Happy New Year Everyone! Here are some of my favorite Knitting New Year's Resolutions and a few new ones I plan to make this year. Happy Knitting in 2017!

1. Finish or Frog all U.F.O.’s. Four years ago, I made this resolution and I kept it! It felt so great to finish all of my U.F.O.’s and rip out the projects I knew I wouldn’t finish. I was hard on myself, and wouldn’t allow myself to start a new project until every single U.F.O. was finished or frogged.

2. In 2017, set a project limit. I won’t have more than 3 projects going on at the same time. This includes knitting patterns that I’m creating. I won’t allow myself to cast on another project until I finish one.

3. Clean out your stash and supplies. Donate or sell all yarn and supplies you won’t use. I’ve done this a couple of times and it feels great! Plus, I make room for new yarn purchases in 2017!

4. Now that you’ve cleaned out your stash, throw away your guilt! Do NOT feel guilty for buying yarn, even if you have an entire room filled with yarn like I do. I always remind myself that there are a lot worse addictions out there than buying yarn and knitting. Plus, when I purchase yarn in person at a local yarn shop I’m helping the community by supporting a local, small business. Still feel guilty when buying more yarn? Try to CO one project from your stash, then CO one project from a newly purchased yarn.

5. Support your local yarn shop. This is a big one for me. I love discovering new yarn shops in our local area and when I travel. But there are a surprising number of knitters out there that purchase most their yarn and knitting supplies online. Our local yarn shops will continue to close at a rapid rate unless we consistently support them. Try making it a habit to ONLY purchase your yarn and supplies through your local yarn shop. I’m lucky enough to work part time at Wool and Grace in Summit, NJ and we absolutely love seeing our regular customers and meeting new ones that we hope to become regulars.

6. Participate in more classes, events, and knitting groups at your local yarn shop. YouTube is a very valuable knitting resource at 10pm on a Sunday evening. But, YouTube cannot replace the need for in person classes and groups. You will learn much more from in person classes and you will meet other likeminded people with a similar interest and who knows you may make a few more lifelong friends.

7. Be brave! Try a new technique or make a new type of garment in 2017. Never made a sweater or knit fair isle before? 2017 is your year to try. I’m going to continue developing knitting patterns in 2017 and have committed to trying new techniques and styles this year.

8. Create a knitting space just for you. You can use a bureau or bookcase to store your knitting supplies and yarn or you can take over the home office or guest room. Just give yourself a space that is just yours to keep the things that you love about knitting. I took over our home office last year and I absolutely LOVE my knitting room. I use my stash more and I’m frequently inspired by it.

9. Be selfish! Yes, I said it be selfish. Make more knitted items for you in 2017. It is fun to make gifts for your friends and loved ones. But you will appreciate all the hours that go into making that gorgeous sweater with cashmere yarn much more than anyone else will. I was inspired to become a more selfish knitter because my friend makes herself the most gorgeous sweaters. She inspired me to knit for myself in 2016 and I love it.

10. Find time every day to knit, even if it’s just 5 minutes. Those 5 minutes will be spent doing something that you love and will feed your soul much more than emptying the dishwasher.