Wipe it Clean in 2013!

I'm all about a clean slate. Starting fresh, new start Mondays, beginning afresh! Our pastor is beginning a new series this week titled Clean Slate and I adopted it as my own motto for starting the new year.

Although I didn't get every project completed before starting the new year, the yellow garter stitch baby blanket is finished and I'm ready to begin another. I really like the way they look and it makes for wonderful, mindless knitting. Plus, there is always someone having a baby and I can list them on my Etsy shop for others to enjoy!

So, I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year and I have come up with my 13 of 13 Knitting Goals for 2013 and they are as follows:

1. 13 hats - I think this is the first one I want to complete but we'll see what I really end up doing. I think the yarn is what makes it so pretty and I may not like it as well if I don't choose my yarn wisely. I also like this hat because it has that unisex look to it and I can decide after knitting who it may go to.
2. 13 scarves
3. 13 mittens/gloves
4. 13 socks - I have a great pattern idea for Stacy and I to work on Christmas gifts this year. I'm going to share it with her tonight and see what she thinks!
5. 13 dishcloths- mostly I like knitting these and found that several of my family members also like receiving them which makes for a perfect combination.
6. 13 ornaments - I think I want a tree with all knitted ornaments. It may just be a small tree at first but I'd like to at least begin. I think these may also be a good idea for tags on presents.
7. 13 rows in my sock blankie. There are four diagonal rows all the way across with the exception of the ends.
8. 13 baby booties
9. 13 baby hats
10. 13 charity items - these might be for GAGE or for another charity. I'm actually thinking about getting involved in the ministry at my church which may or may not involve knitting for infants.
11. 13 baskets
12. 13 cup cozies
13. 13 random items

I'll keep you posted on how things come along. What are your goals for this year? Be sure to make some that include knitting!

Intensity Seeker Seeking Time Management

Recently, an authority on the subject of addictive behavior told me that I might be an intensity seeker. I’m not really sure what this means but there is the suggestion that I look for ways to increase the stress level in my life in order to perform at a higher rate. Although I disagree on principle, I’ve recently realized there may be some support for her claim. What is it about deadlines that makes us scurry to accomplish goals set before us that we otherwise wouldn’t attempt to meet with such deliberation? All I know is that I have a series of self-imposed goals to keep on track. I fill baskets with projects that have imaginary deadlines that keep me singularly focused until the desired outcome has been achieved. My daughter refers to this as tunnel vision.

However, sometimes the deadlines are real and when the postman reads the notes on my package incorrectly, sends my materials back, gives me the wrong opening times, and causes me to leave my house to pick up the package that should have been delivered to my doorstep nearly 24 hours earlier, I get a little frustrated. But even with the setbacks and delays, test knitting is rewarding. I get to wind hanks into cakes and knit cakes into cashmere/merino socks. The only drawback is I have to complete my task today – for real!