Sunday, July 1, 2012

Year of Projects - Round 2!

Today marks the beginning of the second round of Year of Projects and this year (like most) I've been smarter about my list and maybe not quite as ambitious as last year.

Last year when it was time to compile a list, I was going on 9 months pregnant, just finished up at my job so I had a full month before baby to just craft and relax. Of course the amount of time I had on my hands made me feel like "Oh sure, I can get all of this done"...and several months later it turned into "What was I thinking?"

So without further ado, my 2012-13 Year of Projects list!


It's time for the 2012/13 YoP lists, so here's mine! I'm using this page as more of a "worksheet" this year. I have categories for things and the specific items will fill in as they are decided upon and finished if that makes sense.

At least ONE amigurumi per month

I ADORE making amigurumi and in particular I'm oh so fond of Stacey Trock (www.freshstitches.com). I'm constantly making my daughter (and myself) animals and monsters from her patterns! Most of what goes in this category for year of projects will likely be things from her patterns but I do have a few others that I'd like to do as well.

Read one chapter of my Knitter's Life List book

Having been mostly a crocheter, I'm still learning the ropes when it comes to learning some things about knitting and I 'm really interested in this book. My husband got it for me for my birthday at the beginning of June and I never have time to sit down and actually read it and take it in. I decided to dedicate one of my Year of Projects goals to focusing on various chapters of it.

Make at least 6 accessories from the Classic Elite Quick Knits Book

This one sort of goes hand in hand with the previous goal. I bought this book as a way to try out some new skills when it comes to knitting so 6 accessories is more than enough for me to aim for here. I haven't quite picked out specifics but I'll get there!

Make at least one crochet/knit cowl from Lisa Gentry's new books (EDIT: This is going to be per month so 12 total)

Another one of the many designers I'm fond of :). Her new cowl books just came out and I can't get enough of them! I'm already on a cowl kick as it is! One is knit and the other book is crochet, each having 10 patterns in it! Check them out, oh so beautiful!

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Just like last year, I made a tab at top of my blog entitled, "Year of Project" where I can easily go in and edit my progress. I've decided to go with the above category kind of theme this year instead of being so so specific in the patterns I want to do so my progress page is more like a worksheet. It has each category from above and a numbered list. That list will be filled in as the year progresses and as projects are finished. It seemed like the best fit for me this year organization wise.

I'm so happy to be back in the saddle for Year of Projects and feeling much more confident about it this year!

36 comments:

  1. What a fantastic idea to add in a book that you really want to read!! Your list is perfect

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    1. Thanks :) I figure I can always add more if need be but starting small wouldn't get myself so overwhelmed.

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  2. It doesn't seem like much when you look at it (as there are only four categories)...and then you read what you want to do under each category. Aside from reading the book, you're talking about at least 17 projects. I think that's fair.

    Now that your munchkin is about a year old, crafting time goes right down the hole. The only time I can knit is after Little Man is in bed because he's way too interested in both my needles and my yarn. He hasn't pulled out anything (yet) but he always wants to know what is in Mama's Pretty Yarn Bag. Oh well. Then again, maybe yours is different. Kids are all different.

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    1. It's actually 30 projects, I just realized my cowl one I forgot to write "per month" on the end of it..oops. I'm with you on craft time, it's pretty much an after she goes to sleep kind of thing :-P

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  3. I love how your list reads and how its all broken down, seems pretty achieveable to me and what a great idea to put your book in there, thats just as much a part of learning as the actual practical part.

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    1. Thanks, I just needed the motivation to take it all in book-wise instead of just spending nights skimming it and ooohhhh-ing and ahhhh-ing :)

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  4. Fun! I like how you have monthly goals. I love FreshStitches designs, too!

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    1. Hopefully the "item per month" generalization is enough to keep me on track!

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  5. It's lovely to see some references to some interesting new books, your list looks very realistic and also good fun.

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    1. Books were more limited than me getting sucked into the vortex of Ravelry's pattern database and going "oh I'll make that! and that! and that one! oh and two of those!" I think that's how I got out of hand last year :)

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  6. Wow, I don't think I could ever achieve all that, but I hope you manage it. It's a really clever way of planning your year without being too structured!

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    1. We'll see how it goes. It's slimmed down from last year which failed horribly :-P

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  7. The book idea is genius! Wish I'd thought of it!!!

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    1. I can't take complete credit. I was inspired by what Marie/Underground Crafter did with last year's list :)

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  8. Great list and I LOVE your tabs! Is it hard to set up tabs on blogger? I need to look into that. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress!

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    1. They're really easy! When you're on your blog dashboard just click 'Pages' on the left side. Each new page you create is a tab up top :)

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  9. What a nice and varied list you have got. I like your idea of a separate page for your YOP list. Good luck with your Ravellenics!
    *smiles and cheery thoughts*

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    1. Thanks, the separate pages help me keep from having to search for my list all the time to keep up with progress. Can't wait to see what you choose for Ravellenics! :)

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  10. Oh I love the idea of adding some chapters of a knitting book to your list. The book I'm knitting through has a number of chapters of the history of Estonia and regional crafts, so maybe I should read and review a bit each week?! Thanks for the inspiration.

    And I think I remember you saying last year that once you had the baby you'd have all kinds of time ... and I think everyone reading that went, uh, really? well okay .. we'll see...

    Can't wait to see the amigurumi - those posts are always sooo fun!

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    1. Oh yes,definitely think about adding in a chapter or so of a book, that one sounds interesting!

      I think I had all kinds of free time until December when she was exiting the "sleep all the time" newborn phase LOL

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  11. we were SO in the same boat last year! my lil guy was a month old when I made my list. i was def sleep deprived because i look at it thinking, what was my problem! i love your list and cannot wait to see how you do! i bet your little girl is walking all over now!

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    1. Definitely in the same boat! Can't believe how old they both are already, where has the year gone! She's just started consistently walking everywhere in the last week or two and has already decided to move to climbing instead, oy!

      I'm getting back to Pinterest projects now too. Did some Jell-O play dough yesterday :)

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  12. I'm really looking forward to seeing how your list goes! I love making cowls too - they're so fast compared to most of the things I make! :)

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    1. I've become such a cowl making addict. The ones in these books are so pretty too since I find the majority of crochet cowls are not all that lacy looking. I did my one for July already so it'll be in my update next week!

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  13. Funny how we all learned the list was a guide after last year. Well done! Best of luck to you as we all embark on our mission of year 2.

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    1. It is funny how that works :) Thanks for the luck, I'll need it! Especially once those "other projects" that pop up along the way try and distract me!

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  14. Interesting list - I'm now off to Amazon to check out those books you mentioned. Have fun with your cowls. BTW good to hear your power is back on.

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    1. I spend too much time on Amazon browsing crafty books :) but there's too much good stuff! Thanks about the power, you never realize how much it's relied on until you don't have it but luckily crocheting and knitting don't need electricity...yay!

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  15. It looks like you learned quite a bit from last year (along with lots of others!) I like that you've given yourself an outline with plenty of wiggle room to accommodate the changes that are sure to happen! Good luck and have fun!!

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    1. Learned doesn't even begin to describe it. Last year I started late and they by Christmas I knew it was just a disaster :-P This year should go much better for all!

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  16. Great list Nicole, looking forward to checking out your progress!
    Victoria xx

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    1. I figured it was going to be my little "on the side" thing for my list this year. We'll see how it goes!

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  18. Hellooo :D A new YOPer here. That is a fabulous list and I love the addition of the knit related reading.

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    1. Yay welcome aboard! Good luck your on your first YoP list!

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