My Summer 2009 Knitting Goals & Contest Winners

I kept meaning to get my own knitting goals for the summer down on paper, but I kept getting sidetracked with 101 other things- that should tell me something. Something like keep it slightly simpler this season, time is fleeting, and my main goal for this summer is to enjoy the time with my family. That being said- I still intend to knit, and probably quite a bit. So here goes:

1. Baby J needs a new hoodie
2. Little M will need a Bulky jacket for fall
3. Some fancy mittens, pour moi!
4. Bulky mittens, pour moi aussi, for winter driving (I'm a major cold wimp, especially in the fingers department, no, especially in the any part of my body department)
5. 1 pair of socks for my husband
6. Cozy hats, in Worsted, for my 3 big guys (husband included)
7. New summer tank
8. Second Skinny Dyed shrug (and publish pattern)
9. A short sleeve variation...
10. Second (bigger!) stripey Sport Weight Baby J vest (and publish pattern)
11. A Felicity hat, or two... by Wanett Clyde
12. An Elefante, by Susan B. Anderson
13. A couple lacy washcloths, because little knit luxuries are so sweet
14. Ingenue, by Wendy Bernard
15. Tiny Brocade Cardigan, by Ann Weaver
16. A couple pairs of socks for Baby J (publish freebie pattern)
17. Design and knit a coordinating hat
18. Design and knit some short sleeve cardigans for the girls
19. Design and knit a zippered ribbed raglan for at least one boy
20. Design and knit a summery Cotton cardigan

I think that's enough for now (or maybe the next 2 years, we shall see.) I also have way too much sewing planned, some new recipes to try, a struggling garden to tend, picnics to have, and a host of other things to fill up my summer days. It will be snowing again before I know it- it always happens that way...

And for the news you've all been reading for- a random sequence has been generated, and the winners are, in order, The BeanQueen, Janice, aka The Viking Princess, and the non-blogging quiet Raveling, Purple. Congrats- and thanks for playing!

I really hope you have all been a little motivated with the goal setting exercise. Please, please, don't pressure yourselves. This isn't about setting yourself up for dismal failure, but rather, about having some clarity and focus in our knitting and various other creative endeavors. Now, on to the knitting, and don't forget to enjoy your summer!

Happy knitting-

ali

And the Winner Is...

Drumroll, please, I hopped on over to random.org and plugged in the numbers from 1 to 73 from the Mr. Linky list, and-

Here is what it said:
59
34
6
44
3
13
5
57
63
20
41
9
12
58
25
73
28
69
45
65
10
66
32
33
17
30
38
27
42
26
23
53
64
15
16
7
52
18
55
37
8
22
67
36
56
48
14
50
60
24
61
54
72
62
21
29
1
51
4
47
68
40
35
11
31
49
19
2
39
43
46
70
71

Our winner is #59, Aberdonian, from across the pond, in Grenoble, France. Congrats! I'll be watching your blog too see what you create with your new yarn!! Have fun with it.

A big thanks to everyone who participated in the contest- it's been fun to stop by your blogs (many of them new to me!) and see the wide range of goals out there, some of them nice, sweet, and simple, some of them loftier than my own!

A peek into the start on my own summer knitting goals should come later this week. Right now, I'm finding myself knee deep in book lists and lesson plans and ideas as I am attempting to put together at least the first trimester of our upcoming homeschool year- with 9th & 4th grade boys, and 2nd & 1st grade girls, a 3 yr old preschooler, and a 1 yr old wee one (and a baby due in October!) That planning, perhaps with a little spring cleaning that got missed, and a camping 'trip' to gear up for next week, will suck up much of my non-knitting time, I'm sure... oh, yeah, and playing in the pool with my kids as soon as I manage to find an acceptable maternity swimsuit (this one, perhaps?)...

Happy knitting-

ali