Sunday, January 2, 2011

My Last Day of Christmas

These 12 days have really gone fast. I'm not excited about the thought of going back to work and all the rest of our usual routine tomorrow, but I'm thankful for having had this extended time off. The past few days I've been reflecting about 2010 and also thinking about what I want to focus on in 2011.  Crochet has been so good to me this year. I've cultivated wonderful friendships online and in-real-life, and I can't believe how many new people I've met just since started up this blog last month! I'm so excited for what is ahead for this year.

I can only remember having 2 goals with regard to my crochet this year. The first was to try and make 4 blanket squares per month for my favorite charity project Knit-A-Square. Umm, I think I did ok on that one. My grand total for the year (drum roll please): 108 squares, 5 hats, and 2 sweaters. KAS has become my passion in crochet, I try to always be working on something for them. It's the kind of crochet where you can just zone out and relax and let your mind be quiet for awhile--the very thing I need more of in my life. If you're a member of Ravelry you can see my KAS projects here. (And if you're not on Ravelry but you love fiber arts, GO JOIN UP! Rav is awesome.) For 2011 my goal is to at least equal the number of squares I made this year. And I already finished my first one on New Year's Day, so I'm off and running! I also want to spread the word about KAS in the year ahead; the more knitters and crocheters they have, the more orphans will be kept warm!

My other crochet goal was to do some bead crochet, and I didn't get to that one. I know why--it isn't something I can just pick up and work on while I watch TV after the kids go to bed, it requires more concentrated time and set-up etc. But it's still something I want to try, so I'll keep it around as a goal for 2011.

I made a few other things in 2010, including a couple of prayer shawls for church and my nearly complete pink baby blanket (still need to finish that last round of border!), and also a scarf for myself, my very first lacy project.

leaves done

My goal for personal crochet in 2011 is to make myself an actual sweater! I've been looking at patterns for what seems like forever, and I've decided it will be a cardigan, but I'm still dithering on which one. Any suggestions of favorites you have?

I did craft something non-crochet for myself, this bracelet that I made at my wonderful craft retreat in November. The beads are made by cutting magazine photos into thin strips and then rolling them very tightly. It's murder on the fingers but I liked the result, and I plan to do some more. Maybe I'll even team this up with my bead crochet goal!


P1030350

Well, I think that's enough to keep me out of trouble for awhile. Good luck with your crafting goals for 2011!

3 comments:

nimble fingers and steady eyebrows said...

Hi Julie, thanks for visiting our blog and for your comment. Your crochet is inspiring! Happy New Year, Laura x

Wiggles Towers said...

Well done for all those squares you have made for Knit a square and thank you also for the lovely kind comment on my blog - wigglestowers.
Keep up the good work julia xx

Anonymous said...

Everything looks amazing! Thanks for visiting my blog and for the great idea about the stitch markers with the lettered beads. I am definitely going to do that. I had a little journal with all that written in it but I can't seem to locate it. (Naturally!)