Knit Once, Purl Forever: Reflections in Yarn 05

I invented this meme last year as a way to analyze and reflect upon my knitting progress. So in keeping with tradition, here's my update for this year:

1. List your finished objects, or just list your favorite FO. Hmmmm. My favorite project this year....That's a tough question as I really enjoyed several of my projects. I think I have to choose the red Purl scarf because of the yarn (soooo soft) and the Snowflake Hat for the challenge.

2. List your works in progress: I'm currently working on three semi-challenging projects: the Whitby socks (containing two cables and a small stitch pattern), the Tassel Bag (another fair isle project), and the brown ribbed sweater (I'm at the point in the pattern where I have to attach the sleeves to the body). I don't know if it's the holidays or because of my twitchy eye problem, but I haven't been able to concentrate on any of these projects. So I really haven't been knitting. I've been reading knitting blogs instead. =)

3. What skeletons are in your knitting basket? No real skeletons this year. I've ripped all the skeletons. That will teach 'em.

4. What's your favorite project? I found that I love the challenge fair isle provides (most of the time, anyway). And I love, love, LOVE making socks!

5. What project(s) will you never knit again? The Banff (from last year). And I decided that I'm not really fond of knitting with Fiesta Yarns Rayon Boucle. Too bumpy and twisty.

6. What was your major knitting accomplishment for the last year? So many accomplishments, so little time. I've ventured into fair isle and sock knitting, among other things. I'd say this is a pretty big accomplishment for me.

7. What's your favorite yarn from the last year? Naturwolle Ingeborg Michels. Hands down. I love this stuff. It's like crack to me.

8. What's your favorite yarn overall? So many favorites, so little time. I've experimented a lot in the last year. I'd have to say that it depends upon the project.

9. What new knitting techniques have you learned? I knit my first socks this year, so I learned how to turn the heel and knit the gusset. I used a drop-stitch pattern for the first time to make a scarf. Other firsts: fringe, pom poms, and knitting through the back of the loop. Added Later: I somehow forgot to include Fair Isle. I've been dabbling in the Fair Isle. I also colored yarn with Kool-Aid. That was fun and interesting once I managed to get the hang of it--my first attempt turned out pretty bad, though.

And just to compare, here's what I said last year: The poncho pattern provided my first excessive exposure to knitting increases and decreases and with using stitch markers. The Hallowig project was my first exposure to the three-needle bind off. (I love the three-needle bind off.) And, finally, I learned to make cables for the hat I'm working on tonight. (I have to add that cables are a lot easier that I thought they would be. And they're fun too!)

10. What are your knitting goals for 2006? I'd like to complete more sweaters this year. I think it would be interesting to see how many projects I can complete utilizing the yarn currently in my stash. Of course, I'm not so keen on the idea of not accumulating more and more. Well, my feelings are mixed. My stash is really getting out of hand and I can't wait to use some of it, but on the other hand it's so hard to resist the urge to buy more. It's a struggle.

=================================

That about wraps up my reflections. How about you? Feel free to reflect away on your sites. Be sure to leave a link to your site in the comments so I can check out your knitting progress!