Happy 2011, lovely knitters.
This family was happy to see the back end of 2010, which was a year we’re trying to affectionately call "challenging" as long as you understand that the word challenging is being used here to mean that the year took repeated and vicious swipes at us from every angle at every opportunity. It was like the year was a nasty cat with sharp claws that liked to hide around corners. We spent more time in hospitals and doctors offices than ever before, made more appointments than ever before, worried about more family than ever before, went to the bank more… 2010 was remarkably novel in it’s butt-kicking of this clan – stooping so low as to burn my sister’s restaurant in a nasty kitchen fire. (She’s back up and running now, but you wouldn’t believe what 3 months closed did to her life and the lives of her staff. She even had a fancy fire suppression system that failed. Nice trick, 2010.) This year was so bad that we have family members who are actually missing parts of their bodies.
To tell you the truth I’m astonished that we’re out the other side of it (more or less) whole. As we toasted the new year on Friday night (both Joe and I with nasty colds, and me with a UTI, just to make it festive) the only thing we could think was "Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out, 2010."
I was so freaked by how craptastic this last year was that I decided to take no chances. None. Joe and I implemented every single superstition and ritual we could think of to make sure that we stood a chance this year. We paid all the bills. We cleaned the house, then swept and threw the dust out the back door. (I even locked it, as per a suggestion from Clara.) I made sure every wallet in the house had money in it, I lit candles to bridge the years and carry light into the new one, and I made sure that the first footer into my home in the new year was a tall, dark haired man. (That means that Joe left at 11:59, and came back in at 12:01 carrying salt for luck, just to be sure.) We put silver (quarters and dimes and such, which I know aren’t really silver, but it’s the spirit of the thing) outside before midnight, so the light of the old and new moons could shine on them, and we didn’t collect them until daybreak. Just to be sure, I didn’t do any laundry on New Years Day, just to be sure that nobody in the family is "washed away" in this year.
We usually do some of these for fun, but this year I did them all. I know it can’t possibly make a difference, but I didn’t want to be sitting in a hospital later this year thinking "Crap. I shouldn’t have done the laundry." (As an aside, last year I put the silver coins outside, and in the morning they were stolen. Should have been a sign.)
I even finished all of the years knitting before the year was up, which isn’t a superstition and I don’t think matters, but couldn’t have been a bad idea, and that brings me to the hope I have for this year. There’s so much wonderful scheduled for 2011, that I’m just about bursting with the possibility of it all. Joe’s long awaited studio will finally open, a new book comes out for me, Sock Summit rides again, and best of all the size of this family is going to start moving in the right direction- and without me becoming a grandmother, which is spectacular.
2011 is bringing us two new babies, and I’m so looking forward to both of them that I’ve already started their knitting, and you can expect beautiful wee things to drip from my needles for the whole year. The last thing I knit in 2010 was this tiny jacket. 
It knit up out of just two little skeins of Ultra Alpaca Light – grabbed one evening at Lettuce Knit when I fondly recalled a tiny baby sweater I’ve been obsessed with for years. It was in a vintage knitting magazine, and it was so perfect, plain and beautiful that I adored it. Sadly, that pattern was in a gauge that didn’t work, and had a few flaws that I think I’ve fixed with this version. 
Tiny little two row garter stripes, plain pearly grey and white, worked from the top-down, with a little garter button band and three vintage buttons from my bin. Seamless, but for two little seams along the bottom of the arms, and even those aren’t necessary if you like knitting garter in the round, which I’m not wild about. Nearly seamless, just like I hope the next year will be.
There’s nothing like a little hope to start out with.
Happy New Year.
I totally get the nasty cat analogy. Glad to see the end of 2010. All the best of the new year, new beginnings, new babies, new knitting, a new book!!, to you and yours, Steph.
Lang may your lum reek! ♥
Amen to all of that! I’m the one that got the short end of the stick on missing body parts, but it wasn’t too bad. Are you going to post the baby sweater, have a few arrivals slated for this year as well.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Stephanie…and good riddance to 2010. It wasn’t so bad for us, but 2009 was horrific enough to compete with your past year, so it all evens out.
May you have good health, good wealth, good fortune, good friends, good wine, good food, and Good Yarn in the coming year. (And, yea, those babies will help, too!)
Will you be posting the pattern for the baby sweater. that is exactly what I have been looking for for years.
Amen to a new year with more positive things going on
Yeah, I was glad to see the rear end of 2010, too. That baby sweater is a great way to end the year–cute and full of hope and promise. I just might have to copy it, so thanks for the idea, and happy new year!
Let peace, joy, and love be the main ingredients of 2011!
Sorry 2010 was so rough on you and your family. I hope 2011 makes up for it with extra good thrown in just because.
Joe’s new studio is finally (almost) ready? What on earth will you do with yourself when he no longer works from home?
i had a crap 2010 as well, but all i did about it for new year’s was tie one on. felt like the right answer to 2010’s curveballs. i hope your 2011 is as exciting as it sounds, you deserve it.
2010 was a nasty animal, yes. We’re looking forward to adopting an 8-month old girl early in 2011, so we’re starting this year with much hope too. Which leads me to the real reason I’m posting. I am officially planting the seed for the idea that you write a book on mothering. There are few, if any, role models on how to raise responsible, independent, confident – and conscious (!) people in this increasingly complex world. I’ve admired for years how honest and loving and real you have been in expressing your pride and your exasperation as a mom. It would be a great service to moms every where if you shared your insights and humor and mother-love. Just saying.
And happy yarny new year!
Happy New Year, Stephanie. You certainly deserve a good one, and I wish that 2011 will be everything that 2010 was not for you.
Looking forward to seeing the baby knits pop up. we just welcomed our first child about a month ago and I’m in love with her and with knitting cute things for her! So satisfying to have such cuteness fly off the needles so quickly.
So glad to see you welcoming the New Year that Will.Be.Better. than 2010. (Or Somebody is going to pay big time.)
Joy and light be yours in 2011!
Happy New Year to you and your family Stephanie. I hope that 2011 will be filled with peace, good health and happiness for you all. (and lots of yarn and coffee too!) xxx
OMG, I made that very sweater years ago when that magazine wasn’t vintage, but brand-new.
And we won’t miss 2010 any, either. Yay 2011!!
Amen to your sentiments on 2010! While I didn’t lose any body parts, I did add some reinforcing titantium following what was supposed to be a healthy hike. Sigh.
At least we all had great things to knit to keep us sane.
Yeah! I hope the door slammed when 2010 ended….looking forward to 2011 and lots of good stuff for ALL of us! We had our ham hocks & black-eyed peas for prosperity (my mother is from the southern US, and I have had these every New Year’s Day since I was a child).
Happy New Year. Love the baby sweater. Hope 2011 is better for everyone!
Oh I hear ya!!! 2010 was a real kick in the arse for us as well. Although we are still in recovery mode, we are happy for 2011 to be here and have high hopes for a successful year. If I can get through 2011 with little (aka – none) drama, I’ll be happy as a clam……Happy New Year everyone.
Hey, I love that baby jacket, my Mum knit the same one and even the colours look similar for my daughter when she was born.
Brought back memories, of her wearing it.
Here’s to a fabulous New Year for everyone!!!
2010 really was a beast! My family was glad to see its departure as well, though it wasn’t as cruel to us as it was to you. Happy 2011! Here’s another good-luck ritual from down here in the U.S. South, should you need to implement further measures in the future, though I hope you’ll never have another year like the last one. We always eat black-eyed peas and rice with some kind of pork (we like roasted pork shoulder, but pork jowls are traditional and ham is acceptable) on New Year’s Day. The black-eyed peas and pork both symbolize prosperity, for some reason, and we serve it up with greens (collards at our house; other folks like cabbage or turnip greens) to symbolize money.
Next year I’m considering serving the lot over some spaghetti… to symbolize yarn, of course! 🙂 Happy New Year!
I for one could not believe that 2010 could out do 2009 in the Craptastic Olympics of our personal lives, but it did. I hope your Superstition Mojo trandsends the Net ‘ cause i could really use some good, too.
New babies in the New Year has to be a sign of good things to come. They are the one true sign of eternal hope (that and skeins that don’t come with manufacturer’s knots). A better New Year to everyone!
2010 wasn’t great; of course it could have been worse, but I’m just as glad to see 201l. For some reason, I feel hopeful about this year.
Happy New Year Everyone!
I’m expecting a 2011 baby myself, and this jacket would be just the ticket. Please say you will be making the pattern available somewhere?
I’m with you, 2010 couldn’t have gotten over fast enough. Hoping good things for 2011!
My family will see your missing body parts and raise you two divorces. We try to think of it as getting rid of what isn’t working so we can concentrate on what is fantastic in our lives.
Happy New Year to your family and you!
2008 was that year for us. It ended with us burying my 62 year old mother on New Year’s Eve. 2009 was hard to get through, but 2010 was better. Here’s wishing us all a happy, healthy 2011.
2010 was a totally sucky year at our house too. Cute baby sweater.
I’m slamming the door on the whole freakin’ decade. And I’m also hoping for big things out of 2011. A lot of hard, hard work will come with it, but that’s OK.
Your 2010 sounds even worse than mine – I didn’t even think that was possible!
Maybe we can have 2010 officially declared as the Most Unfortunate Year Ever?
Lovely little baby sweater, BTW!
Best wishes, Steph, to you and yours for an excellent 2011.
I hate to add more to your plate – But good you please post this dear little jacket. We are hoping for 2 wee ones in the autumn (and not grandchildren either) and would love to add this to the list of knits.
I have never heard of all those New Years superstitions. The only one I have heard is that what ever you are doing at Midnight you will be doing all year. This year I was asleep. But in other years I have been at work! Or just staying up having fun.
2010 was better for me than 2009.
I hope to make it to SS again this year.
Love the baby sweater.
Your new year will be great! I can feel things like that…
Happy New Year Stephanie, here’s to a year of hope and inspiration and good things.
Sh**! Now you tell me the laundry thing! Kidding. Hope this new year has all of the best in store for both of our families.
OMG! TOO FUNNY! I have never heard of most of those New Year superstitions! I’m going to be watching and reading how things work out, and maybe I’ll have to add a few into rotation myself!
I couldn’t agree more! Good bye and good riddance 2010, better luck in 2011 to us all! And I’m looking forward to reading your new book.
All the best for 2011. Babies are such a nice way to enlarge families…
Not to add to your superstitions or anything, but last year was also the first year in a few that you didn’t make it up to Aurora. We’ll have to remedy that this year!
You are not alone in being happy to see the back side of 2010 disappear. Here’s hoping that 2011 will *not* be interesting in the Chinese curse sort of way.
Happy New Year! I hope this one is better to your family than the last one was.
I just wanted to tell you that I took a break from struggling with second sock syndome last night and picked up At Knit’s End again. And I’m enjoying it even more the second time around, as my knitting has evolved so much in the past five years and I can identify with every last bit of it. I look forward to your next book!
I blog about my knitting more than I should on Creating a Family Home: http://creatingafamilyhome.blogspot.com
Amen! 2010 was pretty much the year of the suck, but had just enough glimmers of good to keep making the bad things devastating. I wish you and yours all of the good potential in 2011, and hope the disasters of 2010 take care of our bad things quota for years to come!
Happy New Year Stephanie..may all of your dreams and wishes come true or close to true..we survived 2010 and 2009 in a very bad economy..small business owners…we are still in one piece and standing on our feet smiling and welcoming 2011…when life got to be a bit too much I peeked at your blog …saving it up for THOSE times…you put a smile in my heart and a lift in my step…Thank you…a lot…for being there for all of us..
2010 sucked big time, I am hoping for a better 2011!
happy new year to you! i hope it is much, much better for you. i am starting the year by opening a yarn store (soon, hopefully), so i am hoping for a boatload of luck myself. best wishes!
Happy New Year to you! I hope this year will be better than last year too.
We began the year with prayer, friends and food–including black eye peas, pork and cabbage. May everyone’s optimism facing 2011 be true.
Here’s wishing for your family (as well as mine) that the bad has run it’s course and we can all move into calmer waters. I can honestly say that I don’t know anyone at this point, who is not glad to see 2010 take it’s leave. This decade started out as crap – and has managed to maintain pretty well. So – onward and upward!
It’s gotta get better, and with your new (supercalifragilisticexpialidocious) book in hand we will make it so! Boy, do I hope your sister gets something back from the “fancy fire suppression” company. Not that anything can give you back 3 months of life as you know it.
I’m thinking back and I’m afraid I spent a good deal of 1/1/11 doing laundry. If anyone in my family finds out, sure-as-shootin’, anything bad that happens to anyone will be my fault.
Best wishes for the new year to you all.
And so, here’s to going from craptastic to fantastic in 2011!
It’s going to be better for everyone …
You know I haven’t met a single person who thought 2010 was a good year. And I work in a grocery shop, so I “meet” lots of people!
Unfortunately 2011 started out with a dentist visit right on the 1st…. It can only get better, right?
amen!! 2011 can only be an improvement! best to you and your family, and pleeeeeez 1) post the baby pattern and 2) ditto Jill A above (and meself a while back): make your next book on mothering!
megathanks and cheers!!!
Hope its a better year, you deserve it.
I also don’t think that the whole supersition thing is all that crazy. It couldn’t hurt right?
Yes indeed, glad 2010 is gone! I too have a family member missing a body part, and other wretched issues for 2010. But I didn’t know about all those little things you can do to bring in the new year. I’ll say a prayer and keep my fingers crossed for the both of us!
A happy and BETTER New Year for you and yours!
I’m looking forward to the baby knitting inspiration this year. IF someone stops using my bladder for silly putty, he might actually get a cute jacket like that.
Here’s wishing you and yours a much better 2011. My 2009 was like your 2010 – it couldn’t be over fast enough – so I know how you’re feeling.
We drank to the king’s health, to prosperity, and to peace in the new year – as close as I could find to a traditional Yule toast. Probably should have added keeping all critical body parts (like my knitting arms and hands).
And that’s a lovely little jacket and hopeful entry into 2011.
I’ve preordered your book and can’t wait for it to get here!!!
But did you eat any cabbage on New Year’s Day? Please tell me you had some cabbage. Or some black-eyed peas. (Ours is a cabbage household, but I will not discount the lucky qualities of the humble black-eyed pea.)
Happy New Year! We did all the cleaning before New Year’s, too, but I think that we opened up a can of worms, too. Found out about some nasty wiring problems when we moved the fridge to clean behind it. And a nasty cold to boot! Oh well, c’est la vie, as they say!
Best wishes for a happy new year to you & yours, Steph. Hope it’s a good one!
Wishing you 2011 blessings in 2011.
I’m certain that if you posted the pattern for this sweater, I would buy it and make HUNDREDS of them. HUNDREDS I say. Adorable. Please do.
The last TWO years have kicked my can. I’m hoping and praying for a blissful calm in 2011.
LOVE the baby sweater. Since you pretty much made it up, can you tell us how you did it? I have a little guy to knit something for before he arrives in April!
Happy New Year Stephanie, Joe and family.
I am busy trying to figure what direction the two new family members are coming from – perhaps the brother and SIL that you wore the black and white dress to on a Toronto island, but the other has me flummoxed – unless they are going in for a multiple birth!
Three family members being added to the family in the space of a year here, and yes, that baby jacket looks delightful.
Happy New Year. I hope your 2011 is much , much better.
You might be getting requests for the baby sweater pattern (it’s so cute)- or at least your own version of it. If you want to steer folks to something similar check out Grumperina’s striped baby sweater Budgie:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/budgie-striped-baby-sweater.
It’s a bottom up, instead of top-down, stockingette instead of garter and a zipper closure instead of buttons. But other than that it is similar 😉
I’m not affiliated with Grumperina but I think she does write carefully thought out patterns. I just downloaded Budgie yesterday for some baby knitting – so the pattern is on my mind.
So maybe it’s time to finish Joe’s Gansey?! Or the Apples bohus; it didn’t do anything bad, just didn’t get finished before Knitting Olympics began…
2010 sucked ass. I am relieved it is over and hope for better in 2011. It will go down as the worse year of my life. I don’t know anyone who thought 2010 was a good year. All my friends had bad things happen. Cancers, car crashes, divorces, deaths…2010 good bye and good riddance!!
Here’s to a happy, seamless 2011!
At midnight one year, my husband and I took the old calendar out into the back yard…and BURNED the damn thing! It was totally cathartic, and the next year was, indeed, much better.
For 2011, I wish you health (stay alive and kicking), wealth (enough to pay the Visa bill), and happiness (keep smiling).
I was very happy to see 2010 go too. The only good thing for me was becoming a grandmother. I knit my first baby sweater and lots of other things too. Love yours! Happy Days!
PS: Stephanie, this doesn’t relate to this post as much as an earlier one, but I wanted to post this here in hope you see it, in response to the blog where you talk about all the things that might go right/wrong with the submission of your new book.
I responded by saying that from my experience, the more successful a writer becomes, the tougher it gets to submit without worry.
Over the weekend, I watched a wonderful clip by Elizabeth Gilbert about nurturing creativity. It specifically deals with genius as well as the worry a writer feels after having published a hit.
Anyway, I thought of you and wanted to share it, in case you haven’t seen it. I hope it is okay to post the link here, if not, just wipe it out.
I have no absolutely interest in sharing this other than I loved it and thought it would be nice to share it with a fellow writer.
http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Once again, Happy New Year!
2010 wasn’t hideous for me, but it was more than a bit unfair to a large number of my friends. More people out of work than I care to think about, or dealing with truly disfunctional workplaces. Here is to the hope that 2011 will be a nicer gentler year on all of us.
2010 wasn’t kind to me, either – a hysterectomy followed by a bad auto accident that left me with a broken neck and soft tissue injuries that still prevent me from driving. I didn’t do any of those rituals, but I am determined to make 2011 better. I hope your 2011 is blessed.
you forgot to say “rabbit, rabbit”! it’s probaby ok, though…. i think you did everything else that could be done, hehe 😉
i hope your 2011 goes better than 2010 did.
While I did stop to officially acknowledge the countdown to midnight, many New Year’s efforts fell by the wayside as I tried to stay atop a pile of work that kept right on coming, despite Christmas and New Year’s. Part of me worries about what that means, because it can’t be good to feel as if you’ve ignored much of Christmas and the coming of the new year, but I try to look at it as a good sign that work was what was keeping me so busy.
Here’s hoping 2011 is better for you — and the world, in general.
2010 had some pretty big quantities of excellent for me: I went to Egypt and got a new job that is in the field I wanted to be in, rather than a job to kind of hold me until I got there. But I watched it kick the buns of many friends and family and there are some things still to be faced down. But we’ll get there. And we’ll knit through it all. At least we have that to remind us that we’re smart, capable people.
Wishing you a MUCH BETTER 2011!!
Here’s hoping you have a great 2011. There have been several crappy days here that have been helped greatly by reading your blog. Thankyou so much for that.
This year my youngest is starting school. (In Australia the school year starts in Feb). I’m going to miss him like crazy, but I won’t pretend I’m not looking forward to some quality quiet knitting time!
Here’s to a happy and productive year for all of us!
(And I’ll add to the calls for that gorgeous baby cardi. My brother & his wife are expecting their third child in Feb – he/she will need some new stuff so it’s not all hand-me-downs!)
My dear Stephanie:
I wonder if we are related…your 2010 is what I (we, my Joe and I) have gone through…but more severely…I could tell you stories of “that” year that would curl your toes… Let’s visualize the end of 2011, as my oldest daughter has suggested, were we will have a whole new outlook (and gratefulness) for life and its surprises….really..it would be hard for things to get any worst!
I wish you well, I wish you health, peace and blessings.
I picked up one of your books at a very low and tearful summer a few months ago. You lifted my spirits. You are gifted….
Thank you,
Maria
Did you eat black-eyed peas or lentils on new year’s day? That’s a popular one as well.
good riddance 2010.
I think quite a few people are happy to see the back end of 2010. Whilst in reality, and in comparison, my 2010 was relatively uneventful, it seemed an endless and tiring year. I’m hopeful that 2011 is better.
In hopes for a better year, I cleaned (most of) the house and before we went out for the evening, extinguished a white candle just before we crossed the threshold and lit a green candle when we crossed back over. I was filled with a feeling of hope and wellbeing that I hope is from dreams yet realized and not just euphoria from lack of sleep.
I did laundry on New Year’s Day, which I hope isn’t a bad sign. Check on me if I don’t comment for awhile, since it was half mine and half my partner’s laundry.
May your family enjoy a year full of joy and laughter. And baby giggles.
I don’t think I know anyone who had a good 2010, something about it seemed to kick everyone I know up the arse in one way or another (me and my husband included) maybe the planets were aligned in a funny way or something? Who knows.
I hope 2011 is much better for you and that all of your family members and friends finish it with as many body parts as they started with.
Take care and enjoy the new babies when they come.
Laura xxx
Yes, 2010 was not a good year – 2nd major back surgery in 3 years, 2 hospital stays and one incurable condition, and a partridge in a …..
2011 better be better!
You will post the baby sweater won’t you? So cute, even I (the kid curmudgeon) would knit it.
Meanwhile, I’m sitting here reading your post thinking, “Crap! I did the laundry on New Years Day! Why was I not alerted about this taboo?”
Wonder why the pearly gray and white stripes of the baby sweater show up olive green and beige on my screen…your combo sounds much nicer.
I agree 2010 was a nasty year. Good bye 2010 hope to never see the likes of you again! Here is to a Happy, healthy 2011. Bye the way Steph I had a UTI the last three months of 2010, boy that pissed me off.
Wish you a much better 2011 than 2010.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
It’s terrible bad luck to have someone who lives in the house be the first foot.
Were it not for all the other precautions you took I’d say you were screwed.
For what it’s worth, I think 2011 will be a good year for you. If you’d like I can put together a few wee good luck charms to send on to you to fend off the bad luck from the first footing incident. (Totally free of charge.)
You never know, if my work permit comes in time and we can afford my trip home to Scotland and the sock pilgrimage, my wife can bring them along to you there!
All the best for 2011. Lang may yer lum reek.
This new year just about HAS to be better, with the new babies and all. I do hope you’ll post the sweater pattern.
I am already missing my calendar – wish now I had saved to pages to start over with!
I’ll add my 2 cents with most everyone else here: I agree…2010: GOODBYE. It WAS a crappy year for the health of loved ones in my family too. Here’s to wishing everyone here a peaceful 2011. Thank God for knitting and knitting people!
Happy, happy new year Stephanie: As someone who “rang” in the new year with a cold and multiple writing deadlines and also had a crapiocca year, I understand. I hope that 2011 will bring you all the goodies that your new year’s eve rituals promise.
I think my 2-year old great niece set the new year right by taking her first poop-in-the-pot on 1/1/11 after announcing the previous day “no more diapers, momma.”
Here’s hoping that loved-ones and all other sentient beings (including good ole Momma Earth) are well and happy, that which needs to be done gets done just matter of factly.
Back to my second sock and more vitamin C.
Thanks for all the laughter and less boisterous reflection you bring to my life and the lives of so many others.
Happy new year!
~Cynthia
Here’s to a far better year…
I just wanted to wish you a very happy, healthy, wealthy, and SAFE New Year. I, too, wasn’t all that sad to see the tail end of 2010. Thank goodness THAT year is over. Let’s hope that 2011 is a bright, beautiful, and wonderful year. There are lots of scary changes happening here, including a force cross-country move, but here’s hoping that change is GOOD. At least that’s been my mantra.
I now have a good reason for why I blew off laundry on New Year’s Day. Score! (I’d much rather go with superstitions and good luck than the sheer laziness I suspect it actually was.)
Wishing you a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2011.
Laundry? Oh, no. Wait — I think my husband did it on New Years Eve. Whew, you scared me there.
Nearly Seamless.
Yep. That’s what I’m wishing for you and yours. May your year be nearly seamless, Stephanie.
Oh I didn’t know about or do any of those rituals – sounds like fun in a way. I did have money in my wallet; maybe that will help. Best wishes to you for 2011. I clicked your link on the new book and am very much looking forward to it. If you are still taking sock of the month suggestions, may I suggest a few from CookieA…. angee, rick and milo from Sock Innovation and marilinda, sake, and stalagmite from knit sock love. I haven’t knitted any of these but hope to!
As a person who had a similar spectacularly bad year, including a broken leg and some things you really don’t want more information on, I’m with you, Steph! Hooray to 2011!
Let’s hear it for new beginnings! My first knitting will be to finish my Sock Summit 2009 first socks! Seems like a great way to start!
At one point in 2010 I tempted the fates by asking if there was anything else they’d care to toss at me, they did. I’m really hoping 2011 is an improvement, hope it works out for you too. Could have used that good luck list, I did some laundry, sigh…
Happy New Year Stephanie you’ve been a consistent bright point, thanks
Amen sister! I love that sweater and I hope (ah to hope!) that one of my friends has a little one to knit that for before the year is out.
“Craptastic.” Yeah, good word for it. My year was that, too.
Thank goodness that the years go by, sheep keep on growing wool and I haven’t had both my hands mangled in a freak housekeeping accident, which wouldn’t have surprised me at all last year.
Happy New Year, Dear Harlot. Pass me a beer, will ya?
Sorry that 2010 was so bad for you and yours. It was a bummer for me as well, having been totally blindsided by the loss of my job in May, and no luck yet getting back into the paycheck brigade.
The last time my job vanished was 2001; took 18 months to get back to work. I’m not superstitious, but 2001, 2010… notice those same 4 numbers???? So glad there are no more years in my lifetime that use exactly those four.
The upside has been, more time for knitting!! Of course, less cash for the stash, but hey… somehow it continues to thrive.
Here’s wishing you and yours a wonderful, happy, healthy, creative and prosperous 2011!
Love the baby sweater! I have a 7 month old who would look adorable in one just like it. 🙂
And speaking of babies, technically it’s a few months too early to decisively say you won’t be becoming a grandmother in 2011… not that I expect you will, just that December babies aren’t usually conceived until March or later. So, knock wood, I guess?
A Jewish New Year’s wish: Let the year and its curses end; Let the year and its blessings begin. Happy New Year, and may you have many happy posts to share with us.
Please make the baby sweater pattern available – it is lovely…
Every good wish for you and yours for the new year.
No calendar this year?? Good thing I’ve saved them! And I’ve pre-ordered the book……yay!
I can’t believe all the bad stuff wrought by 2010. The tales here are really scary. I have to join in – ours was really painfully forgettable, too.
DH and I did laundry on 1-1-11……well, it was Saturday, after all – laundry day! :-/ Hopefully our slip will be overlooked.
Looking forward to seeing the pattern for that wee sweater – not only because a new great-grandson was born about 14 hours ago, 9#, 15 oz. Ayden, up here in N. Minnesota.
Some of us still have “vintage” magazines – can you share the name??
An absolutely stunning 2011 to you and all you know, Stephanie. And to all who have written here. How we deserve a fantastically great one for a change!!
Me oh my that was a rough year for you and yours but with all you have done be sure this year will be much better for all. I don’t knit baby things but this one is one I wouldn’t mind trying. ALL the very best to you and all those you love.
I felt about 2006 like you did about this year – and lost three body parts that year. This year hasn’t been a prize either but still better than that year. . 2011 here I come………. woo hoo!
I agree. Good riddance, 2010. May the new year be a damn sight better than the old one! (I have a family member missing a body part, too. And just plain old missing family members, as well.)
Excellent timing. We’re expecting our first in April. I look forward to the parade of baby-knits inspiration. 2011 is going to be good year.
2010 sucked. I’ve had worse, mind you, but I was SO GLAD to see the backside of 2010 I cannot even tell you!
Here’s to 2011 being much much better!
We had a pretty crappy 2010, too. I’m hoping for a better one this year with you. Congrats on the new book and the babies.
Here’s to a better year! The last have of 2010 was pretty suck suck sucky, so I’m looking onward and upward to 2011. Beautiful sweater. I’m absolutely enamored by it.
Happy New Year, and best wishes for good things to happen. I hold you in my heart. Love, Sarah
2010 was okay, just because it was not 2009, the very worst year of my life.
Profound healing can come after profound pain, be open to it.
Two new babies, how wonderful! Can we play “Guess the Gender” again?
Happy New Year, sweet YarnHarlot!
You deserve the best.
Oh was I glad to see it gone too! 2009 was a bad year, thought it could not be topped… Ah was I wrong… oh so wrong. I am doing what I can to ensure that 2011 is a better year for all the people that I love… May you have a wonderful New Year Harlot and family!
The 2nd half of 2010 was our worst year ever, though we skipped some of the hospital parts and cut straight to the deaths. Like you, we are looking to the new year as an opportunity to find a new perspective, and some of it will come from our 2 granddaughters.
I’m not superstitious, but I do believe that rituals hold at least part of the power you give them, and therein lies their value – or curse, in the case of bad ones. And I also find that cleaning and organizing and clearing backlogs is very therapeutic. I finally finished an afghan that I’m donating to ProjectLinus.org, and it feels good. I think I’m going to borrow your sock-of-the-month idea to help me deal with the rest.
I like the idea of you writing a book about motherhood – you’ve kind of been doing it anyway, so might as well make it official. I can almost hear your publisher salivating.
Stephanie, thank you for the laughter and comfort that you have brought to me and so many others in 2010. Be peaceful, safe, and well.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, Stephanie, and may 2011 prove to be far better than last year – for everyone. I’m also grateful to see the back-side of 2010. I think, all in all, it was one of the worst years we’ve ever had. I know it kicked your clan’s arse – kicked our clan’s arse, as well.
I pre-ordered your book last month, and am looking forward to some badly-needed Chuckles and Other Good Stuff From Stephanie. Write On! heh heh
I would love to see you post that baby sweater pattern for sale (in your “spare” time – ha!).
Spin On!
Amen to the end of 2010–simply dreadful for my entire family.
May 2011 bring us ALL peace and finished objects that fit and flatter!
My 2010 was as bad as yours (body parts missing and all). My sentiments as 2010 left were also the same as yours (I just didn’t say arse, I said a%%)
On New Years Day I ate ham for health, beans for luck, and greens for a little cash. Wish I had known about the other rituals. I’m bookmarking this post for next year!
Hope this new year year sees you and your family healthy and happy!
It seems as though 2010 was tough all over. May 2011 bring us all peace, love, luck, and joy. Your family is lucky enough to get that joy twice over. happy knitting.
i love the sweater!
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The universe seeks balance, right? So 2011 is bound to be freaking fantastic!
There’s nothing more hopeful than a new baby – congratulations and a happy, happy new year to you and your family.
I so agree with you on 2010! I had surgery, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, discovered I was headed for Glaucoma, almost got divorced (seriously) and filed for bankruptcy!
The good thing? I taught myself to knit, am now hooked on lace and find it incredibly relaxing and stress busting – which is just as well!!
Wendy
Happy New Year to you and may 2011 be much better for you then 2010. In our family we light bayberry candles when the sun rises on New Years Day and if they burn down by sunset you’ll have good luck for the rest of the year.
AMEN! to the good riddance to 2010. Any year that you lose a mom (to cancer) and a daughter (in law – to divorce) and a job (to a corporate re-location) is a BAD year. Still not the worse year on record, but it’s a close second!
May the New year be better all around for all of us.
The baby jacket reminds me of growth rings on a tree.
Yeah, 2010 sucked for me, too, and went out with a particularly dramatic bang. 2011 is going to be SO much better!
I agree with everyone so far, 2010 was a very nasty year, we nearly lost our home, I still have a pain living above my garage and she isn’t a relative ,other than that, this year is already looking up. UTI’s I could write a book, cranberry juice or pills, a very good idea, lots of water,too. Take a positive attitude, blessings all around.
glad you made it! everyone who is anyone would miss you if you weren’t here. :o)
That was my FB status on New Year’s Eve…’Don’t let the door etc. etc.’ Unbelievably relieved to see the end of 2010. It was a rough one for me too. I’m a little worried now though…was unaware of all the superstitions. Have I jinxed myself for 2011? At least I got the first footer right. At some point, my husband turned off the Christmas lights. He’s tall and dark. Whew.
2010 had some good times and some really horrible times. I’m looking for good things this year. The refrigerator died yesterday, but I refuse to take it as an omen, just an isolated incident. Hope!!
Happy New Year, Ms. Pearl-McPhee. Peace, blessings, and JOY!
Although it was never marketed for this reason, Alka-Seltzer can knock out a UTI. Just thought I would throw that out there as an alternative to antibiotics. Be well.
noticed that another Anita writes- I am from BC.
All I wanted to say was….. Happy Happy New Year Stephanie and thanks for all the days of enjoyment with your blog. You are truly gifted at writing. I hope this year brings nothing but health and happiness and lots of socks!!
It is a nice, plain little sweater. I quite like the idea of grey for babies – that way one wouldn’t have to worry about a little dirt getting on it.
I can’t for the life of me remember you talking about anyone loosing a body part during the year…unless Joe had a vasectomy…
Anyway, Happy New Year and best wishes for a terrific 2011!
Happy New Year and best wishes!
2010 was a year of Tiger in Chinese horoscope, and tigers may be vicious and bloodthirsty and behave just as you describe. This year is ruled by rabbit&cat – much nicer animals! I hope it will be much-mach better for you and your loved ones!
Glad you are glad not to be a grandmother – you and your daughters are too young; however, when the time is right – oh, my dear! How sweet it is! May you have the experience when the time is right.
I have not had a bad year, but have had a goodly share of bad ones – they totally suck, especially when loved ones are hurting. Here’s to turning the page and moving forward! Health and happiness to you and yours.
You’re a sock knitter that does not like knitting in the round!?
I had never heard of the “First Footer” tradition, but when you mentioned it, I made sure it happened. Both my older boys were out for the evening (both are TAAAAALLLLLL and dark-haired) and they both came IN after midnight. And we ate black-eyed pea soup for dinner on New Year’s Day. I hope that is enough to bring us good luck….Lord knows we need a better year than 2010.
Please post the pattern for the lovely baby sweater!!!!! I’m expecting my first child in April and I have 2 colors of handspun I’d love to make into that sweater for her.
Hello: I hope 2011 brings you much hope and joy. I am with the majority of others – hoping you make this adorable baby sweater pattern available to all of us. Thank you.
Hope 2011 is much better for you too. Our 2010 wasn’t the best either but not the worst. I too hope you post the pattern for the sweater.
Happy New Year! May 2011 be much better than 2010
Happy New Year to you and your family, I am sending you good energy for 2011. May I add my voice to those who are asking for the baby jacket pattern, it is adorable and I have a new grand baby it would look adorable on!
2010 was a tough year for us as well. It didn’t end all that great, my 7 year old was in the hospital for an ulcer and that is where we were until today, the third. Hoping that 2011is a better year for your family as well as ours. Looking forward to a great year of post from you Stephanie.
Love your blog and wanted to tell you how much your writing, insight, candor and authenticity added to all of the years I’ve been reading you. I’ll go pre-order your book and join in the request for the pattern. This year, inspired by you, I am starting a self-imposed fingerless mitt of the month kit. I have elderly folks who I love whose wrists and knuckles could use some warming up… I’d never have thought to do it kitwise without you. Never stop knitting.
We thought it was just us..who knew the entire continent had the year from Hell!
We toasted the end of 2010,with a glass half full! Looking to gentle transitions in 2011 for all…
Here’s to 2011, may it be better than 2010 and serve us all well!
Stephanie – Our family had a crappy year too. Lots of my friends did, and from reading through some of the posts…I think 2010 wasn’t all that hot for most people.
Looking forward to Sock Summit…
Wishing you the best in 2011!!!
Here is to wishing you a much happier and better 2011…it’s gonna be a great year for all of us.
Can’t wait for the new book!!!
Hope you have a very good new year.
I sincerely hope, with all my heart, that this year is as good for you as last year was bad…
Oddly, my husband and I rang in the New Year with colds and me with a UTI as well … and, aside from the kitchen fire, had a similar year, which included my husband losing a part of his body a week before Christmas and spending all of Christmas break unable to lift our 2.5 year old and cranky, teething 10 month old.
It was awesome.
Hope to see the sweater pattern and I’ve been waiting for the book, I’m so excited too!!
Amen. Good riddance to 2010, and I am expecting things to turn for the better in 2011. That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, so we should kick ass this year, right?
Best of luck to you in 2011.
May last year’s bad times pave the way for this year’s good.
What you said Steph! Goodbye 2010, you sucked and happy to see you go! For me it was a new job (good), a separation and move from a big house to a little apartment (bad), two new kittens (good), left my older cats behind (bad, but they go with the big house, which is linked to the grand piano which is linked to the ex-husband), two awesome kids who are rolling with these changes (good), and a mutual decision for a friendly divorce (OK).
Glad I didn’t know of all those superstitions, or I would have done them all …
Here’s to a Happy(happier) New Year to you and yours, and to all!
Happy New Year–at least, happier than last year, certainly. My family always took an empty purse outside at midnight and yelled, “Fill it up, Moon!” in the hopes of a prosperous New Year. But I think your tradition of having actual, I dunno–CASH–in the wallets/purses is better. 🙂
But I digress (without ever actually ever starting on my point, even). I was wondering if your new book would be coming out in e-Book format. I just got a Nook, and now I find myself scouring the stores for things I can get in more than one format. Just a thought. 🙂
the sweater is adorable and i cannot wait to meet those who will be wearing your gifts! here’s to you and yours for handling a difficult year with grace and wit! 2011 is full of good karma for us all!
Oh, hooray, a new book! When?
Let me add my best wishes for the very best year ever for you and yours. We all enjoy your writing so much, we wish we could change the bad junk that lands in your life, too.
Oh man, I am so glad 2010 is over. Our plane was late arriving home, so my husband and I rang in the new year realizing one of our bags didn’t make it home. Didn’t have a chance to do all the pre new year cleaning. Oh well. It’s 2011. I embrace the new year with enthusiasm and eagerness.
Sounds like my 2009 moved to your place when we kicked it out; I apologize for forgetting to shove a GPS unit in its hands (no fingerless gloves for it) set to somewhere mid-ocean sans boat.
But this year! A new baby in the family means falling in love all over again with a brand new person with brand new eyes seeing the world. And two babies! Best wishes to the expecting mother(s?), and that little jacket is a triumph of celebration. To life!
Looking forward to 2011, too. 2010 wasn’t the worst, but the lows were too low. The blessings have offset most of it.
I love all the fun rituals you performed. I especially liked the candles, not doing the laundry, but the cleaning is too much with all the other holiday comings and goings.
Your book is on pre-order. When can I get you to sign it?
Hi Stephanie, I recently purchased the Encompass pattern. I did not realize that it is chart only and I do not yet understand how to knit from a chart. Would you happen to have the same pattern but in written form? If not, I will save it for some time in the future after I learn to knit from a chart. We are getting ready to move to Alaska next week and was hoping to take this on the plane. I did buy cheaper yarn to make it just in case I mess it up. If it works out okay then I will get the good stuff and make myself another one. My other email address is thecrossens@yahoo.com so could you please reply to both? That way, if my computer has already been packed then I can check the yahoo at the library before we leave. Thanks so much for your books, too! I love them!!!
2010 was the nastiest year I have ever experienced, especially on the injury front …. bring on 2011 I say and happy new year to all.
I’m certainly glad 2010 is over for your family. My heart froze at the fire and body parts. Egads, simply a rasher of heavy stuff. And, what is it about wee baby clothing, my heart just melts. I am thinking it is the hope made manifest.
the sweater jacket is the dearest! hoping you will post the pattern when you catch your breath. 2011 is supposed to be the year of the rabbit….and a very happy one!
I’m a little apprehensive about 2011, being as it’s going to start with two root canal jobs . . . but on the bright side, at least I can afford dental care and live where I can get it done. Beats two abscessed teeth!
Yeah, glad to see 2010 go. It started with my losing my mother and my husband’s father becoming badly disabled after a heart attack and stroke. Well. . .at least we didn’t lose our home like so many this year. Since we spent the year mopping up and grieving, we are very eager for a year that isn’t 2010, whatever it may bring.
I love your list of superstitions (though I hope we don’t spend the year doing what we were doing at midnight, which was bickering with the kids over which Times Square broadcast to watch.) Wishing you joy, new book and new babies, and all the good you can handle in 2011!
So thats the trick and secret??? That’s it. I am never doing laundry again!
Happy New Year!
I hope that 2011 is better for you. In fact I hope that they are all better for you and that when you’re cracking jokes with the family on your 104th birthday you can all recall how the worst year ever was 2010.
It’s a year of babies, and what a lovely start to get this stripey wonder all done and ready. I am waiting on two January babies and twins in May. SO exciting and inspirational! Don’t know the sex of any of them. 2011 has to be better cheers to that xxx
Your coins were stolen last year?! That just gives me a nasty feeling. =/ Here’s to 2010 making its sorry way out of here!
Happy New Year!
Happy 2011 to you and yours! I’m planning and hoping for a year full of joy and laughter.
Yep, less body parts in this family too. Do I recall you had another UTI recently? What HAVE you been up to?? Ha ha. Do you know about the benefits of cranberry juice? Can have a preventative effect. Works as a kind of natural antibiotic. Changes the urothelium making it harder for the bacteria to attach and multiply. Caffeine is also bad. Sorry about that!
I knitted that baby cardi too! and I have the original pattern book – Phildar from the early 80s when my children were born.
Happy new year!
Man do I hear ya about 2010! It was definitely a challenging year! Since the end of December 2009 I’ve had 3 really dear friends die, a relative who went through chemo and radiation therapy for cancer,and another start chemo for an autoimmune disease, and assorted other crap. It was a tough year. There was a real bright side to 2010, my niece had a beautiful baby boy. He’s so cute that all you want to do is cuddle him. I hope that 2011 is much kinder to both of us and that you and yours have a banner year to make up for 2010. I just wish I had known all the superstitions and rituals that you do. I just might have given them a go!!! Great baby sweater!
Well, I’d say you have all your ducks in a row for this year! 😀
Love that cute lil sweater! Precious.
2010 totally sucked rocks for me, too. And now that I think about it, I’m missing a body part, too (gall bladder). I also lost my cat of 19 years. Yeah, good riddance 2010.
I had that Phildar book once, but it’s long gone. I could certainly use that sweater pattern – TWO babies due in February.
Happy New Year, Stephanie, to you and all your family.
Carol in Stratford-upon-Avon
Happy New Year. All the luck to you.
I can’t believe you posted a picture of the baby sweater that has been in my head for some time now. I have the yarn but have not been able to figure out just where the heck I saw the pattern. Yes, I should be able to figure out for my self how to make it, but with work and other life things going on, well, I’m okay with taking the less-pressure road toward the goal. If you can post where to find the pattern, I’d be extremely grateful!! And I could finally get that yarn out of the stash!!
Thank you!! and best wishes for the new year–you certainly did your homework for insurance!!
Happy knitting!
Laura
Happy New Year, and good luck to you and yours. Your writing always brings me laughter when I need it. Here’s hoping 2011 brings you more to laugh about!
OK, so I am out of step with the universe. For me, 2010 brought two beautiful new daughters–my sons were both married–and a surprise arrival of the first great-nephew, 5 weeks early. It will be hard for 2011 to be better than that. He was home for Christmas, and his grandmom and two great aunts are knitting baby stuff like crazy. Please post the sweater–it’s perfect.
good riddance to 2010 here, as well:
my kids’ beloved gram died, there were job problems (including ds STILL not having one) and dd finished the year by triggering a 4-car bumper-thumper that probably totaled her cherished toyota (but nobody got hurt, luckily).
so a hearty goodbye to a sucky year!
may 2011 be SOOOOO much better for us all. (and there’s a new harlot book to anticipate this year. wonder if i can resist buying it long enough to make choosing my b’day gift easy for my kids . . . )
Your new book is being published on my birthday. That can only mean one thing – road trip to Northampton! I’ll invite a few friends – we’ll have a party 🙂
Sounds like your 2010 was like my 2004…after several illnesses including blood transfusions and then cancer diagnosis and treatment, I asked the universe, “What next?” well, I found out! Undiagnosable medical problems, job loss, flood! Yeah, lots of fun. My take away–never ask what next. I see why you would definately take no chances!
2010 was a pretty nasty year here too. Here’s hoping 2011 is better for all of us! Happy New Year!
Steph, I can sympathize with all of your description of 2010. I’m SOOOOOOOO glad to see it gone.
BTW, you’re the first person I’ve met outside my family who does the ‘silver thing’ — an inheritance from my Scots grandmother via Dad. My sister and I do it every year.
Let’s hope and pray that 2011 is a better year.
Barb
Speaking of babies, I need to knit something for the little one arriving next month…maybe using a yarn from my iPhone app, Yarn U?
Twice is better than once ! So :
Happy new year to you Stephanie, Bonne année à vous Stephanie
Annie
You were much kinder to 2010 than I was: I hoped that the door WOULD hit it in the ass on the way out! It was a spectacularly lousy year for us as well.
If karma is truly a boomerang, then all the good you have sent out into the universe will surely circle back your way this year. Welcome, 2011!
I am glad to see the end of 2010. When I was a kid in England, we also open the back door to let the old year out and then the front door to let the new year in.
Happy New Year!
I must have the same vaguely remembered sweater lurking in my head as you because that is SPOOKILY perfect. Please, oh lovely Harlot of the Yarnyness, please write that pattern up. PLEASE?
The sweater is so charming. I love the colours.
Have a wonderful 2011
I had my black-eyed peas with collards and corn bread on the first just to help out this year. I missed them last year, which I think makes a difference. I want this year to run a bit smoother than the last. Wishing you the best. 🙂
Love the sweater, I’m going to have to get going on tiny baby clothes myself as I’m going to be a grandmother again in June.
I’m so with you about the craptastic 2010, good bye and good riddance. 2011 can only be better (and, with 2 money making projects for our business and 2 interviews for real, paying jobs coming up in the next couple of weeks… there’s more better in the first two weeks of 2011 than happened in all of 2010).
Will the new book have knitting patterns in it? Just need to know what format to buy–if no patterns, then e-book; if patterns, must buy hard copy. Just one of those weird little quirks where I have to have knitting patterns on paper.
Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy and much better than last New Year! Looking forward to the new book.
I don’t actually believe in superstitions either, but now I’m worried because I didn’t do any of those things and I haven’t even heard of most of them! I hope 2011 is a wonderful year for you and your family- you deserve it.
I’m sorry last year was so sucktastic for you, but I’m giggling maniacally about Joe going outside and standing in the freezing cold for two minutes, and with a cold. I’m also sorry to hear about the laundry thing, as I collected all the random laundry strewn about the house and we washed clothes all day long. (Amazing to see my closet full again when things had been in such a state that I literally wore the same three things over and over, washing them about twice a week.)
All the best to you and your family in 2011!
I never realized there were so many superstitions for New Years. I may have to adopt some for fun next year. I hope they work for you this year and that 2011 will make you forget the sorrows of 2010!
at my quick glance it read like you WERE becoming a grandmother! happy and healthy new year to all steph.
Wishing all of us the very best year ever!
Happy New Year! I have total faith that this year will be better for you than last year. If the coins were still there in the morning, this year has to be better! I’m so excited about your new book, and happy for Joe and his new studio!
Oh, and I wanted to say that I really love that Elizabeth Gilbert video, and thank you to the person who mentioned it! I think that you’ll probably really like it.
Once again, Happy New Year! May the joy and successes of this year erase the sadness of the last!
I love the little sweater. It would be perfect for little brand new boys, which I always have trouble finding a pattern for. I would love to see this pattern shared 😉
Happy New Years to you and may all your “tricks” work!
I had an aweful 2010…I’m with you girl..let’s get it in 2011!!!
Love the baby jacket!! Please write a pattern, I would love to make one!
I only requested that 2010 not *break* the door on its way out! We also took a serious beating in 2010, with enough stress to live my eyesight still wonky and recovering. Sorry to hear about your 2010 — we at least missed out on fires and missing body parts (save what feels like a loss of sanity some days!)
I made sure the newly-installed library was in order, cleaned the house from top to bottom, and we had a couple friends over for a most enjoyable, albeit quite NYE. There was even knitting and the teaching of knitting in the round!
Here’s to a bright 2011. New decade — new start. All the best to you and yours!
I love the cover of the new book, the title, and cannot wait until it is published.
See, I would have LET the door hit it in the arse on its way out. Happy New Year, Steph!
Hoping for all the best for you & yours for 2011! I’m feeling optimistic as well! Thanks for all you do, keeping us all amused and enlightened!
We got through 2010 relatively unscathed and I’m hoping for the same for 2011. I’ve preordered your new book!! and that little sweater is so beautiful, you will be sharing the pattern correct? 🙂
I’m so with you on saying goodbye to 2010. I remember having high hopes for 2010, after the disaster that was 2009, so I was not best pleased when 2010 turned out to be worse. But that hasn’t stopped me from having the highest of hopes for 2011, which I just know is going to be a great year!
I have to say 2010 started out ok and then around August went to H. in a basket. Wish I had known about all those good ideas to insure a good year. Personally knitting and prayers seem to be my coping skills. Hope this year is a good one for you and your family and mine too. See you at the Summit.
2010 was the worst year of my life so far for several reasons (none knitting related. That was the only part that didn’t suck), and I’m sorry to hear that yours was worse than I had even gleaned from your blog.
May 2011 be the turning point where things only get better! Love to you and yours x
*hangs head in embarassment* I have to admit that 2010 was an amazingly good year for us. But in 2003 it got so bad I just KNEW there must be something to bad planets lining up and paying off bad karma. Got to where I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh hysterically….
Good news is now you should be having clear sailing for at least five years. Happy New Year Stephanie! It gets better…I promise.
so if all i did was have people over and drink too much whiskey, does that mean i’m screwed for 2011?
Ok, so my worst year 2006 ended up being a turning point and life changing part of who/what I am now. Jan 6 will the 5 year anniverary of my surviving a significant stroke for which I am still recovering from and knitting has been intrumental in engaging my left hand in becoming more functional. I still can only type onehanded.
Three weeks after my stroke in 2006 my husband of 28 years was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away before the end of 2006. My daughters anbd I have done our best to move forward. I have met a new partner and we are travelling/living on a boat in Florida, So things can only get better. Attitude is everything. In a year you will look back and see how great everything can be. All the best for 2011.
I’ve got my fingers crossed for a good year too, but just in case, one of my resolutions is to wake up each morning and find something to be enthusiastic about. I’m hoping the feeling will carry over into my day, even if it’s a day that’s not particularly great. I’m optimistic.
Here’s wishing you and all your family a fabulous New Year. To paraphrase a line from the (Jewish) New Year liturgy, ‘May the old year end, with all its curses, and may the new year begin, with all its blessings!.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Craptastic year. Check. My mother passed away and my sister subsequently has filed eviction proceedings against me. With a lot of complications, as you can well imagine, I believe that I own the house she is evicting me from. Blah! Blah! Blah! No missing body parts, however… yet. I have a great sampler that says, “I haven’t been the same since that house fell on my sister.”
Two good things in 2010 though and they involve you. I missed the Rockin’ Sock Club so much I took money from one pot (the IRS for April 15) and put it into another pot (RSC 2011). I was a member in 2009 and loved your Rogue Roses socks. I kept compulsively thinking about the lovely socks that I was missing out on. So, I borrowed from Uncle Sam to pay the folks at Blue Moon. In spite of the possible fallout, little Judy is happy at last. That’s how I started the New Year out right.
Second, I took your pattern for an Unoriginal Hat and knitted it for a friend with some hideous chunky handspun. We live in Minnesota and she needed a hat for snowblowing. In spite of the odious nature of the yarn that the hat was knit with, mon ami loved the hat. So, hmmm. It knit up in a couple of hours. Next, riding on up to my mailbox comes the Sundance Catalog with your unoriginal hat with earflaps, braided ties and a huge tassle on the cover. Snap! I stole the basic design and added all of the flaps, braided ties, and tassel to your hat. I knit a bunch for Christmas gifts and everyone loved them. While I still give you ample credit, I now call the hat “The Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Double Rip-Off Snowblower Hat”.
Thanks, Stephanie, for being a blessing in my world. Maybe it should not matter, but it does, that SP-McP had a craptastic year too, but she’s still knitting.
Best wishes for a very happy new year.
Judy Van Cleve
Sweet little sweater, you know, I was just thinking before I read your blog today about how you used to knit little sweaters for babies and it seems such a long time since you’ve knit any. Congratulations to you and your clan for surviving another “challenging” year, at the very least you can say you weren’t bored and congratulations for the new arrivals. Actually I am quite envious, I have been aching to have babies to hold and knit for, but alas none of my children are in place where having children would be wise and I myself am done bearing my own, so I wait, not contently mind you, but I wait.
I have to drop in every so often and let you know I adore you and to wish you a happy new year!
2010 kicked our butts too. Family tragedy, bank accounts emptied and would you believe – a run to the E.R. with the dog a day before Christmas because he ate two pounds of Christmas fudge and resembled a deranged meth addict. Imagine that bill. Two days until the new year and the same dog gets himself killed by a car. The year literally went out with a bang. A jolt.
2011 will be a good year. I promise. But keep that back door locked, just in case.
Really? I have to say that 2010 was better than 2009, where every month was a major crisis of health, both mentally and physically. Even my car took a hit. So I was glad to see 2010, thought it was a better year even when it culminated in my son’s finacee calling off the wedding a week after Thanksgiving and officially breaking it off on Christmas, by phone. Yep, 2009 was so bad that all the badness of 2010 was meek in comparison. So we all have to be due for a good year. I just wish I would have done all those good luck things to bring it in. Crap. Oh well, as one of my friend’s said “2011-don’t be a bitch.”
That baby sweater is beautiful!! Are you going to post it anywhere we can buy it – like Ravelry? I’m thinking of several upcoming babies and that jacket is darling. May you and yours have the best year ever in 2011 and may 2010 end up being a good beer story.
Amen to that! I counted the days until 2010 was done, and have felt remarkably better just to be living in 2011– I think I may have finished the hard work of embracing change and beginning to feel excited about the unknown as it unfolds.
Not only did 2010 suck but the entire decade was just one pesky thing after another. I would say that I’m happy to see 2011 but there have already been enough hiccups to think we may not be out of the woods yet. I will try to keep a positive attitude and hope things will get better. Hope everyone has a good year.
i hadn’t heard a lot of those traditions. I hope they do the job for you in the next year.
One more superstitious tradition for you….we always eat Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day. It’s a southern thing, a stew with ham, rice, and black eyed peas. The one year we didn’t eat it I got in a car crash the first week of January, so I believe in it! You might want to look it up…..
THANK YOU STEPHANIE!!!!! Thank you for sharing your talent and humor all the while 2010 was cocking up your life. Ever since your post about the mysterious, bad thing that was going on (when you were absent from the blog for a bit), I’ve wondered if things were turning around in your little corner of the universe. I’m sending my strongest hope that 2011 will make amends for you.
I was just going to add the Hoppin’ John thing. We always eat it on New Year’s Day, too. It’s believed that eating black eyed peas in New Year’s will being you good luck. So, if you can’t find a Hoppin’ John recipe you like, any black eye’d peas recipe should do the trick. I ate lots this year, hoping it would improve my 2011 luck. I wish I had known about some of your other rituals. I would have been all over them too. I think 2010 must have been a sucky year for quite a few people.
2010 was a rough one in some ways (great in others), and I have no idea what 2011 will bring. I keep telling myself, and everyone who will listen, that no matter what happens, 2011 will be better if we take care of each other than if we don’t. Did I get that from you?
Seems like lots of us had a rotten year. Mine was not good either and gave me one last parting kick – a fender-bender the afternoon of December 31. Good riddance 2010 and hello to a better 2011!
Wow, 2010 sucked for you, too? I lost four family members all within 2 months of each other, my husband got laid off, my parents talked of divorce and are sleeping in different rooms, a crappy union contract was passed at my work and will make me hate my job more in the coming years, and my sister got hit with a questionable DUI. Those are the major things.
I hope 2011 is a much better year for all. Happy New Year.
Chinese astrology has last year as year of the tiger. Claws.
This year is the year of the rabbit. Angora.
wait a second, the title of that book is a taunt! “the yarn harlot writes for a spin?” i thought you had written a spinning book! will you write a spinning book? is there already a canon of spinning humour i should know about?
Happy New Year, Stephanie,
This has been a really rough year for me, too. I am hugely grateful for having survived it.
That is my favorite baby sweater pattern. I make several a year. This last one used 1 ball of “new” yarn (Lime green from my stash actually) and 1 ball of various scraps tied together. Came out really cool. I am currently auditioning buttons.
Let’s have a really great 2011!!! You know, to make up for 2010…
Julie in San Diego
dragondotr on blogspot
I hope your 2011 is completely awesome! Sure sounds like you deserve a good year! Mine’s not starting out too well, as I’ve already lost a dear friend who was quite young, and one of my 9 month old kittens to FIP. I just have to think that it’ll get better!
Happy New Year to you! …and there’s reason to believe that this year may be better than the last. Here’s to triumph over adversity, yes, slogging along day in and week out and eventually finally getting to higher, drier ground counts as triumph, and here’s to brighter days ahead.
Thank you so much for sharing your family’s holiday photos. It was lovely to see how you celebrate the season. The baby sweater was charming, gentle and gender neutral. I’m getting a bit tired of all the “in your face” colors we’re using for little ones and the generic white or yellow’s are a bit ho-hum. You’ve inspired me.
Thanks for sharing your troubles this year. It must have been hard to share some of those private and painful events, but your readers appreciate the honesty. We had a crap year too, hospitals, bills, unemployment- everything. It helped to know that we weren’t in it alone – that even though we kept calm and carried on- other people had crappy days too- lots of them- and sometimes got angry about it. I remember when you had to leave Sock Summit in the middle- and you did it, because your a mom and you had too- but you were kind of pissed. That made me feel better about all the times I do what I have to do as a mom, but have a moment when I’m annoyed by it. We all love our families, and would do anything for them , but it helps to know that we’re not alone in thinking that sometimes it’s all just a bit much.
My year was so bad I sit and cry whenever I have time, which is never. This is the year that is going to be different — I just know it! I’m sure you’re tired of everyone wanting your patterns, but I, too, would love the baby sweater pattern.
All the ones I have are not appealing to me right now, but that one does. Happy new year and continuing thanks for the best blog around.
We tried the black-eyed peas thing for 2010, and it was one of the lousiest years on record – my birth mom died and her husband’s health really deteriorated, my birth brothers aren’t speaking any more, my dad started forgetting things (he’s 86), a good friend who HAD to know better got addicted to meth and his brother (the reason he had to know better) stole his TV and other electronics to pay off HIS dealer, my stepmother and brother couldn’t manage a civil one-week visit, I broke my thumb, and I almost had to declare bankruptcy. So black-eyed peas were out; we ate pork instead. I never heard of the other superstitions!
Wishing you and your family all the best for 2011!
Where can I get the pattern for the baby sweater? It’s great!!
Happy New Year Steph..hope this one’s better. Did you get any Three Kings Cards in the mail? If you hang one behind a door (any door – cabinets, closets, etc.) you’re supposed to have good luck in the new year. I have them all over my house. I’m afraid to take any down in case they really are working =). Let me know if you need one..I’ll send one to you and promptly loose your address =)
and lovely lovely baby sweater.
Happy New Year.
Will you be publishing the baby pattern? I have two babies to knit for this year as well, so far. I’m becoming a great aunt and a good friend’s wife is expecting.
I made hoppin’ john…. black beans and rice.. for good luck..
oh please oh please let us all have the pattern for that darling sweater… please oh please.. I love your blog..
I knew there was a reason I wasn’t doing laundry over New Years! I forgot about that last year 🙁
On New Years day, I did several loads of washing, cleaned the entire house, and I’m usually extremely superstitchious (ha). But I didn’t know until I read your post that there are all these conditions to having a good year ahead. I’m a bit tentative about this year now…
Thank you for sharing your life with us, I always look forward to your posts.
Thank you sooooooo much! You solved a family mystery for me!
My Nana was Irish, and VERY superstitious.
Every New Years Day the black guy that worked in the garage next to Nana’s apt building would stop by for a cup of tea on his way to work.
I couldn’t figure out why a black person being the first to enter your house would be good luck! Esp since there aren’t a lot of blacks in Ireland. It made no sense. Couldn’t find any references to it anywhere
Well, everyone in the family had light colored hair!! He had black hair!
A darke haired man…………….whew!
I was thinking she was daft!
I also love that little baby jacket. We’ll be having a new little person in our family this spring. Every year has its ups & downs – I try to be grateful for the highlights, even though the saddest parts of 2010 were my friend and also my cat dying.
2010 was no picnic for us, either – just about every area of our lives was hit with major challenges – happy to see a new year, and looking forward to much better happenings in the coming year – blessings to you and your family in 2011
Yes, 2010….. nuff said.
Best wishes for a wonderful new year.
Stephanie, that is exactly the phrase I had in my mind on Dec. 31: “2010, don’t let the door hit you in the arse on the way out!” With a little bit of “and if you don’t move quickly you might feel my boot!” It was not a happy year for us. I didn’t have the wherewithal to do all those new year rituals, but I did a few, and I swear to FSM I felt things shift after midnight. It actually WAS a happy new year! Things actually CAN be different! And what a relief that is.
I also had similar thoughts thinking about 2011 as I put together our family calendar (the one that’s posted on the fridge and keeps us organized): we will have a lot going on this year, but they are all good things. Very hopeful!
Here’s hoping 2011 is better for us both. And congratulations on NOT being a grandma just yet. 🙂
I unexpectedly loss my husband at age 54 in 2010–the year truly was horrific. Stephanie–we are still standing and our challenges have made us stronger. May 2011 be better for all of us. Happy New Year and thank you for reminding me how to laugh! And for reminding me to keep on knitting.
Eee gads! I knew you had had a hard year but family missing body parts. Holy smokes.
2010 was totally a crap year. After our whole family gathered to celebrate my folks 50th wedding anniversary in June, my Dad died in November and my Mom died in December. Only saving grace is that my sisters and I get along so well. Without them I’d be a complete mess.