2018 Knitting Year in Review

[janestarz]

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!