Starting the new year off right (knitwise)

Posted on | January 25, 2009 | 9 Comments

New Years eve, I cast on.

Hemlock Ring (needs no intro – I’m sure you could guess!). Color to match someone’s eyes.

New Years day, I cast on again. And have stolen a few hours here and there to continue on.

A fresh start on my Festjakke, now Festpulle (I’ve no idea if that’s an appropriate use of language – but it decided that it wanted to be a pullover instead of a cardigan).

The first I hope to finish very soon, as it expresses a sentiment that I can’t in words. The other will likely be on the needles for the foreseeable future. It’s start on the New Years was intentional as I plan to finish it this year (even if that should mean December 31, 2009!)

3 other projects that I haven’t mentioned yet effectively crossed the divide between the years.

Sock sample knitting for Gryphon. Unfortunately these I really can’t show you as her Fairy Tale Sock Club members get to see them first (but seriously, this pattern makes me wish I were a member, I feel fortunate to have been able to work on these even if I can’t keep them – it’s a great design and hits all the right notes – some soothing knitting, a bit of a challenge, some pure fun, and, of course, gorgeous colors. That’s all I can tell you.) Nearly done – look for this showing up in Ravelry project pages next month.

And two design projects, also for Gryphon. One in the development phase (aka swatching), in a familiar (favorite) colorway.

And another that is already well developed as it was a previous concept (more musings on this to come) but has been in discussion for a few months as Gryphon settled on a new yarn for her line that’s intended for colorwork, and as we discussed potential colors, etc. This is her new yarn, QED, a worsted weight BFL available in coordinated colorways – I can’t wait to swatch and get knitting.

And now – slow progress on all the above. I’ll take it – And have been quite happy with the process and each milestone along the way. Opening a box of beautiful yarn. Creating new stitches on a bare needle. Swatching and reswatching. Following a pattern, or working something through on my own. Watching inches appear, and sometimes, disappear only to be reworked in a slightly different configuration. Learning good (and sometimes hard) lessons along the way. Taking a break from one project when it threatens to frustrate rather than please and working on something else for a bit. Enjoying some more challenging projects.

I think my knitting has been teaching me some good lessons about patience, multitasking, and expectations (not to mention when it’s time to take a break – this is after all, supposed to be fun!). So many projects (knitting or otherwise) used to overwhelm me (and of course, these Five do not include a couple projects over there in my sidebar still – realistically speaking, a few of those will go into hibernation for a bit as my focus shifts, particularly to the design projects, for awhile), but I think each of these are very good, worthy projects to start or carry over into the new year, each for their own specific reasons. And I feel quite good about that.

I hope that your recent projects have been as fulfilling!

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Now playing: Noah and the Whale – 5 Years Time

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