...in with the new

Happy New Year! I hope it's a wonderful one for each and every one of you.

I wanted to start the year with a plan and a few resolutions tentative guidelines to get myself off to a good start.

First and foremost I want to reduce my stash. I won't stop myself from buying more yarn, but I will make more of an effort to try and use what I've got in. Better organisation is also high up on the cards. I've just gone for a new yarn storage system that's less easy to mess up than the last one, rather than needing to dig through tubs I've put it in those underbed storage bags with a clear zip up lid so I can see what's where straight away. I need to update my spreadsheets though and plan to do it using Craftmemo. My patterns are next with a filing system about to be implemented.


I'm also going to keep track of what I'm up to in a knitting diary. I tend to lose sheets of my clipboard or mix up the order so I felt a book would be easier to manage. It's mainly for own designs but will probably end up with lists of things I want to make and whatnot.

I'm fortunate to have two designs being published this year. I have a lot of ideas in my head that I want to get written up and sent off. I really want to push that side of my knitting this year.

I've already mentioned the UFOs that need finishing up, or if I decide I don't really want the item I'm going to frog it rather than leaving it hanging around. I already have a list of things of a few things I want to make this year, but I'm not going to be too influenced or bogged down by it. It's more of a wishlist than a commandment.

Glampyre's Simple Knitted Bodice
Socks (I'm finally joining the dark side)
Super secret ain't tellin' ya lace project.
Crossover cardi from Verena 3/06
Cable and lace jumper from Verena 3/06
Garter stitch jumper from Verena 3/06
Cable cardi from Drops

I'm also planning on a few new techniques. I generally learn new things as they come up rather than go out of my way to learn something new for the sake of it but there are a few things I want to try out at some point. Sock knitting is pretty high on my agenda, I have some lovely sock yarn languishing in my stash and I'll need something small to KIP with in the summer. I'm also going to attempt steeking, Grace is still unworn and unloved but with a bit of scissor action she'll be wearable. I'm going to do some felting this year too. Lace knitting is also creeping in, it's not so much a new skill as something I want to challenge myself with. I'm more of a product than a process knitter so I find it pointless putting so much work into something I won't wear but I have a very cunning plan...

Watch this space!