Looking back, looking forward

As you do at this time of year, a bit of looking back, looking forward (well, that might happen tomorrow or later this week...hmmm, do you think I might have a procrastination problem??!!)

This has been a great year for me, blogwise, and pretty good otherwise. It all started with Donni and Good Yarn Karma, which lead me to Bells, which lead me to Amy, who always makes me think, George, who always makes me smile, Jejune, who does great knitting paintings most recently featured in Vogue Knitting (squeeeeeee!), and Tink, my shoe twin (all amongst others). Regular knitting catchups with my former work colleagues (all blogless) as well as 3 great women in Sydney, give me something else to look forward to every month or so, as well as a chance to flash (in person) the latest stash or FO or WIP, as well as to pet the same from the others.

New friends also came from a chance comment, and from a knitterly letter swap. For an introvert like me, blogging has made getting to know people so much easier - typing an email or a blog entry is so much less confronting than walking into a room full of people I don't know and trying to get someone's attention. And I can be the person I want to be without being constrained by my shyness or lack of social eptness!

According to my FO tag, I've finished 31 things this year. I know it's been a few more, as there are some things I haven't blogged yet and some I won't bother blogging (who really needs to see another ballband dishcloth!! But I do love knitting them!). I'm pretty happy with that number, although seriously, I need to ramp it up if I'm ever going to get through the stash.

Speaking of stash, Knit From Your Stash 2007 pretty much didn't do it for me. I blame the sock yarn exception. Oh, yeah, and my complete lack of willpower. Sigh! As I've signed up for No Guilt Stash, I don't feel that bad...but I do plan on shopping the stash more this year, rather than shopping for stash!

More additions to the stash came from some very generous knitters, some doing giveaways and some just for - the most recent of which arrived on Christmas Eve (it arrived Sarah!!). The pictures were done in a bit of a rush, and now we've left the camera at my MIL's so these will have to do. Sarah bought all of these items from Etsy sellers - how cool is that!
Alpaca/merino sock yarn, cool stitch markers and a row counter bracelet (both from Hide and Sheep), a very neat button closure purse/pouch and the sweetest little badges - one each for knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting and needlepoint! Thanks Sarah! I love all of these things - I've been thinking about getting a row counter bracelet for a while now - yippee!


Knitting firsts in 2007: felting (love it!) and lace (love it - just need lots of uninterrupted concentration time). Will 2008 be the year of colourwork? Probably not, but one day, I will try it!

Favourite FO of the year: Embossed Leaves Socks, without a doubt! The combination of Koigu, colour, clever pattern, fabulous effect. Love these socks. Will knit them again. Quite possibly with the alpaca/merino yarn from Sarah! A close second is husby's Beau. There's nothing quite like making a large garment for someone you love. Beau only just edges out clapotis, actually...

Favourite post of the year: Who would have thought that RoseRed's Standard of Stash Systemisation would take off! A close second is this post - quite funny, for me anyway!


Surprise of the year: Setting up two new blogs - both with the fabulous and energetic Bells - Mouthfuls of Heaven, where we document our love of Nigella, and Southern Summer of Socks, self-explanatory, I hope! Oh and Ravelry - how cool is Ravelry?!


What about you - what are you favourites, firsts or surprises for 2007?


And Happy New Year to everyone - if I have left anyone off this it's only because I think about 5700 links is probably enough for one posts. I cannot express in words how much I enjoy this blogging lark and all that comes with it, most particularly the connections I have made over the past 18 months. Thank you all.