My Best of 2007

From Knit Lit and Bonne Marie, my best of 2007.
1.Your best FO of the year: I have two. One being Doggie Knits, Sweaters and Accessories for Your Best Friend, my book. I've mentioned it ad nauseum, but I've spent three years gestating that baby. The other would be that little vest that was in my last post. With those short row cables, it was really fun to knit.
2. Best FO of the year by a blog you link to: Linday Obermayer's Big Blue. She used nylon rope and big honking needles to make a sweater for our planet. I can't think of a bigger accomplishment. Lindsay made the Field Museum in Chicago a destination for knitters this summer.
3. Best yarn you tried: All flavors of Briar Rose Fibers. The colors, the fragrance! The love affair just goes on and on.
4. Best new book/mag/pattern of 2007. Norah Gaughan Volume 1. There's a whole knit wardrobe in there. I know it came out in 2006, but her Knitting Nature looks new and fresh to me every time I look at it. Norah's influence has really elevated Berroco, in my estimation.
5. Best new knitting technique or gadget you tried in 2007. It is a stretchy bind off that Bonne Marie showed me at the last KIP. My leg bands and collars for Lucky Penny were being returned for alterations because they were too tight. To the point where I was thinking my sweaters had a serious design flaw. That bind off saved Lucky Penny!
6. Top 5 inspirations--what five things inspired you the most this past year? 1-Bonne Marie--the chic style, the boundless energy. She raises the bar for knitting and design. And, I totally can't believe that she selected me as one of her five.
2-Theresa--this lady really knows what yarn will do. I find her insights into the craft so valuable. The quilts she made this past year inspired me to take up quilting again after a twenty year hiatus.
3-Chris Roosien--an artist. What she does with color and fiber is just amazing. All this artistry comes in the nicest, most adorable package.
4-the Chicago Craft Mafia. So hip, clever, and with so much integrity. I'm so happy to be a part of this group.
5-My KIP friends--I love spending Thursday nights with all of you. Laughter, cake, and fabulous knitting. You all make it fun, which is what it's supposed to be.
I can't write about inspiration without mentioning Piccolo--my little muse. She wears sweaters like no other dog. The photo is what Piccolo does when she gets in contact with knits. She's rubbing herself on my newly completed Tully, knit with Colinette Iona, purchased at Threadbear this past October.
7. Designer who most amazed and inspired you througout the year: I've yet to knit one of her designs, but whenever I see Anne Hanson's work, it takes my breath away.
8. Knitting resolutions for 2008--what's next for you and your blog? I think some of my resolutions are reruns from 2007. Things I wanted to accomplish, but just didn't get to. I still want to design more dog sweaters, and possibly start another book. I need to be more disciplined about replenishing Lucky Penny stock. 2007 was pretty much a vacation from it, and starting in February, I'll be partnering with someone in a retail space. For myself, I would like to make something ambitious--there's a few Bohus kits in my possession that I never touched this year. Knitting toys and things for the home would be fun to do, as well. Hopefully that sock monkey pattern will show up while I'm packing for my big move.
Happy knitterly 2008, everyone!