New Years Eve 2007

It's that time of year again ... a glance back and then looking to the future. As you may recall, I didn't really set any "goals" for 2007. My hopes were to keep knitting and keep learning ... and more hand-knit socks.

I definitely kept on knitting. And the FOs for 2007, in no particular order:

Fiddlehead Scarf (Morehouse Farms)
Bella Scarf (Knit Picks)
2 Ponchettes ('07 PatternADay calendar)
Zud Hat (Dulaan Project)
2 Baby Hats
2 Bunny Blanket Buddies (Lion Brand)
Fur-Cuffed Stocking (Lion Brand)
Mistake Rib Scarf (Monet)
Baby Hoodie (Knitting Pure & Simple)
2 Multi-Directional Scarves
Soleil (Knitty)
Glace / Chinchilla Scarf (Knitting Sisters, Williamsburg VA)

And knowing my love for hand-knit socks, I'm sure you'll agree that they get their own category:

Jaywalkers in Austermann Step (MagKnits)
Baby Cable Socks in Regia Bamboo (Sensational Knitted Socks)
Inside Out Socks in STR Med Weight (Feb 2007 STR Rockin' Sock Club)
Herringbone Eyelet Socks in Cascade Fixation (Finally Waking Up)
Grasshopper Socks in STR Silkie (Apr 2007 STR Rockin' Sock Club)
Lightweight Stockinette Socks in KP Dancing (Knitting Pure & Simple)
Solstice Slip in STR Light Weight (June 2007 STR Rockin' Sock Club)
Lenore Socks in STR (October 2007 STR Rockin' Sock Club)

I had an unofficial goal of a pair of socks per month, but didn't quite make it. That's okay ... there's always 2008!

There was lots of learning going on too. A couple of things I've previously learned about knitting that still hold true: It won't knit itself - there are no knitting gnomes that will finish projects for me - I actually have to pick up the needles and knit. And it's just yarn.

Here's a look at some of the things I know now that I didn't know last year:

Short row toe up socks
Short row heel
Backward loop cast on
Crochet
Sewn bind off
Aran Sweater from the Top Down

There may be one or two others that I can't think of right now, but not too shabby, if I do say so myself!

I also continued taking over the world one knitter at a time sharing the joy and relaxation of knitting by teaching others to knit. I helped bring a hooker crocheter to the knitting side; I encouraged DD#2 to continue to learn new techniques (she's working on a pair of baby socks ... I'm SO proud!); and I taught a newbie to knit via prayer shawls.

Once again I wish the same things for you as I did last year: As the ball drops and we count down the seconds to the New Year, I hope you each find peace, happiness, abundance, joyful knitting and more hand-knit socks. Happy New Year!

Hello ... is this thing on?

I'm here ... I'm there ... I'm everywhere. Or at least it feels that way sometimes.

Much has been happening at the Casa de Bling. Again, in no particular order, I'll try to get you up to speed.

~ My lifestyle changes continue. I'm down a total of 20 pounds. When I started this venture, I was wearing a size 14 pants and they were getting too tight. Today, I'm wearing an 8!!!! I'm so proud of myself. I'm not fanatical about what I eat ... I eat what I want and what I like. I'm just careful. I've stopped drinking a latte every morning for breakfast. I've also cut WAY BACK on my McD's Large Sweet Tea consumption (I was drinking 1 or 2 of those each day - Yikes!). Because of scheduling issues, I haven't made it it a Zumba class yet, but I still want to go. I'm hoping to get into that after the 1st of the year.

~ My sis-in-law and I went to Vegas last month. All I can say is .... WOW!!!!! We had such a good time. For one thing, it was the 1st time she and I have gone anywhere just the two of us. We really enjoyed traveling together and spending time with each other. I promise another post soon with details about what we did and what we saw ... well ... as many details as I can share. It was Vegas ... and what happens in Vegas ... well, you know the rest.

~ I've been knitting. I have 3 WIPs on the needles right now: the Lenore Socks and 2 scarves. I know you aren't going to believe this, but ... there are no SSCPs this year! I hear the collective gasp. I know ... how can I not be a slave to the SSCP deadline? I've got to tell you, it's kind of a relief.

I know this is a short post and it's been so long since I've posted, but I've got to get back to getting ready for the holidays. Christmas is, after all, less than a week away. And even without SSCP knitting, there's still lots to do!