2009 May be My Year

I am so excited. I entered the lottery to get into the Loopy Ewe Sock club and I got in! I am so jazzed and I'm doing the happy dance since I found out. I tried to get in last year, but sent the email to the wrong address. This year we just had to click on a button on the Loopy Ewe web site. I can't wait to get my first package, but it won't be until March.

I also won the 2008 Monthly KAL Challenge from the yahoo group. I got my winnings and boy am I ever overwhelmed with the prizes I received.

I got yarn, stitch markers, a needle roll, memo pad and a CD of dishcloth patterns from Harvest Moon Designs. How exciting!

I'm currently knitting another dishcloth, working on a prayer shawl, and I started the Central Park Hoodie. I will post pictures next time. I really need to get back to knitting socks.

I did get another order of sock yarn from Sunshine Yarns. I just couldn't resist. I got Twist sock yarn in the Dragonfly colorway and Soft sock yarn in the Blackberry colorway.

I also got my Janaury package from the Color Coop. The yarn is Miss Babs. I love the yarn and the colorway. It was taken from a picture that the members voted on. I also got a couple of goodies with the yarn.

I finally got all of my books entered in Shelfari and my knitting books entered in Ravelry. It's nice to be able to see the books I have read and the books I haven't read. I hate when I buy a book and I already have it. Next I have to get my knitting needles entered into Ravelry. I already have a spreadsheet of all of my needles, but it will be nice to have it in Ravelry too. I will never get all of my stash entered though.

Soon, I will be working more days since it's tax season. I was off the last two days and it was nice spending time with my Maggie May. She loves her football and takes it with her whereever she goes. Unfortunately, she was hoping that the Eagles would be in the Super Bowl. She was bummed out about them losing to Arizona. Maybe next year.

SNOW!

We got some snow over the weekend. It was nice because I didn't have to go anywhere and I could stay home to knit and read and feel all cozy and warm. It does look pretty, but it is cold outside now. I am looking forward to spring. The picture below is from my front porch. The bad part about the snow is that I didn't get to go to my knitting class on Saturday. I certainly hope that I can go this week.

I was finally able to finish off the January KAL in my dishcloth group. It was a nice pattern to knit. I used size 6 needles with Peaches and Creme in light blue. The pattern is called Ice Skate Dishcloth.

I also finished my first book of 2009. I read Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. It was a good read.

Some of the last yarn I ordered at the end of 2008 came in. I finally was able to buy Vesper Sock Yarn in cinnamon stick.

I also found a new indie dyer called Sunshine Yarns. I got three skeins of yarn from her and I really do like the yarn and colors. From top to bottom: Classic in Bitterroot and Shorelines and Twist in Wildflowers. I was very happy to get Wildflowers.

I have been good in that I haven't ordered any yarn from the Loopy Ewe the last two times, but I did sign up for her sock club. Please keep your fingers crossed for me that I get in this year. I should find out next week.

I signed up for Facebook and I'm really having a great time exploring the features. There is so much to learn.

Well, it's off to work tomorrow. At least I only work two days this week and teach one evening. Now, it's off to knit on one of my socks.

Reflecting back on 2008 and Planning for 2009

It's time to look back to my goals for 2008 and see what I accomplished and what I missed the mark on.

Goals I hoped to achieve in 2008:

1. Complete installing files and programs on my computer (hard drive crashed) Completed this

2. Organize closets and cabinets and purge items (or maybe a yard sale in spring). Had a yard sale, but didn't organize all closets and cabinets.

3. Organize my yarn stash better and continue to update Ravelry. Did a good job keeping Ravelry updated and did check out my yarn stash, but didn't really organize it.

4. Update my blog at least once a week. I didn't always post once a week, but I did post a total of 55 times, so I did make up for the weeks I didn't post.

5. Do some stashbusting - I really need to stop buying and use up my stash. But, I know I will be tempted and will allow it occasionally. Let's just say this didn't work.

6. Knit 24 comfortghan squares for my Yahoo Dishcloth group. Completed

7. Knit 12 socks (one for each month) if not more. I knit 21 pairs of socks this year.

8. Knit a patterned sock - I knit three patterned socks.

9. Knit a Christmas stocking or two - I couldn't find a pattern I liked

10. Knit the Ice Queen pattern on knitty.com - Nope, didn't happen.

11. Attempt two color mittens (Icelandic type) and a fingerless glove with cover. - Nope

12. Finish some UFO's - tried but did not complete

13. Read 65 books - I made this goal.

What I knit in 2008

24 Comfortghan squares

2 10x10 afghan squares

2 Caliormetry hats

34 Dishcloth/Washcloths

21 Pairs of Socks

1 Dog Leash

1 Phone Cozy (that I lost and now have to knit another one)

2 Preemie Hats

2 Ribbed Hats

UFO's

Mystery Stole

Berocco snowflake

Two pairs of socks

Sock that Rock scarf

Inside Outside scarf

Silky Tie Wrap

Shrug

Sweater

Candle flame shawl

Pair of fetching gloves

Ripple Afghan

Prayer Shawl

Habu scarf

Stuffed mittens

What I did do this year that was not on my list was: I worked more part-time hours than I had planned, discovered Shelfari and started entering all my books, lost some weight (approximately 25 pounds), learned how to knit 2 socks on 2 needles, and knit hats, which I have never done before. Plus, I think I did relax more this year and that is a good thing.

Goals for 2009

1. Organize closets and cabinets - have another yarn sale to purge items

2. Update blog at least once a week.

3. Definately do some stashbusting and buy less (much less) new yarn.

4. Knit 12 pairs of socks.

5. Knit a Christmas stocking

6. Finish some UFO's

7. Knit a Clapotis

8. Knit the Central Park Hoodie

9. Finish updating Shelfari with the books I have read and the books on my bookshelf that have not been read.

10. Lose weight and exercise.

11. Read 65 books

12. Do some charity knitting

This is a little smaller list than last year, so let's hope I can accomplish more.

I hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Well I made it! I made my goal of reading 65 books in 2008. This last month has not been good, but I made sure that I got the last couple of books read to meet my goal.

I read the following:

Foul Play by Janet Evanovitch

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs (this was good but slow reading)

Bride on the Loose by Debbie Macomber

Same Time, Next Year by Debbie Macomber

By the weekend, I plan to look back on my goals for 2008 and make list my new ones for 2009. It's good to have a goal as it gives you a little push.

I have been putting the books I read into Goodreads, but recently stumbled upon Shelfari. Shelfari has been acquired by Amazon and it is wonderful! You can even enter the books you haven't read. I buy a lot of books and sometimes get confused by what I have, so this is great for me. Plus it lets me see what I have on my bookshelf to read, so maybe I won't buy so many new books. They also have groups you can join where you might have common interests. You can find me at http://www.shelfari.com/karin_pa . You can see what books I have read (I'm still entering them) and if you join, add me as your friend.