The year lays freshly before us. What will you do in 2014? I’m hoping to graduate with my doctorate in counselor education in May, I plan on writing some new knitting patterns, and get some kind of gainful employment that will help support my family and my yarn habit.
2014 is a blank canvas. Pretty soon I’m going to scribble all over it. In the meantime, I intend to spend less time in comparison mode this year. You might have seen cute little posters on Pinterest or splashed all over the internet with the phrase, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” That’s a Theodore Roosevelt quote that’s been bouncing around my brain quite a bit lately. I believe it. I’m going to spend less time comparing my life with others, especially when it involves envy of others. I suppose you could call this a resolution for the new year, but it’s been on my mind for awhile.
I only have one little knitting resolution. I think I’ll aim to knit 3 out of every 4 projects from stash. That feels possible, and I have a lot of great yarn to work with. This doesn’t count some Eco+ that’s not technically in my possession yet, but is backordered. That counts from purchases made today and after, m’kay?
Appropriately enough, I’ve been working on Blank Canvas by Ysolda Teague. It’s an elegantly simple bottom-up raglan. I’m using Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed in Bahama Blue. I started it in the 36″ size on December 19th, but about 4″ in, I decided it was too wide, so I ripped it and cast on for the 34″ size. I added about an inch and a half before the waist decreases. I’m a few waist decreases in, and it’s a nice knit to have around. I can watch Z play and knit a few stitches here and there without having to pay much attention.
Since I started over, I modified this one with an Italian Tubular Cast On. I love its neat edge.
Antrorse is finished. I’m still waiting on the buttons, so no picture yet. I think I need to add another inch to the sleeves as well. Perhaps, tomorrow.
I also want to say THANK YOU to Martine at iMake. I won her giveaway for December and got a copy of some fantastic photo editing software, Intensify Pro. I used it for the photo above, but I have much more playing around to do with the program. Check out her beautiful blog!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful 2014!
Cassy – you are very welcome 🙂 Enjoy! You have a lovely blog!
Martine
Wishing you the best with your Ph.D., employment and knitting goals!
I totally hear you on the envy thing. Blogging (and reading other people’s blogs) makes that kind of negative comparison so much easier to slide into unconsciously. I read a really great post about this a while ago (I can’t remember where) and it really stuck with me.
I love your stash plan. That seems like a really good way to use up lovely yarns without barring yourself from picking up something new every once in a while. Giving yourself some leeway is always a good thing 🙂
This is a beautiful sweater your starting! I like your stash plans, too – from what I have seen on your project page you have some gorgeous stuff sitting there! 😀
I will keep my thumbs pressed for your graduation! I will be starting mine this year and I am so excited .. Although I don’t know what I will do when I’m finished yet. We’ll see.
I want to knit my first sweater this year – finally. I’ve got the yarn and some plans for this year, too … Hopefully, it all works out. 😉
Have a wonderful day!
I was just reading something for work (advising students) that said students should be reminded “not to compare their interior with others’ exteriors” which I thought was such a nice reminder of how, when we’re doing social comparison, it’s our inner selves up against what everyone else publicly projects to the world 🙂
I really do believe that quote. I try so hard not to get bogged down comparing my life or success/lack-of-success to other people– it’s depressing, and it’s not helpful at all. Plus we all look much more confident and put-together on the outside than we do inside! I try to remember to see people as people and not competitors, but I’m not always great at that. Thanks for the reminder!
You really did choose a nice color for your Blank Canvas! Happy 2014! Great resolution to knit 3 out of 4 projects out of your stash!