Starting 2012 on the Right Foot

My first thought was to call this blog post “2012 – the Year of the Do-Over” -- but that sounded too negative to me.  Then I thought “2012 – the Year of Getting it Right” – but that made me feel like I was setting expectations beyond reach.  So here I am, simply going to start off in the right direction and try to keep focused & heading that way as the year progresses.

Some of you may realize the pun in the title, too, since I’ve been home all month recovering from surgery - I have been starting every move with my right foot.  All is well now and it’s given me lots of time to think and work on projects.  And to do them over.

For example, with some luxury yarns in hand, I wanted to make something that I could use every day and enjoy – like a handbag.  Borrowed some graphs, morphed them into my own design and began to knit:

But the more I knit it, the more I thought that these yarns should be next to skin, so I could really enjoy the feel of them.  Yes, I agonized.  Thought about the days I had worked to graph the design and then knit it.  But no matter what, it was bugging me, so I ripped it out.  Decided to try a project I’ve been wanting to make for a while and created a headband to keep me warm this winter:

I think it was a good choice.  I can always rework the graphed design with other yarns & make a handbag with it.  Next was the purple yarn.  On impulse I saw a pattern online, bought it, cast on and began to knit.  Yes, I really did think things would go smoothly after this decision.  No, I didn’t check gauge first. 

Before you say it, I did notice the resemblance to Dumb Donald.  I should have been suspicious when I had to add another yarn to finish this, but I didn’t hesitate too long – since I couldn’t try it on while it was on the 16” needles, I just had to keep working till the end.  Another do-over.  Ripped it out.  A day later, a smaller size, changing to smaller needles in the end, and now it’s perfect:

This flat picture has more accurate color and I’m pretty pleased with it.  No more do-over photos for now, just one last picture – a sheep that I think looks like Yoda:

I’d like this to be the “Year of Getting it Right” but I’m trying for the “Year of Being Patient & Doing my Best”.   What about you?

December's Projects

Here are some of the projects I finished up 2011 with. Mittens, scarves, hats, Smittens.

Patterns at Ravelry, individual pictures at Flickr.

Happy Holidays!

Where Snowflakes Are Born by vladstudio.com

December has gotten so, so hectic … haven’t been able to keep up with blogging much.  I’m taking some time off, hope to be back mid-January with some updates.  I have lots of new things in store for the coming year.

Over at Flickr you can see a new crochet necklace I’ve been working on, have taught it as a workshop during December – original Tamdoll pattern coming soon. 

Wishing good health and happy holidays to you all!

World’s Largest Pom Pom?

Chanukah has begun, Christmas is a few days away and I’m still creating gifts for friends and family.  Another year without family photo cards, can’t seem to get my act together on that one.  But I did make the world’s largest pom pom.

To go on top of a special hat, hope their neck is strong enough to hold that up.

Happy Holidays!

Bags in Limbo

Just this week I’ve been cleaning out closets and shelves and discovered a few bags that haven’t sold, and aren’t listed anywhere for sale!  Then, in yesterday’s email came a Photojojo Time Capsule, and there they were!  The top 2 are still available if anyone is interested, leave a message here, on FaceBook, or email me.  I’d love to give these a new home – giving me more room to work on some new creations!!!  

Fire & Ice

How I wish it would snow already!!  It’s been unseasonably warm here in New England, I can’t really believe I haven’t taken my winter coat out of the closet yet.  (Remind me of this when I lose power again because of a big storm.)  In the meantime, I can dream about cooler weather with beautiful icy collections like this Treasury by Sara Beth of MagnoliaSurprise.

On the other end of the spectrum, here’s a fiery one by Margaret of SplendidLittleStars.

EtsyChai Team Delights!

Chanukah begins on December 20th, and that’s just around the corner!  The EtsyChai team has been busy promoting – you can read all about the group on the team blog and check out these beautiful treasuries.  In case you’re not familiar with what a Treasury is, they’re member-curated collections of items.  Some are centered around a theme, others around a color or idea.  Sometimes they’ll appear on the front page of Etsy & when that does, it’s pretty exciting.  You can click them, leave a comment or click-through and visit each individual members shop.  There’s something for everyone!