If I make this list now, I figure it will increase the likelihood of my success of actually accomplishing all of these things. Yes? No? Maybe. Obviously this isn’t accounting for all of the awesome patterns that will probably be released in 2010, but I don’t have a crystal ball, now do I? Regardless, it’s not a very long list, so I’m not too worried about it.

Love Bytes – Robot Love Mittens by the wonderful Kathryn Ivy (Ravelry link)
You have to see a picture of these. You just have to. How could you not want to knit these?

Image by Kathryn Ivy

The likelihood of me knitting these mitts is actually quite high. Unlike most color work mittens, they take worsted weight yarn rather than fingering. They are also much more adorable than any other color work mittens I’ve seen in awhile. They’re nerdy, knitty, and look amazingly cozy.

I also love Kathryn’s Wintry Mix Mitts, but Love Bytes are definitely more my style.

Vine Yoke Cardigan – by Ysolda Teague from the Twist Collective
I already have the yarn for this project in my hot little hands. Once I finish knitting my current sweater project, I plan to cast on for my Vine Yoke Cardigan. I’ll be using Dream in Color Classy in Gothic Rose.

Vivian – by Ysolda Teague, also from the Twist Collective
Also more Ysolda! But are you surprised? I haven’t picked out a yarn for this one yet, mostly because the yardage is a little daunting. That, and I don’t imagine myself starting a bulky sweater with loads of cables until after May 14th (the day my Master’s thesis is due).

Ruby or Georgie – from Kim Hargreaves’ Breeze
I’d also like to knit Blithe, but that’s more of a vest or a top than a sweater. I’m not sure why I bought her summer book – I hate knitting with cotton. I do like milk yarns, though. I noticed that most of Kim’s patterns are the same with recycle design elements. I picked up the first book I found and went with it.

Simple socks – knit in some self striping yarn
I know it’s not a particularly specific item, but I’ve acquired a lot of self-striping yarn lately. It would be nice to put it to good use. Maybe a 2×2 rib, or maybe something completely plain.

Some sock patterns  – many of which I’ve had bookmarked for quite some time (all Ravelry links, sorry kids):

• Marlene by Cookie A
• Bellatrix by Monkey Toes
• Mingus by Cookie A
• A companion to my first Maeby
• Another pair of Gonerils, pattern by me
• Lindsay by Cookie A

I think that might be a bit ambitious on the sock front. In 2009, I only knit 3 pairs of socks – with 8 (maybe more?) singletons lurking around out there somewhere. Which, at best, translates to 7 pairs. I guess this means I’ll be knitting all of my socks two at a time from here on out, eh?

All of this knitting is fine and dandy, but I’m not sure how much of it I’ll get done. I have a lot of design projects in the works after all…

What about on the design front?

Well, you can look forward to a few things from me in the upcoming year. The most important thing to remember is that all of these patterns will be available for free. I suppose I could put them up and sell them, but I’d rather see more people knit them than generate a quick buck.

For starters, two simple cowls, both with buttons! One will be released (hopefully) this winter season, while the second may not make it until the fall. We’ll see. One of the cowls will be the fourth in my Bones series – which currently includes Temperance, Traveling Woman, and Saroyan.

You may see a write up for my Siren’s Call cardigan (hopefully with multiple sizes!):

And probably a write up for my Cowl Neck Sweater, which is currently in progress.

There are a few shawls on the horizon – we’ll see if they become shawls, scarves, stoles, or something more. I have a pattern in the works that can be made into a triangular shawl, or a rectangular stole, or even a smaller scarf. I will be calling upon some test knitters, as I’m looking forward to releasing patterns with instructions for multiple yarn weights and sizing options written into them.

I’ve been asked to design for a small handful of yarn clubs in 2010, so you will see those designs as well. I can’t promise that the yarn club designs will be free to the public immediately, but they will be made available to the public eventually.