As Much As Possible

I've decided to make some crafting resolutions this year. It's a good thing I wrote them down in October, because otherwise I'd be scrambling last-minute as I usually do.

Have I mentioned that I haven't bought yarn since Tunbridge? October 3rd. 90 days. Basically 3 months. 25% of the YEAR. I just need you to validate the success of my yarn diet.

Anyway, I call these resolutions the "as much as possibles", since I won't beat myself up for not sticking to a solid plan.

As much as possible, in 2011 I will:

1. Not buy yarn. I have a large stash and it's time to knit some of it up.

2. 1st in, 1st out. Since I know my chances of following 1 are very slim, I will continue in my quest to knit older yarns before newer yarns.

3. Craft for charity first. I'm fortunate to have all that I do. I can give back through my hobby.

4. Projects for others before myself. This one kills me a little. I'm a selfish crafter. My poor, patient husband now has the Binary Scarf that spans multiple years. What am I working on right now? Not his scarf. Naughty Jen. No new yarn for you.

5. 2 skeins a month. I belong to a stashdown group on Ravelry, and one of their challenges is 100 skeins in a year. While I'm sure I have the stash to sustain that challenge, realistically it ain't happening. But I think I can manage 2 skeins a month, if not more.

6. USE IT UP. Use it until you can't get any more use out of it. I've used as little as 12 yards of leftovers in my crapghan. It feels awesome to use it ALL up and not throw any away.

These are my goals for 2011. I am definitely the kind of person who likes to deprive herself. I'll almost buy something and then put it back and feel bad about it forever. And while material goods don't bring happiness, life is also too short to not enjoy it. So if my quality of life will be improved by buying some yarn or finishing something for me? Not gonna freak out. 2011 -- I'm ready for you.

IWTMT: Revontuli-huivi

I won't pretend that this week's IWTMT is clever, or an interesting pairing of yarn and pattern. No, my brain is too fried.

I want to make a pretty Revontuli-huivi with my Kauni because 412 other people on Ravelry (and two of my real-life friends) have done so. I don't care if I'm copying; we can have a Revontuli party!

(It will be a rainbow party, by the way. Rainbows are nice to think about in 20 degree weather.)

IWTMT: Double Vision

If you've read more than 3 posts on this blog, you know I'm BIG on color. I don't necessarily look good in colors, but I'm a sucker for a rainbow yarn. *cough*Kauni*cough*Zauberball*cough*MiniMochi*cough*

Oh, excuse me. I seem to have a plethora of rainbow yarn lodged in my throat.

It should be no surprise to you that a lot of my faves on Ravelry involve rainbow color schemes. Whether it's the yarn or the design, I have an itchy "add to faves" trigger finger.

One of the coolest designs I've seen is a blanket called Double Vision, which is available for purchase on the Woolly Thoughts website or through Rav. While it looks insanely complicated, the website says that "Double Vision appears to have 55 different shades though it only uses 10 ordinary, easily available colours."

You don't have to do it in rainbow colors, of course. But I totally would.

IWTMT: Balaclava

In the good news category, I have acquired a new job. I no longer have to take public transportation to this job! However, I do have to walk home after the sun has gone down, and in Vermont in the winter that can be a little completely frigid. I have lovely wool hats and scarves to keep me warm, but a few nighttime walks have proven it's my face I have to worry about.

Enter the Balaclava pattern by Nanette Blanchard (Rav). There are plenty of great balaclava patterns out there, but the reason I chose this one is simple: there's a picture on the project page of it folded up and worn like a hat. Sold! (Except it's free.)

Fun side note: for many years I didn't know that baklava and balaclava were two different words. I just figured people were mispronouncing the food. Hee!

IWTMT: Mary Jane Slippers

Welcome to my 150th blog post, by the way. (That's what Blogger tells me.)

I am an absolute sucker for Mary Jane shoes. I don't know why. I'm not that big on shoes in general. I don't wear heels and I don't dress appropriately for "sexy" shoes. I'm still young enough to get away with "cute", and a lot of Mary Janes are cute. Like this free pattern that produces very cute Mary Jane slippers (Rav). (Good segue, huh?) They don't even count as a shoe, which is the best part. Slippers are awesome.