twenty-oh-eight.
Another year has (just about) come and gone. 2008 was a real roller-coaster ride. Looking back it seems so long ago, but in reality these past 365 days have flown on by (actually I guess it’s really been 366 due to it being a leap year…).
The year started out with some carry-over heartache over the loss of our boy Rusty. Then a personal knitting ‘first’ involving a finished baby sweater – so proud.
March brought more sorrow with the passing of my paternal Grandpa, and an (at the time) seemingly never-ending saga involving Noro yarn. The Noro confusion was eventually straightened out resulting in a beautiful Clapotis wrap which I love dearly.
April and May were all about knitted socks (everyone else was doing it…).
June was celebrated with sheep(les), a birthday shopping spree, World Wide Knit In Public Day… Oh and I learned how to spin roving into yarn; a fun task that has been neglected for too long now.
In July I discovered my “inner Tiger Woods” and went golfing for the first time. Yet another hobby I’d like to pursue more of in ‘09. More additions to the yarn stash, stemming from my inability to resist a good sale at the LYS 
Lots of overtime at work. A decision to take a stab at overcoming my fear of knitting too many projects at once (i.e. training for the Ravelympics). And damn was July ever hot!
Reached for the gold in August, as attempts to juggle multiple WIPs were made. I realized that it was indeed possible to have a few different things on the needles at once, but that I wasn’t really productive when doing so. A pair of socks were finished by the time the Summer Olympics closing ceremony ocurred. And then it was off to discover a new city at the 2008 Tessitura Network User Conference in Nashville Tennessee — yee haw!
September was dedicated to another personal knitting first: charity knits. It was fun to knit many smaller projects knowing that the proceeds from their sale would benefit those in need. Would absolutely love to continue this in the coming new year.
The light-bulb in my head burned brightly in October as a new way (and innovative for me!) to wind yarn was hatched. Also got a head start on Christmas knitting which is always a good thing. Almost had another knitting first when I started my first adult sized sweater — it was later frogged due to gauge miscalculations (that’ll teach me to omit the swatching process…).
November was busy with more holiday knitting, plus a brand new addiction involving the ever so popular Malabrigo worsted yarn. Made a couple of grown up purchases: new (old) car, awesome new dinette set. At 30-plus-one it felt really great to finally feel like we moving forward. And need I mention the US presidential election???
December started out with hope and possibility. Made a fresh start with this blog, Christmas knits going well, early holiday celebrations a-plenty. Hit a minor speed bump with my first felting ‘disaster’. The excitement of being engaged (finally — it’s been 12 years, TWELVE !!!). And now the roller-coaster ride takes a bit of a dip. Finding out yet again that life is precious. It appears that someone in my family has developed a serious health issue.
So the new year will be rang in with cautious optimism. I wish you much love, laughter, & prosperity. May 2009 be met with our open hearts and our open minds.
Cheers to all.
whoopsy daisy o.O
Oops — I seem to have deleted some of the links and all of the images in most of my “old (Blogger) days” posts. I’m working on fixing those ASAP — sorry folks!!!
ummm…
Is that a ring on my finger… you know, THE ring?
merriest.
Well Christmas has come and gone for another year. The 2008 xmas gift list was well received (at least it seemed that way to me!). Even the mmMalabrigo felting disaster mittens found an excellent home — on my nephew’s little hands. But there’s one teensy weensy project left on the needles; it should be done soon, and I’m crossing my fingers that it will be a hit.
Now is the time to start on 2009 holiday projects. Will I? Probably not. But I’ll at least think about it, lol. Actually I plan to take a few projects out of hibernation. Most notably, my Seascape stole which was cast on last July !!! It needs to be finished by the time Lost season 5 premieres on January 21st. Then there’s my Lace ribbon scarf which is only about 1/3 finished, also cast on last summer. And finally, something that’s been tucked away for well over the one year mark…my “Zeeby’s Bag” totebag. This is really sad because all that needs to be completed in order to cross it off the WIPs list is the liner. Alas, I do not enjoy sewing. However I shall suck it up and git’r done — soon!
Also plan to cast on for another go at Koolhaas. This time I’ll try it using the ‘cabling without a cable needle‘ technique. That and the recent discovery that “k2tbl” does not translate to ‘knit two together through the back loop’ (yes folks, I did make that very silly mistake), it actually means ‘knit the next two stitches through the back loop // i.e. ktbl, ktbl’. This should make for a hat that actually looks like it’s intended to. Ah knitting, it is a journey isn’t it.
And this year I really will knit up some kick ass stockings for my nephew and nieces. There’s no time like the present, especially since Michael’s is having their annual yarn blow-out; up to 70% off all in stock yarns.
Today and tomorrow are my last days of freedom as Monday I head back to work. I plan to enjoy what’s left of my Christmas Vacation (love that movie – National Lampoon’s, remember?). Today a movie with Momma, tomorrow a sunday roast… But for now? Back to the last item on that 2008 xmas gift list.
mmmore! mmmore! mmmore!
The lyrics to Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell said it right.
A cross-town trip to the LYS + new fave yarn still in stock (three colours!) = ONE VERY HAPPY GIRL. mmm Malabrigo. Merry Christmas to me…
redemption.
Success! The fffelted mmmalabrigo mmmittens (take 2) are perfect!!! Can you sense my excitement from all these exclamation points!?! *does happy dance* This time around I opened up that danged washing machine lid like every 3 seconds. There would be no chance of another felting accident. Nuh-uh, no way jose.
That’s a look at both attempt #1 and attempt #2 of the mittens. The top mitten, as you can clearly see, is substantially smaller than the bottom one. Yeah…whoops. Those will be living on the hands of a lucky little 4 year old. At least I know better for future projects. The bottom pair are Loverboy’s. They fit ‘like a gloooove’.
You know what I just can’t get over? The softness. Malabrigo is ‘like buttah’ to knit with, and it totally retains it’s heavenly state even after felting. I just can’t stop touching them. Loverboy may have to fight me for them. Maybe we should draw up joint custody papers.
Or maybe I should just get on down to the yarn shop and see if there’s any left in stock. Hmm… Must finish actual xmas knitting first. D’oh!
note to self.
Malabrigo felts up good. Real good. And real quick too. I discovered this yesterday while felting what were supposed to be a lovely, lovely pair of mittens for loverboy. I’m lucky if they’ll fit my 4 year old nephew now.
On the plus side, working with this yarn is exquisite. Sooooo soft, colour knits up beautifully, clearly it felts well… You can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be scooping up more of this yarn at any/all chance I get. Heard one of my LYS’s got a few skeins in… Might have to sneak on down there and nab some!
So have you finished your holiday knit list yet? I haven’t – these mittens were a slight detour (and being completely stubborn, I’ve cast on for round 2 of ‘me vs the felting’ already) which means the slippers I’d hoped to have started probably won’t be ready in time now. Still have one sock to do, plus an easy cabled toque. Seeing as there’s only what, 5 more days? Perhaps I should get moving on that… *whoosh*
a post past bedtime.
Lately I’ve been up late(r) than usual. Makes for really tough mornings. And excessive amounts of coffee.
It’s a busy time of year. Celebrations with family, friends, co-workers, knitting buddies – everyone. This makes me happy; sometimes I wish Christmas happened at least 4 times per year. Seeing people you rarely see, spreading good cheer, sharing laughter, and all those good things that make for happier moments in life. Except the crowds of shoppers – that part I could live without. I think we can all agree on that one…
Tonight the Wooly Bullies got together for a holiday potluck & gift swap. What could be better! Knitters, food, AND crafty-themed gifts? Heck yes. It was a lovely time. And a fabulous way to kick off Christmas va-cay.
Yep I’m work-free for the next 11 days. And that leaves ample time for last minute Christmas knittin’. (7 more days) Still feeling pretty good about the handknit items being packaged with care as this year’s gifts. The K.I.S.S. method really makes for relatively stress-free knitting. Just have a couple more things to finish up before the big day – a second artichoke sock, finish a cabled earflap toque, and one pair of slippers. Anything over and above those last items is gravy (and I loooooooove gravy!).
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. Andy Williams. That’s my most favourite-ist Christmas tune. I will sing aloud without a care to that one. Can’t help but have a big goofy smile on my face anytime I hear it. How about you? What’s your fave holiday tune? I’d love to hear, so drop me a comment aight?
And have a Merry Christmas, eh?
bad boys.
How is it possible that Dexter gets better and better with each new episode? Every week I watch and am completely blown away by the show’s creative team’s ability to leave one hanging right to the very end. And this past Sunday’s episode? Freakin brilliant. Ciao Miguel, it’s been a blast!
And then there’s my other favourite bad boy: Sylar. Heroes would be nothing without him. What a fantabulous character. Was soooooo relieved to see him revert back to his deliciously evil ways on Monday night. See ya later Elle – woo!
working on it.
Right. So I’m still fumbling my way around on this new blog. Patience please! Umm, can I interest you in some pretty progress pics while you wait?
On the left is xmas cowl #3 (Ridged Lace), and on the right are my Grassy Green Artichoke Socks.
Christmas knitting is coming along nicely. Except for xmas hat #3 which turned out to be a gift for me – oops! It’s a little loose on the ol’ noggin. But I love it, just not enough for it to have remained giftable, lol.
16 more days… tick tock tick tock
