Yeah For Me!

Today is my one-year Knittiversary!, and that....
is my very first project (I know, how original, a furry scarf).

As of today, I have officially been knitting for a year. I knew Kaity taught me to knit during the rains we had last January, so I went back to my checkbook and found the entry for the fateful day I wrote that check to Michaels - for something fuzzy to make a scarf out of. Really fuzzy, to hide all my mistakes.

My very first entry on this blog tells all about how I started to knit, and why, if you care...

Anyhoooo, I think I've come pretty far in a year.... and here's what it took to get me where I am today..

5 scarves (three of them, straight garter stitch! Can you say s-l-o-w learner?)
2 ponchos (oh, the horror)
2 pairs of slippers
5 pairs of socks
3 sweaters (all of which I actually wear)
1 camisole (which I don't)
1 One Skein Wonder (gave away)
1 shawl
2 bags/purses
1 hat

23 FO's! I impress myself (okay, I know there are far more prolific knitters out there... but hey, I'm slow and old, and it's my first year; and I impress myself easily).

and, here's what I've "amassed" after a year (I know, even I have to admit that's a pitiful stash.... but I'm working on it)

What have I learned:

1. I could NOT have done any of it without my in-house knitting guru, Kaity (thanks Doozer!). She's the BEST!!

I mean really - what do people do when they're learning to knit and they can't wake their guru up at 11:00 at night because they're on a roll and refuse to be stopped by a whatever-it-is-I've-done-here moment? I need instant gratification.... I would have called it quits if I had to wait days for someone to come and save me from myself. (Jeez, how old do I sound, 5?)

2. Anyone who says they're only gonna knit occasionally, maybe a scarf, just straight knit, maybe a purl or two, is sadly fooling themselves - or isn't a "real knitter."

3. Nothing is as hard as it looks (well, at least not after three days of frogging when you finally get to the "ah ha moment"). I was NEVER going to learn to knit socks, too hard; or lace, too hard; or make something as big as a sweater, too daunting. I love it all, especially socks and lace.

4. Okay - maybe that's not true... there are still a few things I'm afraid to try - Entrelac, FairIsle...

5. I NEVER would have come this far without my blog friends. I mean, seriously, searching the internet endlessly for patterns (free patterns), looking through knitting magazines, and even spending hours in your LYS just doesn't cut it. Puhleeze. There's nothing out there to compare to true knitting friends who will tell you the truth, encourage you, and steer you in the right direction and away from the crap.

I thank you and love you all!

I know.... what a sap, but I do.

and... by-the-by.... are you counting your socks yet?