New Year challenges and a new book that caught my eye

I hate New Year's resolutions such as losing weight or eating fewer desserts or that kind of thing. I am sure this is because I know I have no intention of doing such things. But I am happy to try to find a couple of knitting challenges that might fit as resolutions. I wonder if it is fair to put one on my list that I mastered in the last week, before I firmed up my resolutions? I am pretty proud of it, since while I was still learning, I wasn't a very happy camper, and I think my husband would have been pleased to move out for a few days. To explain: As I mentioned in my last post, I went to the Webs book launch for Melissa Morgan-Oakes's book 2-at-a-time Socks in mid December. I was thinking of getting the book, but wasn't completely decided. It was, however, a great excuse to go to Webs! Well, you know I won the kit and bought the book. I was off from work last week, and thought this might be a good time to concentrate on learning this technique, rather than starting some evening when I come home from work ultra-tired. The first day I worked on it, it didn't go well. I was misinterpreting what to do with the needle after finishing the first half of the first sock, and what should have been K1P1 ribbing turned into two knits in a row, moving from the last stitch of the first half of sock 1 to the first stitch of the second half. I contacted Melissa, who suggested just doing some stockinette practice rounds. Something clicked when I tried this, but then it took another couple of sessions to get the hang of moving the socks and/or cord around and not getting totally tangled up. But as is said in My Fair Lady, "she's got it, I think she's got it"! I am still working on the practice toddler socks, but feel much less clutzy now. I am actually a fan of double-pointed needles, but I do suffer from second sock syndrome, so I think I'll try knitting a pair of adult socks this way next.

In Borders yesterday, I found a new book that really caught my attention: Knit Tricks by Rebecca Wat. The garments, which run the gamut from scarves to vests to shrugs to sweaters, are all made out of rectangles, but a number of them use really interesting wrapping techniques. The author is very interested in origami, and that shows in some of these designs. There are 3 or 4 I'd like to make right away, but of course there doesn't seem to be anything appropriate in my stash. I think there is another trip to a yarn store in my near future!

Besides the socks, I have just started working on a short sweater, Cherish, by Kim Hagreaves from Heartfelt, and my Celtic Cardigan and Fair Isle Sweater continue to languish (though I did finish enough of the Celtic Cardigan to wear it as the Celtic Vest for the time being). The multidirectional scarf in Noro Aurora is moving along. However, my second knitting resolution is to finish the Fair Isle Sweater and do the steaking! It would be nice to wear it this winter, and there aren't many inches left on the body (the sleeves are both done, one is below). Wish me luck!