Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Post In Which I Check In On Create for 2013

A year ago, I shared that my word for this year is create. I also shared some goals to go along with my word create. It's time to check in for the last time for 2013.

2013oneword

~Design & publish at least six knitting patterns.
*Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks)
*Lola’s Ziga Zaga Scarf and Fingerless Gloves
*Catch the Rainbow Socks
*Socks For Ten (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) - published in November
*Didn't make it to six patterns as planned, but did publish four patterns and they are all doing well in their sales. And plans are already being made for 2014.

~Knit enough pairs of socks that I can stop wearing store bought ones.
*Seven pairs completed for me.
*Plus one pair for a friend and a two pairs for Damaris and a pair of baby socks as a gift and a pair of my RMCBASMTS as a shop sample

~Knit my second ever sweater.
*Done! See below.

~Knit at least six preemie hats to donate to charity.
*2 done. I've slacked on this and don't know if I'll finish this goal.
*Damaris also knit 2.
*All 4 were donated to charity before we left the US.
*Planning to knit some more in 2014.

~Consistently journal.
*Doing well with this! I'm utilizing the Bullet Journal concept and it has been a game changer. Planning to continue with this in 2014.

~Continue keeping a list of the eucharisteo/gifts/joys/Thanksgivings in my life.
*Over #2700 counted.
*In the new year, I'll most likely continue my list in my journal rather than online.



Finished Projects
Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) - Paire Trois ~ From my own Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) pattern (available for purchase at this link). Knit on US 1.5 (2.5mm) needles with Toil and Trouble Merino and Nylon Sock in the Starry, Starry Night colorway. These were a surprise gift for Damaris for her 14th birthday. She thought all along I was knitting these for myself and was thoroughly surprised when she opened the gift on her birthday and found these inside.




Stay Awhile Wrap ~ From the Stay Awhile pattern by Louise Zass-Bangham. Knit on US 5 (3.75mm) needles with Figgi Yarns Sifa Real Silver Yarn, the Original in the Earth Bronze, Moss Green, & Natural colorways. I knit this as a gift for my new sister-in-law Janlie. (modeled by Damaris in the photo below)




Socks For Ten (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) ~ From my own Socks For Ten (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) pattern (which can be purchased through this link). Knit on US 1.5 (2.5mm) needles with Knit Picks Stroll Hand-Painted in the Coffee Shop colorway. I released this new Doctor Who inspired pattern in November just in time for the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.




NaKniSweMo13 Hoaloha ~ From the Hoaloha pattern by Mel Ski. Knit on US 7 (4.5mm) & US 8 (5mm) needles with King Cole Bounty Aran in the Pink Mist colorway. This is my second ever adult sized sweater to knit. I knit it in 24 days during the National Knit A Sweater in a Month challenge.




Seamless Salomas Slippers for SSS Swap ~ From the Seamless Salomas Slippers pattern by Megan Williams & Susan Busbee. Knit on US 6 (4mm) needles with Sirdar Folksong Chunky in the Quirky colorway. These were for a swap I participated in.




Diamond Baby Blanket for Waylon ~ From the Diamond Blanket pattern by Sulafaye. Knit on US 9 (5.5mm) needles with James C. Brett Marble Chunky in the Green & Blue colorways. This is the baby blanket for my brand new nephew Waylon. Damaris knit a couple of squares to help me get this finished on time.




Seamless Salomas Slippers for Guild Swap ~ From the Seamless Salomas Slippers pattern by Megan Williams & Susan Busbee. Knit on US 6 (4mm) needles with Woolcraft New Fashion Double Knitting in the Glacia & Maroon colorways. These were for the swap at the spinning guild Christmas party.




Smitten Mitten Ornaments ~ From the Smitten (a Holiday Garland) pattern by Emily Ivey. Knit on US 3 (3.25mm) needles with Woolcraft New Fashion Double Knitting in the Glacia & Maroon colorways. These were for the Christmas ornament swap at our knitting group Christmas party.




Baby Sophisticate Sweater for Waylon ~ From the Baby Sophisticate - Free pattern by Linden Down. Knit on US 8 (5mm) needles with James C. Brett Marble Chunky in the Green & Blue colorways. This is for my brand new nephew Waylon.




Hats for Waylon ~ From the Super Soft Merino Hats for Everyone pattern by Purl Soho. Knit on US 11 (8mm) needles with James C. Brett Marble Chunky in the Green & Blue colorways. These are for my brand new nephew Waylon.




Doctor Who Starry, Starry Night Hat ~ From the Royal Iris Slouch pattern by Mel-Tran Designs. Knit on US 1 (2.25mm) & US3 (3.25mm) needles with Toil and Trouble Merino and Nylon Sock in the Starry Starry Night colorway. I've wanted to make a hat for myself out of this yarn for some time now and I'm so glad I finally got it done.




Seamless Salomas Slippers for the Hubs ~ From the Seamless Salomas Slippers pattern by Megan Williams & Susan Busbee. Knit on US 6 (4mm) needles with Sirdar Bonus DK in the Flint colorway. The Hubs asked me to knit him some slippers for his cold feet, so of course I obliged.




Zuzu's Petals ~ From the Zuzu's Petals pattern by Carina Spencer. Knit on US 6 (4mm) needles with Adriafil Knitcol in the Fantasy Novel colorway. This cowl has been in my Ravelry queue for quite a long time. When our local yarn shop, Ginger Twist Studio, started carrying this yarn, I knew it was perfect for this cowl.




The Hubs Hobbit Viewing Hat ~ From the Techno Slouch pattern by Kaity Fraker. Knit on US 8 (5mm) & US 9 (5.5mm) needles with Robin Chunky in the Silver colorway. The Hubs has been wearing the other hat I knit for him quite often on our constant cold days here in Edinburgh, so I thought another hat was in order so he can have some variety on which to wear. I knit the entire hat while we rewatched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at home before we saw The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in the cinema.




Seamless Salomas Slippers for the Hubs Pair Deux ~ From the Seamless Salomas Slippers pattern by Megan Williams & Susan Busbee. Knit on US 6 (4mm) needles with Sirdar Bonus DK in the Flint colorway. I had enough yarn left over from the first pair that I was able to knit a second pair of slippers for the Hubs.




Rosewater Hat ~ From the Rosewater pattern by tincanknits. Knit on US 4 (3.5mm) & US 6 (4mm) needles with madelinetosh DK Twist in the Molly Ringwald colorway. Although the experience with this yarn was an epic fail, I do love the hat and the pattern lots.




Doctor Who Inspired Baby Sophisticate Sweater for "Stormageddon" Brackett ~ From the Baby Sophisticate - Free pattern by Linden Down. Knit on US 8 (5mm) needles with Hayfield Bonus Chunky in the Aubergine, Light Natural, & Sunflower colorways; King Cole Big Value Chunky in the Old Copper colorway; Robin Chunky in the Silver & Claret colorways; & Stylecraft Life Chunky in the Olive colorway. The striping for this sweater is inspired by Doctor Who’s 4th Doctor’s scarf. It was finished with 4 TARDIS buttons. It is a gift for our friend Clint & Melissa's baby who will be arriving in 2014.




Doctor Who Inspired Hat for "Stormageddon" Brackett ~ From the Swans Island Bulky Hats for the Whole Family pattern by Kristen Ashbaugh-Helmreich. Knit on US 8 (5mm) needles with Hayfield Bonus Chunky in the Aubergine, Light Natural, & Sunflower colorways; King Cole Big Value Chunky in the Old Copper colorway; Robin Chunky in the Silver & Claret colorways; & Stylecraft Life Chunky in the Olive colorway. The striping for this hat is inspired by Doctor Who’s 4th Doctor’s scarf & coordinates with the sweater above. It is a gift for our friend Clint & Melissa's baby who will be arriving in 2014.




Sugar Maple Hat ~ From the Sugar Maple Hat pattern by Katie Mack. Knit on US 5 (3.75mm) & US 6 (4mm) needles with Adriafil Knitcol in the Fantasy Novel colorway. After knitting the cowl for myself with this yarn, I just had to have a hat in the same colorway.




I have two other completed projects that I can't share at this time because they are surprises. I have the photos & information saved to share in the new year.



In 2013, I also took up spinning handspun yarn on a drop spindle. I have completed two projects so far.

First Spinning Project ~ 50 grams / 72 yards of North Ronaldsay Fibre from HilltopCloud


Second Spinning Project ~ 50 grams / 82 yards of Hand blended British BFL (Blue Faced Leicester) & Merino Roving from HilltopCloud




Current Works in Progress
*Garter Stitch Head-Band
*Third Spinning Project ~ 35 grams of Merino (British Shetland Batt) from HilltopCloud



2013 Completed Projects:
I thought it would be neat to keep a list of all the projects I knit during 2013.



Baby Blankets
*Baby Blanket for Baby Boy Busch (my own pattern design to be released later) ~ Completed 04/24/13
*Doctor Who Baby Blanket ~ Completed 06/02/13
*Diamond Baby Blanket for Waylon ~ Completed 30-Nov-2013



Fingerless Gloves
*Hand Thingies for L #1 ~ Completed 04/20/13
*Hand Thingies for L #2 ~ Completed 05/03/13
*Hand Thingies #1 ~ Completed 06/11/13
*Hand Thingies #2 ~ Completed 06/14/13
*Lola's Ziga-Zaga Scarf & Fingerless Gloves (my own pattern design which can be purchased here) ~ Completed 06/20/13
*leethal Adventure Knit-a-long! Green Byway ~ Completed 08/04/13



Hats
*Tristan Hat for James ~ Completed 01/06/13
*Tristan Hat for Michael ~ Completed 01/09/13
*Rambled Hat for Wyatt ~ Completed 01/10/13
*2013 Top Down Preemie Hat #1 (my own pattern design available for free here) ~ Completed 01/11/13
*Camden Cap for Lola ~ Completed 01/13/13
*2013 Top Down Preemie Hat #2 (my own pattern design available for free here) ~ Completed 03/02/13
*Camden Cap for Momma W. ~ Completed 03/07/13
*Camden Cap for Damaris ~ Completed 03/10/13
*Camden Cap for Me ~ Completed 03/15/13
*Dallas Cowboys Hat for Dad W. ~ Completed 03/16/13
*Texas Flag Hat for J.R. ~ Completed 03/22/13
*Graham Hat for J #1 ~ Completed 04/16/13
*Graham Hat for J #2 ~ Completed 04/27/13
*Graham Hat for J #3 ~ Completed 05/08/13
*Mock Cable Baby Hat ~ Completed 05/16/13
*Graham Hat for the Hubs ~ Completed 06/24/13
*Drizzle Hat for Damaris ~ Completed 07/01/13
*leethal Adventure Knit-a-long! Orange Trail (Hat) ~ Completed 06/28/13
*Drizzle for Me ~ Completed 08/07/13
*Hats for Waylon ~ Completed 6-Dec-2013
*Doctor Who Starry, Starry Night Hat ~ Completed 10-Dec-2013
*The Hubs Hobbit Viewing Hat ~ Completed 17-Dec-2013
*Rosewater Hat ~ Completed 22-Dec-2013
*Doctor Who Inspired Hat for "Stormageddon" Brackett ~ Completed 27-Dec-2013
*Sugar Maple Hat ~ Completed 30-Dec-2013



Shawls/Cowls
*Junction Shawl for Mom A. ~ Completed 02/27/13
*A Noble Autumnal Cowl ~ Completed 09/18/13
*Stay Awhile Wrap ~ Completed 25-Oct-2013
*Zuzu's Petals ~ Completed 15-Dec-2013



Slippers
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for Damaris ~ Completed 08/11/13
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for Me! ~ Completed 08/13/13
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for Beth ~ Completed 08/15/13
*Another Pair of Seamless Salomas Slippers for Me! ~ Completed 08/08/13
*Another Pair of Seamless Salomas Slippers for Damaris ~ Completed 08/21/13
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for SSS Swap ~ Completed 27-Nov-2013
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for Guild Swap ~ Completed 30-Nov-2013
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for the Hubs ~ Completed 13-Dec-2013
*Seamless Salomas Slippers for the Hubs Pair Deux ~ Completed 19-Dec-2013



Socks
*Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) (my own pattern design which can be purchased here) ~ Completed 01/01/13
*Mix Match Leftover Socks ~ Completed 01/03/13
*AfterThought Heel Socks ~ Completed 01/27/13
*Socks on a Plane for Katie ~ Completed 02/23/13
*Level Up Socks ~ Completed 03/30/13
*There and Back Again Socks ~ Completed 04/25/13
*Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) - Paire Deux (my own pattern design which can be purchased here) ~ Completed 05/06/13
*Mock Cable Baby Socks ~ Completed 05/16/13
*Stripey Everyday Socks for Damaris ~ Completed 07/10/13
*Catch the Rainbow Socks (my own pattern design which can be purchased here) ~ Completed 09/28/13
*Rescue Me, Chin Boy, and Show Me the Stars (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) - Paire Trois (my own pattern design which can be purchased here) ~ Completed 11-Oct-2013
*Socks For Ten (Doctor Who Inspired Socks) (my own pattern design which can be purchased here) ~ Completed 18-Nov-2013



Sweaters
*Baby Sophisticate Sweater ~ Completed 05/28/13
*NaKniSweMo13 Hoaloha ~ Completed 24-Nov-2013
*Baby Sophisticate Sweater for Waylon ~ Completed 5-Dec-2013
*Doctor Who Inspired Baby Sophisticate Sweater for "Stormageddon" Brackett ~ Completed 27-Dec-2013



Washcloths/Dishcloths
*Three Mother's Day Washcloths ~ Completed 04/28/13
*All Washed Up Washcloths for Me ~ Completed 05/19/13
*All Washed Up Washcloths ~ Completed 05/25/13
*All Washed Up Washcloths ~ Completed 06/08/13
*Doctor Who Washcloths ~ Completed 07/03/13
*Doctor Who Washcloths ~ Completed 07/06/13
*Leftovers Washcloth ~ Completed 07/07/13
*2 secret projects ~ Completed 28-Dec-2013 & 30-Dec-2013



Misc. Items
*Acequia Mini Sock ~ Completed 04/25/13
*Sarah Jane the Doctor Who Stuffie ~ Completed 06/05/13
*Dandy Sir Cephalopod #1 ~ Completed 06/21/13
*Dandy Sir Cephalopod #2 ~ Completed 06/26/13
*Dandy Sir Cephalopod #3 ~ Completed 07/13/13
*leethal Adventure Knit-a-long! Gold Route (Cup Cozy) ~ Completed 07/26/13
*Scotty the Knitted Frog ~ Completed 08/09/13
*Miss Martha Headband ~ Completed 09/28/13
*Smitten Mitten Ornaments ~ Completed 30-Nov-2013



Drop Spindle Handspun Yarn
*First Spinning Project ~ Completed 12-Nov-2013
*Second Spinning Project ~ Completed 24-Dec-2013



So to sum up the year of create, I completed:
~3 baby blankets
~6 pairs of fingerless gloves
~26 hats
~4 shawls/cowls
~9 pairs of slippers
~12 pairs of socks
~4 sweaters
~21 washcloths
~9 misc. items (5 of those are stuffed animals)
~2 skeins of handspun yarn
That's a total of 94 knitted items plus 2 skeins of handspun yarn!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's an average of 8 completed items each month. Wowzers!!!! Should I shoot for 100 items in 2014????




As always, find all my completed projects plus what's currently on my needles on Ravelry:


And you can also find all my knitting pattern designs (those available for purchase and some freebies as well) on Ravelry:


Thanks for journeying with me during my year of create! Look for another blog post soon about my plans for 2014!