a new day, a new year

I love the start of a new year.
The plans, the goals, the resolution.

The juxtaposition of the freshness of new ideas  running through my head and the optimism that comes with the fresh year ever so slightly tinged with that grungy feeling of overindulgence. 

I love doing my blog roll read on January First. I love the wrap ups, the goals for the next year and the resolutions. I particularly love the ridiculousness of crafters and their stash resolutions. I love the positiveness that comes with the new year. It's like the new year gives everyone a fresh new beginning, and all in the past is forgotten. I really like that. 

It's like a universal agreement of forgiveness. 

It doesn't matter that you didn't finish the jumper you were knitting your niece, that was last year. The new year gives you the permission to cast on something new.  

2012, hey?

• In 2012 I knit 19, 335 yards. 

It's always my aim to knit 20, 000 yards but I've not managed that goal yet. Maybe 2013 will be the year.

• In 2012 I published 13 new patterns. 

It didn't seem like a very productive year at the time, particularly as I didn't publish my first pattern until March, but I guess it wasn't too bad. I'm pretty pleased that I finally got around to publishing my first adult garment pattern.

• In 2012 I finished 61 projects. 

11 dishclothes, one bag, seven vests, three cardigans for me, one cowl, a peach cozy, a bikini top (ok, that was crocheted), four doll garments, six dresses, a plethora of eggs, 12 kids cardigans, one kids jumper, five pairs of mittens, two bells, a star, two monsters, one shawl, nine tiny gnome hats and a water bottle carrier.

• In 2012 I started seven projects that I didn't get finished.

So what's in store for 2013?

What are my plans/goals/resolutions?

To knit from stash? 

I'd love to say yes, but truth is I'm not very good at it. I guess my aim is to try and use more of my stash and only buy yarn if there is nothing suitable in my stash, and only if I plan to cast on straight away with it.  Sounds almost feasible, doesn't it? Don't be fooled. Chances are I'll fail dismally at that and be filling my cart by the end of the week. (The sale at Suzy Hausfrau is already tempting me! *sigh*)

To publish some more adult patterns?

Yes, indeed. I have one adult pattern almost ready to go. The prototype is knit and the pattern is part way written. It should be ready for testing at the start of February. I'm also planning to cast on this month a few of the adult patterns I've been meaning to knit for ages. I think either a Suzanne or an Elizabeth will be first on my list. I just have to fight the urge to cast on first for the cute little shrug design that's haunting me at the moment. I suspect it will win in the end, but it will be a quick knit. And very cute too! 

To blog more?

I would hope so. I had hoped I would keep the habit began with Blogtober, but it just didn't happen. It was a crazy time of the year for our family and something had to give. It was my blog!  So instead, I'll begin the year as I intend to continue it, with good blogging habits. A bit of encouragement will help keep me on track, dear reader!

My key goal for 2013 is one of organisation. 

I am terribly disorganised, easily over-whelmed, incredibly forgetful and a bit flitty. I flit all too easily form one thing to another. I'm not testing anything major in January, just a handful of smaller patterns that I've been meaning to finish off for ages, so I'm using my work time to employ some good organisational habits. Some tactics for keeping on top of emails and pms, keeping my website, blog and FB page up-to-date, getting all my book work organised so I don't have a last minute rush at tax time, maybe, just maybe, even creating a pattern release schedule. Doing all the day to day small business stuff that is just too much some days.  Routine, I think it's called, that's perhaps what I need.

What about you?

What are your goals/resolutions/promises for 2013?

P.S. photos are off the wee Christmas gifts the kids and I made for some of their little friends.  You can read more details on my Rav project page.