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What is more inspiring than a new year, filled with endless creative possibilities? There are so many wonderful projects just waiting for us, and a whole year of time to make them in! Now that my health is back on track, I am thrilled to be knitting regularly again, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on all the fabulous projects that have been beckoning me!
In 2016, I would really like to knit a sweater inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s spectacular Paris Salzburg collection from last December. Yes, I know, I have fallen way behind the curve, but what really inspired me about this collection was the use of buttons as a main design element in the knitwear. The use of a long, vertical row of buttons or even a double row of them to make a woman’s figure appear longer and leaner is genius! And it is a trick even a beginning knitter can use! All you have to do is knit a simple shape and sew the buttons on in a straight line. I will be visiting my favorite antique button seller at Stitches West this year with a special eye out for a large set of brass or gold buttons I can use for this! I think a little navy cardi arrayed with a double row of gold buttons could be fabulous for spring!
Another approach to using buttons as a central element is the pattern, Riding to Avalon by Connie Chang Chinchio. There is some gorgeous blue Kidsilk Haze Eclipse in my stash that would make this a glamorous hoodie.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/riding-to-avalon
Another pattern that really beckons me with its clever use of buttons is Holburn by Martin Storey:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holborn
What an ingenious way to highlight the waist and ease for the hips at the same time!!!! Plus, this top is super modern and wearable.
My other main knitting inspiration for 2016 is my stash. Let’s face it, folks, the yarn purchases didn’t stop when my knitting did. So I have a slight problem of overstock. My resolve this coming year is to only buy new yarn after I have completed three projects from stash. This means I will be knitting several projects with kidsilk haze. The contenders are:
Sauvignon by Martin Storey:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sauvignon
Champagne by Marie Wallin:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/champagne
Galen by Kim Hargreaves:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/galen
and Rossini by Sarah Hatton:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rossini
Another benefit of knitting from stash as much as possible is that I will then be able to afford to buy Rowan’s Swarovski crystal beads. Because they are not cheap! So it will have to use stash yarn on those projects to keep them on budget.
Every knitting plan should contain one extravagant, absurdly impractical goal. So here is mine: a knitted skirt suit complete with corset!
In 2014, Lagerfeld introduced the corset into winter knitwear with amazing results. Here is my favorite, three-piece suit:
How fabulous is this? I have always wanted to challenge myself to knit a matching skirt and top anyway, so the addition of a third piece as a knitted corset would really take this over the top! Here are the patterns I am contemplating for this mad venture:
River by Kim Hargreaves, perhaps lengthened another 6 inches so I can sit down?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/river-2
I like the textured pattern of this, which keeps it modern. Plus I hear that Rowan lima is great for skirts and that they don’t easily sag or lose their shape.
The Tulip Sleeve Pullover by Coralie Meslin would be knitted in matching Rowan lima:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tulip-sleeve-pullover
And finally, the element of the absurd--the corset itself. The Prim Reaper’s Corset by Nicki Lohr:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-prim-reapers-corset
In 2016, I also plan to knit more gifts. In 2015, I gifted a third of my projects and found that very satisfying. So look out for some rugged men’s knits in my blog!
Finally, I plan to eat more healthily so I can get back to my fighting weight. This will mean experimenting with recipes that make vegetables as enticing and fun to eat as the pastries, pies and homemade ice creams I love, which will be a tall order. If I find any really delicious recipes that fit the bill, I will share them here with you.
What are your New Years resolutions, knitting and otherwise? Please share! And Happy New Year, everyone!