You are looking at the latest knitting in progress. It is the second sleeve from Oblique from Knitty. I love this pattern more and more as I knit it. I also love the yarn I chose: Cascade Eco Plus in a rich red called (ta-daaaa!) Valentine. Love it.

I decided to fake myself out and begin the sweater with the sleeves since I hate doing sleeves. For some reason, when the body is finished, I feel done, so the sleeves are always a tedious chore. They always take longer than I expect. So far, starting with the sleeves has been a welcome change, and by the time I get to the body, I’ll have the stitch patterns down pat. I’m probably delusional thinking I might get this done by Valentine’s Day, but it is fun to try anyway.

Check out my cutie patootie garden gnome stitch marker. He is one of four, from Wee Ones on Etsy. She does the most wonderful stitch markers out of Fimo. I am having her make me some dachshunds (of course).

I have been spending this weekend getting a decent start on Oblique, by Veronik Avery. I am very much in love with this cardigan, and with the yarn I chose as well. I am using Cascade Eco + wool, a very economical but appropriate choice for this pattern. After a rocky start, the lace is going smoothly. I resolve to make this fit properly or frog. That is my New Year’s Knitolution. Perhaps I will finish it for Valentine’s Day–the colorway is a lovely red called Valentine.

These days, everyone with a blog and on Ravelry is making New Year’s Resolutions for knitters. I have been doing this for years, actually. Just look back and you’ll see.

Anyway, I had a successful knitting year. Here are some highlights: I finished many projects, including the Central Park Hoodie (which won first prize at the county fair), my first lace shawls–one of which was the Charlotte’s Web shawl out of several colors of Blue Moon Fiber Arts STR. I did my first fair isle with Fake Isle Hat and began a sweater for Amelia. I made two Tulip Sweaters (such a pretty pattern and I love the Dream in Color Classy it is made with), I completed a February Lady Sweater in my favorite green color of Dream in Color Classy. Since I am a new dog owner, I knitted three dog sweaters and will no doubt be making more. Spotsy is cooperating by shivering and generally hating the cold weather and thereby enabling me.

I finally took a finishing class, which was invaluable in helping me to make my sweaters look truly professional. I may even be able to do the dreaded Kitchener stitch after all.

What I won’t agree to do in 2009:
I can’t agree to not buy yarn. I just can’t, so I won’t even promise.
I won’t agree to give up chocolate. Why should I?
I won’t resolve to lose a large amount of weight. I can promise to work on it, especially with exercise.
I won’t decide to save money (although I should).
I won’t work more hours.
I won’t take things or my family for granted. I won’t give up spending time with them and with my sweet pets.

There you have it!
Happy belated 2009 to everyone. Knit on!

After a couple of knitting setbacks (I don’t do well with those), I have settled upon making the Valour vest from a booklet from Rowan, using Colourscapes Chunky. This is bulky-weight yarn painted by the eminent Kaffe Fassett (I am not worthy….). I found it at Uniquities and fell for it. Yeah, all $25 a skein. Ouch. The one I am using is called Northern Lights, which has dark blues, plums, with some greens and reds thrown in.

It is a pretty easy knit, but it is enjoyable to see the cool colors emerge. I finished the back and am about halfway done with the first front piece. I am thinking of enlarging the front a bit to accommodate uh, frontage. The front pieces are cleverly designed with the stripes of color going vertically (good). I haven’t decided on a closure as of yet. The photo doesn’t do the colors justice at all.