2011.
I don't really believe in resolutions, especially those made under the influence of alcohol, double-dog-dares, or as a spur-of-the-moment pronunciation in the middle of a game of Hedbanz (the kid version, which I'm frightfully terrible at). Resolutions depend so much on willpower. Nowadays, my willpower extends to reaching for yet another tissue, my body racked by coughing. So for me, there are no concrete resolutions. Just two simple things:
To try something new. To improve on the old.
On the knitting front, they can encompass so many things: yarn, needles, crochet(!), weaving(!), techniques, and so on. 2011 will be a year of discovery and improvement.
My first knit of the year is a simple 1x1 twisted rib hat for a toddler. It's reversible to standard 1x1 rib, and employs a k2tog-tbl (knit two together through back loops) as the decrease. It took me three days, quite a long time actually, but I knit this all in Continental. I usually knit English; I had mastered the knit stitch in Continental while working on a Moderne Baby Blanket. I thought it would be a great idea to try twisted stitches, purl stitches, *and* decreases on this small project.
Oh! Three days. That should sum it up. Granted, my stitches could be more even, along with my gauge, and I need to work on switching from knit to purl. Marnie taught me her 1x1 technique a while back, and *if* and *when* I ever do another 1x1 rib hat (twisted stitch optional) (when pigs fly)(under duress from adoring niece, predictably)(in "peeenk", naturally), I will definitely use it.
I hope this gets much loved, much mussed, much dirtied and sat upon and chewed up! From an auntie to her nephew.
Finished size: 13" circumference x 6.5" long.
Yarn: Lana Grossa Basics Tip 120 (60% Superwash Wool, 40% Acrylic; 50g; 120m) in 262 Olive Green. This yarn has been discontinued.
Needles: US6
Elsewhere: Ravelry, Flickr
Feel better! I don't make resolutions either :) But I like your two things. And cute hat - can't go wrong with ribbing.
I second jillian: you can't go wrong with ribbing. I hope you feel better soon - colds are such wretched things.