '07...it was really good knowing you!

We've been busy apartment shopping all day (yes, offices and apartments were open on the eve of New Year's) so we're staying at home together and relaxing, drinking bloody marys, toasting with Martinelli's, baking mint chocolate cookies with hot chocolate mix left over from Christmas (which Joe is skeptical of), eating cheese, and probably watching Arrested Development on DVD.

Here's my  response to Knitlit's '07 knitting meme:

1. your best FO of the year
Lizard Ridge and the Entrelac Scarf are head to head on this.  I love the colors of Noro, and both of these showcase its beauty.  I'm going to have to go with Lizard Ridge though for sheer effort involved, quantity of bright color, and the usage factor (it gets cuddled almost every night). 

2. best FO of the year made by a blog you link to
There's no way I could pick one. I love Melissa's Autumn Rose Pullover, Lolly's Aftur Pullover, Jered's Big Blue, Elli's Saddle shoulder Aran Cardigan, Wendie's Scherherazade's Slippers socks, and the Bulky Cabled Cardigan by Neither Hip Nor Funky.  There's many more than this that I adore.

3. best yarn you tried
A classic: Koigu KPPPM.  I love knitting socks with this stuff...socks were made to be knit with Koigu!

4. best new book/mag/pattern of 2007
Oh how I loved the Holiday Issue of Interweave this year.  Chock full of inspiring patterns.

5. best new knitting technique or gadget you tried in 2007
Short rows! From the ripples in my Lizard Ridge squares, to the toes and heels of my first socks, I have felt the magic and the logic of short rows this year. Entrelac comes in a close second.

6. top 5 inspirations--what five things inspired you the most over the past year?
First and foremost: The internet: it supplies me with craft bloggers and Ravelry. It's a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration out there. Second: Interweave publications. Third: the crafting women in my family like my mom and grandma, as well as learning that my great grandmother was a knitter (she made and sold argyle socks!), and that my great great grandmother created tatted lace. I also discovered my grandmother on my father's side, who I've never met, was a knitter. Just knowing I have it in my genes is inspiring and makes me proud to carry the tradition.  Fourth: all the beautiful fiber provided to knitters by yarn companies and independent spinners and dyers. There's so much out there that I covet and want to knit up right away.  Fifth: our world.  The colors and patterns of nature; and the colors, styles and patterns of other cultures are infinitely inspiring.

7. designer who most amazed & inspired you throughout the year
Hmm...that's a tie between Jered and Eunny Jang.  They both take yummy photographs that showcase fiber and knitting as an artform; and their patterns, color sense, and style is amazing. The fact that they started out as "every day knitters" is neat.

8. knitting resolutions for 2008--what's next for you and your blog?
I really. really. want to knit more sweaters.  I have some boring, typical "real world" resolutions like: exercise more, get involved in triathlon training, become a better photographer, simplify and slow down and live more green, and volunteer in my community. But in the world of knit, sweaters are at the top.  I think this year I will be shorter on time because I plan to work full time and take some courses, but  I plan on getting more crafting done as I won't be planning a wedding! Nothing sucks energy more than thinking about your own wedding.  ;) As you can see my finished projects are rather sparse and not a hint of a sweater anywhere. This will change this year. I also plan on posting more but I already think I'm doing more than when I started this blog so that won't be as much a resolution as a continuation.
One other knitting resolution might be: fill a small sock drawer with hand knit socks! Or at least get a good start in that direction. I love this picture.

Have a happy new year...make it a good one!

Comments

[Jodi]

Happy New Year! Love the mosaic of handknits, esp. Lizard Ridge.

[Melissa]

Happy New Year! Here's to a year of more knitting and less wedding planning, eh?

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

I want to knit more garments in 08 too!

You had a fab you with your Lizard!!!

Here is to clicking our needles in 2008!

Happy New Year!