Finished Sophie Bag - Before Felting

Here's the finished Sophie. Cute, huh? I'll felt it this weekend.

I was looking at the book "Scarf Style" by Pam Allen at A.C. Moore yesterday. While I find scarves very boring to knit, I was thinking that is the perfect book to get me out of my rut and learning new techniques. The scarves are gorgeous and every one is different. And who doesn't love scarves? By Christmas I will have learned a lot of what I want to learn and have a great collection of gifts all ready to go! Sounds like a plan! My only problem with that book is the photography. I thought there was something wrong with my glasses at first. Why all the blurry photos? Yeah, the models look great, but shouldn't we be focusing on the SCARVES??? Stupid.

It occurred to me yesterday that I haven't followed through on my promise to myself to improve my skills this year. Not one project that I started so far has had any challenge whatsoever. I vow not to put anything on my needles (other than socks, of course) after the sweater is finished that does not include some new technique that I've never done before. Oh wait! I really DO need to make a few more of these Sophie Bags so they are an exception to the rule. I will re-phrase... no more BIG projects without some sort of a learning curve. How's that?