2008 Crafty Resolutions: A Review

As the holidays rapidly approach and a New Year is right around the corner, it's time to take a look at my 2008 Crafty Resolutions and see how I did (and what I can cram into the last couple of weeks).

Last time I checked on it, it was October.

1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Purple Dream Blanket
  
• Coasters and Coffee Cozies
  
• Eight Pocket Two-Tone Carryall Tote
  
• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl

Update: The infamous shawl. It's still in pieces and I can't figure out how to put it all together with some kind of edging that makes sense. Does someone want to adopt this project?

2) Make, block and stiffen 25 snowflakes (and yes, the two I've already made count toward the 25)

Update: Not gonna happen in 2008. Is it worth keeping on the list for 2009?


3) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and circular needles.

Update: So freakin' close to getting this resolution done. While I didn't learn to knit socks, I did learn to knit which in itself is a pretty great thing. Socks next year for sure - I've got oodles of sock yarn just waiting to be used!


4) Organize my yarn, books and other crafty supplies in the new craft room

Update on this one - A couple weeks ago, I reorganized all my yarn and all the other crafty stuff stored in the craft room. It's so much easier to find things now. I also created a three-ring binder with all the patterns I've printed out. It's a much better system than cramming everything into a file folder (the previous system).

5) Make a shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book

Update: If I can finish KMP's second baby blanket before Christmas, I'll try to start the shawl on the train ride up to New England. But really - it's not looking good that this will happen.


6) Go to MS&W 2008 (this is a no-brainer)


7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD)
  
• Baby blanket for Mindy Jr.
  
• Crochet a rug from the yarn bought at the 2006 MS&W
  
• Complete A-Z pillows for baby Brodie
  
• Crochet Christmas stockings (but this one is a bit iffy)

Update:

• I'm going to mail the hat I made for charity in place of the blanket. I did order some yarn for a charity blanket - which will probably be made in 2009.
  
• The A-Z pillows have been taken off the list. The A pillow I started has been frogged. The bright acrylic yarn will be used for some other project.
• A rug and Christmas stockings? Seriously? It's not gonna happen.

Just because a lot of my resolutions went uncompleted, I did accomplish quite a bit in 2008. The aforementioned learning to knit is a big one as well as designing and selling my first crochet patterns. Given the number of unexpected pregnancies, I was also uber busy with baby blankets (especially the knitted one that I should have crocheted). I also managed to visit a bunch of local yarn stores across the country. All in all, a productive year with 21 completed projects and even more yarn added to my stash.

I've got my list of 2009 Crafty Resolutions started and while it does include a number of uncompleted 2008 resolutions, it also has some fun, new ones. Stay tuned!

Post #201

Wow. Over 200 posts on this little crafty blog of mine. I started it with the hopes that it would foster my creativity and get me to focus more on (and enjoy more of) my crochet projects. I think it's done just that - as well as helped me branch out into knitting and increase my knowledge of different fibers and yarn brands. It's been a fun almost 2 years of blogging and almost 14,000 visitors. Thanks for reading my ramblings and for your continued support!

A quick check on my 2008 crafty resolutions...as compared to my half-year check back in July...


1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Purple Dream Blanket
  
• Coasters and Coffee Cozies
  
• Eight Pocket Two-Tone Carryall Tote
  
• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl

Update: The infamous shawl. Will it ever be completed???


2) Make, block and stiffen 25 snowflakes (and yes, the two I've already made count toward the 25)

Update: While I really want to make them, perhaps have them adorn Christmas presents and our Christmas tree, I'm not too hopeful right now that I'll actually get them done considering it's only a couple months to Christmas.


3) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and circular needles.

Update: I ordered some DPNs in the normal sock sizes and my purchases from Portland are some great sock yarn to try to learn. This is still a resolution I can attempt.


4) Organize my yarn, books and other crafty supplies in the new craft room


5) Make a shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book

Update: I still have the yarn for this; but I don't think I'll have the time to start and finish it.


6) Go to MS&W 2008 (this is a no-brainer)


7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD)
  
• Baby blanket for Mindy Jr.
  
• Crochet a rug from the yarn bought at the 2006 MS&W
  
• Complete A-Z pillows for baby Brodie
  
• Crochet Christmas stockings (but this one is a bit iffy)

Update:

• I still need to mail the hat I made for charity in place of the blanket. I did order some yarn for a charity blanket - which will probably be made in 2009.
  
• The A-Z pillows have been taken off the list. The A pillow I started has been frogged. The bright acrylic yarn will be used for some other project.
• A rug and Christmas stockings? Seriously? It's not gonna happen.

Two months to go and two definite-must-finish projects (the blankets for KMP's baby). As for the other resolutions, they may be pushed off to 2009. :)

6 Months to Go...

Since half the year is over, let's take a look at how I'm doing with my 2008 crafty resolutions.

1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Purple Dream Blanket
  
• Coasters and Coffee Cozies
  
• Eight Pocket Two-Tone Carryall Tote
  
• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl

Update: Three out of four ain’t bad. Here’s hoping I get the shawl done before August.


2) Make, block and stiffen 25 snowflakes (and yes, the two I've already made count toward the 25)

Update: Honestly? I’ve had absolutely no desire to make snowflakes right now.


3) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and circular needles.

Update: I tried – but the patterns in the book I had were for DPNs and I was working with circulars. I’m hoping I can get this resolution started again.


4) Organize my yarn, books and other crafty supplies in the new craft room


5) Make a shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book

Update: I have the yarn for this; now I just need the time to start and finish it!


6) Go to MS&W 2008 (this is a no-brainer)


7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD)
  
• Baby blanket for Mindy Jr.
  
• Crochet a rug from the yarn bought at the 2006 MS&W
  
• Complete A-Z pillows for baby Brodie
  
• Crochet Christmas stockings (but this one is a bit iffy)

Update:

• Instead of a blanket, I made a hat for charity. But have I mailed it yet? Nope. Guess I should get on that.
  
• The A-Z pillows turned out to be too big so I’m going to frog the “A” I started and use the colorful yarn for something else (yet to be determined).
  
• A rug and Christmas stockings? Not sure I’ll get to those or not.

So overall - not bad for 6 months. According to Ravelry, I've only completed 9 projects since January. Wow... I don't know how I feel about that. I feel like I've been crocheting and knitting quite a bit. It just seems I don't have much to show for it except a handful of UFOs. Here's hoping the next 6 months are a bit more productive.

2008 Crafty Resolutions

Here is my list of crafty New Year resolutions for 2008 (in no particular order):

1) Finish the following UFOs:

• Purple Dream Blanket


• Coasters and Coffee Cozies


• Eight Pocket Two-Tone Carryall Tote


• Spiral Pentagram Motif Shawl

2) Make, block and stiffen 25 snowflakes (and yes, the two I've already made count toward the 25)

3) Learn to knit socks on double pointed and circular needles

4) Organize my yarn, books and other crafty supplies in the new craft room

5) Make a shawl from the Amazing Crochet Lace book

6) Go to MS&W 2008 (this is a no-brainer)

7) Complete the following new projects:

• Make at least 1 blanket for donation (charity TBD)


• Baby blanket for Mindy Jr.


• Crochet a rug from the yarn bought at the 2006 MS&W


• Complete A-Z pillows for baby Brodie


• Crochet Christmas stockings (but this one is a bit iffy)

Any other suggestions? Add a comment.

I'll update the list as items are completed.