Less is more

I have very ambivalent feelings about New Years'. Reflecting on the year coming to an end, reading the seeming gazillion reviews that pepper the blogosphere in the first days of January, I find it all very inspiring. It's like I get infected with enthusiasm or something, and suddenly, because it's January first, everything seems possible. For whatever reason, I'm delusional confident and secure that all goals are achievable, even those goals that I've had for years and have never been able to get my sh*t together enough to accomplish.

'Cause, you know, it's the New Year. Fresh start. Clean Slate.

So I make lists. Lists of the accomplishments of the past year (Ran a half-marathon! Learned to sew! Changed jobs! 20 FOs! Processed over 150 pounds of tomatoes!). Lists of goals for the coming year, things I need to do to make this year the year.

The list for the coming year usually looks something like this:

1. Exercise more.
2. Knit more.
3. Sew more.
4. Read more.
5. Save some any more money.
6. Blog more consistently.
7. Spend more time with my family.
8. Spend more time with my friends.
9. Spend more time with myself.
10. Build a bigger garden.
11. ...
    

Yeah. Realistic, right?

This would be when I freak out and my feelings about the New Year become somewhat less than enthusiastic because, honestly, how can anyone be successful with that kind of list? Seems to me we're all pretty busy, wouldn't you say? Just how much more can we reasonably accomplish, anyway? Too much pressure. Too many expectations. Too much more.

So I'm not doing it this year! Instead, I'm going to take it one day at a time, and try to do/make/be something positive, every day. How I accomplish that on a daily basis will depend on my mood. For instance, today I attended a yoga class, and wrote a blog post.

Less is totally more :)

Happy Knitting, Everyone!

Definitely not Jedi material...

I think 2009 was a spectacular year, both in terms of its successes and failures. I traveled, ran, made jam. I also failed to find a new job, failed to find the *thing* I've been looking for, the balance I think we all need to keep it all going. And through it all, I knit. It was a year of extremes, and my only wish for the coming year is that the pendulum not swing quite so forcefully.

I realize that by now, 2010 is well underway, and although it's on the late-ish side to be posting reflexions of the past year, I've been mulling it over for a while. I do that alot. I mull. I covet.

Right now I'm in the midst of a full-blown case of knititis. I can't even call it startitis, because I'm not really starting anything. There are too many options, see? Too much stuff I want to knit, too much yarn I want to buy.

For instance, today I'm craving more heavy, big, sumptuous projects. Projects that take time, that are more about the process than the finished object. I want to immerse myself in luxury fibers and rich, jewel-toned colours. I want to sail away on a sea of luscious, soft, warm fabric, and be content.

A few patterns I'm yearning to cast on for:

• Laura Chau's Milkweed Shawl
• Elena Rosenberg's Rococo Shawl
• Sarah Bradberry's Log Cabin Square blanket
• Stephen West's Daybreak

*Sigh*

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Year in Review

OK! Phil is out on the Skidoo, Émilie is in daycare, Maxime is asleep. It's just me and the computer! Time for my personal review of 2007.

Looking back at this past year, one thing obviously stands out: the birth of my son, Maxime, now 7 and a half months old. How he went from a bright red newborn to the giant butterball he's become is somewhat of a mystery, despite this being my second time around, but there you have it. 2007 was the year I had my darling boy, and I couldn't be happier with my two wonderful children. I'm truly blessed.

I also received my diploma for my second Masters' degree in 2007, having worked over the past 5 years to obtain my Masters' degree in Library and Information Sciences from McGill University, while simultaneously working full time, getting married and, oh right, having a baby. Looking back, I'm not quite sure how I managed it all, but now that it's over I'm looking forward to pursuing new professional opportunities in my field, preferably closer to home.

I've been married to a wonderful husband and father for 4 years now (together since 1994), and despite the occasional patch when I'd like to cut him up into itty-bitty pieces, our relationship is still going strong. I'd like us to make more time for each other in 2008. That's one resolution.

As far as knitting goes, 2007 has been a landmark year. I think this was the year I really, REALLY got into it. I made my first sock yarn purchases from Pick Up Sticks on Boxing Day 2006, and made my first trip to Effiloché in January of 2007, and presto, a stash was born. I joined Ravelry, and have been enjoying the online knitting community in general. I even took a knitting road trip to Rhinebeck, and have pledged to return next year (fates and life allowing, of course).

I also made real progress as a knitter. For instance, I knit my first pair of socks in January of 2007, and have knit 12 more since that pair. I've learned new techniques, most due to my membership in the Rockin' Sock Club, which I've renewed for 2008. I also cut my teeth on lace with Mystery Stole 3, and have discovered a love of lace and of beaded knitting.

I have 23 FOs for 2007, 21 of which you'll find on the sidebar (2 were given away as gifts pre-blog, therefore I don't have any pictures). The one I'm most proud of has got to be Émilie's Wildflower Sweater. The colourwork, the detailing, and well, it's just so pretty! I'll be sad when it no longer fits.

Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this, my blog, in my review of 2007. This blog has allowed me to express myself in new ways, and has allowed me to come into contact and develop friendships with some wonderful people. It's been an amazing experience, and I plan on keeping it up in 2008. Thank you to all my readers for participating in this journey with me!

I don't know that I have any specific goals or resolutions for 2008, at least as far as knitting is concerned. I'd like to continue on my path of self-improvement, and tackle areas of knitting that give me the heebie jeebies, like steeks or zippers, or Cat Bordhi. I'd love to learn to spin, but I don't know that I've got the resources available to me. Besides, who can handle another *ahem* healthy obsession?

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2008 will find you all happy, healthy, and surrounded with yarn.