My resolutions for 2011 have been decided!!

So, here they are:

1. Finish WIPs (work in progress) that I already have on hand. This part of my resolution is a big deal, BTW ... I have over 32 projects in the WIP category. So ... I would like to finish at least one WIP each month of the new year. At the same time, if it's something I really didn't like because the yarn wasn't right for it or the gauge wasn't coming out right, I'll frog the project and reinstate the yarn into my stash for another project later or start over. I already know that "starting over" will happen on any sweater I started for myself because I intend to be a smaller size next Winter. I want it to fit right if I'm going to do all the work to finish it.

2. Organize my knitting needles and catalog them on Ravelry. I know I have more Interchangeable Sets, lace circular needles, dpn's and straight needles than any one person would ever want. But where are they all?

3. Take advantage of the aforementioned organizing bug! I plan to go through my stash and put together my works-in-progress projects (WIPs) so they're easy to finish. I'm going to put them in Ziploc bags with the patterns and needles, and I'm also going to make a list of which needles are in which WIP and keep it with my needles, just so I don't buy needles I don't need. While I'm at it, I'll also put upcoming projects (or yarn bought pacifically for a project) in bags with their patterns and include where they are on the Ravelry Stash inventory.

4. Knit 12 Shawls for the 11Shawls2011 group on Ravelry but at the same time this is what I plan to give for Christmas gifts next year to the women in my life that I give gifts to and didn't give a shawl to for Christmas this year. I made 21 shawls in 2010 so I know I can do this one. I plan to cast-on for my first one on New Years Day.

5. Mend my socks. That's right, I've got a whole basket full of socks with holes worn in them and they're otherwise too nice to just throw out. Of course they're my own knitted socks, so now it's time to do the repairs. It'll be like restocking my sock drawers with new socks for next Winter. I've been meaning to do this for some time now so it's about time I'm committed to do it. Maybe I'll even knit a couple of new pairs this Summer too!

(BTW, I have a bigger basket of sock repair than this now.)

I think that's enough to keep me busy.

Happy New Year!!

Do you love Lace but haven't tried it yet?

Always wanted to but was afraid to begin? Have you tried it but failed to finish??

How about starting with a small shawl called the "Budding Shawlette"? It only uses one skein of fingering weight sock yarn (450 yds) so it's a small investment and you could even use some sock yarn right out of your Stash. I'm giving a class for intermediate knitters starting Sunday, January 16. This beautiful little shawl can be knit with or without beads. I'll show you how to add beads as you go too. It's easy!

Check Seed Stitch Fine Yarn's website for details such as time and cost. And then ask for a materials list when you sign up.



I used Cascade's Heritage Sock Yarn for this one.



You just need to know how to knit & purl. That's all really!!

Come join me at Seed Stitch Stitch Fine Yarn on 21 Front Street in Salem, MA.

If Mom wants it, she'll get me to make it!

I sent my Mom a Stephen West designed shawl for Christmas ... the Colonnade Shawl.



And once she got it she called to thank me and tell me how cold it was down in Florida and it was just the thing she needed to help keep her keep warm even just a little bit. Except ...

She could use one in Turquoise or some blues. "Don't you like the color of the one I made for you?" I asked, while I kept thinking 'wasn't purple one of her favorite colors anymore?' "Oh yes," she said, "But I need a color to go with my other dresses that I have in blue or turquoise. Turquoise is my birthstone color you know. (insert violin strings here)"

Ooooooohhh, I see.

"And I also could use a pair of leg warmers in blues. It's really cold down here right now you know and once I get cold I can't warm up. I only have one pair of leg warmers you made for me a couple of years ago you know. So I sure could use another pair or two"

So what does she think I am?

A store?

A knitting machine??


Well ....

Only my Mom could talk me into doing this ...

four days later I finished ...



That's right, another Colonnade!!

And I do feel sorry for Mom now that I have arthritis also and feel the cold in my knees and hands although I have the advantage of being able to knit up my own sweaters or whatever else I want in wool, alpaca, cashmere or silk.

These pictured below are not new Christmas ornaments.



But I did finished them 3 days later and put them in a box with the shawl.



Now I'm REALLY done knitting for Christmas!
[This Christmas as least.]

And then it was snow ...

Do you need an instantly gratifying knitted gift to make & give by this Christmas?

Try this one. Yarn: 2 skeins of Gnocchi [purchased at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn]



Cast on 8 stitches using the 'e' cast on method. Then knit every stitch in the yarn between the puff balls until the scarf is as long as you want it or the yarn is almost gone. On the next to last row before cast off row, k1, make 1 to end, then bind off. This will prevent a tight bind off due to nature of the Gnocchi.

Here it is ... the only snow I've seen so far this year:



Total knitting time: 3 hours!



Now that is "Instant Knitting Gratification"!!

I love the faces ...

of those who love wearing what I knit.

So my DH and I went up to New Hampshire last Saturday to spend the day, pass out knitted gifts and enjoy the smiles.






Okay a couple of them got in there more than once. But those smiles were just so darn cute I just couldn't pick out the picture I liked the most. And I love ALL of those smiles!!


Including this couple ... even though he isn't wearing his knit socks in the picture, he wears them to bed.

It's a little wrapped up ...

Presenting the Pimpelliese by Christine Ebers. I used Noro King yarn purchased at
Seed Stitch Fine Yarn for this.

Should have taken 2 skeins but for some odd reason it took a fraction of a third skein to finish the last 3 inches, even though the first skein completed the first half and a few rows into the decrease for the second half and I had to decrease a little faster (extra rows of decrease) to get the correct width as well. So why did it take more yarn? A mystery.

Ah well, I need to find something to make with the rest of the skein. (??? but what?)

At least I've got it all wrapped up ...

For me!



And I love wearing it!!



Can you tell?