New Year's Eve

I have been working on the dragon hoodie.  In some respects, it seems to be going faster than before.  Maybe it is like going home from somewhere new, that always seems faster than going there because you didn't know the way.  The front still isn't close to being done. 

I think with a little blocking, things will lay flat and smooth.  I can kind of push and pull them that way now, so if I wet it and block it, it should be fine.  I think.

Adventures in Intarsia

The front for the dragon sweater has intarsia knitting in it.

This is my first real experience with this technique, and it's been a little more difficult than I had anticipated.  I have started it about 3 times now, and it is much better this time.  The biggest thing is having multiple skeins of yarn attached.  It makes for a large bundle when knitting, unlike socks.  But the effect is great.  There is no more pulling or puckering.  This is fabulous.  I am enjoying it now.  Adding more is better in this case.  It makes it easier (provided you keep all your strands straight) and the fabric comes out better.  It is surprisingly faster as well.  Have you tried it yet?

I think I may start trying a new technique once a quarter, just to broaden my knowledge base in knitting.  I also hope to start the Master Crocheter's course this year.  And if things go really well, I may even get to the Master Knitter's course.  That would take a miracle though I think.  This past year has not been so great, and I am hoping that this next year will be much better.  How about you?

Finishing the Year

All Christmas presents were finished on time, and now on to birthday presents.  I am behind on the kids' birthday sweaters - I missed this year completely.  I have all the supplies, but have lacked the time.  I am hoping to whip out 2 blue sweaters for Little Man, a hat/scarf/mittens set, and a dragon for his birthday.  I don't know if I can get it all done by the 19th, but I'm feverishly working on it.

The hard part for me is I am chasing down little things.  Like yesterday - I wasted about 2 hours looking for toy pieces instead of doing laundry and cooking and knitting.  I can't keep up with all the little pieces to all the new toys all three received for Christmas, and so I waste a lot of time.  I don't have storage, or a lot of storage room for them.  Hopefully the current place to store the new toys will be corrected by this weekend, and the storage room overall will be corrected this next year.

In 2015, Hubby and I set some goals and had a word for the year of "Intentional".  That worked well for us - it was the year we moved up here, put our house on the market (it technically sold this year), and changed our dynamic.  This year, we didn't do anything like that, and I think the year reflected it.  This coming year, in 2017, we are going to set more goals and use the word "Purposeful" for our focus.  There's a saying about reaching for the stars and not hitting them is more than most people do, and at least you are among them even if you don't reach the one for which you are aiming.  I could look it up and give you the exact quote, but it's late and you still get the point.  The new year gives us an opportunity to start fresh and be focused.  I already have some crafting goals in mind, as well as financial, business, and personal goals.  I will try to share them, and have you hold me accountable throughout the year.

Do you have big plans for next year?  Have you already thought about goals?  To be honest, growing up, I never did much for goalsetting.  It was an abstract concept and I usually knew what I wanted or where I wanted to go, and just worked for it.  Most of those goals also were not very long term goals.  This stage of my life is different though.  I have goals that take longer than a few weeks to reach.  It may take me years to reach some of them (yarn shop!) but working towards it is a daily, weekly, monthly set of steps to take.  Writing them down and keeping them in focus is important, as it helps me not be sidetracked.  How about you?