Heading into the new year, I would like to set some specific goals. In 2024, my main goals were to get a new Ravelry, Instagram, and Knitting Blog setup. I also wanted to knit some of the more popular patterns by other designers to help get a feel for what is trendy and the general techniques that are commonly being used right now. Over the years, knitting techniques and construction styles have come in and out of “fashion.” I also wanted to experiment with more plant fiber based yarns.
Did I meet my goals?
Well, I did establish a new knitting handle and claim my space on the internet, but I didn’t really establish any habits of posting on my blog or Instagram. That will be something I work on in the up coming year. I was very good about tracking my projects on Ravelry and built a nice collection of bundles to sift through for pattern ideas.
I had made a goal of completing 12 projects, with the intent of finishing at least one object a month in 2024. According to my Ravelry page I completed 22 projects, but many of those were smaller, gift knits that I finished in November and December. I did not complete anything during the summer. The summer projects I started are still on the needles and languishing in hibernation at the moment. As for knitting popular patterns, I did complete a couple of these. Actually in 2023, I made Petite Knit’s Monday Sweater and Ozetta’s Seasons Cardigan which was a good starting point. In 2024, I finished Ozetta’s Moon Set Tee and Lakes Pullover. I also made My Favorite Things Knitwear’s Sweater No15 and Two of Wand’s free Autumn League Pullover. I also completed sweater designs by Kate Davies, Tanis Lavallee, Tricot Design, and Kay Hopkins.
A few things I have learned about pattern shopping for myself. Row gauge matters!!! Maybe even more than stitch gauge, which is easier to adjust. I cannot seem to match some of the designers’ row gauge (sometimes I’m really far off), which means those top-down, in the round, short-row shaped yokes, will not fit or lay nicely without pattern modifications. For example, I don’t care for how my Monday sweater sits around the collar. The back was not raised enough to make for a comfortable fit at the neck line and there is some weird bunching in the yoke. Just changing needle size, doesn’t really fix the row gauge in my experience, because it changes the stitch count more dramatically, so I can’t size up enough to hit the row gauge. I’m not sure why I’m so far off on this… especially since I consistently hit the yarn manufacturer’s gauge with the recommended needle size that they print on the labels. Some patterns are easy enough to add a couple rows in, but when you are relying on row counts for significant shaping it isn’t going to work out well. This has meant that I’m starting to shy away from certain designers.
I’ve also learned, or really I should say, I confirmed that I don’t really care for drop-shoulder designs on myself. I don’t find the boxy fit flattering on my body type, and I find that the sleeves never end up a length that I like. When I’m standing they are too long and hang down. When I’m working at something they are too short because the pick-up seam always slides up under my arm exposing my wrists and leaving me cold.
As for trying new yarns, yes, I did find a few new ones that I love (Berroco Remix is my all time favorite!), but I will definitely be exploring more this upcoming year. For most of the year, I did not allow myself to buy new yarn until one project came off the needles (allowing myself to 2 active projects at a time). This did help stop me from buying too much or without a clear plan. I also found the couple times that I did buy yarn for more than one project at the same time, I only ended up casting on one of them and changed my mind on the other yarn after it was sitting around for awhile. So now I have a bit yarn with no plan which bothers me. I think the excitement of shopping and immediately casting on helps with knitting mojo and it seems to work better for me NOT to have a yarn stash on hand and rather delay the shopping until I’m ready to start the project. Waiting a few days for yarn to arrive and having the excitement of new squishy mail or visiting my LYS and coming home to immediately cast-on is more enjoyable for me than trying to figure out what to do with some random skeins of yarn that have been tucked away for awhile.
My 2025 Goals
- Complete 12 Garments (1 per month, even in the summer) from other designers’ patterns
- Prioritize my wardrobe needs and choose projects only if I would be willing to buy it as a finished piece for my wardrobe
- Try more new-to-me plant-fiber yarns (I would like to knit each of the 12 patterns in a different yarn)
- Design, knit, and grade 4 new patterns (2 garments, 2 accessories)
- Consistently post on social media (at least 2x a month)
- Blog once a week
- Begin a gift-knit basket with smaller projects (maybe try for 1 per month)
- Join in at least 1 KAL or test knit
All together I have made a goal of knitting 28 items. I completed 22 this past year, with 3-4 on the still on the needles in hibernation. I also have one Christmas cast-on that may yet be finished before the end of the year. So, I do think 28 items is do-able. I have also started a wish-list of new yarns to try. I will be referencing that each time I go to start a new project. Hopefully I will be able to try several new brands/bases this year.
I definitely want to prioritizing knitting items for my wardrobe with intention this year. I’m assessing my current wardrobe needs and color preferences. I know that I could use a few more cardigans. I could also use a few dressier pieces. My wardrobe is fairly casual at the moment and could use a bit more polish. I have also found that I gravitate to blues, teals, greens, and greys the most (True Summer). These colors will be my priority as I’m shopping for yarn, but I would like to find a fun, unexpected POP of color to add in. I’m not sure if that will be a salmon-pink or a watermelon-red, or maybe even a lime-green. I just want the color pallet to be more controlled for cohesion and ease of use, with a touch of playfulness.
Next week I plan to cover my Winter Knitting Plans.
