Friday 31 December 2010

2010 Wrap Up: Looking Ahead to 2011

 One last little FO:
A baby blanket for a friend's newborn baby boy. I sewed in a cotton flannel lining. Probably took me as long to iron, cut, pin, and sew in the flannel backing as it did to knit the thing.

Pattern: Ducks in a Row

Yarn: Paton's DK mercerized cotton

Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7)

Notes: Such a zen, easy knit. I loved it, and it didn't take long at all. The little flaps of duck bills are (I'm told) fun for little fingers to play with. the stripey flannel backing is also really soft and cuddly, and the the whole thing is machine washable. I don't have a baby, but from what I understand, it involves a lot of laundry. 

2010 was a good year for my knitting, I think. My personal goal was to complete 26 projects, and I completed 28, with only one disappointing FO. Here's the photo mosaic, which is always fun:

2010 FOs

2010 Also was the first year I wrote up a serious pattern, and was such an interesting experience. 2011 will bring a few more new patterns, but I approach the idea of designing with a lot of trepidation.... there are so many wonderful, talented designers out there; I totally don't feel even remotely qualified to be writing up patterns. But I'm learning as I go, and we'll see where it leads.

Let's get the 2011 knitting goals written down- I'd like to have another 28 FOs to claim at the end of it, and design 3 new knitting patterns (which I'll totally count as part of the 28 FOs!). Very soon the Stockholm Scarf pattern will be available in Swedish, thanks to Inger

December 23rd, I think I just may have made culinary history- I share the same birthday as my dad (December 23rd) and I wanted to do something special. He doesn't like sweets, baked goods, or even many vegetables (of course, I eat all sugary foods I can get my hands on, and then pretend it's okay because I've also never met a vegetable I didn't love. Somehow I feel that my deep love of kale undoes the damages of a frequently high-chocolate diet. Anyway, I digress...). But he does love ribs. So I made him a rib cake:

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 DSC_0676

He loved it, but told me not to post pictures on the internet of him eating it. You know how it is- no one looks classy while eating ribs. And my mom made me an awesome German chocolate cake. I 
 was pretty thrilled:
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See that plastic train on the cake? That's a family tradition, that candle train. It didn't fit on the ribs, though.

2010 was a great year, and I'm all set for the new possibilities and experiences of 2011.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed following you throughout the year and I'm looking forward to us sharing many more knitting adventures! Have a great celebration tonite! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, sooo many projects. You did fantastic! I can only hope to have half as many next year.

Btw, my youngest shares your birthday :-) Happy belated!

French Press Knits said...

Love the blanket- what a great FO to end with. The rib cake cracked me up!

Ibunnysavetroy said...

rib cake is cute, and I love the picture of you with the cake! you reminded me to do my end of year post... I don't have as many knitting goals though! Love the blanket!

Kara said...

I love following your knitting. You have a great style and are so fast! So many wonderful projects this year. The baby blanket is a darling way to finish it all up.

And Happy Birthday!

Maryse said...

First, happy belated birthday! Congratulations on the 28 FOs! It's impressive! All the best for you and your family in 2011! Oh, and I was forgetting the little baby blanket is really cute. Like the ducks and the lining!

Knit 1 LA said...

Happy Birthday! Our family tradition was wearing a birthday tiara like the one you're wearing. It's a bit Miss Havisham at this point but it made me smile seeing you wear one too. That and the rib cake, brilliant! Don't question your pattern abilities, you'll do great! Looking forward to seeing your talents in the coming year.

The Sweatshop of Love said...

Happy birthday and happy new year! Your blog is one of my favorites and I'm excited about what you've got in store for 2011! And I say the more patterns the better, so design away! Everyone has their own unique knitting perspective and there is room in the community for them all.

Anonymous said...

haha. Happy happy birthday! I love the rib cake...but I'm with you on the sweets.Can you have rib cake followed by regular cake? (I think so...)

Cheers!
Daisy

soknitpicky said...

Congratulations on a great knitting (and cooking) year! I've really enjoyed following your blog :-) Happy New Year!

Christine said...

What a wonderful and productive year. Happy belated Birthday and Happy New Year!. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog, I can't wait to see what you make this year.

yoel said...

Happy birthday! And new year! Your rib cake is just plain awesome, and this from a vegetarian :).

The blanket is just darling, and all your FO's are gorgeous (and the photos are always great--kudos to Guy). I hope the new year brings you lots of wonderfulness! Looking forward to your new patterns!

juicyknits said...

Happy New Year! Great 2010 FOs!

Sarah said...

That blanket is super cute. I love that mosaic of FOs too, so fun to see them all in one place. What a productive year you've had. And the rib cake is hilarious! Happy new year!

Jen (pieKnits) said...

Great knits this year (as always!), that rib cake is hilariously awesome and Happy Belated Birthday! :)

craftosaurus said...

I share my birthday with my dad, too!

Happy belated!

Anonymous said...

i'm glad you got a cake this year! your year in review looks very successful! good for you for getting a pattern published!

Jacey said...

Wow, a load of 2010 FOs! The duckie blanket is really cute, and I love the lining fabric you chose.

Hilary said...

Happy belated birthday and Happy New Year! I loved reading about all of your projects this year and look forward to more in 2011!

Michele Saunders said...

Happy Birthday!! Rib cake and regular cake - yummm!
The blanket is so cute. The ducks are adorable

Reckless Glue said...

oh that rib cake is hilarious! (and my birthday is also december 23rd...how weird :)

Anonymous said...

so many beautiful knits! and i love the mosaic itself, what a cure idea. :)

Yarny Days said...

What a super-cool baby blanket! And Happy New Year--here is to a crafty 2011!

Meg said...

I love this! That pattern is adorable and so creative. You did such a good job on it! You must be a very quick knitter

Emily said...

Just saw your blog via Never Not Knitting. I love it! It's beautiful (so are you) and that rib cake is awesome. I know what to do for my husband for his birthday now!