knitter's new years resoltions?

[Shantimama]

I have done this for the past few years and it has really helped.

Three years ago I resolved to finish everything I started that year (sadly for a couple of projects, that resolution wasn't retroactive and I still have a couple of nearly complete sweaters just sitting...) It was a great success and felt great to complete so  many things that year.

Two years ago I decided that maybe gauge swatches weren't really over-rated and promised myself I would make one for everything I made that year (except socks.) Do you know what happened? I started making things that fit me perfectly instead of getting one or two things that fit and loads of items to give away!

Last year I decided I would wash and block everything before wearing it and I LOVE the results. I just set up some fans to speed up the drying process and between having garments that fit and are nice and soft and ready to go I am very happy

Not sure what I will do this year. I have already decided I need to finish all of my have done projects sitting around the house in the next month but I don't know what else I could hold myself to that would improve my knitting.

Any ideas? Anyone want to join me?

[MissLotus]

Well, I am a fairly "new" knitter (learned a year ago, but have gone with long gaps here and there), but in the new year I am determined to make a sweater! 

I'm glad to know the gauge swatches work.  I might have to try that!

[DeerMother]

Knit one thing for someone else, followed by one thing for myself, then a breast. My lys has a knit-a-t*t party every October.

I like to knit for my adorable nephew, my dc like hats and mittens. I have started trading my knitting for things (massages, handmade shoes!). I realized I hadn't knit anything for me since the summer. So, I'd like to be a little more selfish of a knitter *and* I'd like to have a load of prostethic breasts knit up for next year.

[joyfulheart]

Well, I have big plans for the new year!  Well, not that big...

I've been knitting for 9 years and have made only scarves, hats, and wash cloths!
 

So, my new years knitting resolutions are to learn to make fingerless gloves, improve my hat making and make my dc sweaters.

Is that too much for a girl to ask!?  I think not!

Happy knitting!

[mary3mama]

My constant goal is to keep selecting projects where I learn a new skill, whenever possible.

This year that has involved many things including my new favorite: toe-up socks. :D

In 2011 I want to learn to knit cables and get better at finishing.

And like others have noted, I tend to knit for everyone else. This year I resolve to knit myself a new pair of socks each month. I'm working on toe-up socks in a lovely hand-dyed washable wool for myself right now. Squeee! So if I keep to this plan by next December I'll have such a nice selection of hand-knit socks so that I never have to wear anything else on my feet. 

I also want to make a knitted farmyard for my daughter. If I can do a square a month I can have a nice present ready for her for next Christmas. 

[KnittingKara]

Love this!   Thanks for starting this

In 2011, I want to ....

.... finish up those projects languishing on the needles (like a Pi Shawl I've been working on since 2009!)

... attack the pile of things in the basket that are completely finished except for seaming, adding buttons, etc. The little finishing tasks that I put off ... and put off ... and .... 

.... knit a pair of longies/soaker a month

... knit a few stash-buster projects and get this yarn situation under control (I'm minimalist in so many areas of my life but this one.  Having this out of control yarn stash isn't bringing me much joy, it makes me feel a little guilty actually ...)

... along the stash-busting lines, see how long I can go w/o purchasing new yarns and knit from my stash

... do a better job of updating Ravelry and blogging about what I knit.  So much of what I knit I give away, like many of you, and then I have no record of it for myself. 

[momo7]

I am vowing to get out of my rut by learning to do new techniques and trying new ideas.  I refuse to work with DP needles or magic loop...I'm scared I will mess up...I need to learn new cast- on methods, and I need to learn new patterns with out the fear of failing...and stop skipping projects because I don't know how to do a technique.  I also want to dye my own yarn.  So that's my goal for the year....stepping out of my comfort zone.    Ohhh yeahhhh...I forgot....I also want to do socks...that's the biggie I've vowing to do.....

Edited by momo7 - 12/23/10 at 3:34pm

[lynsage]

Wait...gauge swatches actually serve a purpose? I always thought of them as a fiddly and over-doing it. Then again, I've never tried to knit something that was supposed to be fitted to my body! From now on I will make one before starting a project.

My biggest resolution of the year: NO NEW PROJECTS until I finish all of my WIPs and patterns with yarn that are strewn about the house!

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by momo7 

I am vowing to get out of my rut by learning to do new techniques and trying new ideas.  I refuse to work with DP needles or magic loop...I'm scared I will mess up...I need to learn new cast- on methods, and I need to learn new patterns with out the fear of failing...and stop skipping projects because I don't know how to do a technique.  I also want to dye my own yarn.  So that's my goal for the year....stepping out of my comfort zone.  

Here's the video I used to learn Magic Loop

I only ever use DPN as stitch holders these days...I love magic loop!

Hope that helps you with that one resolution. :D

[momo7]

:)  Thanks for that link!!!  ....I love magic loop too...just haven't sat down and really tried with it.....I've started a couple of times on it but then had to rip it out because I made a mistake.....the story of my whole knitting life   :o

[Shantimama]

I love the Magic Loop technique! I use it for socks, hats, mittens, sleeves, anything I used to use DPN's for. I loved using DPN's but not as much as Magic Loop!

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

I started knitting about a year ago, and my resolutions for this year are to learn Magic Loop (I "reinvented" it unknowingly when trying to finish a hat last month so now I want to learn how to do it properly!) and to learn cables.

I had so many plans for what I was going to knit for people for Christmas, and in the end, managed one dishcloth. Sigh.

So this year my BIG resolution is Less Farmville, More Knitting...

[Turquesa]

1. DESTASH!!  No new yarn until I've destashed my old stuff.  I mean it, Turquesa (slaps own hand!)

2. Learn Fair Isle.  It looks sooooooo scary, and all of that loose yarn on the wrong side makes me a tinge nervous...But it's also so pretty. 

3. Learn to crochet.  I know, I know.  This is for knitting resolutions.  But crocheting can enhance knitting.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Originally Posted by Perdita_in_Ontario 

I started knitting about a year ago, and my resolutions for this year are to learn Magic Loop (I "reinvented" it unknowingly when trying to finish a hat last month so now I want to learn how to do it properly!) and to learn cables.

I had so many plans for what I was going to knit for people for Christmas, and in the end, managed one dishcloth. Sigh.

So this year my BIG resolution is Less Farmville, More Knitting...

So far so good.

I've learned Magic Loop and am using it to finish up a pair of longies for DS.

And I haven't touched Farmville. :P

I haven't tried cables yet but I've watched the knittinghelp tutorial and it looks pretty simple.

How's everyone else doing?
 

[zebra15]

I crochet but I need to join.... my resolutions are the same as a knitters.  Finish the WIP's, use my stash and learn to make something NEW....

We need a 12 step program  LOL

[JamieCatheryn]

Mine was to make more things for me and for charity. Started the stuff for me first and find myself far less motivated to finish things if they're just for me. And the charity stuff is waiting til after those are done. But I have been making progress again this week.