Knitting Goals – January 2021

I’m taking a page from Dr. Gracie over here and following along with her set up for goals in 2021. Not only do I find her an incredible inspiration, but I’ve been suffering from some sever depression, and keeping organized is one method for me to get back on track. I am also seeking some professional help, I know it’s not something that some bullet journal entries can fix. Hopefully she doesn’t mind if I use her method to help organize my own thoughts.

Completed in December:

Current WIPs:

  • Willy Warmer
  • Sockhead Cowl
  • Scrap Blanket
  • Heel/Toe on Machine knit sock
  • For the Horde mitten liners

January Goals:

  • Finish off at least TWO of the WIP I have. It doesn’t matter which two, just any two. I know the scrap blanket is more of a long-term goal that should span all of 2021 easily, but in that case I’d like to get a few squares of it done.
  • Frog the silver bell sweater I was working on. Right now I’ve placed it in an indefinite time out. Somehow I dropped stitches so bad that the entire neckline came undone. I’m disappointed, to say the least. Almost the entire sweater will have to be re-knit. I put it away in a project bag until I could cool down.

2021 Goals:

  • Learn brioche knitting. This is a big one, I’ve never attempted it before and I don’t have the faintest idea what’s involved. I make it my goal almost every year, and so far I haven’t had any luck at all.
  • Master double knitting. If I ever had a nemesis in knitting, this would be it. For some reason my brain cannot comprehend how the charts work when I attempt double knitting. I’d like to complete something, anything.
  • Work from stash only. Whether it’s fiber I already own or yarn, I’d like to only work from stash this year, and NOT add anything to it. We’ll see how that goes, with the pandemic still in full swing online retail therapy is all I have some months.
  • Process more fiber. I have two beautiful fleece that have been washed and are just waiting to be processed. Even if I just work on a small portion each week, I’d like to work through this. My husband also crafted me a diz I’d like to use to try to make roving.
  • At least 12 projects for 2021. I had this goal in 2020, and it seemed to work out well. I want to complete at least one project a month (roughly, average) for a total of 12. There were some years once I had children that I barely completed any, and I want to make sure that I make time for this hobby of mine.

2020 was probably one of the worst years I’ve had, but I still feel pretty blessed and thankful. I am hoping for good things to all in 2021, I think we all deserve them.

Spinning – Still

I still have SO much alpaca to spin into yarn. It’s daunting and makes me happy at the same time. It feels like I’ll never make my way through it all, but I know if I just spend a bit of time every night doing some spinning, eventually I’ll reach the end. Of this one bag. We’ll see about the 5 other bags I have.

I’m spinning this for a three ply, with no idea what I’ll use it for. Maybe a hap. Maybe a shall. Maybe I’ll blend it with something because alpaca on its own can be a bit difficult. That’s something to think about for 2021.

2020 Knitting Goal Summary

I didn’t have a lot of goals set up for myself in 2020 as far as knitting is concerned, but I did have a few. My main goal was to get at least 12 projects done – roughly one each month. This goal did well, I completed 19 projects in 2020. Some were small, dishcloths. Others were larger, I did two blankets early in the year.

Another goal was to master double knitting. Didn’t happen, so I’m going to move that goal to 2021, and hopefully I’ll actually accomplish it.

Overall, I’m pleased. I got some socks knit up, both hand knit and machine knit. I got some hats done, a shawl, a scarf. I did some spinning (though not as much as I would like). I have set up my knitting machine but I have yet to actually knit with it – I need some better yarn, first. My favourite knit are my ‘For the Horde’ mittens which were a lot of intense colourwork. They look incredible. I gifted a set of ‘RCMP’ wash cloths and that was fun too. For 2021 I hope to complete another 12 projects – but I also want to make progress on my scrap blanket, and on more Christmas balls. I just didn’t have the time this year, and my hands have been giving me some serious pains which make everything more difficult.

No-Clucks-Given & Burt

Ah. Wurm.

Once again I’ve decided to start my own deed – on Cadence. Which is where I was a few months back. I even paid to premium another character, leaving me with a total of 4. Two on the old Southern servers, and two on the newer ones. Two priests, two ‘regular’ characters. The deed is small, located along the cost in the North East, and should provide easy access if the Southern servers are ever joined. In the meantime, I finally reached 30 masonry, so I’m creating stone houses, and a much needed guard tower.

I have my trusty hen, a bull, and a lot of .. well, nothing, really. It should be a fun adventure if I can stick with it.

Where did all the Oxygen go

I started playing Oxygen Not Included for the first time this week after it went on sale. I’ve heard a lot about this game, and I’ve watched quite a few streams on it – but had held off purchasing it because let’s face it, I already own RimWorld.

I don’t enjoy the game quite as much, I think both games are still very different, with different concepts, mods, and gameplay. The top down view of RimWorld is still my preference compared to the ‘ant view’ side cut of ONI. Still, it has been fun to play, and I did get it at a bargain at least.

Happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!