[YOP] Year of Projects - 2017 Year End Wrap Up

In typical Gwenny fashion, I have been very lazy at updating this blog! I have had one hell of a year dealing with a new job, illness, a son heading to college, and so much more!

On a positive note, I have finished several projects this year, including a sweater for myself, and I am very proud of that!

Project #1
I started and finished a test knit for a lovely shawl by designer Deborah Arnouts called My Heart in the Highlands. It was made with a super squishy Aran Tweed gradient set dyed by Pandia's Jewels.

Project #2
I also finally finished my first Stephen West MKAL project from 2014! This is the Exploration Station from the WestKnits Fall MKAL 2014. I don't know what took me so long to finish it. It's lovely! I blame the brioche section and i-cord bind off. I used multiple yarns I purchased back in 2014 specifically for this project from a LYS called Lettuce Knit that has since ceased business. 2 skeins of Shantiknits Sock Yarn in Pumpkinfest and Spring Time, 1 skein of Julie Asselin Nanos in Jaipur, and 1 skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock in Stumptown Brown.

Project #3
I started and finished a simple hat for my husband for Christmas. It has been the only thing he has ever asked me to knit for him. This is the Barley hat by Tin Can Knits. I knit it in Estelle Worsted in a basic black (because that's all he will wear).

Project #4
I started and finished the Lemongrass sweater I have been wanting to knit for a long time. I already had the yarn, and the designer, Joji, has a KAL every fall. Since I was on sick leave this year I decided it was the best year to do it. With the motivation of the KAL and the time due to sick leave, I was able to accomplish my goal. I knit it in the denim colourway of Americo's Cadena Alpaquita. This is one of my favourite yarns. I am sad that Americo will no longer be carrying it. Luckily they have many more gorgeous yarns to ogle over.

Project #5
And finally, I was able to start and finish a shawl for a co-worker as a Christmas gift. I completed it on the evening of December 23rd. It will be gifted to her when I return to work (hopefully) in the new year. This is the Rushing Tide Shawl by Felicia Lo of SweetGeorgia Yarns. I used SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock yarn in Mulberry. I just need to block this to open up the lacework.

I am going to be focusing on WIPs and using up stash next year. Look for my 2018 goals post in the new year for more details.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and have a fantastic New Year!

Happy New Year!

It has been almost a full year since I last posted to this blog.

2015 was a busy year for me. I was diagnosed with a chronic illness (details if you are interested can be found on my more personal blog Everything Gwenny) and spent pretty much the entire year sick and in pain. I missed a lot of work and realized that at some point I might lose my job and so therefore needed to look at other options.

Being the yarnie that I am I decided to open both a retail online yarn store, Serenity Yarns, and an Etsy shop (also named Serenity Yarns) for my hand-dyed yarns. So far it has been a lot of fun. It's still not enough to support me full time, and maybe it never will, but it's very enjoyable, and it makes me happy...which is the most important part.

As such, I am going to be using this blog to support both those outlets as well as continue using it for my own personal crafting as well. I will feature product reviews, both yarn and accessories, as well as contests, special deals, and more!

I didn't get a whole lot of projects completed last year, partially due to the illness and being in an almost constant fog of pain and painkillers, and also partially due to my love of constantly starting new projects.

The first project I completed wasn't until June, almost half way through the year. It was a test knit for an indie yarn dyer and designer I adore, Pandia's Jewels. I think it was the fastest I ever finished a project like this as well, taking me only 6 weeks to knit the entire shawl. I used one of her themed colorways, Gamora, based on the character of the same name from Guardians of The Galaxy.

Other than that I mostly did knitting to sell on Etsy including various cozy cowls and hats. Active listings for my hand knit items can be found on Esty, here.

My goal for this year is to finish more WIPs. I am running a Knit The Bin KAL (an awesome idea from our fabulous group member REJ) over on my Ravelry Group Page. Come on over and join us and we can encourage one another to finish our WIPs. I mean just look at this picture of my desk right now...I obviously need the help...

My other main knitting goal for this year is to learn double knitting. It is something I have really wanted to learn for quite some time, and some new patterns that have come to my attention require this skill. So it is definitely a must!

What are some of your crafting related goals for this year? Fell free to comment on the blog and/or join us over on the Raverly page.