My go word in the new year is proactive. This is an overarching goal to guide me through the year, and it fuels all those New Year's Resolutions I mentioned in an earlier post.

And here's your mission, should you choose to accept it: Join in 2011's first Crochet Me crochet-along, a proactive venture.

Often I start working on a project when a new issue of Interweave Crochet comes out (well, OK, maybe I start a few weeks before the issue comes out). Say, that fabulous Aspenglow Jacket from the Winter 2010 issue. I'm swatching it now. I figure given the intensity of the pattern and my available crochet time, I might finish it by mid-July, maybe August. And I'll be toting it in a bag to a cold movie theater so I can wear it.

I want to wear summer crochet in summer! So, I've perused the Summer 2010 issue and narrowed down five great projects to make (full disclosure: I've actually started some of these projects, but set them aside when the weather turned cool. See how that happens?)

Take a look and see what you like. Each pattern has a particular technique focus, in case learning a new technique is on your resolution list.

Agora Totes
Lisa Soutendijk

Technique: post stitches, crochet in the round

This project is the fastest of the lot, to bring some summer color into your life sooner. I love this bag because it looks like tapestry crochet, but its clever Greek-style pattern is achieved with post stitches. Cool, huh? It's worked in a sturdy cotton to stand up to beach use (ah! the beach!), but would be pretty swell worked in a softer yarn for a slouchy over-the-shoulder tote.

Elfin Tank
Laura Gephardt

Technique: extended single crochet

There's a certain tween in my house who would love this vest, especially if I crochet it in Carolina blue. After working the clever neckline, you work the curiously addictive extended single crochet for the body. It's a very nice project for toting around or working on whilst pedaling a stationary bike (so you can be active and proactive at the same time).

Cool Wave Shawl
Sheryl Means

Technique: Tunisian crochet

This is a terrific first project for folks wanting to explore Tunisian crochet. Rows of Tunisian simple stitch are worked alternately with rows of Tunisian lace while steadily shaping a lovely crescent. And what better way to learn Tunisian than with a bunch of other people working the same project? I already have a skein of Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace in Aslan that's yearning to become this shawl.

Charlotte Skirt
Doris Chan

Technique: "exploded doily," crochet in the round, following stitch diagram

I've seen Doris Chan wearing this skirt— it transforms her naturally exuberant personality into pure effervescence. It's really a fun skirt and I can already feel myself walking along the beach with this wafting around me. It will warm you up just to work on it. And you will be enchanted with the clever construction and shaping.

Moth Wings Shrug
Mimi Alelis

Technique: following stitch diagram, joining motifs as you go

I have loved this since I first laid hands on it! It's just such a sweet wisp of color, just right for warming the shoulders over a sundress. I'm not really so much of a thread person, but I have already made a few motifs to find the right gauge. The motif itself is easily learned, and you will learn about joining motifs as you go. For this, I have in hand some gorgeous brown thread wound with turquoise bling from Universal's Nazli Gelin Garden Metallic collection.

Wow! For me, this is a tough call all around. I just can't decide. You'll have to decide for us. Click on to the survey and let me know what you want to crochet. I'll let you know the top pick in two weeks and we'll settle all the details

Best,

p.s. Don't forget to shop the Winter Wipeout Sale to save up to 40% off your favorite crochet books, magazines, and more. The sale ends today at midnight, so be proactive!