Happy New Year dear reader and friend. I hope that the next 12 months bring you joy and happiness and as little of the salt of life as we can get away with to allow us to fully enjoy and appreciate the good times.

Frankly, I’m hoping for a much better year than 2012.  Seeing as the Incas didn’t predict the end of the world, just a new beginning, i’m really hoping that 2013 signifies that new start, and I have lots and lots planned for the next 12 months.

First up, I’ve been promising pictures of this since I can remember, so here’s the lovely Cloudy Skies Cowl

Cloudy Skies Cowl

I really enjoyed this project, the rustic texture (I got used to working with 4ply or lighter so it was a pleasure to work in a thick worsted), the cable, the kitchner graft.  I love it.  I’m really pleased I was able to do this handspun justice, and it’s given me a lot of confidence to tackle some more stuff in 2013.

I’m going to be good and list out all the projects I am currently doing, and those I want to get to (health allowing) in 2013…  Deep breath and here goes…

Currently in progress…

• Jan Sweater – this has been ongoing now since August 2011.  Which isn’t good.  Last week I finally acknowledged that the INCH difference in the hem between front and back would not ‘block out’, so despite having passed the arm shaping I took the needles out, ripped back to the 1×1 ribbing and forced myself to knit that extra inch.  Of course, that means I’ve put myself back by a goodly way, but I’ll be happier with the finished sweater, which I am determined to finish this year! (knitting)
• Bee’s Honeymeade Shawl – I love this yarn, I love this pattern, and it’s been ongoing since October 2011.  Another one I’m determined to finish (tunisian & crochet)
• Sunset Chameleon Blanket – given the child is due to join the population in February I really need to crack on with this don’t I?! (crochet)
• Herbie Shawl – another one started back in 2011.  I’m really enjoying this shawl, and am about 50% done.  I find the ‘non-pattern/recipe’ formula very liberating, and much of the stalling on this is deciding what stitch pattern to use next. (knitting)

Projects I want to do / start

• Queen of the Night Shawl – (*I think you might need to have a Ravelry account to follow that link*) I have the yarn, I have the beads, I have the pattern, but I want to know I’m pretty consistent on the hands before I start this one. (knitting)
• The Giovannina Stole is another that I have the yarn and pattern for (since 2011) and I even bought my signature needles specifically to do this pattern. (knitting)
• The Tranquil Hairpin Lace Tunic is pretty high on the list as well
• Finish the samples for my Crochet 102 course – I’m about 70% done with this, so the end is in sight (making large swatches was never my thing to start with, and doing them repeatedly is dull, but thankfully it is a one time job!)
• Make samples for other courses in the pipeline, a Crochet 103 (oh yes, boys and girls), a basic Tunisian 101 course, and a Tunisian 102, a Hairpin Lace 101 and a Broomstick Lace 101.  Of  course I need to write the material as well, and all courses will be subject to demand and uptake, but the plan is there…

Of course I have more projects than just those that I have the yarn for, ready to go, (12 to be exact) and I have several projects that I have yarn for and ideas but no set pattern (5 or 6 I think), or I have to write the pattern myself, but I  think only adding 3 official projects to my existing list is probably sensible until we can get my hands reliably fixed.

I also have my 2011 Christmas present from my brother to tackle.

Gold Collection Aurora Cabin Cross Stitch

Having never done cross stitch before, and this being 16×12 inches, I have my work cut out, but I have a frame and I’m determined to get some of  this done, this year.

So, in short I shall be challenging myself to finish at least 1 sweater, 1 blanket and 2 shawls this year.  Along with improving my tunisian, hairpin, broomstick and teaching skills.  If those go well I want to try my hand at some fairly complex cabling in knitting and in crochet – and oh, yes, I’ve got a knook to play with as well!

What do you want to achieve this year?