Eastburn Adventures

Wow! I can't believe it's 2007 already! Robert and I were really blessed in 2006, and we are looking forward to what's in store for this year. Every New Year's, we sit down together and review the prior year and set goals for the upcoming months. Some are the old standards - lose weight, get healthy, get organized, continue the debt snowball, read the Bible through, etc. But this year, I get to add knitting goals to my list!

I started with a review of a portion of my stash that I know I want to work with this year (yes, my stash may need to go on a diet as well - maybe we could do a yarn swap):

1. I resolve to knit my first sweater this year. Probable first choice, the short-sleeved v-neck tee from Knitting Pure and Simple in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Tweed.

Runner up (simply because I want one sweater behind me before I start this lovely pattern), the Lace-Edged tee from Knit Picks, in Brick Crayon.

2. I resolve to knit my first afghan this year. First choice, the Aran Afghan from an episode of Knitty Gritty, in Plymouth Encore, light green.

Running a close second, the Lizard Ridge Afghan (inspired by Zarah) in assorted Noro Kureyon (I'll need to buy more to complete the afghan).

3. I will make a hat, and wear it. I have had this gorgeous Diakeito in my stash that I knew wanted to be a hat, but I just didn't have the right pattern. Google brought me right back to my new friend Zarah, who made this Short-Row Hat out of the same yarn in a similar colorway.

4. I will try new sock patterns (using my Christmas gifts). Stash options include Universal Yarn's Ditto in colors 4809 and 4815 . . .

. . . and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in Tuscany

5. I will make my first shawl using Knit Pick's Rectangle Cover Shawl pattern and Plymouth Baby Alpaca Brush yarn. I scooped up all of this yarn at the LYS when it came out and will probably have leftovers to make something else with. Carol suggested that I combine it with Cascade 220 in gold, so I had to buy it as well. It was on sale - and how often does one find Cascade marked down?

6. I will make the Moss Grid Hand Towel found in Mason Dixon Knitting using a pretty Merlin Tristan linen yarn in fuschia. It's in a ziplock bag because Carol warned me the ball would implode if I didn't do that (and she was apparently speaking from experience!).

7. I will make the Bacchus in the Bath accessories using KP's Shine Worsted in Grass and Terra Cotta.

8. I will make a baby gift using Berroco suede - and that's all I'm going to say about this now!

9. I will not be ashamed of knitting dishcloths using the inexpensive Sugar & Cream yarn. The Mason Dixon Girls say it's okay, and - I have registered for a monthly dishcloth KAL (and am eagerly awaiting my membership approval)!

10. I will figure out something to make using this yummy stash enhancement yarn I purchased on my last trip to Alaska.

Blue Sky Alpaca in Paprika (isn't that fun to say - "Alpaca in Paprika!") (Gimme a break - I've been working on this post for 90 minutes now!):

Blue Sky Cotton in Toffee:

and Rowan Denim:

And this is only a fraction of what I purchased on that trip up north.

Whew! What am I doing still updating this post? I've got some knitting to do!

Happy New Year!