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Resolutions for the New Year!

December 30th, 2010 by Lindsey

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My favorite thing about a new year is setting new goals for myself.  In 2010 I accomplished some lofty yarncrafting goals: I knit my first sweater(s), learned complicated lace and cable patterns, and added color-work to my repertoire.  For 2011 I want to focus on organizational goals: keeping my stash organized, finishing all my projects, and sticking to my pattern queue.

What are you’re yarncrafting goals for 2011? Will you learn new techniques? Knit or crochet a pattern you’ve been wanting to try? Donate more finished projects to charity? Share your crafty New Year’s resolutions in the comments below.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 10:00 am and is filed under Crafting . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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  • Tammie

    My husbands’ grandmother passed away a few days before Christmas. During our last conversation with her a few weeks before, she asked me to learn how to knit for the both of us, as she had never learned. I’ve planned on learning to knit for years, but now I am so much more motivated and excited to learn. Also, for Christmas I did my first filet crochet runner for my mother-in-law. It turned out so beautiful that I have a goal to create my own pattern for an intricate filet crochet Christmas runner for next year.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_A4OLYADXXI2GZCE2RXGRVCZGIM Teresa

    I am going to try to knit an afghan for myself. I have 3 charity groups I knit for every month plus I am in 2 dishcloth group KALs. Not enough hours in the day.

  • theodore

    I’m gonna try knitting my first adult sized sweater.

  • Mrsluckystone

    My first priority is to finish the project I’m in the middle of and then to learn how to use the lace blocking wires I received for Christmas. I’m looking forward to doing more lace patterns.

  • 13curly

    I want to finish the 3 sweaters I started in the last year. One I have to finish before Stitches West at the end of February.

  • Hzjewl

    1) To finally knit a pair of sock or two or twenty along with a sweater.
    2) Start Christmas gifts in January not September.

    • Hapi2Run

      Your #2 resolution struck a chord with me. I’ve already made a list of all those I want to knit a gift for this year and laid out a schedule. Hopefully I’ll stay on track and not be knitting late into the evening on December 23rd this year!!

  • Queenpattijo

    I’m going to learn how to knit socks on my new knitting sock loom that I received for Christmas.

  • Coffeebuddy

    My goal for 2011 is to make something for myself. I’m always knitting and crocheting for others.
    fran

  • Carcher

    I am interested in completing The Knitting Guild Associations Master Knitters program. I finished the Basics program in 2010 and learned so much. My projects have taken on a new look. The program helps you identify problem areas, look at your projects with a critical eye, and correct small problems that effect the look of the piece. I want to complete Master Level 1 in 2011. I think it will take 10 hours per week. I plan to spend 5 hours each week end and 1 hour each week night. I am keeping a blog of my progress at http://forgetmeknotsgarden.wordpress.com/ Check it out.

    • cb5162

      I am new to a lot of charities, and I know nothing about the knitting guild. Is there also a crochet guild and how do I find out more about them? I would also love to go through the programs that you have mentioned.

      Connie

      • Anonymous

        Hi Connie, you can contact the Crochet Guild of America using this link. You can also find out about other local groups on LionBrand.com under the “Community” heading by clicking on “Knit & Crochet Clubs.”

  • koffiebean

    Use up my stash! I’m a yarn addict when there is a sale at my local yarn shop! So much yarn, so little time

  • Ngeorge2

    I have two resolutions: (1) use a specified portion (not all!) of my stash before any more yarn purchases. (2) never have more than 3 knitting projects going at one time

  • Anonymous

    I want to take the Master Knitter and Master Crocheter courses!

    • cb5162

      How do I find out how to take these courses also. Where are they located and how do I find out more information?

      cb5162

  • Anana

    I really would like to learn how to knit top down and start a crochet vest

  • Patty

    I have several goals for 2011, first is to better organize my stash and then check there before purchasing more yarn. I did use my stash to make hats, mittens and I’ve started socks and feel pretty good about that. I would like to expand my Tunisian Crochet techniques and make more gifts in 2011.

  • :)

    No more yarn purchases until I eliminate my stash. Okay, not all of the sock yarn as I don’t think that’s possible, but all of the rest.

  • Jan0310

    I want to make a sweater that actually fits! Time to focus on gauge and adjusting the pattern to fit me. And finish all my wips. And reduce the stash.

  • JudiB

    I want to become proficient using double-pointed needles and learn how to make socks. I also vow to finish one unfinished sweater and donate more knitting to good causes.

  • Hapiatlast

    Crafting resolutions for 2011:
    1) Finish what I have started. (UFOs)
    2) Use up all yarn, fabric, notions, patterns, etc. that I have purchased with the intention of “making” something.
    3) Really, really make birthday and Christmas gifts myself.
    4) Set aside time, instead of finding the time, to pursue crafting
    5) Challenge myself to learn new techniques instead of sticking with what I know.
    6) MOST OF ALL: Enjoy the process.

    • kit

      setting aside time instead of finding time really rings a bell with me. If I try to get done with chores, I’ll never have time for knitting and crocheting. I need to block out time for what I love and then work on chores (they’ll never be “done” anyway)!

  • Liz

    Take photos of everything I make!

  • Liz

    Take photos of everything I make!

    • quilting4fun

      I take pictures of all the quilts I make, and put them in an album along with a short note about who received the quilt. I have over 150 entries. I’ve started taking pictures of my afghans, and chemo hats that I donate. Great documentation for my taxes along with a letter of donation.

  • Voiceovergirl

    I want to do many of the ideas listed already. Finish projects, organize my stash, don’t buy anymore yarn and give away old yarn I found from 20 years ago. Also I want to knit my myself a sweater. Thought I’d start small and knitted a baby sweater it took me 6 months, just finished, a real feat for me. I’m a crocheter, it’s much faster
    Working on challenging myself with different knitting styles of hats. Keep your fingers
    crossed.

  • Gwen

    Wow! So many resolutions! My stash is organized and manageable, only have one UFO (it’s the project I work on between the others) and I completely enjoy my crochet work. So, I hereby resolve to challenge myself to learn more and more difficult stitches well and to learn more about creative design. The road to new knowledge and creations will be exciting!

  • Nezini

    I decided to crochet a scarf a week to give to the Home of the Innocents here in Louisville. Also to finish all my crochet projects that were started and pushed aside for something newer and more interesting.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sarah-Kettell/624195686 Sarah Kettell

    My New Year’s crafting resolution is to give sock knitting another shot. I plan on trying the double circular needle technique instead of the four double pointed needles, which is traditional. I also want to make more for my Etsy store and actually make a sweater this year.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=845650267 Jennifer Hoogerdijk-McLarty

    I want to learn Intarsia knitting this year. This is the one technique that intimidates me. I taught myself to knit and did cable knitting on my very first project (the project I taught myself to know on). I was told this was pretty incredible that I could cable knit so early in my knitting experience. My philosophy has always been that if you can follow instructions, you can do it successfully. For some reason I’m afraid to follow my own philosophy when it comes to Intarsia knitting. Here’s hoping I can accomplish this in the new year.

    • Sjohnson622

      Jennifer – I feel the same way. I also taught myself how to cable, how to knit socks and hats, but each intarsia project I’ve started has terrible gaps between the colors, even though I think I’m twisting them properly behind the work. I’m determined though to accomplish this technique though after I knock some items out of my queue. If I’m realistic, that will be this spring/early summer.

  • Sjohnson622

    My husband has wanted a sweater since I first learned to cast on about 3 years ago. I signed up for the Inishturk knit-along last year, bought the yarn and needles, and it sat in the bag in the corner.

    #1 is to finish the Inishturk by St. Pat’s day (I swatched in size 8 and got 16 stitches over 3.5 inches, so I cast on in size 9 last night and started a new swatch. That is a start, right?)

    I’m also guilty of having and endless queue and number of half-finished projects. So, I hope to clean this up before moving on to new. This includes:

    #2 is to make make the hats I have in my queue for family members.

    #3 Make sweaters for my daughter (I have a bunch of patterns in my LBY queue, but I’m determined to finish #1 before I cast on any of them.)

    #4 Master mittens this summer/fall in time to make some for gifts.

    #5 Learn the Granny Square so I can use up the left over yarn. I’m told these are fun, easy, and relatively mindless which will be nice after a stressful day. I’m the only novice crocheter I know who doesn’t know the granny square! LOL

    #6 – Learn Intarsia and make the Country Afghan. I read on a parenting blog or website (wish I could remember where) that next season maps are going to be the hot item for kidswear and decor. How neat would it be to have that done by Thanksgiving?

  • Sjohnson622

    My husband has wanted a sweater since I first learned to cast on about 3 years ago. I signed up for the Inishturk knit-along last year, bought the yarn and needles, and it sat in the bag in the corner.

    #1 is to finish the Inishturk by St. Pat’s day (I swatched in size 8 and got 16 stitches over 3.5 inches, so I cast on in size 9 last night and started a new swatch. That is a start, right?)

    I’m also guilty of having and endless queue and number of half-finished projects. So, I hope to clean this up before moving on to new. This includes:

    #2 is to make make the hats I have in my queue for family members.

    #3 Make sweaters for my daughter (I have a bunch of patterns in my LBY queue, but I’m determined to finish #1 before I cast on any of them.)

    #4 Master mittens this summer/fall in time to make some for gifts.

    #5 Learn the Granny Square so I can use up the left over yarn. I’m told these are fun, easy, and relatively mindless which will be nice after a stressful day. I’m the only novice crocheter I know who doesn’t know the granny square! LOL

    #6 – Learn Intarsia and make the Country Afghan. I read on a parenting blog or website (wish I could remember where) that next season maps are going to be the hot item for kidswear and decor. How neat would it be to have that done by Thanksgiving?

  • Jennie

    1. Finish all UFOs (I’m almost done as that was a 2010 resolution).
    2. Whittle down the stash.
    3. Anything new should primarily come from the books, magazines, and patterns I’ve already purchased (rather than purchasing new).
    4. Learn to cable.

    I’ve got a whole year, right?

  • theFilus

    Last year I wanted to make a cable knit scarf for my son. I’ve never done cables, as the needles always slip out and cause frustration. I decided to make a differnt one. I took some fimo clay, made a wearable hook that I use to pick up stiches and knit off the hook when needed, One for my thumb ( front stiches ) and one for left ring finger for back stiches. Works great, never seen one before, and maybe I should sell them!

    • Elaina Palincsar

      I’m having a hard time picturing these hooks but think you should definitely try selling them, maybe on line or trying to sell the idea to some knitting needle company. If you’re feeling generous hearted and don’t want the hassle you could post a picture or directions.

  • Fayza

    I want to finish the Knit Lion Country Afghan, which I started on New Years’ Eve, as well as reduce my stash by knitting more of it up.

    I also want to learn to knit socks, because my best friend joked that I should make socks for my fiancee to keep him from getting “cold feet”… haha. Funny.

  • http://notjustapurlgirl.blogspot.com/ Kristi Paul

    Learn (or attempt to learn) entrelac knitting. More charity knitting. More knitting gifts. Knitting for my house, not just clothing.

  • amanda

    Donate any yarn I know I have no intention of using. Organize the yarn I plan to keep better.

  • Lutie

    I am a pattern junkie – I have hundreds of patterns, many printed out from the internet, and they need to be organized by type (hats and caps, socks and slippers, etc.). Going to enlist DD #3 in this and pay her for it. I keep them in redweld files. I’ve done it before so I know it really helps, to be able to find them later, but it just sort of creeps up on me!

    • Hapi2Run

      I find that any organizing project, craft or otherwise, is best done with/by my oldest daughter… and worth every cent I pay her for her help!

  • Pat Snyder

    Too many resolutions: crochet socks, finish cardigan (don’t you hate sewing things together?), clean out yarn, organize patterns. But my favorite resolution is to go to the conference in Minneapolis in July!

  • http://bniel.blogspot.com/ Beth

    To get some crochet patterns published!

  • Rclclark

    I am knitting for a charity shawl project so will continue this, we meet as a group once or twice a month. Just ordered yarn to make leggings for my daughter and hope to get an early start on some items for next Christmas. Also have an new baby coming in summer so will knit something after finishing the leggings!

  • Susan DiCocco

    I will use all the yarn I bought last year (on impukse) and try my hand at spinning yarn. There will be a spinning class in Philadelphia in a few months.

  • Scrapperg

    I have resolved to finish all of my PhDs (Projects half Done) this year and really learn how to knit socks. I have a pair in the works, but I am scared to turn the heel and finish the toes! I also have at least two scarves started as well as an afghan, so there is plenty to do.

    • Elaina Palincsar

      Love this term PhDs! It’s reassuring to learn I’m not the only one with WIPs and UFOs in bags hither and thither.

  • Ijfranklin17

    My resolution is to finish as many UFOs as possible and organize my stash and patterns. I’m like others posted here…I see a new pattern or new yarn and have to take off in that direction. I am determined to not purchase any more yarn until my stash is under control. I also want to learn how to know socks using the Two-at-a-time-toe-up pattern.

  • Martha

    My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. She lost all of her hair a couple of weeks ago. I found a crocheted chemo cap pattern on this web site and made her a cap from organic cotton. I am going to see how she likes it… and, if she does… I would like to make one or two a month this year to donate to others going through chemo treatments.

    • WAyarngal

      Martha, A crocheted cap in cotton sounds great – my favorite one is heavy cotton, and in the winter I even sleep in it! Amazing how tender the scalp is when it has been used to having the hair cover it, and the cotton is so soft. My prayers for your sister.

      • Martha

        Hi WAyarngal…. Thanks for your comment. My sister did get the hat. She got it the same day she bought a “halo” and she said they work great together. She loved the spice color and the soft feel. I am working now on a couple of spring hats since she will be needing something in the warmer months. My desire is to make stylish hats in nice colors. I want her to feel as good as possible. Thank you for your prayers… Sounds like you may be going through a hard time yourself.

  • Hapi2Run

    I’d like to learn how to crochet this year. Lots of friends tell me it’s easier than knitting, so why am I so hesitant?? I’d also like to finish my Christmas gifts by Thanksgiving.

  • Knittat

    My resolution this year is to learn to knit in the round and with double pointed needles. I want to be able to knit caps for an ER closet and socks for my sister.

    • phebe

      Dear ‘Knittat’ I was just now reading the ‘blog’ and thought one of my NYR’s for 2011 is to perfect the technique of knitting in the round w/ dpn’s. Wow, can you be my knitting budding this year? Why dpn’s? Because, my grandmother (who’s my mentor) used them; and, well, they’re just plain ‘timeless’ means of ‘knitting in the round’. What do you think? You can email me directly @ staciehull7@bellsouth.net.

  • Tammy R

    Complete at least one level of the Master Knitting program!

  • Mountain_butterfly

    I just completed my very first sweater. It was my own design and turned out great. My husband loves it. Now my goal is to make a sweater for each of us, and learn to do socks. I’ve always done for everyone else. This year I intend to make some of the things I need.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D45J2GJFPS25SHVS2ZSHOIV4JY BEATRICE

    i like reading what others are thinking about.We did a r

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D45J2GJFPS25SHVS2ZSHOIV4JY BEATRICE

    i like readin what others write.it gives me other ideas.We did a room over this fall because its in the basment my son said hey mom knit the rugs for the floor.of course i’m really thinking about that.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D45J2GJFPS25SHVS2ZSHOIV4JY BEATRICE

    i like reading what others are thinking about.We did a r

  • WAyarngal

    My goal for 2011 is to continue to learn lace knitting, and master simple things with a knitting machine which I have had for several years but not had time to work with. Most of all to spend time with my almost 13 year old handing down the spinning, weaving, knitting etc. she is now so interested in. We will be organizing our own craft cottage in the back yard and I hope to stay healthy as I am stage 4 Breast cancer but stable now. It will be a great year!

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