Personal Goals 2015

I like the word "goal". You can cross it off. It has objective. Resolution always feel like you are trying to change something about yourself. And there are just some things you can't change. Or it's too hard, and then you end depressed. But a goal is something you work toward. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. So many fall off the resolution wagon as soon as there's a bump or mis-step, "I've already messed up so I'll give up". To me, goals don't feel that way. But maybe it's just word play? Whatever works for you....

So here's my goal list for 2015:

1. YEAR OF LUNCH- Lunch is a hard meal for me to figure out. I'm ashamed to say that we eat way too many PB&J sandwiches and Mac n' Cheese for lunch because I just can't figure it out. I know how to make big dinners, but small meals are a struggle. And also, I need to get Oz eating some different foods, because come fall he's going to be going to school until 2 and having lunch there. He will need some variety! So this year, I'm learning about lunch and expanding all of our tastes.

2. KNIT FOR MYSELF- Sounds simple doesn't it? But it's actually very hard because it always feels selfish. But this year I would like to make a few things for me. If I accomplish 2 things (that are not cowls or scarves) I will be very proud indeed.

3. RECONNECT WITH GREENVILLE- This one is HUGE for me. Once I left Greenville, I never saw myself coming back. Growing up, I couldn't wait to leave. Don't most people feel this way about where they grew up? And I made it to London, and I love London....I honestly thought I would never leave. To this day, I don't think there's a more beautiful site then seeing London at night. I was always grateful and thankful to be there...

O wait, I'm supposed to be talking about Greenville. Back on track... We moved to the States to be closer to family, and so the kids would grow up having a proper Halloween (that's right). But to be honest, I never got around to reconnecting with Greenville. I was always a bit embarrassed to say that's where I live, and lots of teen angsty scowling--from a 32 year old woman.

But the thing is, Greenville has changed so much since I left it. Downtown is COMPLETELY different and ever evolving. There's a lot to do here, a lot of great food to be eaten, a lot of independent businesses that are thriving. I need to enjoy it and embrace it. So that's what we're going to do!

4. CROSS STITCH--- I had a go at this during the summer and made half a lady bug. Now that Tilda is a bit older I think I may be able to actually sit down and do some. And with craft nights happening once a month, there's no reason not to give it a good try! Hopefully I won't suck and I can make ALL THE THINGS.

5. PAY OFF CREDIT CARDS- This could actually happen. In December I went ahead and transferred my balance to a one year, no interest, credit card, and after the one year it's a low interest rate. So that will help, for sure. Griff has his card he's paying down. I think we can do this! And he starts paying student loans this year, so the more debt that's out, the easier those payments will be to manage. OOF. Always paying something....

And of course, there's the always, LEARN TO SEW (why am I so afraid of that machine!?!), and CAMP MORE (actually possible now that Matilda is older and loves to be outside)...

Now our goals for our home, that's a separate list entirely, and one I will share shortly...

Weeble Wobble Cowl

I *FINALLY* was able to finish the Weeble Wobble Cowl! My original plan was to knit this cowl during Game of Thrones. I figured, that's an hour a week of knitting, 12 episodes, surely I can get a cowl done in that time. 

WRONG.

First off, I totally messed up following the direction. For the first short row (the short rows are the weeble wobble effect). Instead of simply slipping stitches at the end of rows, I misinterpreted this to mean actual decreases. Which messed up the whole effect of it and I had to unravel the whole damn thing. I guess the lack of sleep and then Game of the Thrones distraction made for a bad mix.

So I re-wound most of the skein, read a couple notes on Ravelry, and got back to it. And I still have a few issues with the finished product:

1- I'm thankful I bought 2 skeins, because I was told that I could do the project with one. And yes, you *could* but I was over all the counting and just winged it in some places. 

2- Even after blocking, it still rolls a lot and you can't really see the weebles and the wobbles. 

3- I think even if I had done the beginning purl rows shorter, there would still be too much roll to it.

I do love the colors tho. This was the first yarn I bought at Rhinebeck and it was beautiful to knit with. I'm glad I have enough leftover of the 2nd skein to make some nice wristers. Maybe a teeny tiny cowl for Oz? Well see....

Calm Seas Cowl

I finished knitting the Calm Seas Cowl (pattern can be found on Ravelry). The colors came out very differently than I anticipated, but I still think it's absolutely lovely.

Muppet Baby

I love fingerless gloves. I wear them all the time. So it's not crazy that Oz would eventually want a pair for himself. So I made him a pair up...for him to refuse to wear. Seriously. Would not even entertain the notion of putting them on. But he brought me Kermit, who obviously, needed to wear them. And I think he makes  a pretty cute model. I hope Oz changes his mind eventually tho. 

A Witchy Hat

I started and finished this hat while we were in Salem. I love the "witchy" colors, and I made it to keep my head nice and warm at night when camping. Super comfy, it did it's job well. 

Knitting: Griff's Hat

I don't know why I was in a big rush to make Griff's hat. He's so hot natured he doesn't really need it yet.

GRIFF---

I love the hat, thank you so much. Also, if you had waited until I needed it, it means I would go at least one night without it and be freezing.

Beanie for Oz

This was the first knitted project I was able to finish since being on the road. Unfortunately, I didn't bring enough skeins along to knit up the jumper for Oz that I was planning on. I might order it anyways and just stash it away to do when I get home.

O Beautiful Kauni Rainbow...

...I sing your praises and I haven't even knit a single row with you yet. I found 2 skeins of this on ebay. It was a deal. I have been lusting over this yarn for months, but it can easily cost up to $30 a skein and I found a deal on ebay and bought up 2. Right now I'm think I'll do something small and knit myself a bolero with it. I'm sure there will be more purchases in the future.

Knitting Project 1- The Rainbow Hat

I love rainbows. LOVE THEM. They make me happy, I love color and I love putting my baby in lots of color. So I knitted him up real quick a Rainbow hat. I think it's a nice contrast for the dreary English winter.

Oscar wasn't really sure about the ear flap tassels. He thought they were fun and then he would start pulling them like "why won't these go away!". I hope he gets used to them tho! He's usually really good about wearing hats.

It's a Nightmare! (it's just a dream)

IT IS FINALLY FINISHED!!! I started this sweater when we were living in our little studio apartment on Fassett Road. I'm convinced it was my 2nd year of Uni...so I started this about 3 years ago. It took FOR-EV-ER. I wasn't that fast a knitter when I started and so the body took a good long time. Also, I'm terrible to get bored on long projects and start lots of little projects. Then I would sometime start a color backwards and have to frog it and start over. the collar is completely fucked but I don't care, that bad boy is staying the way it is. You can hardly tell and I'm sure those that don't knit, wouldn't be able to anyways. Then actually sewing it up was a chore. Blech! I'm happy it's done. I'm sure Griff will hardly ever wear it because he's extremely hot natured, so I'll end up wearing it. Win.

...and can I just add- damn my husband is gorgeous.

Skully Sweater

See this sweater? I finished it a fair few weeks ago and we're just now blogging about it. Life is so crazy hectic, but I'm pretty darn proud of this sweater so it gets it's own post. I started this when I was pregnant, making it extra roomy with the intention of wearing it--you guessed it--while pregnant. Yeah that didn't happen. Baby knitting soon took over and this sweater was stashed to a bag to be left until Oscar was a few months old. But now it's finished and i can wear it this winter! Yay, go me! Unfortunately, it is VERY bulky, which makes it kinda not breastfeeding friendly. *sighs* O well...one day Oscar won't be breastfeeding (sad) and I can wear it for years and years to come.

*Pattern came from Stitch n' Bitch edited by Debbie Stoller

Four Squares Blanket

This pattern is from Debbie Stoller's Stitch n' Bitch. I have made this blanket once before for a friend of mine and I think it's such a great pattern. It's modern but classic looking at the same time. And quite big! I'm thinking this will probably be the blanket we bring Bumble home in. 

Here you can see where the four corners "meet" and are made of 2 different stitch methods. It's just garter and stockinette, so any newbie knitter can pick this up pretty quickly!

The border is in moss stitch, which is time consuming but I think absolutely beautiful. It's very textured looking and feels wonderful. I would do more projects in moss stitch if it didn't take so long!

Soft Colors Blanket

This is actually more of a blankie than a proper blanket. It's so soft and snuggly! It's from another Lion Brand kit, and I have plenty of wool from this one to make probably 2 more blankies. 

Patchwork Squares Blanket

I have been so slack at posting new knitting projects. I've been knitting up a storm, but it's taken me awhile to get around to photographing (for getting Griff to) them and posting them online. It's such a pain uploading stuff!

I've been making blankets. Since we don't know Bumble's sex, I feel like blankets can be all sorts of colors, and no baby can have to many blankets to snuggle, spit up on, play on the floor on, use as a cape and fly around the house....

So this here blanket, is my patchwork squares blanket. I bought the pattern and kit from Lion Brand, which is a company I usually love. I am not very happy with the end product. The squares just didn't come out as evenly as I hoped, and my sewing tension is still a bit tight. I try pressing them with an iron, but it's still very wobbly looking. 

Griff, bless him, says that "mistakes" like this just go to prove that it's homemade and better than store bought. He also thinks that because I am so disappointed in how this one turned out, it's bound to be Bumble's favorite. We shall see. I do still love all the colors...

Secret Keepers

I've been a horrible blogger as of late, mostly because I have been keeping the biggest secret in the world!!! Well, sort of keeping it. The closest of friends knew, and family knew, but general public was kept in the dark while our little Bumble has been growing. Which means, I haven't wanted to blog about anything else because a majority of all thoughts and feelings have centered around how this pregnancy has made me feel and the excitement that's been building as baby has been growing. 

Even my knitting has been affected (effected?....one day I'll learn to differentiate between the two of those....). I was working on a jumper for myself, but I can't find the energy to finish it. Intarsia knitting is difficult and time consuming and requires a lot of concentration. But I only have one more sleeve to go and then I'll have my first finished knitted jumper! I did start on a blanket for Bumble the other evening tho, so hopefully that will help me get my knitting groove back. 

There's lots of nausea, a little sickness and waning tiredness, but my life is so so good. Here's a pic of Bumble from our first scan. I'm afraid I can't rotate it, but if you tilt your head you should be able to make it all out fine and dandy. 

Knitted Baby Jumper Pink n Green

I just got around to finishing this baby jumper. It's actually been knitted for several months, it just took me awhile to get around to sewing it together (which is my least favorite bit). I was initially knitting this for a 'friend' of mine who was having twins. The next jumper was going to be main body green with a pink band. Cute, eh? But said 'friend', decided we weren't friends anymore so now I have this cute jumper without a baby to fill it. SOOOOOOOOO I have just added it to my baby booty of clothes. There are three buttons to be sewn on the right side; where you see it sticking up a bit. I lost the buttons tho, but overall it's a finished project. 

Baby Blanket for Zachary Phoenix (part 2)

Finally finished with the baby for Zachary Phoenix!!! Yay! I am still a bit upset with the finished result, but I think the added borders hides the wonkiness a bit AND makes it bigger. So I really hope he enjoys lounging around on it. I am eager to try this pattern again, and make a HUGE blanket.

Dee and Sareta's Baby Blanket

O to knit for all these babies this year! The joy it should bring, and the excitement I felt about doing this particular blanket...

I have such a love/hate feeling for this one. And I don't want to feel hate because I don't want my negative ju-ju vibes to seep into something that will be snuggled next to baby. *le sigh* But it was this square in particular (the blue one,  and also the 2nd knit on) that clued me in that this was going to be a wonky project:

Apparently, whoever wrote out this pattern decided to do it in their own special knit language. For example, "knit 56 garter row stitches", was supposed to be 112 rows. Because I have a ton of yarn left over, and a pretty freakin' small baby blanket. It was the blue square the clued me in a bit later, because when adding the stitches on to create the blue square, it asked for a lot more stitches than can possible fit comfortably attached to the cream square. So it's that fucking blue square that made the WHOLE BLANKET wonky. And it's too late to go back and change it. So Dee and Sareta are getting a wonky baby blanket....and I feel very disappointed in myself. 

Baby Jumper

My first baby jumper!!! There's a few errors; especially the neck which I think is probably a little small. But I learned a lot of new things with this project, like mattress stitching and picking up stitches. So I think the next one will look a bit neater. Overall, I am very pleased with the final product tho!

Dr. Manhattan Beanie

Getting ready for the release of Watchmen, I knitted up a little Dr. Manhattan beanie. Let it never be said that I can't take my dork-ness to the limit. I think it's fantastic tho; and at my age, that's about all you can do really.