Over the past few weeks as time began to pass at an alarming rate, I could not help but feel the pressure and promise of the new year.

How, I wondered, would I get everything done?

The answer was simple: I wouldn’t.

The things I did get done, however, were the things that most needed doing, and with the holidays now finally past, I have a moment (however brief) to catch my breath and set my intentions for the new year, and it turns out, that (as with previous years) I have a lot of intentions.

Unlike previous years, I decided to crochet myself an assistant — someone to watch over my efforts and to serve as a visual reminder of where I want to go, and what I need to do to get there — enter my New Years’s goat.

When I got up this morning, I only knew that before the day ended I needed to crochet a goat. I had no idea what color (or colors) I would use. I suspected that it would be complicated in some way, but that way had not yet revealed itself to me, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it would take more time than I expected.

Then, while I was emptying the dishwasher, my goat came to me, and after walking the dog, working in three loads of laundry, and myriad other tasks, I finally realized my goatly vision.

Here is my New Year’s goat on the dining table that serves as headquarters for my crochet office just moments after I finished the last stitch:

And here she is a little bit later at Goodberry’s while we waited in line for a celebratory “I finished my New Year’s goat” frozen custard:

and this final pose while she was basking in the glow of the holiday lights:

I am hoping that with this crochet talisman will remind me of all the crochet goals I want to accomplish and help me stay focused on what really matters: conquering the world, one stitch at a time.