Bold ambitions

I don't really call them resolutions, but as the year starts, I do think about what I want to achieve this year.  It beats thinking back on what I did not achieve last year.

I wrote a bit of a list if things I want to do that are out of my normal range.  Yes, I will do the usual knitting.  Making shawls and socks and a sweater or two and I will try to improve my skills and try out new patterns.  I will also have some boring knitting in the bag.  This is for long trips, sitting in queues and watching TV.  It is amazing how much plain knitting can get done in these times and how satisfying it can be too.  Right now I am busy with a shawl, based on The Age of Brass and Steam.  This is an extremely useful recipe for a simple elongated triangle shawl and I have used it a number of times now.  I am using some cashmere in a dark charcoal, dyed by the amazing Carle Dehning.  It is not much to look at, but wonderfully soft and will be a perfect neck covering for the winter months.

The list

• Felting:  I keep drooling over wonderful felting projects, especially on Pinterest, and have a feeling ( pun intended) that I will enjoy the freedom to go wild that this pastime offers.
• Crocheting:  I am relatively new to this branch of fibrecraft, and wish to get better at it.  Some mad impulse just a week ago sent me buying yet more cotton yarn to make a bedcovering/afghan/blankie.  More about this in a later post.
• Weaving:  In some ways this is the absolute opposite of felting.  It requires discipline and adherence to rules.  Well, at least to get started, one needs to know what one is doing.  I must set up the loom, warp it and get weaving.  But first I need to plan a project, reread my books and see if I can remember anything.  I know there is a lot of help out there, so if I become stuck, I will have to ask for help.  
• Spinning:  Yes, I have been spinning for years, but maybe it is time to go to the next level.  Spin to a plan.  Have a project in mind and spin for that.  Maybe....or maybe is is just going to remain my Sunday afternoon form of relaxation.
• Sewing:  Since I was 12 and made my first dress, the knowledge that I am able to produce a one off outfit for me, has kept me inspired and motivated to carry on.  I don't sew nearly as much as I would like to and there is so much scope as far as patterns and fabrics are go.  The choices are something I am reminded of every time I see boring, poor quality, mass produced and badly fitting garments in the shops.  I walk away in disgust and decide I really need to get back to sewing.
• Decoupage:  Just because...when fabric and fibre begin to pall (not that I believe they ever would), there is paper and scissors and glue.

Now, I just need to use every hour in the day that I can, and some of my bold ambitions may become real.