Monday, January 9, 2012

Happy Blogiversary and a Giveaway!

You heard me right! It's that time of year again.  Since I started this blog close after the new year in 2010 (can you believe it?) I like to save my year end wrap up/goals for the new year post until then. This also buys me a little bit of time to think about last year's goals and reassess for the new year. I set three goals for myself last year: knit myself two sweaters, four pairs of socks, and fix the knitted garments that are not wearable so that they become so (or frog them). How did I fare? Well, there were definitely two sweaters knit (Essential Cardigan and Rocky Coast Cardigan. The Dorflinger Tee too but I'm a bit more busty than I was this time last year so it doesn't fit as well any more). I managed to knit myself not only four, but five pairs of socks this year. My feet appreciate the fibery goodness.  Finally, the fix-its. Hmmm, that did not come to fruition as I had planned. I still have the same two projects that need to be fixed (the Montana Tunic and Rosamund's Cardigan, and probably Adam's Baseball Jersey too) but I did decide instead of just frogging the original Aran Necklacce Camisole, to reknit it in a more weight appropriate yarn.  I'm pleased with meeting the sweater and socks goals but really want to get those finished items that are just not quite right taken care of. So with that said, here are this year's knitting goals:

  1. Stop buying yarn and knit solely from stash. Just kidding!
  2. Either finish or frog the Montana Tunic, Rosamund's Cardigan and Adam' Baseball Jersey. If this is not done by this time 2013, then all projects will be frogged, washed, and reskeined (except Adam's sweater. I'll just give that bad boy to the Salvation Army).
  3. Knit four pairs of socks for myself.  I have enough sock yarn to do a pair a month but I want to be reasonable. And now my feet know the joys of wearing handknit socks so it's going to be hard to change this goal every year.
  4. Knit five sweaters for myself. I have the yarn bought and selected for these specific projects already so it's just a matter of getting it done. I know I only knit three for myself last year but after reviewing my year's progress. I actually did 10 adult sweaters in 2011 (6 were samples!).
  5. Finally, work on publishing two designs. I say two because I've had these two kicking around in my head for a while so what's keeping me from getting them on paper and knitted up? 
I'm all about attainable goals but I also like the idea of a challenge. I think the five sweaters and the designs will be challenge enough for 2012. 
And as always, to reward you, my wonderful and loyal readers, for sticking it out to the end of this long post and for checking in with me week after week, a small token of my thanks. And what better way to say thank you than with Malabrigo?

Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Sealing Wax

To be entered to win, leave a comment under this post by January 14th. I'll draw a winner sometime next week.  This giveaway is open to all of my readers, worldwide (how many of there are you?). Thank you again for your readership and for the support in my new endeavor! If you haven't checked out the new podcast,  go listen!

43 comments:

  1. Ooooh, I've always wanted to try Malabrigo!! Yum!

    And 10 sweaters? Whoa. You rock! I have yet to knit one, but I have an excuse - I've only been knitting for about 9 months. My goal this year - knit my first sweater. But I did finish my third pair of socks yesterday! Now I need to finish MINE! :)

    Great goals!

    - Andi (aka Andrea ;) )

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  2. 10 Sweaters last year!? Wow! My goal for 2012 is to knit my first sweater for myself. I can't imagine knitting 10! Rock on!

    And yay for a give away! Sealing Wax is such an awesome colorway. I have admired it many times at teh yarn shops!

    Congrats on another year of blogging! I look forward to listening to your podcast!

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  3. hahah my number one looks just like yours. like if it were actually possible i think i'd try it but... money becomes yarn for me. it just does.

    lovely colorway of malabrigo btw
    and congrats on your blogiversary :)

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  4. Mal is such a nice soft squishy yarn...I'm listening to episode 2 right now...have not listened to episode 1 yet...

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  5. Happy bloganniversary!
    The colour of that yarn is so georgeous! I would love to give it a home.
    Rav: zenitude

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  6. Congrats on another year of blogging! I always enjoy hearing about and seeing what you're working on so thanks for keeping it going.

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  7. I also discovered the joys of wearing handknit socks this year. Now I can't seem to knit them fast enough to have plenty to wear! Congrats on your blogiversary.

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  8. That`s a great list and so many sample sweaters!
    Here`s to another great year of knitting and podcasting ;)

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  9. Oh, you know I think you're great!

    I listened to the podcast last night and enjoyed it so! Personally, I love the clicking doggy toes!

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  10. Your goals are amazing! It will be another great year of blog reading for sure! Happy bloggyversary and long life to your new poscast! Also thank you for the great contest!

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  11. Wow you are energetic. good luck. I love the podcast too.

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  12. Happy Blogaversary! I look forward to your 2012 posts.
    Five sweaters in the new year! wow! I can't even get one done. lol. So my goal for this year is to finish my sweater. I did get 11 pairs of socks done. Does that count?
    Good luck with new year's goals.

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  13. good luck in your new adventures!!!

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  14. Happy Anniversary!

    10 sweaters in a year? That is an achievement. I can't make 2 to save my life.

    Thanks for the giveaway. That yarn looks yummy!

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  15. Happy bloggiversary from an international reader ;)

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  16. Happy blog anniversary :) International reader here to. Good luck with the sweaters, I have undertaken 12 in 12!! I must be mad. xx

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  17. My favorite yarn!!! Count me in.
    Meredith

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  18. Awesome goals! I am going to try to stick to something akin to #1, although I know it won't be entirely doable...

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  19. I'm attempting the 12 sweaters in 2012 challenge so I'm glad to here that you were able to knit 10 sweaters last year. Also, loved your Rocky Coast Cardigan.

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  20. Great post, you've inspired me to make knitting resolutions for myself too. Thanks and good luck with yours!

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  21. I have a goal of getting 2 sweaters knit this year for myself. Good luck on your goals!

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  22. happy blogaversary to you!!
    10 sweaters is crazy-amazing!
    my knitting goals this year are to make at least one project a month for bundles of joy and to do my darndest to knit from my stash only... we'll see how that goes :)

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  23. Congratulations- I must have been following you for most of this year which makes me feel very smiley indeed!

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  24. I would love to win some Malabrigio. thanks! Debbie Hundatf

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  25. I've been dreaming about something in Malabrigo but, alas, my first resolution this year is to not buy new yarn until after March. My bin is full and something must go. And by go I mean knit. I also have resolved to learn stranded colorwork this year. I love seeing everyone's goals.

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  26. Yeah happy Blogiversary! Oh and you are giving away some Malabrigo, that is just heavenly. :)

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  27. What beautiful yarn!

    Resolution #1 cracked me up.

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  28. Pretty yarn! And 10 sweaters in 2012? I'm impressed with your efficiency! I only managed 1.5 :-)

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  29. i adore that color, and in malabrigo no less. mmm. i've long admired your samples knitting, but i didn't really realize you did so much sweater sample knitting! there's no way i could give away a sweater after all that work. i humbly bow before you, in awe. :)

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  30. So glad you were just kidding about only knitting from stash yarn... and can't wait for you to publish your designs!

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  31. Yay, Andrea! That's exciting. And I am impressed by your ability to stick with socks. I have only finished a few pairs total. I have a few lone socks that need matches. And sweaters! I cannot wait to see what you've got planned in that department. Thanks for sharing a skein of malabrigo. Sealing Wax is one of my favorite colorways!

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  32. Congratulations on another milestone! And how did you know that I adore Malabrigo Worsted? Hope I win!

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  33. Happy blogiversary!

    I'm impressed by how much you get done in a year (10 sweaters!). My goals are quite a bit smaller in order to be realistic.

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  34. I need to knit a hat for myself, my brain freezes as I wait for the bus in the morning.

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  35. I am trying to whittle down my stash and I think I am doing a pretty good job of it.
    Of course when I whittle down I always like to add to it.

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  36. Happy blogiversary! Congrats on meeting your goals - I really should try to do that sometime :)

    Love the yarn - thanks for offering the giveaway!

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  37. happy blogiversary! :) raineoc@yahoo.com

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  38. Happy Blogiversary!! Wow, you accomplished a ton in 2011. Good luck on your goals for 2012, and congratulations on the new podcast!

    P.S. I'm not sure if my other comment went through or not, but if it did, I'm sorry for the double-comment.

    P.P.S I nominated you for an award on my blog :)

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  39. You were rec'd by Armida of Fairytale Knits so I'm happy to follow another great knitting blog. It's so interesting to see what ppl do and who love knitting as much as me.
    May I enter the giveaway? Malabrigo is a favorite yarn company of mine.

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  40. I wish you the best in reaching your New Year's Goals!

    RAV ID: Tanknit

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  41. Malibrigo says it all! :-D I hope that you meet all of your goals and that you would have peace within yourself if you don't.

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  42. I love your goals, knitters like you really inspire me. I hope you meet all your goals!

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  43. Good luck for your goals, my personal goals start from today; we were on holiday till yesterday so that didn't count!

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