The New Year Post

It's that time of year everybody - when we review what we've done and make goals to do it better this time!  I'm not going to lie, keeping goals is really hard for me, because I don't actually make them.  If I do, I don't remember them.  Whoops.  I wonder if I can add a gadget to this blog to keep track of my knitting goals on the side of the page?  I'll have to research.

Anyway, back to my review.  What did I knit in 2013?

From left to right:  Easy Leaves Scarf, Morning Walk Headwarmer, Purple Socks, Mile-a-Minute Scarf, Christmas Tree Pin, Bike Helmet Ear Warmers, Simplicity Cowl, Fingerless Mitts, and Christmas Tree Ornament (currently Flava-Fox's bling - yes, still working on a name for him!)

Oof, that is a tiny amount of things.  Also, most of them are tiny!  So my goal next year:  KNIT MORE.  Yea, like I said, not a goal setter.  Well, let me take a cue from Nerd Fitness on goal setting:  I would like to knit one more project than I knit this year, but more involved/complicated.  So, 10 larger projects.  Here are the for sure objects I would like to knit:

• A sweater
• A large, lacy shawl - because who doesn't need something awesome at work to cut the dreariness?
• A pair of socks - and not just the ones I didn't make my mom for Christmas
• A market bag - I bought cotton yarn, needs to be used up
• Hat(s) for charity - because I don't really wear toques myself
• Another object where the pattern is my own (intentional - not like the socks).  Not sure what this is yet, but it'll happen.  
• An object where the yarn is dyed by me.  Maybe that Bermuda color scheme will be my large lacy shawl?
• Other amazing objects.  Probably gifts, because I just realized everything up there is for me! Oops.  Selfish knitter here!  haha.

Now, I realize these goals are pretty big.  The sweater will probably take me all year.  So will the shawl.  But, I would like some wearable objects that make people go, "WOAH you made that?"  Plus, who knows, maybe it could lead to something bigger and brighter.  To keep me on my toes, I've decided to join the My Sister's Knitter KAL.  A "KAL" is a knit-a-long, where you knit along with others - and post onto the Ravelry forum as you finish.  Sometimes you knit the same thing as everyone else, and sometimes, like this one, you make personal knitting goals and try to meet them while cheering on everyone else's personal knitting goals.  The forum explains it better than I do.  Anyway, if you haven't checked out My Sister's Knitter, it's a great blog, with great knitting ideas, tasty looking tea, and lovely photographs!  The author seems very sweet too.  I think you should check it out!  I've added it to my sidebar too.  Plus, another thing I've liked about the blog, is she is constantly recommending other fun blogs to read - I get very distracted!!  :)

But back on topic - I have other goals for this year:

• Try to update this blog at least once a week.  I was really bad at this for these first few months.  But I realize, no one's going to read a blog if you post every two weeks.  No one's even going to remember you have a blog!  I'll set a schedule for every Monday (I'm always pooped on Sunday from climbing, then groceries, then the weekend), then hopefully add Thursday - the rest of my week I'm not home at a computer!
• Get my sleep schedule into some schedule format.  It's hard when some nights you don't get home til 11:30, but maybe those nights I just need to hit the shower then head straight to bed!  Trust me, that's harder than it seems - even tho I've been climbing and chatting for the evening, I need to sit and wind down and do nothing for a while before I go to bed.  Doesn't matter how tired I am on the train - I get home, and I stay awake.  I'm not going to aim high, but at least be in bed by 12:30, if not earlier.  On non-climbing days, aim for 12:00.  I think trying for 11:30 may confuse me too much.  Move the times earlier if it works.
• Update the blog format.  By February, I need a nicer format.  Although I love the bright green of Iceland and my sheep friend, it's not a pretty background.  I need to clean it up.  See what it looks like on other machines too.

OK - My goals seem huge.  I hope they don't overwhelm me.  They might, because these are only my knitting goals.  My life goals are pretty time-consuming as well.  Seriously, if I didn't have to work, I would have so much time!  Geez.  BF needs to make more money!  :) hee hee, just kidding (kind of).

What are your goals?  Are they specific?  Will you keep them?  DUN DUN DUN.

Have a great 2014!  See you next Monday!