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January 16, 2006
What do you mean it's January 16th?!
I keep meaning to post and actually started writing this in December, but when I actually have two minutes to myself, I can't get my thoughts together enough to write something decent. Maybe I should stop worrying about writing decent posts and just write something.
Last year I listed some things I hoped to do in 2005. It's too depressing to look at failures and I never intended this list as resolutions, so I'm going to try to ignore all I didn't do (like the five projects I had meant to start the year with). After all, though I hoped I would move, I didn't know if I really would and had no idea how big a job it would be. And if you had told me that I would be a mother by the end of 2005, I would have laughed at you. So if you subtract the time I spent dealing with those two things from the twelve months of the year, I probably only had about two months of sanity to get stuff accomplished. Enough excuses. Here's what I did do, didn't do and hope to do in 2006.
I met a few bloggers. In 2006 I'd like to meet more now that I'm in North America.
I didn't knit myself any sweaters, but I did knit two sweaters for Interweave, which is two more adult sweaters than I knit in 2002, 2003 and 2004. This year, I'll hopefully make one for myself. Just one.
A-hem. We won't even talk about the state of my half-written patterns... but if you are sitting out there thinking that you could be a brilliant technical editor and want some work to do, email me. One of these days I may actually finish something.
Most of my ideas are still just that. I just hope to have ideas in 2006 since most of my thoughts currently revolve around my child and my breasts rather than necklines and stitch patterns.
I got stuff published in 2005, which I consider my major accomplishment of the year (offspring aside). I already have a couple things slated for 2006 and I hope to find a way to keep working. I think it's important for my sanity and my sense of self. Forgive me if I sound cheesy. And I'm not teaching anymore, which I both miss and don't. Maybe I'll try to start teaching knitting one of these days years decades.
I started fingerless gloves for Frog, then he bought some. If I can convince him that there are more colors out there than just black and gray and that sweaters can be nice even if they aren't stockinette or 2x2 rib, I may make him one. Or socks... black stockinette socks is probably what he would want and he has pretty big feet. Maybe he'd like a big toe warmer instead. My mom and sis have both requested clapotis... clapotises?... clapoti? I know, I know, clapotis is so 2005. They aren't knitters. Their friends aren't either. They don't care. I didn't make anything for Dad either. Maybe this year, but I don't think clapotis is really his thing... And now I have another recipient I have to add to my list: Tadpole. She has been spoiled by the cyber shower ladies (photos to come), but is sadly lacking in knit goods made by her own mother. I'll have to remedy that this year while she is still small enough to knit for quickly.
I didn't get to spin much, but I'm going to give it another try one of these days. I'd also like to try dyes.
I didn't take any classes in 2005, but I definitely learned "stuff."
from the Gilbert-Frog household to yours.
Here's hoping we all learn some more stuff in 2006.
Updated to add Lesson No. 1 of the year: When knitting a sweater, measure your front and back together to make sure they are the same length to the armholes before bothering to finish knitting. Whatever you do, do not trust what you wrote down. Otherwise, your back will be 12 rows short.
Posted by kate at January 16, 2006 10:13 AM
Comments
Hi Kate - Great to talk with you the other day - it beats IM'ing...Hope you and Crevette are doing well! Derek and I are thinking about when we might be able to make it up to Montreal, he says it's a cool city. Bises, A-C
Posted by: Anne-Caroline at January 24, 2006 10:07 PM
The two patterns you had published by Interweave last year are two of my favorite patterns of the year! I just saw a preview of your pattern coming out in the spring issue, and it is gorgeous, too. Even if the ideas are coming in fits and spurts only, keep them coming! Lovely designs!
Posted by: Mary-Heather at January 20, 2006 06:35 PM
I think that you have accomplished a lot considering that you have a really little baby. When I first had the cowboy (my 2 1/2 y.o.) I felt like my brain was broken and my boobs worked overtime. Things start to even out in year 2... I promise. Sleep returns too.
I love your designs. The Clapotis is amazing... I made one out of silk garden.
Posted by: Mama-E at January 18, 2006 11:46 PM
I knitted like that when my baby girl was new...she would sleep against my chest and I would knit behind her.
Posted by: kate at January 18, 2006 09:53 AM
Knitting and holding a baby! You're a super knitter, my friend. Any chance you'll be coming to France in 2006?
Posted by: Flare at January 18, 2006 08:57 AM
Brilliant technical editor at your service, miss Kate :D
No, seriously, magazine editing is what I'm going to grad school for, and one of my projects this year is to conceptualize a new magazine. My chosen genre? The knitting magazine, of course!
So, if you ever get those brilliant patterns finished (in between trying to eat & learning to do an amazing array of things one-handed while holding a baby), keep me in mind. I've learned to type & edit one-handed while holding my nursling (7 weeks today! How did that happen?).
Posted by: jen at January 17, 2006 05:17 PM
Your baby is beautiful. Having the time to focus purely on your baby is an incredible luxury, though I know it doesn't always seem so. Try to enjoy this time as best you can!
Posted by: regina at January 17, 2006 12:56 PM
thanks for the proof that a new mom can indeed hold the baby and knit at the same time!
as for meeting more knitbloggers--i do hope that we'll happen to be in Roch at the same time someday :)
Posted by: kaitlyn at January 17, 2006 12:40 PM
What a marvelous photo of you and la sweet tadpole! I am impressed ever the more by your juggling knitting and swaddley baby. Bravo! And your work space looks cozy...red chairs rock.
Posted by: peth at January 17, 2006 12:36 PM
You did do stuff last year.
And how right you are about what we don't know about what the year holds.
Thanks for sharing your work and loves with us.
Posted by: susan at January 17, 2006 12:10 PM
2005 was a HUGE year for you. A baby, a transcontinental move and three patterns in IK (that are stunning!).
This part of mothering is exhilarating and tough at the same time. If you're nursing AND knitting, you're doing great in my books.
Hope to meet you in 2006!
Posted by: Steph at January 17, 2006 10:12 AM
Kate---having a baby is a huge accomplishment! Add to that moving and being published twice and well I think you had an awesome 2005. Love the pic of you knitting with Tadpole. The Little Miss is almost 17 months old and likes to sleep in my lap so I still knit when she sleeps on me. Hopefully the love of fiber will rub off on her =)
Posted by: amanda at January 17, 2006 09:48 AM
I think you're being too hard on yourself. A transatlantic move plus new baby (especially since she's your first) is more than most people could handle. Save the knitting projects for 2006. Or joing the Purling P's 200Sox - socks would be much faster FOs than that sweater!
the tadpole is adorable. I am so impressed you can knit and hold on to her. Can you knit and nurse? That's the next hurdle!
Posted by: Elinor at January 17, 2006 09:36 AM
I think you had a very good year: sprog, plus patterns published and moving... congrats.
Posted by: jess at January 17, 2006 05:31 AM
I am just starting a clapotis, also. We could have a two-person clap-o-long.
Posted by: Kat at January 16, 2006 10:39 PM
Enjoy the moments of knitting with her in your arms. (I used to do that) A little while more, and she'll wiggle too much. Then, you'll have to resort to other methods (like a swing, or maybe one of those jumper things or maybe one of those bowl things. That'll buy you all of 10 mins. of knitting...!
Posted by: Wendy at January 16, 2006 08:38 PM
Congratulations!!! Your tadpole is adorable! I'm looking forward to all of the new tiny knitting pattern she inspires!
Posted by: Amy Lu at January 16, 2006 06:28 PM
Oh how sweet! Sweet, sweet, sweet! Who cares about last year? You're holding your biggest accomplishment -- and doesn't she look comfy?
Posted by: Vicki at January 16, 2006 05:15 PM
That's dexterity! Holding a baby and knitting?
I will be in your 'hood from Thursday until Saturday night. I'm there for work, and will have my non-knitting, non-blogging SIL with me (taking advantage of free hotel, time away from her kids and the shopping in Montreal).
My schedule is going to be a little nuts, but if you have a chance to drop an email to me... well, you just never know...
Posted by: Steph VW at January 16, 2006 04:14 PM
You did SO much in 2005, maybe it just wasn't what you THOUGHT you were going to do!
I am just starting my first Clapotis, so I guess I am just so 2005 too! I also started your pearl buck swing coat. YOu are a wonderful designer and I am so glad you were published!!
And that pic- just beautiful!!!
Posted by: patti at January 16, 2006 02:04 PM
So all you did last year was have a baby, move across the ocean, and incite the Clapotis madness.... What a slacker! ;-) (And Tadpole is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.)
Posted by: janna at January 16, 2006 02:00 PM
gasp! so sorry! kitty on the keyboard! please excuse the multiple comments... (nauty kitty, I'm so embarrassed...)
Posted by: Colleen at January 16, 2006 01:54 PM
I think you've had a year of which you can be quite proud -- published and motherhood. What else can compare? I love that you knit with Tadpole in arms.
Posted by: Gina at January 16, 2006 01:40 PM
Happy New Year to you, too. Your baby is really cute.
My son born in marcha, last year. And since then, I have time for anything! So, I am impressed seeing you knitting and holding her! Congratulations!
Posted by: malglam at January 16, 2006 01:30 PM
Kate,
Tadpole is beautiful! Good Job! Enjoy the time now when she stays where you put her. Once the kidlets get self propelled it gets crazy (just for a while).
I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE all your patterns and would be thrilled and honored to test knit for you!
Colleen P in Glen Mills PA
(OTN another baby suprise sweater and spindle spinning some sweet merino)
Posted by: Colleen at January 16, 2006 01:24 PM
I tried knitting while holding Lila. She didn't like it. At. All. Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead and I look forward to seeing and reading about the projects you have planned!
If you need a pattern tester/writer I'll be happy to help out when I have two minutes to myself! It'll probably be a different two minutes than yours. :)
Posted by: Laura Lee at January 16, 2006 12:54 PM
Your wee baby is lovely.
Posted by: Paula at January 16, 2006 12:51 PM
I never even learned to knit while mine were babies, so I'm very impressed with the knitting while holding wee one. Now if you can nurse and knit at the same time, I will be MORE than a little impressed!
Posted by: carole at January 16, 2006 12:26 PM
Happy New Year to you! I'm impressed with that knitting while holding child move. Must master that myself when the time comes.
Posted by: cari at January 16, 2006 11:03 AM
Happy new year to you,too!
Posted by: Julia at January 16, 2006 10:43 AM
You accomplished more than I did when my children were newborns. I was pleased to brush my hair most days.
Hang in there. Sleep will return and so with outside accomplishments.
Your baby is beautiful. Enjoy. It really does go way to fast.
Posted by: Jen at January 16, 2006 10:23 AM
