2008 – the year in knitting

I had a bunch of knitting goals for 2008.  I didn’t get into Knitty again, but I did get into Interweave, which was super exciting.  That other pattern I needed to write up was the Bat Shawl, which I obviously did accomplish.  My goal to re-learn stranded knitting went off the rails, but I hope to pick it up again in 2009 (2009 goals to follow in an upcoming post).

I did not finish Serrano or Tailored Scallops this year.  In fact, I did not finish any sweater for myself.  I came to the realization that I didn’t like how Serrano looked on me because I didn’t like the way I looked.  I gained 15 lbs in 2007, but I lost 20 in 2008.  In 2009 I’d like to lose maybe another 10, maintain healthy eating habits, and finish those sweaters.

And now, 2008 in review.

January: 
Finished Red Light Special for my mom, then made one for myself.

I started Endpaper Mitts and while I was really happy with the way they looked, they were coming out way too small so I won’t actually finish them. I’m thinking of them as more of a swatch to get used to two-handed fair-isle.

February:
I revealed a design project which I have not worked on in awhile, but I intend to work on it again in the new year.

I finished Mr. Greenjeans and some socks, both for my mom.

March:
I started Hemlock Ring and swore off knitting for myself until I was happy with my weight.

I also sent Interweave a submission packet for what would become Dainty Pinstripes Pullover. I’m kicking myself for not taking a picture.

April:
I finished Hemlock Ring for my grandmother and Sheldon for baby Walt.

May:
I’m not sure if I did much knitting.  I was too busy to blog about it, anyway.

June:
On June 2, I got a call from Eunny Jang offering what was then known only as “Pinstipe Pullover” a spot in the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave.  A bag of yarn arrived a few days later, and I spent basically every free moment swatching, knitting, and doing math for the pattern.  I also wrote up the Bat Shawl pattern.

July:
I sent DPP to the Interweave HQ in Colorado via FedEx overnight.  I started Shetland Triangle.  The Bat Shawl was published in the Anticraft.

August-October:
I was pretty burned out from my DPP marathon, so I wasn’t knitting a lot.  I also interviewed with 20 or so law firms, looking for a summer job (and found one).  Finally, I was captivated by the election, so I spent much more time than usual reading stuff online.  At some point during this time period I started Exchequered three times before I was happy with it.

November:
I could finally go public with Dainty Pinstripes Pullover!  While this pattern hasn’t been as popular as Foliage, it is awesome to see my name in print.

December:
I made Vestee, which I have not yet been able to present because of the snow.  Hopefully it will fit baby Nate!

I made three Christmas ornaments, two for some friends and one as an inside-joke with my husband.

Yesterday my sister caught a glimpse of Exchequered and said she really liked it, so I’m happy about that but it’s not quite finished. And today I finished knitting Shetland Triangle, and took photos in the last rays of sunlight in 2008. It is blocking now, and the full details will come in 2009.

It was a pretty good year. Here’s to 2009. Happy New Year!