Are you still on track with your New Year's Goals?

I'm of the mindset that New Year's resolutions are a good thing. Taking the time to reassess your live, where you are, and where you hope to be is a natural path to progress. Keeping in mind what you can change is important too. I like goals that lead to action. Results from such action must come from consistent little baby steps. Celebrating the little victories is just as important the ultimate goal.

What are your goals for 2019 and what progress have you made?

Yarn Over New York has a great FO make along. I was so happy to post my first FO of the year, which is the sweater I featured last weekend and wore on Sunday. Check out Jessie's group on Facebook for more more info.

I've dug through my paper patterns to try to find the pattern for a crocheted spring poncho that I started ages ago. I had to dig out the yarn, and I'm a little worried that it looks funny, but that's what experimentation is all about. Yet, my next finish off will be a hat for my younger son that I had started for my nephew, but thought it was too big.

Although I'm not buying patterns, here are the ones I'm excited about. If anyone would like to buy me any of these recently released patterns, I'll make it my next project. I'm also welcoming any yarn too...(please ignore my yarn/pattern addiction pleas).

Pickles' Pangolin

Stephen West's Deco Drape

VERSACIKNITS Stepwise Shawl

Do you start a lot of projects in January? I love to...thinking about the year ahead and utilizing my stash is a blast. I was watching Potion Yarn's recent YouTube Video and I felt inspired to add one of Susanne Sommer's patterns to my cast on for this month. I've been eyeing her patterns for a long time and thought I had purchased a few. Looking at my Ravelry Library, I realized that I actually haven't purchased any...eek! However, I had seen free headband that she designed last month and it was in my queue. Guess what I'll be making this week. This would be so helpful when I'm running in winter. Now to pick colors.

One goal that I highlighted last week was to design four patterns this year. I had schedule to take three days off of my busy day job (Wednesday - Friday), but things didn't quite go to plan. I looked at my husband and asked if he'd care if I didn't publish any patterns. He encouraged me to keep trying. I had an idea to use an Estonian type overlay that is lovely for a shamrock themed pattern. I'm gearing up for the local Shamrock Run and thought it would be a great idea for some accessories. I made one prototype and wasn't thrilled.

I then stared at some hand-dyed skeins of special yarn and wanted to come up with patterns to make the yarn shine and the pattern fun. I can't remember who in Instragram said that the herringbone stitch would be the next big thing, but I've loved this stitch for a longtime. I'm all about experimenting with my favorite stitches and herringbone is is fabulous with crazy fun skeins of yarn. What do you think of the stitches? The yarn is from Potion Yarns, it's her Dragonfly base in the Inconceivable colorway.

Do I have any takers as testers? I'm debating about a private Facebook Group or Yarnpond. What do you think? I'm planning to retool a few things in the pattern and to have the pattern ready for tech editing this week along with see who's interested in testing. Maybe I can have the pattern up in March!!! The hat is so light and airy that I think it would be a great accessory for spring or fall. I was super happy that my four year old wanted

Another goal was to not buy yarn, so I asked my husband if I could have a monthly yarn club for my birthday and he agreed. It's one mystery skein a month...just one skein a month... I'll post about the first skein when I receive it next month. The theme is stars of the silver screen (1920s - 1960s). Check out January's page(only a few days left to order). This is a club where you have to actively order the next month's yarn, so you're not locked in.

The other critical adjustment I'm making to my life, not a goal that I had set at the beginning of the year is to train up for an 8K (4.997 miles). I signed up earlier in the week, and I have nine weeks to get ready. I started yesterday.  I'm using Verywell fit's beginner schedule to give me a good idea as to how to prepare. I live in a very hilly neighborhood so the runs are difficult. The actual race on March 17, is pretty flat in comparison. To be clear, I'm not doing the 15K or half marathon. That's a very difficult and hilly route (I've done it twice...but that was a few years ago). I've never faced one of these races well conditioned, so wish me luck.

I hope you're having a great start to 2019 and I look forward to posting more ASAP! Happy crafting.