Year in Review

I love those mosaics that everybody makes of their projects from the year. I've always really really really wanted to do one of those. I was determined that this would be THE YEAR. So I sat down on New Year's Day and started looking through my photos and listing out the stuff. It turns out, even though I feel pretty unproductive much of the time, I make a lot of stuff.

Lots of stuff that doesn't get blogged. Some stuff that doesn't even get photographed. Some stuff that sits in a bin for several months because I don't want to wear it until I get a pristine photo and get in on the blog. Ugh!

You know those people that blog every day and have those massive Flickr pages and everything is documented and perfect on Ravelry and they make it look so easy!? Like the ice skaters on the Olympics?! How do they do it?? It has taken me 2 weeks to get everything in order, for cryin out loud. But, I did it and I have my lovely mosaics (more than one because you can only do up to 36 photos per mosaic and I had more than that so I decided to categorize them) and I'm so happy!

And mostly I re-learned stuff that I already knew about myself but I did learn a new thing or two in the process and I made a couple of goals and I'm all about the lists and goals and so this is just great. And now that 2008 is organized I can finally move on to 2009! And thank heaven, because it's already January 16th! And I have stuff from 2009 finished that I need to start documenting too!

Here we go: The sweaters.

What I knew: Sweater knitting is my favorite knitting.

What I learned: If I would do slightly less flitting from one thing to another, I would have a sweater for every month. (Ok, maybe I did already know that, just in denial.)

Goal: A sweater a month for 2009 (Stacey made me do it. NaKniSweMoDo.)

2008 Sweater Mosaic, originally uploaded by emilyquilts.

Koigu turtleneck, February Lady, Chantal, Cable Cardigan, Beryl, Hey Teach, Bay Cardigan, and Capri, almost all of them on my Ravelry page, or ask me in the comments if you have a question. (I'm sorry, but linking individually to all 60 projects on this post might put me over the edge.)

Next Subject: Socks

What I already knew: I love knitting and wearing handknit socks.
What I learned: I finished more socks than I thought. And apparently I like green socks.

Goal: With a little more effort, I could make 12 pairs of socks a year.

Caveat: I tend to go on sock sprees. I either love knitting socks and it's all I do and I go through them like crazy, or I am not interested. If I sign up for a sock-a-long, it's the kiss of death for sock knitting for me for several months. If you notice me leaning toward a sock KAL, please say gently: "Lady, please back away from the sock knitalong." I thank you in advance.

2008 Sock Mosaic, originally uploaded by emilyquilts.

(I will devote a whole post to the socks and give details on the yarns asap.)

Next Subject: Scarves, Hats, Mitts, Etc.

What I alreay knew: I love these little projects. These are the delicious palette cleansers between sweaters. Also: I love my kids in cute hats, and they can't have too many.

What I learned: I really make a lot of this stuff. I could cut back.

2008 Hats Mitts Scarves and Misc. Mosaic, originally uploaded by emilyquilts.

Most of these are Raveled. If not, it probably is going to get its own post. Again, if you have any questions, ask me in the comments and I will answer in the comments.

Next up: Baby Stuff and Gifts

What I learned: I don't love making baby blankets. But I love the opportunity to be the maker of potentially a small human's favorite object. So it's worth it.

Goal: keep on keepin on.

2008 Baby and Gifts, originally uploaded by emilyquilts.

Next up: Bags

What I know: I love bags. I don't need any more bags. But I love them.

People love bags. Bags are good gifts. Bags Bags Bags.

2008 Bag Mosaic 1, originally uploaded by emilyquilts.

Most of these bags were for other people. Many of them I made from my dish towel totebag tutorial (see sidebar.) I will never stop making bags! BAGS!

Ok, now I get to the really pathetic department: Quilts.

What I already know: I used to be a quilter.

True confession: When I talk about quilts now, I feel like an imposter.

Goal: I need to make more quilts.

2008 Quilting Mosaic, originally uploaded by emilyquilts.

(Because really, the tree skirt doesn't even count as a quilt, but it is quilted, and I didn't have any other category for it.)

QUICK SUMMARY:

Make 12 sweaters per year.

Make 12 pairs of socks per year.

Ease up on the accessories already.

Gift knitting: good.

BAGS!

Make quilts.

Amen.