Favorites of 2008

It's nearing the end of the year and instead of looking forward in anticipation of NaKniSweMoDo I decided to look back at the fruits of 2008.  There was, as usual, a lot of knittin' goin' on and while much of it is enjoyable, wearable and beautiful, I do have a few favorites.  This year produced loads of smaller projects as it was the year of cowls and mitts.  I made my fair share of cowls, mitts, scarves, hats, and even a couple of tea cozies, all of which you can see in my Ravelry notebook.  For the sake of this post I've decided to share four of my favorite projects as a recap of the year.

The first of the year found me a little obsessed with lace shawls.  By the end of July I had knit several pieces of lace, each one special for its own reasons.  The one I enjoyed over any of the others, because it was challenging, exquisitely beautiful and unique in pattern and yarn, was Aspen Grove.  The design is Miriam's and she worked in conjunction with Anne who dyed the yarn.  The way it feels around my neck, the way the garter edge drapes over my shoulders and the rich, warm fall colors make this one of my favorite shawls.

While Sock Mojo didn't hang around with me for very long this year, he did stay long enough to help me knit four beautiful pair.  It is difficult to choose only one favorite, but the whole idea of a Mystery, and the beautiful sock that resulted, made knitting this pair extra fun. (I'm looking forward to knitting Kirsten's Acer next year.)

Of all the scarves I knit this year the number favorite has to be Lace Ribbons. Not only was it fun to knit, I used a handspun angora blend (from Anne) which made it extra luxurious, warm and beautiful.

The reason I've picked Salina as my favorite sweater over Daniel or Jadis, both which I love nearly as much, is its wearability.  It's a three season sweater that looks good dressed up or down, works in almost any situation and is as comfortable as a t-shirt.  

 

Next year I hope to be as prolific and enjoy the process at least as much as I did in 2008. Did you knit something you especially love this year? I'd love to hear.

Comments

[CindyCindy]

Shoot. A retrospect? I finished something, I think;-) I'm still working on the majority of things I started this year. Oh, that's right! I finished the "little pink scarf". I do like it, too. And, I agree. That sweater looks versatile.

[Suzy]

Of course, you know my favorite of your favorites is Lace Ribbons ;) ! It's exquisite.

[Kristin]

I'm surprised you could so easily pick favorites! All are lovely, and how much fun to be able to look back at a year of knitting with such satisfaction!

[Chris]

You had a very productive year! The mind boggles at what your retrospective will look like next year, after 12 sweaters! :)

[Pat K]

My favorite knit this year? The Noro Silk Garden Striped Scarf. Simple, yes, but the fun of watching the colors combine! I've been so tempted to order yarn and start another, but want to be good and knit up some stash first. We'll see how long that lasts...

[Wool Winder]

One of my favorite knits of the year is a hat I made for my husband. I "designed" it by using bits and pieces from a couple of patterns. It was just what he wanted, fits perfectly and he wears it all the time.

Salina is on my list for next year.

[Nora]

I'm going to be giving that question some thought between now and Wednesday... great post, and thank you for sharing your beautiful knitting with us, Margene.

[Anne]

I love that shawl that Mim designed too. She loaned me the sample to take to shows with me, and let me tell ya - it was hard to give it back!

Here's to 2009 projects!

[Cheryl S.]

I think Salina is my favorite of your projects - not only is it a fabulous sweater, the color is so great on you.

[Hazy]

You've knitted some amazing projects this year! My fave of my own was Ysolda's Elijah the Elephant. Nice and quick and safely in the hands of my cousin's new baby. :)

[Nancy]

Although I was surprised you didn't pick "Daniel", I can see why you picked "Salina"! I think my favorite project this year is my Guernsey Vest because I had to work on the many changes I made to morph it out of Meg's Guernsey Pullover!

[Imbrium]

A beautiful retrospective! You knit so many beautiful things, I imagine that it was hard to pick just four.

[turvid]

Lovely socks!

[Cookie]

Love them all! You always knit such lovely things.

I think my favorite was the Ripple Lace shawl. My first beaded shawl and in cashmere. Hard to beat... I think.

xo

[dana]

what a variety in your favorites! i guess because there is such a variety in what you have done over the year.

i knit an unst stole for my daughter for her wedding, out of a cobweb weight. knitting this for her was quite special.

[claudia]

Yeah, that is a great sweater.

[Kathy]

What a great post! You really had a kick-a*s 2008!!

[Marcia]

I don't have that many to choose from as I seem to have done more frogging than finishing during 2008, but I am enjoying my little Old Shale handspun shawlette. I'm also loving the Noro striped scarves (I'm almost finished with #3) but was most pleased with the way the lavender Aran hoodie for the granddaughter turned out. (Have not heard a word about it from PC, by the way. What else is new?)

[Norma]

Oh, yes! Your pink Salina is a wonder. I'm hoping to have a green one sometime soonish, as soon as these arms get healed. (argh!)

And oh, YES, I have a big, big favorite -- my CPnonH. I am disgusting, really, about it. I STILL wear it almost every day. Took it to New York and wore it there (except for Sunday when it was 60 degrees) and all the way home, too. Just can't take it off!

[Kim]

What a beeutiful lineup!! Mim and Anne's shawl is on my list of to do's this year too.

My favorite knit this year has to be my bee stole. :)

[Birdsong]

Wow, you have been so prolific! I think my favorite knit of 2008 was my version of Susan Lawrence's Spring Things shawl, using an angora-cormo yarn from Anne... they are the best enablers, one with her designs and the other with her colors and fiber blends. Salina really is a knockout on you... great color.

[Hillary]

It's oh so hard to choose a favorite this year. I think it might be the Alpine Lace Shawl but the sweater I made for my cousin's baby, Julia is a close second.

[Sarah]

Those are lovely knits and easy to see how they are favorites. I do not know that I can decide on a favorite I knit this year. There were so many good ones.

[Carole]

I love my Twist sweater the most this year, I think. I've got to plan my Year in Review post!

[Anne B.]

With so many beautiful projects to choose from, it is amazing that you could narrow down to only 4! Here is to the post next year!