Happy New Year!

Another year has passed by. It has seemingly been a year full of socks and hats for me as I look back at my Flickr account. My non-blogging friend, Christine tipped me off on this meme, seems to sum things up nicely.

1. Best FO of 2007
Probably my Firestarter sock - as in singular. I have another one ahead, but the techniques were so new and interesting - definitely a focus project.

2. Best FO of the year made by a blog you link to
I think the constant flow of wonderful finished objects over at tiennie knits inspired me on a routine basis. Individually though, this gorgeous Candle Flame Shawl over at Beyond Your Peripheral Vision was one I went back to time and time again just to admire. I even have the yarn to make it and Auntly H's own modifications in my hand (and even 18 garter rows cast on to my new addi lace needles...) - so 2008?
3. Best yarn you tried
Wollmeise - hands down.
4. Best new book/ mag/ pattern you tried in 2007
The Koolhaas hat - architechtural genious.

5. Best new knitting technique or gadget you tried in 2007
First learning to cable but then - cabling without a cable needle - what a blessing, especially all of those traveling stitches in my Firestarter s well as those in the Koolhaas.
6. Top 5 inspirations - what five things inspired you over the last year
Ravelry - a one stop place for so much inspiration - I've queued an embarrassing number of "inspirations".
7. Designer who most inspired/ amazed you in 2007
I would have also say Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed, his Koolhaas was my only "do again" project in 2007, and I am expecting a three-fer in '08. Everything he touches turns into amazing.
8. Knitting resolutions for 2008 - what's next for you and your blog?
I would like to tackle a sweater in the new year - which means, I had better get the nerve to seam. I still have one whole sweater waiting to be sewn. And I have the wool for the Bristow and the Tangled Yoke Cardigan - so here's to some commitment. This hardly means cutting out one night stands with hats or the more long-term sock love interestst - but I would like a sweater. I would also like to finish my other Firestarter and try some of Yarnissima's other challenging sock patterns... Aint no mountain high enough...

We rang the New Year in (well, almost, everyone left before midnight) with my parents and sister and brother-in-law - oh, the lure of Guitar Hero. I must say, BIL Joe is a natural. But everyone could agree that my avatar was by far the prettiest glam guy, so I was happy with that. It was nice, not much drinking but lots of food and silly video game playing. My kids could even get in on the action a bit.

Now, it's time to get serious - back to work, back into a routine - thankfully. I am not one for resolutions - they feel like a set up for failure for me. But I am ready to eat more mindfully and commit to regular walking again now that the holidays are over and my head is clear - icy sidewalks be damned! I am also willing to be more mindful about my yarn buying (since I could also be Knitting a Ranch House, to use some blogland lingo)...

One last FO for 2007

Amanda Hat in Velvet Grapes Malabrigo