Self-Imposed Year of Projects

I've been doing a lot of thinking over the last few days (read: since I did my New Year post) and I've decided that while I like the idea of participating in the Year of Projects, I'm definitely too late. It's already halfway through at this point...however, there's nothing saying that I can't do a Self-Imposed Year of Projects...for me, myself, and I :)

So, that's the idea. I'm going to do a Self-Imposed Year of Projects...starting today, Saturday, January 7, 2012 and ending a year from now, on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Why did I pick such a random day? Well, it may be random to you...but today happens to be the anniversary of my birth. Yes, kids, today is my 32nd birthday. In reality, that makes today the beginning of "my" year...and what a wonderful way to do it, right?

Okay, maybe not. I may have this grand idea in my head and all these wonderful plans and then they'll just crash and burn all to hell. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that were to be the case. But, there's no harm in trying. It's not like I'm going to fall over and die if I absolutely fail at this, right?

Anyway, the ideas I had for my SIYOP (Self-Imposed Year of Projects) included:
1. Finishing up some WIPs
2. Participating in the 12 Hats in 2012 group...which isn't exactly a KAL (knit-a-long) but it kind of behaves as one in that the idea is that you make a hat every month and they do have actual KALs every month (and CALs, too...but I don't crochet...yet)
3. Finish four pairs of socks (they can be WIPs - and I have two of them as WIPs, actually three but one of them is a baby pair)
4. Learn a new technique which can be done while doing something else (two-color knitting, socks from the toe-up, intarsia, entrelac, different sock heels, etc.)
5. Do one "big" project (sweater, vest, etc.)
6. Baby stuff (no, I'm not pregnant!)...I'll include small children in this category, too

WIPs
1. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket. Yes, I know I said I'd have this done by Christmas 2011...oops. It didn't happen. I'm still about 70 rows out. I just need to sit and finish it. I figure a couple of rows every day will make it happen.
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks. These will also count toward one of my four pairs of socks. I have one sock finished and the second sock started.
3. Mama's Vanilla Socks. These will also count toward another of my four pairs of socks. I have the first sock started...
4. Baby Traveling Vines Socks. These will count toward items for baby...but not for socks. I have one finished and I'm maybe halfway through the cuff of the second one. It's not that these are difficult...I just have to find the project...and then my not-quite-a-pattern pattern. Hrm.
5. Little Man's Giraffe. This will count toward items for baby. I'm probably about 75% finished. I have to make the poms for the hair, the horns, attach the ears, make the tail, and do the spots...oh, and attach all those, too.
6. Icarus Shawl. I don't know if I necessarily want to count this one but, we'll see...it's currently in hibernation somewhere (not quite sure where).

12 Hats in 2012
1. Claudia by MJ Kim. This is the January KAL for the group noted above. I actually already started it and am about half-finished. I'll probably discuss it on Wednesday, if I don't finish it before then.
2. Odessa by Grumperina
3. Hermione Loves Ron by Christy Aylesworth
4. Habitat by Jared Flood (Need to purchase)
5. Ogre Babies by Dayna Sigl. Yes, this is a "baby" item, too...but I might make it an adult size for me.
6. NIN Hat by Rilana Riley-Munson. This will include learning a new technique (two-color knitting...or maybe it's intarsia; I'll have to look at the pattern).
7. Pup Tent by Catherine Gamroth
8. Godric's Hollow Hat by Rebecca Beam
9. Brandon Ribbed Beanie by Mindy Vasil
10. Bergen Street Tuque by Caryl Pierre
11. Raglan Hat by Jennifer Fleury
12. Nolan by Kelly Herdrich (Need to purchase). Yes, this will fall under "baby" stuff...or "kid" stuff.

Socks
1. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks (see WIP list)
2. Mama's Vanilla Socks (see WIP list)
3. Blathnat by Carrie Sullivan (irishgirlieknits). This is a KAL in the Sock Knitters Anonymous group...whether or not I actually do it in the KAL is a different story.
4. Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder. This could also be considered a KAL for the above group...but that's not why I'm doing it.

"Big" Project (choosing one of the following four)
1. Making Waves Cardigan by Mary Annarella (yarn: Zen Garden)
2. Austin Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio (yarn: Ella Rae)
3. Freeport Vest by Elizabeth Smith (yarn: Malabrigo)
4. Classic Silk Mayfaire Camisole by Corrina Ferguson (yarn: Miss Babs)

Now, so far, this isn't too horrible...I know, it looks like a lot and it definitely is but, let's be honest, hats don't take that long, socks can be brought everywhere, and WIPs are at least partly finished already.

Where things start to get a little crazy is in the "Kid" and "Baby" departments. There are a couple of things that I know I want to make and then there are the things that I just want to make soon...and with more babies coming into the family...well, let's just say I have an excuse to knit things for small children, including my own.

As it stands right now, I have seven possible projects listed in the "kid" section. One of the definite projects is the Hippo from Itty-Bitty Toys by Susan B. Anderson. I'm making that for Sweet Girl and I'm hoping to have it done by sometime in June...which means I should probably start that soon. Honestly, four of the seven possible projects I have listed for that section are hats (two of them by Elizabeth Zimmermann); the other three are toys of some sort (two of them by Susan B. Anderson).

In the "baby" section, I have sixteen possible projects, eleven of which are hats (actually, twelve because one of the patterns is for two hats using contrast colors). I have two sweaters, a pair of baby mittens, and two blankets also listed. I don't have any "definite" projects from this list though I suspect that I'll be making the contrasting colors hats for the twins.

So.......that makes for quite an ambitious list for my SIYOP.

Do you all think I'm biting off a bit more than I can chew? Let me know your thoughts.......is it time for Husband to consider sending me to the Asylum? Keep in mind that I also have plans to clean the house, organize paperwork, organize books, and sell things...and take care of Little Man and other "daily" activities.

Me? I think I've lost it...but it'll be fun, anyway :)