I try to pick a focus for my knitting each year. This year I decided to make it "Colorwork". Any type of color techniques that caught my attention. So far I have done fair isle and brioche. I also finished up a sweater I had started at the end of last year. I have been pretty monogamous with my knitting which is unusual for me. You sure do get projects done faster, but I have a feeling my monogamy is about over. Here is what I have finished so far and what is up next.

"Cassis" By Thea Colman that I knit using Valley Yarns Buckland. I love this yarn so of course it has been discontinue. Discontining it means it was on sale so I got two sweaters worth. This green and I also have a nice brown color. The yarn was wonderful to knit with. I love the way this has turned out and it is so warm and squishy.

A Cowl and Hat based on "Tangent" by Julia Barrowcliffe. I used Cascade Heritage Sock yarn for both the Tangent and Pressed Flower mitts below. That way they could all be a set.

"Pressed Flowers" by Richfield Collective fingerless gloves.

"Ring of Fire" by Nancy Merchant's from her book "Knitting Fresh Brioche" . This cowl was the most difficult thing I have worked on in a long time. Once I figured out the decrease and increases the brioche stitch has a very nice rhythm to it. Just don't make a mistake. Tinking it back is not easy. She shows you how to fix mistakes in the book. I was not brave enough to try it. So I tinked. I got this yarn at my LYS. It is a Mary Gavan Yarn in Canyon which is a cotton and rayon blend. Very lovely, soft and the rayon gives it a bit of a sheen.

Currently on my needles is another set of Fair Isle fingerless gloves "Winter Mix" by Grace Schnebly. I am using Frog Tree Alpaca sport from my stash.

My Fair Isle is getting much better. I use both of my hands to carry the two colors, one color in the right the dominant color in the left. I finally am knitting loser so my floats are not too tight. But, the winter knit mitts that I am currently working on seem really big. Maybe I have gotten too lose? I had one of my friends try them on and even though they look big they really weren't too big. I mean they could be a little bit smaller but they weren't giant on her. I am hopping that blocking them will be magical and they will be perfect.

Coming up for me is 2 very cool projects. First up is "Fox Paws" by Xandy Peters

I have loved this from the moment it came out. Talk about wonderful color work, this pattern really fits the bill, and yet it is not a hard knit. You are only carrying one yarn at a time making the strips into dramatic shapes using increases and decreases. I love it when something looks way harder then it is. I am going to be using Knitpicks Lindy Chain in ocean/beach colors.

The "Mermaid Me Blanket" is just one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I am using the yarn it calls for, Red Heart Boutique Swanky. Ok, I have to admit to being a yarn snob. I have never used Red Heart before. I could not find anything else that was this pretty for less money and mostly a lot more money. It has the sequins already on it and the colors are beautiful jewel tones. It is crochet project. I tend to like crochet projects in the summer time. I think the reason why is because I don't want to be working with wool and I don't enjoy knitting cotton all that much. But cotton and crochet are made for each other.

The third project I am starting after a finish the Winter Mix mitts are the "Morning Thistle" fingerless mitts by Martha Keep. I love these so much and I am going to do them in exactly the same colors. I will be using Knitpicks Capertta fingering which is merino and a touch of cashmere. These are just beautiful.

What have you accomplished so far this year. Do you have a focus for the year?