Update on 2016 Goals - Mockingbird Knits

It’s already April and I’ve made slow, very slow progress on my 2016 Goals. I’ve been debating modifying my goals as I’m sort of changing my mind about some of the items to make. But I’ll discuss more when talking about each of my goals. So here we go.

2016 Goals

1. Create 6 new blanket patterns to add to Etsy and Ravelry
2. Create a simple baby sweater that’s customizable
3. Crochet a Christmas Tree Skirt
4. Slippers for the cottage (approx. 8 pairs)
5. Knit a nice pair of socks.

Completed Goals

I’m currently working on the second blanket. My motivation was sky high when I finished the first blanket but has now fallen. I’ve been in an animal kind of mood. So I’ve crocheted a Giraffe and I’m knitting my second Elephant. I’m hopeful that I can knock out a good deal of this blanket while I’m here visiting my parents and brothers. They want to spend as much time with James as they can which leaves me with some time to get some knitting done. I know I should probably be spending time with them also and I am. I’m just knitting at the same time.
I’ve started a simple baby sweater. Actually I’ve started 2 baby sweaters — a cardigan and a pullover. The only problem is that I’ve started them in my head. I have the measurements I want to use, the yarn I want to use and I’ve even tried sketching a basic sweater (my 6 month old could sketch a better sweater). I have to sit my butt down and start this bad boy, get all the ideas out of my head and onto my needles. I was planning on using Baby Mitchell’s sweater as I designed the whole thing (see post), however I want the sweater pattern that I share to be simple and basic. I want to give the knitter the basics and let them run with it and design their own sweater and what not.
Again, all of my ideas for a Christmas Tree skirt are floating around in my head. I know what I want it to look like and feel like. I want it to be crocheted, I want it to feel like my Memere could have made it for me. I want it to be timeless and to use it forever. When James grows up and thinks of Christmas Trees I want him to see this tree skirt. I want it to be passed down through future generations. I want it to be loved and immortal. Is that too much to ask from a simple Christmas Tree Skirt? Most definitely. And although it’s unrealistic I’m going to have a hard time starting a Tree Skirt if it doesn’t at least tick the majority of these boxes.
I’ve been thinking of changing these cottage slippers for something else cottage related. It’s not that they wouldn’t be appreciated, they just wouldn’t get much use. At least I don’t think they would get much use. I’m not quite sure if we’re a slipper wearing kind of family. We’re more of a laying on the couch in the evening with a cosy blanket kind of family. So I might change these slippers to throws once my parents have picked out paint colours. Their cottage renovations are well underway and should be completed soon so matching throws for bedrooms and/or living room might be a better addition.
I can happily say that I’ve found a pattern for my first ever pair of socks. It’s called Petty Harbour by Rayna Curtis and the pattern can be found on Ravelry. I managed to start the ribbing and then was quickly sidetracked by stuffed animals (see #1). I’m hopeful for more progress now that I have some free time with my parents and brothers keeping James occupied.