Just short - 2012 Knit Review

I set myself a goal in 2012 to make as many knits as my birthday - 33.  I truly thought this might be an acheivable goal.

I didn't necessarily knit towards the goal, just knit as I usually do, hoping the result would come out to, or higher, than the goal.

Despite not hitting 33, I did hit 28.  And that I'm really happy with.  In that 28 there are 4 pairs of socks (5 if you count Caitlin's booties), 4 shawls, and ten were gifts.

The knit I'm most proud of is my sweater (photographed in the second photo, middle row, third from the left).  It took me 11 skeins of yarn, and 5 months.  I suppose if I count the sweater as 5 projects (one for each month) that would make my 33 ;)

This year my goal is much simpler.  Two sweaters.  Yep, just two.  I figure if each sweater typically takes me 3-5 months, that two is an achievable goal.  I should clarify - that is two sweaters for me.  Wee little sweaters do not count.  And that is two amongst all the other things I know will be on my needles.

Here's to 2013 - I'm looking forward to what it will bring!

The best of 2012

Yesterday I asked both Grace & Nate what their best memories were of 2012.  Without a doubt, all three of us said Caitlin.

Caitlin joined our family on August 17th and has brought me such a peaceful feeling of contentment and closure for our family.

Grace's list was the quickest, simplest and sweetest.  She listed Christmas, Aidan, Me, Caitlin & Nate.

Nate's list was Caitlin, Moose & Deer hunting, archery and his new job.  

Mine was Caitlin, our trip to Disney in May to celebrate our big girl turning 5, Grace starting Kindergarten, our ten year wedding Anniversary & finishing up a knitted sweater.

2012 was good to us.  It was a year of so many new beginnings & adventures.  I'm excited to see what 2013 will bring.  Not one to make resolutions, I did ask last night what our families goals were for the upcoming year.

We have some big ticket items on our list such as developing our basement, and trimming down our debt.  Personally Grace would like to go to the Dinosaur Museum this summer, I'd like to see myself running a 10K by the summer, and Nate would like to complete his archery set.  

What about our middle you ask?  Aidan will be turning 3 in a week.  Moving from a toddler to a pre-schooler.  I've been saying this week he seems too old to be two, yet too young to be three.  Caught in this middle zone.  I will be signing him up for an hour solo each Monday at a pre-school, and he will be doing unparented swimming lessons in February.  2013 will see lots of new things for our middle.  And it makes me stop and take a big breath of trepidation.  Finding myself wanting to hold onto him being little, but also ready to let him soar.

Oh gosh how I love love love this boy of mine.  

Happy New Years sweet friends!  Blessings to you & yours in 2013!

Christmas Bloom

This was my third time knitting this dress, which also means I must enjoy it.  Even all the 1X1 ribbing it starts with.  What keeps me coming back, is the longevity of the knit.  It is designed to fit for months, or years, depending on the size.  My first time knitting bloom, was for Grace for her 3rd birthday.  She still wears it at 5.5.  Caitlin's newborn size is meant to fit from newborn until 12 months.  I have from a good source that the last newborn bloom I knit, was still being worn at 18 months!

I started Caitlin's bloom on December 2nd, and it came with me EVERYWHERE.  The diaper bag, the car, the bus stop, Grace's school.  To bed.  Anywhere I could knit, it came.  I was on a tight deadline to get it ready for Christmas Day.

The yarn was almost (ok, it was) too variegated for this pattern, but the skein all wound up reminded me of Caitlin.  Pretty & calm.  Pinks, purples, greens.  It is by Dancing Leaf Farm, their Sock Hop yarn.  Purchased at Sock Summit.

It was all worth it in the end.  December 23rd it was wrapped up and placed under the tree.  I think she likes it ;)

Follow this link to see more of my notes on Caitlin's bloom!

Making Merry

Three Christmas' ago, we were waiting on the arrival of our little boy.  Being at my due date, that Christmas we made especially quiet.  Keeping close to home and keeping Christmas to a quiet hum of merriment.  Christmas came and went, and wee Aidan came quite late - January 6th.  But I/we learned a lesson that Christmas.  Quiet is nice and so much better than busy & big.  I'm finding each year gets just that much better as we figure out our own family traditions, and how to make it more by making it less.

Making our morning coffee.  I think this is our favorite corner in our kitchen - right by our espresso machine.

Caitlin was given two gifts.  A knit dress from me (more on that tomorrow!) and her first charm from her Dad.  He gave her angel wings and a cupids arrow.  So fitting for our third who has stolen our hearts.

 Grace's big gift from us - a hoodie from Iviva with thumb holes.  Grace adores sweaters with thumb holes.

These should come with a danger warning!  Nate has recently taken up hunting with a bow, so it was fitting he gifted the kids their own bows & arrows for Christmas.  These things are impressive... and so much fun.  Nate and I have enjoyed using them as much as the kids ;)

I've already started reflecting on Christmas.  I read a post suggesting that you write down what you liked, and what you would change, and put it in the box with your ornaments, so the following year you can pull it out at the beginning of December and make changes if you'd like.  Christmas feels pretty spot on to me (as mentioned above) but it is still overwhelming for our oldest, and stressful for Nate.  More changes need to happen.  We will be reflecting over these next few days how to make Christmas even better next year.

Nate is off of work until January 2nd, and we are now full swing into birthday season.  My Dad celebrated 58 yesterday (he is working backwards in time) and Aidan is coming up in the next week and a bit.  Can't wait to celebrate my boy.  3.  Wow.