Year of Projects, Year 2: Return
It’s been a while since I shared a Year of Projects post, but as the year comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on my crafty accomplishments in 2012 and planning for 2013. I’ve definitely missed the camaraderie of participating in YOP so I thought I would ease myself back into posting on a semi-regular, if not weekly, basis.
All this week, I’ve been sharing year in review posts, so it only seemed natural to share an update on my initial YOP Year 2 goals.
Completed
Crochet 52 granny squares for charity. While I didn’t actually crochet that many squares since July, I mailed off 60 squares to Afghan Squares for Pine Ridge on Thursday. I’ll likely make more for one of the 2013 Crochetlist charity challenges.
Design my own Bruges lace pattern. This was one of my early YOP finishes. The pattern, Visit to the Kantcentrum, is available for download here and I’ll be teaching a Sunday afternoon Bruges Lace Basics class at the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival in March.
Try domino (modular) knitting. I did get a chance to play around with mitered squares while working on my review of Modular Mix: 12 Knitted Mitered Squares to Mix & Match
My first domino knitting project.
Design a crochet lace shawl pattern or recipe for my DC 37 crochet class students. This was actually one of my early finishes. I can’t share pictures… yet.
Abandoned
Knit my first complete pair of socks. I think this project was my epic fail of 2012. I’m feeling pretty convinced that knitting socks is not for me, and my first serious attempt at sock knitting became one of my frogged projects of 2012. If I do revise my YOP goals, I may add a crocheted socks project.
The two little balls were my gauge swatches. The two bigger balls were for my two-at-a-time socks.
Timeline adjusted
Make my mom a special bedspread for her milestone birthday. Unfortunately, I’ve had to put this project aside. I have a very large secret project due on February 1st, and I can’t imagine wanting to complete a bedspread right after that in time for my mom’s birthday. I already talked to my sister about it and decided this bedspread will be a Christmas 2013 gift to my mom.
In progress
Learn to spin. My first tentative drop spindling has whet my appetite, and I’m hoping to dive in more deeply in 2013.
My first attempt on the drop spindle.
No progress
Learn overlay crochet.
Create my own hairpin lace pattern.
Try double knitting.
Make a small project inspired by Pop Knitting: Bold Motifs Using Color & Stitch
Learn knit entrelac.
If I plan to continue with YOP updates on a semi-regular basis, I’ll definitely need to review my list and decide what to keep and what to change. I’ve been thinking a lot about my general crafty goals for 2013, and I’d like YOP to fit in with my overall goals rather than being another set of goals.
For more YOP updates, visit Come Blog A Long on Ravelry.
I love that you set yourself goals on what you’d like to make/learn & write them down – I may have to try that this year, I often forget projects! Best wishes for the New Year
Em x
Thanks, Emma! I fid it helpful even when I end up changing my list. It is great to look back and see what I’ve accomplished
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Your project list is very inspiring and quite intimidating. You’ve accomplished a huge amount already – I know how much work publishing a simple dishcloth pattern was – so you should be really proud of yourself.
Sock knitting is not for everyone … it just suits me down to the ground. Send me your address and I’ll knit some socks for you
Thanks so much, Minding My Own Stitches. I hope you are serious because I’m sending you my address ASAP!
Welcome back, I think in general we are a much smaller group this time round. 2013 Christmas plan sounds like a good one, and think how far ahead on that you are, lol.
I used to make squares for Pine Ridge, but since I now focus on my own charity for homeless I can’t seem to much else in. Just keeping up with the blogging and bookkeeping involved in the charity is a huge time comment.
Thanks, sandy! I am always amazed by how much you do with your charity – I can’t even imagine how much work there is behind the scenes.
I’d say you did great on your 2012 lists. Its great to have you back even semi regular, I’ve missed the posts. Sounds like a great plan to move the bedspread to xmas 2013 this will give you time and not have everything due at the one time causing stress. I like to work my challenges in that they all work together rather than have a million separate challenges that pull you in different directions. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.
Thanks, Ruth! You make a good point about keeping your challenges from moving you in too many directions. I should take that approach for 2013!
How nice to see you back! I have been wondering how that bedspread was coming along! You put so much time and thought into it that I just know it will stunning–but next Christmas sounds like a very doable goal. You are so talented and never cease to amaze me what with all your newly learned skills. I hope to keep seeing you around, even on an occasional basis!
Happy New Year~~
*smiles*
Thanks, Kim, for your warm wishes! I knew there was a reason the YOP crowd was my favorite group of bloggers
! Happy New Year to you, too!
Lovely to see you back! Sorry about the socks, I’m sure the yarn will live on in something beautiful. I like socks, but I’d never dream of spinning. Knitting’s enough of a challenge for me. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Kate, I’ve missed you all! Happy New Year to you, too!
It’s good to have you back! It seems like you’ve done really well on your goals, I love the domino knitting. Don’t give up on knitted socks though, they really are fantastic once you get the hang of it!
Thanks, Emma. I may one day return to knitted socks, but certainly not for quite a while!
Happy New Year. Don’t give up on knitted socks. Just put them in time-out for awhile. Come back to it in a few months. You’ll get it!