Last of the Year in Review

These are the last two projects that will be included in my year in review. I still have high hopes that I'll get the Dymphna Pullover done this year... but I certainly won't have time to get it in the review. Let's see what's left!

Asymemtrical Cardi


Quick summery: a simple asymetrical cardigan from Knitting Pure & Simple (hence the clever name).

Initial thoughts: I enjoyed knitting it, but due to my lovely body shape (full figured with narrow shoulders), and the loose gauge, the neckline is way too large. The yarn also works as a "felt board" and sticks to my turtlenecks.

Current thoughts: well, I've worn it and the sticking part is the biggest issue. My under layer needs to be slicker than I have. I'm sure if I could wear blouses, that would work, but the knit shirts just isn't slick enough. I know that the too open neckline is an easy fix, and I will do that... eventually!

Final thoughts: a great pattern and the yarn is lovely (even if it is sticky...). I'll absolutely knit this pattern again, as it was a pleasure to knit and I love the style.

Aspinwall Pullover


Quick summery: a beautiful pattern from the 2009 winter issue of Interweave Knits. Matt's Christmas sweater

Initial thoughts: Loved it! Apart from my having to change the pattern a bit (PSA: half brioche stitch in the round sucks!) for sanity/time issues, it's exactly what I wanted for Matt.

Current thoughts: Matt loves it too! He's been wearing it a lot. He says it's nice and warm. The style is very flattering on him (now that I have a decent camera, I need to get some better photos! Edit: new photo, best I can do with the time constraints I had). We both are thrilled.

Final thoughts: I am seriously considering an other one, completely different colors, but sticking closer to the original pattern style.

So, I think overall, it's been a successful year. I'm close to my goal of 24 projects (and yes time is running out). There were a couple of projects that I did spend a lot of time with that had some last minute issues and ate up a lot of time (the Gaelic Morning Mist has the body done before I realized that it wasn't going to fit. Julie and I finished up Babette, but there was some blocking issues so it's not really finished. oh... and then there was that whole Fallout 3 thing. I easily spent over 200 hours this year just on that alone... and it wasn't the only game I spent a lot of time with!)

I will not be doing a "volume" goal for 2010. I found that I avoided more complex projects just because I wanted to get stuff done. I haven't decided exactly what my goals will be, and with the Winter Olympics this coming year, I also will be doing a specific goal for that. I do know that there are 3 or 4 very specific projects that I would like to do. I'll decide before the end of the year, as I'll want a nice fresh start Jan 1!