No Pattern, No Problem

Have you ever wanted to make something for someone and just couldn't find the right pattern?

I just knew I had to make something extra special for a friend who requested a people purple scarf (for Christmas). While I had the absolute perfect shade of purple yarn for her, I lacked a unique pattern that would be simple yet flattering.

After a bit of consideration and a little planning, I decided to make her a wide scarf in stockinette with a monogram C (for her first name). 

Materials: 
2 skeins; Cascade Yarns 100% acrylic in Violet
2 US 10 1/2 (6.5 mm) needles

Pattern: 
CO 50st
K 15, P 25, K 10 stockinette
K 14, P 26, K 10
K 13, P 27, K 10
K 12, P 28, K 10
K 11, P 29, K 10
K 10, P 30, K 10 stockinette for 5 rows
K 10, P10, K 20 stockinette for 20 rows
K 10, P30, K 10 stockinette for 5 rows
K 11, P 29, K 10
K 12, P 28, K 10
K 13, P 27, K 10
K 14, P 26, K 10
K 15, P 25, K 10 stockinette  
K in stockinette until desired length is reached. 

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2015 Goals

This blog is just about a year old and it's time once again to pull out my pen keyboard and set my goals for the coming year. With all I accomplished last year, topping it this year may be a challenge. However, I love a good challenge.

• Write a proposal: I'm very much interested in the evolution of libraries, specifically the bookless library. This year I want to go completely out of my comfort zone and write a proposal that focuses on bookless libraries in universities. 
• Write a blog a week: This is the same goal I had last year. Although I didn't reach my goal in 2014, I've decided not to change it. There are only 52 weeks in the year. I know I can do this.
• Knit a project a month: I fell in love with knitting last year. I want to keep this love alive. I have a feeling there will be more than 12 completed knits before the end of the year.
• Go on a road trip: I love road trips. This year I hope to travel to Arizona for the first time. There is nothing I'd love more than to see the Grand Canyon.
• Walk more: Thanks to my lovely sister, I now have a FitBit. I'm already amazed by how this little piece of technology has encouraged me to move around more throughout my day. I'm interested to see how many steps I walk this year.
• Read 6 books in 12 months: I revised this goal from last year. I've found that I don't make much time for reading and tend to take my time. I know 6 books in 12 months is possible, even if they end up being graphic novels.
• Volunteer: I want to continue to volunteer my time to causes I love. Although I will not be returning to INALJ.com this year, I plan on continuing to volunteer my time in other aspects of librarianship. 
• Go to a Library Conference: Every year I attend 2 or 3 library conferences, this year my goal is to go to one I haven't been to before.  

I have a busy year ahead of me, thanks for reading and good luck on your 2015 Goals!

XOXOX Darling

Looking Back: 2014 Goals

Last year I created a list of 2014 Goals for myself. Although I didn't quite reach all of them, I certainly feel wonderful about the ones I did accomplish.

• Find a full-time job: I got promoted at my current job from part-time to full-time after only 8 months. Full-time Librarian status ACHIEVED!

• Volunteer more: I volunteered a whole year of my time to INALJ.com. I also managed to attend and volunteer at the American Library Association Conference (ALA) Annual Conference in Las Vegas, the 9th Annual Archives Bazaar in Los Angeles and the California Library Association (CLA) Annual Conference in Oakland as well as become a board member for my graduate school alumni association.

• Read 12 books: Oops! I definitely didn't make this goal. The only book I read this year was Damned by Chuck Palahniuk on my Nook. I might have been shooting too high with 12 books.

• Go on a road trip: I got to go on more than one mini road trip and one EPIC adventure. My husband and I took a mini road trip to Cabazon to see dinosaurs, I drove alone to Oakland (longest drive of my life) for the CLA Annual Conference and I traveled to New York followed by Ireland with my sister!!!

• Write a blog a week: Similar to my Read 12 books goal, I definitely didn't reach this one. I hope to someday cross this goal off my list. Though this year, I may need to settle for 1 post a month.

• Complete 1 knitting project a month: I have to say, I did complete over 12 knitting projects this year, even though they weren't exactly completed once a month. Now if only I could get control of my yarn habit!