Several of you have commented and e-mailed that you are on board with my in resolving to knit more just for ourselves in 2010. While at first thought, this may seems somewhat selfish, my opinion is that it's about replenishing our own souls and sock drawers, and reminding ourselves that we not only enjoy the process of knitting, but we are worth keeping the product of it as well. Ultimately, I am one of the few people who can really appreciate the time and energy that goes into each of my projects, and I'd like to gift myself with the final results this year. Especially since my own feet are cold and my neck is adorned in a scarf from six years ago.
I deserve the fruits of my "labor" too.
On Dec. 31, I started knitting Opal's new Antonia sock yarn in color 2802 (though I have one 2805 hidden away for later). Usually when choosing a project that I'm knitting for myself, I don't immediately choose a self-patterning yarn. I'm a black-yoga-pants-wearing girl, and often, self-patterning yarns are too busy for my clothing choices. But the first thing I chose to knit form myself in 2010 is a brightly colored self-patterning yarn. And you know what? I finished my first sock in just 5 days. It's like my knitting mojo is returning- I looked forward to knitting this yarn everyday, and I put aside other things all weekend so that I could knit. I really think I might have had a work-free weekend for the first time since... well, since the weather turned cold.
This project forced me to not only knit for myself, but to take several days for myself and my family. To put off that pesky end-of-year bookkeeping and various other projects to enjoy the view of the snow outside, a mug of hot cocoa and a few hours of the Gilmore Girls. So not only do I get some socks out of this, but I'm also getting undiluted ME TIME.
Since several of you have mailed and commented that you want to resolve the knit for yourself as well, I thought we should come up with a catch phrase and I'd make a button that we could use on our blogs, or put with each of our blog posts when we post about a project (if you have a blog). Any ideas for a catch phrase? "Knitting 4 Myself in 2010" is fine, but I know many of you are creative and might have a better idea. When we have a name, we can even post on Ravelry in the Fans of SSYC group about our project choices and with pictures, or I can share pictures of your projects here on the blog as well. I think seeing others' progress in our resolution will really be a fun and stressless way to keep this on the top of my mind when choosing my projects throughout 2010.
Excellent idea! I agree. That's the colourway of Antonia I have my eye on.
How about "2010 - year of ME"?
I'm going to try to use some of those really pretty skeins that I always think are 'too pretty to knit' to make myself some socks this year.
Posted by: OzKnitter | January 06, 2010 at 07:43 AM
Sock it to ME?
Super cheesy!
Posted by: Shera | January 06, 2010 at 08:40 PM
Allison - I sent you an email with my suggestion to go with your idea. JPEG attached...SPEAKING OF KNITTING FOR YOURSELF - did you see this man (Brian) knitting 7 prs of socks at the same time for himself (I am assuming they are for him)? Has one for every day of the week and a video clip of him explaining the different socks. He apparently was at Sock Summit. Just found this yesterday.
http://skacelknitting.wordpress.com/category/brian/
Posted by: Diane | January 07, 2010 at 06:41 AM
Yes, I talk to him quite often at Skacel, and seeing those socks on one long needle was pretty cool, wasn't it?
Thanks for the button- I think it's a go!
Posted by: Allison | January 07, 2010 at 07:23 AM
It was cool and I liked his idea to have a specific pair of socks for each day of the week - he has me thinking about which yarn reminds me of which day of the week - I think I will try that but one pair at a time :-)
And maybe birthday party socks too...for just in case.
Posted by: Diane | January 07, 2010 at 12:36 PM
I have decided to do this, too! Do you know the only scarves I own were bought for me at mass retail stores by other people? Ack. So I'm knitting/crocheting mainly for myself this year, and only for other people when the mood really strikes me, or maybe for their birthdays. I'm nearly done with a scarf/shawl for myself now, and am moving on to a Cashmere cowl next. Mine, all mine!
Thank you to you and your like-minded readers who make me feel less selfish. :)
Posted by: Jessica | January 08, 2010 at 02:50 PM
How about I DESERVE THE BEST!
Posted by: Renee' | January 09, 2010 at 04:11 AM