2008 Knitting Roundup.

I don't know why, but every year as January 1 approaches, I always feel the need to finish up knitting projects. It's like a game I play with myself to see how much I can get done in one year. This week has been no different. I sat around all weekend and knit knit knit. I think you can still see my ass print in the couch.

First, I finished my lovely Leyburn Socks from the KAL on Ravelry:

What delicious looking socks!My feet want to do a happy dance in these socks!

I love these socks so. They are quick to knit, and I think it is the PERFECT pattern for yarns that are variegated. I almost always have pooling issues when knitting with STR, but I think this pattern really helps those issues. All those slipped stiches and strands make a huge differnce.

To sum up:
The Pattern: Leyburn Socks by Pepper Knit
The Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Mediumweight in the Purple Rain colorway.
The Needles: Size 2 dpns, as always
The Reason: I joined the Leyburn Socks KAL in the Socks That Rock Group on Ravelry. If you have some STR you have been wanting to knit up, I recommend checking it out.
The Results: I love these socks. These socks are making me want to explore more stitch patterns similar to this one when knitting socks. I think the results are so beautiful.

In addition to the socks, I also knit this hat this weekend:

Slouchy Alpaca Hats Make Me Happy!

I am calling this hat Slouchy Alpaca Hats Make Me Happy because they really do. I love this hat. It is a pattern that I made up in my head and I love it. I used Plymouth Baby Alpaca D.K. double stranded and just went to town. I have already had several people (non-knitters even) tell me they love my hat. That is usually a good sign that your hat is awesome!

I have a couple other things on the needles, but I don't think that they will be completed before the New Year in a couple days.

I thought it would be fun to round up all the things I knitted this year. I think I may start doing this every year on my blog.

• 16 - Number of pairs of socks I knit this year. I actually thought this number would be lower with the great sock knitting hiatus of Fall 2008.
• 5 - Number of hats I knit. I gave away all the hats except the above slouchy alpaca hat. That one is mine....all mine. **insert evil laugh here**
• 1 - Number of angry uteruses knit. I think this number will go up in 2009. A few of my friends who have heard about my knitted angry uterus have requested one of their very own.
  
• 3 - Number of garments I knit for myself (two sweaters and a vest....not bad)
• 7 - Number of baby items knit for various spawn of my friends.
• 6 - Number of wedding gifts knit for my friend JC. That included three dishcloths, two garters, and a shawl. (Typing this I realize I have three (YIKES!) weddings to attend in 2009. I better get crackin'!)

Overall, not a bad knitting year at all. Hmm, what will 2009 have in store. I already made some knitting goals a couple weeks ago. Wonder if I should make any spinning goals?

What's this? Is that more roving!?*

Spinning? Roving? Hmm, it's almost like I plan to buy a spinning wheel this week. Stay tuned for that little adventure. :)

*the roving pictured is from Whimzy Pimzy. If you spin, get over to her Etsy shop and buy something!