Rosebud Cardigan (and getting past my fear of completion)

I did it! I started, and completed, my first sweater of 2012! Am I pleased with myself? Well, yes. You see, I have a thing about completing projects--it usually doesn't happen. I have completed many gifts, many of which came with a timeline--a birthday present, Christmas present, new baby. Yes, I work well under pressure. But a sweater for myself? I have at least three on different sets of needles right now.

I just love my Rosebud Sweater (from Fall 2011 Knitscene), the lace details of the yoke and the simplicity of the body. The Baby Alpaca I used is soft, squishy and warm. I've already worn it twice this week (without blocking it first, of course). My hope is that this feeling of actually finishing a project will spur me on to finish more. Much better than only finishing when a deadline is near...

I am continuing to knit/crochet here and there on my unfinished garment projects, but my big project for February will be Heidi's Samantha Sweater. Heidi will be hosting a KAL at the shop every first and third Thursday of the next couple of months. (For those of you who are online followers, she also has a ravelry group going on, as well as helpful information on her website.) The beauty of this sweater is that it looks great on everyone! We had several customers try on the store sample, and each customer looked fabulous in it. It is also easily knit up in a worsted-weight yarn, so there are many options: our store sample was made from Cascade 220, Heidi is making her next in Universal's Classic Shades, and well, the list of worsted weight yarns is just about endless!

I'd love to hear about garments (well, anything!) you all are knitting/crocheting/sewing these days.

Oh, and the color of the year for 2012: Tangerine Tango, followed by Solar Power (mustard yellow), and Bellflower (lavender).

Happy Crafting!

Warmly,
Katie

Cheers to 2012!

Whew! The past month has sure been busy, but in a very good way. As usual I was finishing up projects on Christmas Eve, the boys' Mukluk Slippers included (hard-copy of the parrern also at the shop). The directions were great, and they worked up beautifully and quickly in Universal's Deluxe Bulky (also at the shop). My personality, however, remains the same: procrastinating, and only finishing with the added pressure of a (holiday) deadline!

 

I tucked these little guys, along with a book, into handmade pillow cases* and presented them to the boys on Christmas Eve. They were very well received, which warmed my heart more than anything.

*The pillow-case idea came from a friend--she had shared during knitting group how she would make her children, nieces and nephews pillow cases for Christmas. I thought that it was a wonderful idea!

I truly enjoy the winter holiday season, but I also find a new year very refreshing. It doesn't hurt that we have had beautiful weather here in northern New Mexico! I am already planning my spring projects (sweaters without sleeves--yay!), while trying desperately to finish all of my UFOs stashed away.

My crafting goal for 2012: one garment per month. This may include UFOs from last year (or two years ago, perhaps three...), brand new projects, and/or projects for others. I'm just really focused on the utilitarian aspect of garments at the moment.

What are your crafting goals for 2012? I would love to hear them!

Cheers to 2012,
Katie