Here it goes

It's been an interesting year, hasn't it? Lots and lots of changes have taken place for me, and I won't even pretend that I am one of those people that readily embrace the new, but most of it has been good so I really don't have much to regret or feel sorry about.

I've had the luxury of taking about 6 months off from work in order to watch my son grow. And grow he has! From a timid toddler barely even speaking to a boisterous and outgoing little chatterbox. I've been very blessed, and I will always cherish the time I've been able to spend with him.

I've had my butt whooped with the Medical Transcription courses that I just knew I was going to breeze through in a couple of short months. I'm still limping along and determined to get through it. One day I'll be gainfully employed in the field and laugh at myself for the difficulty I've had with the coursework. I'm just not good at making myself stick with stuff when there's no required class attendance, etc. I've made a commitment to myself that I will finish before the end of April, preferably by March. Maybe setting a goal for myself will make me buckle down. *crossing fingers*

This year has also brought along a lot of amazing friendships, both in "real" life, and here on the internet. One of the highlights of the year was our trip to Pennsylvania to meet Doug and Laura and spend some time relaxing at Barnhenge. Whether playing dress-up in Laura's amazing wardrobe of festival garb,chasing fairies in the woods, breaking in the new kitchen, or sharing good conversation around a fire in a drizzling rain, I will always cherish that trip and the two wonderful folks that were gracious enough to allow J and myself to invade their world.

Of course, every year brings loss and new beginnings, and this one has been no exception. All in a matter of months we said farewell to Daddy Dean

and hello to the beautiful baby Emily.

And then, of course, there has been the knitting. Ahh, the knitting. Before this year began I was the most novice of knitters. The only project that I had successfully completed was a little stripey hat for J. It was knit flat, poorly seamed up the back, and honestly, too small for his big head. But from the moment I finished it I knew that I was hooked.

When Amanda posted the pattern for the candleflame shawl, I knew that I HAD to try it, too. Of course I couldn't just jump into knitting by doing something easy. I figured that if I was going to learn, I was going to learn, by god! And so, with the help of a book and several online sites, I taught myself to knit more than just the two basic stitches. And although it took me more than four months, and a bucket of tears, I finished that sawl, and only a few weeks too late to be the birthday present it was intended to be.

From the shawl, I went straight on to socks with the Moc Croc knitalong. Wow! Talk about jumping in with both feet, eh?

And once I had those completed, I was in love with the socks! In total, I made four pairs this year-- the Crocs, a pair of footies with short-row heels and toes, my Mystery Socks, and J's little blue socks. Out of all of them, I love J's the best. Not only are baby feet adorable in hand-knit socks, but I even managed to get the stripes to match almost perfectly!

With my confidence soaring, I decided to jump into something which I had feared more than anything else: You see, I'm an impatient person when it comes to the details- I'm a terrible seamer, often making a mess of a perfectly good object by getting a seam crooked and not wanting to go back and do it over, but I found a cute, and rather simple pattern for a kid's jacket in a book, and I decided to go for it. And behold! I actually completed an entire sweater! And I got the seams straight, the sleeves in evenly, and figured out buttonholes!

Feeling invinceable, I also tried my hand at a project of my own design, which brought about the creation of what was sweetly coined "the apple pie bag" by Amanda. It wasn't the greatest success in the world, but it wasn't terrible, either. Of course, I still haven't gotten around to lining it, which may help solve some of the problems I experienced. Maybe in 2007.

Let's see, what else?

Hats: Yes, I've done a few. I have a knack for either making them too big or too small, and I can't quite figure it out. I made a total of 4 hats this year, and only one of them do I truly love. Here's a link to the pattern. Mine is green and lovely.

What else have a completed?

A mesh bag
A bath set for my sister's birthday
J's clogs
Several dishcloths and a distowel
A small felted Ipod purse
A felted CD case
Two out of three Christmas stockings that I started
Katja and a pair of booties for Emily
Oh yes, and the convertible mittens for Granny.

Not bad for a year's work, eh?

I've also begun to delve into lacework, and have two scarves on the needles currently.

So, it's been a busy year, and while I've learned a lot about knitting, I've also learned that there's a lot more to learn about it. For instance, my colorwork sucks which is the reason that you will not be seeing a picture of the finished CD case. I intend to focus on that this year, as well as socks, and the lace. And who knows what else.

There it is, my year in review. It's not nearly as in depth as I wanted it to be, but it'll do. And I'll leave you with some pictures, just because. :)

Happy New Year, everybody!