Tag Archives: New Year’s

2017

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I’ve gotta say, in some ways 2017 was a big ol’ dumpster fire.  (You don’t need me to explain that, do you?)

But, personally, 2017 had some pretty great things happen.  I’ve been working on some pretty exciting projects (that you’ll hear about soon), both personal and professional, and just generally, my family and I have been doing really well. (Except that Ollie had to go to the vet yesterday because he broke a nail partying too hard at the dog park… sigh. It’s always something with that dog.)Oh, and I got to spend a lot of my time knitting!

I managed to fill my Christmas tree with Arne and Carlos’ Christmas Balls, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out.  Sure, I haven’t made all 55 (yet), but I got about halfway through the book, which left me with enough finished balls to decorate my whole tree.  Plus, this way, I’ll be able to make more balls next year! Fun!I knit… a lot.  (Surprise, surprise.)  Starting in January with a whole pile of PussyHats, a stack of Mother Bears, a half-dozen or so shawls and scarves.  Plus a bunch of sweaters and socks.  I’ve started slacking off on keeping track of my knitting on Ravelry, so I can’t give you a full rundown of everything I’ve knit, but let’s just agree that there’s been a lot.Plus, I’ve been busy working!  I’ve just about turned this whole “knitting thing” into a real, big-girl job.  I never in a million years thought that I’d be able to make more than pocket change with my knitting, and I’m so thankful for everything that I’ve been able to do over the past (almost) 5 years of running this blog and focusing on pattern design.  Heck, this year alone, I’ve published 11 new patterns, and I have a half-dozen more that are somewhere in the design-math-editing process.  I couldn’t be happier with the trajectory of my new career!I can’t wait to show you what 2018’s got in store for me (there is big news in the works at Casa de On the Needles!).  I know it’s going to be awesome!

What did you get done in 2017? What are your goals for 2018?

A Toast

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I’d like to raise a glass  to all of my knitting brethren and sistren out there, on New Year’s Eve Eve;OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMay your 2016 be full of happiness and love.

May your skeins never tangle, and your needles never break.

May you always get gauge on the first try.

May your sweaters knit up faster than expected.

May you never have to tink back an entire row, and when you do make a mistake, may you find it before it’s too late.

May you never be stuck in a waiting room without your knitting.

May your LYS always have the yarn you’re looking for (and in the right colorway too!).

May you always buy enough of a dyelot to finish a whole project.

And, may you never stop knitting.

Happy 2016, everyone!

My Backwards New Year’s Resolution

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I always like New Year’s resolutions.  It’s easy to be cynical about them, but there’s something really nice about everyone trying to improve their lives all together.  Trying to get healthy, eat better, read more, or watch less TV, it doesn’t matter, as long as you have something to work on.

I feel pretty healthy.  I eat fairly well.  I read a lot (although, I suppose I could always read more).  And there’s no way I’m watching less TV (as I said the other day, I just started another watch-through of the X Files.  So that ain’t happening.)

But one thing I’ve been meaning to do for the blog is increase my “social media presence.”  Which is a phrase that makes me kind of want to gag.  As a big introvert, being constantly in contact with other people makes me a little nervous.  And, frankly, I can’t imagine who would want to hear me mumble about the knots in my yarn and complain when I accidentally spill my tea over the shawl I’m working on.

twitter-logo[1]But, I’ve been told that Twitter is important these days, so I figure I’ll make a go of it.

So, follow me on Twitter @on_the_needles.  And I’ll try to be funny?  Or something.  It’s all very mysterious, how the whole thing works.  (And can someone explain how hashtags and stuff work?  I’m basically an 80-year-old woman when it comes to technology… so bear with me.)

I’ll give it the old college try for a couple months, and we’ll see how it goes.  Do you guys use Twitter?  If so, what do you use it for?  I’m still not clear on how it works (again, because I’m 80).

Do you have any other interesting (or non-interesting) resolutions this year?  I’d love to hear about them!

Inspiration: Fireworks

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Happy New Year’s Eve!   Do you have cool New Year’s Eve plans?  Are you going to some fancy party where men wear tuxes, women break out their diamonds and everyone drinks expensive champagne?  Or are you going to sit on the couch in you PJ’s with a bowl of popcorn and a mug of $5 “sparkling wine” from Trader Joe’s?

Bet you can’t guess which one I’m going to do!

Whichever direction you go, I hope you get to see some New Year’s fireworks (even if they’re only on TV).

I’m not really into crochet, but this firework-y granny square might encourage me to break out my hooks.

Fireworks Surprise by Amy Schwab

101_0159_medium[1]Or, you could add sparkly beads to a teeny-tiny sock (just the right size for a kitten, or, if you want to be practical, you could use it as a key chain).

Wee Tiny Fireworks Sock by Meg Bakewell

4901564945_da6bf05bc4_z[1]And, supposedly these are chrysanthemums, but they look like fireworks to me!

Chrysanthemums by Regina Rioux

2177375724_dfddd2b245_z[1]See you in 2015!

A Little Bit of Sparkle

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I thought for quite a while about whether or not to do a “New Year’s Resolution” Post.  I almost did it, too.  But, then I thought, “Why on earth would I want to do that?”  New Year’s Resolution lists are preachy and sanctimonious, and frankly boring.

So, what else can I write about for New Year’s?  What’s more fun than New Year’s Resolutions?  I know!

GLITTER!

It’s the one day of the year you can wear as much glitter and as many sparkles as you want (outside of roller derby) without people giving you the stink eye.   So, let’s get to it and take a look at the glitteriest and sparkliest knitting patterns I could find.

Knitted Sequined Collar by Qiwen HengIMG_1565_medium[1]Mudra Cuff by Laura Nelkin

7138804017_cc2ef38fc5_z[1]Abstract Leaves Cowl by Deb Mulder

3626248965_96c65e9a32_z_medium[2]