What to do with knitting?

This is my daughter's boyfriend, Andrew
(sporting a knitted hat and mitts I made
for him). In this pic, he looks like
a thoughtful hipster. While he is not really
an official "hipster," striking a thoughtful
pose may not be a bad idea.
Especially if it is only
mental.

As each year ends, I ask myself the same question: What do I want to do with knitting? 

Then is starts: What do I want to do this year? For the future? For my family? For my knitterly learning? How many months are in the year again? Do I knit small, faster items to learn more techniques? Or should I take on an epic project in fingering weight yarn that will take a whole year to complete by itself, knowing that I may (or may not) incidentally learn things along the way? 

My questions branch out like that--farther and farther, until they have developed into some kind of giant tree of dichotomous logic in reverse, with the overarching question left behind at the top, and the huge, tangled, expansive root-questions at the bottom.

For those of you who read the blog, you know this is really not only a perennial question for me but an ongoing and irritating one. I will not pretend to be the only irritated person, mind you. You may be irritated along with me, or even at me. I will not blame you.

To solve this irritation requires direction and I think I am ready to take on the daunting task of reigning in my scattered brain for a purpose: a greater knitting purpose that will eventually solve all my dilemmas.

If you will humor me, I will think out loud (in print) and start to sort this out. Maybe others may empathize. Who knows?

Here are some facts:

• I learned to knit later in life, being 43 years old, and having only been a knitter now for 4 years.
• I want to become a stellar knitstress before I die (or become too arthritic to do it)
• I want to build my own personal wardrobe of socks and sweaters, gloves and hats
• I want to provide my family and friends with really cool gifts 
• I understand that these gifts may prompt more orders from the same folks (in fact, they already have)
• In addition to making things for everyone and for myself, I want to become a knitwear designer, even if it is only for fun and part time

Here is another fact: there is not unlimited time for someone with a full time job, and 3 of 6 kids still at home, one of whom is 3. 

Here is another fact: those who never get organized and begin their journeys never get where they want to be going.

I can tell you from experience that this is true. I started college at 32 years old after just twiddling around with the idea for nearly 15 years. It took 6 years of hard work, but here I am. Finished. And, while learning never ends (thank God), college in the past and I did it.

I have decided that I will approach knitting in the same way. With purpose, with direction and with the will to learn.

Stay tuned.