Year in Review: On (and Off) the Needles

I remember a time . . . when I actually knit 12 sweaters in a year.  Twelve!

Well.

Those days seem to be long gone.  Although I still knit pretty much every day (because a day doesn't feel "right" without some knitting), my production has slowed way, way down.  

My Project Count for 2013:

• 3 hats
• 1 pair fingerless mitts
• 4 sweaters
• 1 baby sweater
• 2 pairs of socks
• 5 shawls
• and 3 spa washcloths (gifts)

Out of those projects, which were my favorites?  Why . . . 

Germinate is, hands-down, my Winner for 2013  I love it!  The yarn, the colors, the stripes-and-lace.  (It's hard to beat the winning combination of Kirsten's design and Kim's yarn!)

I also love this cardigan - Tinder, one of Jared Flood's designs (and knit in his Shelter yarn).  So wearable and very practical.

Leftie is a bit of a surprise.  I didn't enjoy knitting is so much, but I get lots and lots of compliments and comments every time I wear it!  (Plus, it reminds me of Margene and Carole, and that's a huge bonus.)

I also love my Sundry!  I loved knitting it; I love wearing it.  (And this one reminds me of my trip to San Francisco, so another bonus.)

And . . . this pullover (Tea with Jam and Bread) is pretty darn wonderful.  It got me through our recent "Polar Vortex" with the the three-day-snow-day-extravaganza.  Perfect kick-around sweater.  (And it looks great with pajama pants.  Just sayin.')

For 2014, I plan to Keep Knitting.  I'm not going to set any project goals or quotas for myself; I'm just going to knit what I feel like knitting!  I will say that I want to do some colorwork/fairisle, as I haven't done any of that for a couple of years now.  And I'm itching to knit one of the hats from the recent Wool People issue.  (This one.)  Other than that, I'm just coming to terms with the fact that I cannot knit All of The Things.  Nor do I need to buy All of the Yarn.  I think it's safe to say that for 2014, I'm going to knit what I want . . . with what I've already got.  And I'll just leave it at that!

How about you?  What are your favorite knits of 2013?  And what are you planning to knit in the coming year?

Comments

[margene]

All of your projects are wearable and handsome, good color combos, plus they look great on you, too. Germinate is probably my favorite for the year and certainly the one I wear most often. How did we do 12 sweaters that year? This year must be about the sweater knitting again (albeit not 12).

[Patty]

I do love that Tea with Jam and Bread! I've had a year of UFOs for certain. Goal...keep on knitting, finish at least one sweater, a pair of socks and a new shawl. And...riiiiiiiiiiiiiiip those items that have been sitting a long while. Happy Friday!

[Carole]

Those are some beauties right there! I feel the same way about my Leftie. And really, I need to kick my ass into gear and block Germinate. Sheesh.

[Marilyn]

Your favorites look great on you! What a wonderful year of knitting.
Most of what I knit in 2013 I gave away. No wonder I'm so set on knitting for myself this year!

[April]

I'm not much for sweater knitting. I lose my focus and move to smaller projects, but that Tea with Jam and Bread is tempting me! Although winter in these parts isn't much to speak of.

I thought of you last week while shopping at Sur la Table. Eiffel Tower everywhere (ornaments, kitchen towels)!

I have decided stash busting is in order for 2014. I know I have enough yarn for 15 pair of socks. I'm crocheting hats for babies in our NICU now. Feels good to jump right in.

As always, your handwork is beautiful.

[Mary]

You had some wonderful FOs in 2013 - I love the sweaters and your Germinate (and Margene's) tempted me more than once to do a colorwork shawl! (note that no one's Lefty tempted me ever!) Can't wait to see what you knit in 2014!!