Last year I realized I got so excited about fall and Halloween yarns and knitting patterns, I decided to make my own fall advent with yarns from my stash. The goal was to keep me from going overboard buying yarn this fall. I paired the skeins with patterns (some I had, some I purchased, most were free) and stitch markers from my collection. Then I sewed fabric bags and tagged them with the date I should open them.
This is the contents of the first bag. I love it! I don’t have any socks on the needles, so I may cast these on. This colorway is Fall Sangria from Cornbread and Honey. I have two weeks until the next advent bag!
This morning, Marilee posted about analog Knitting Journals. I used to have an analog knitting journal (a decade ago) but I only used it for one or two projects before I discarded it. I also don’t update my Ravelry projects regularly.
Recently, my therapist recommended a digital planner. I already had an iPad, so I purchased and downloaded the planner PDFs on Etsy. It was pretty affordable. Of course now I see they have planner templates as part of Good Notes, which is the app I use. Then I found out I needed an Apple pencil, so I ordered that as well. After all of that, I tried using my digital planner, but found I missed the tactile quality of analog planning for personal and work use. So, I went back to a paper planner.
But Marilee’s post got me thinking about how I would like to organize and document my knitting, or at least try. I was all set up for a digital method, so I downloaded a knitting project planner PDF on Etsy for a couple of bucks. I tried it out for my next cast on, shown above. I think this might work for me! We’ll see if I keep it up, but it’s nice to have the details. As you can see, I haven’t swatched for this yet.
If you aren’t already set up for digital planning, it’s a bit of an investment to get all the tools. But if you are, this is an easy transition.
What about you? Do you document your knitting projects? Do you use a paper journal? Digital planner? Spreadsheets? Ravelry? Let us know in the comments!
My word for 2021 is content, both adjective and noun.
Noun: state of mind which results from satisfaction with present circumstances
Adjective: having the desire limited to present enjoyments
It’s even a verb: to rest or be satisfied; to give satisfaction to
Content is related intent, from the root word tenere, to hold or stretch. Intent is focusing on stretching outward, while content is focusing on holding. So my intention for 2021 is to focus on what I have and be content. I feel I don’t do this enough, and it prevents me from really enjoying my life as it is. I want to slow down a little, settle in, and focus on the content of my life and find the joy there. I’m in a good place right now, and I am grateful for that.
Today we’re eating black eyed peas and greens, and I hope to Skype with kids. I will call my Mom and sister. And I will knit! I hope you have a wonderful day, and wish you a happy and healthy new year!
I love the French Press Felted Slippers pattern by Melynda Bernardo (Ravelry link). I have always fantasized about dressing up for a New Year’s Eve party, but I don’t think I ever have. I feel like 2020 is the year for dressing up at home with some comfy but fancy slippers. I might make these in a sparkly yarn and put a rhinestone button on them.
This is my last December HoliDaily. I really enjoyed posting a festive pattern everyday in December. I hope you enjoyed it, too, and that it wasn’t spammy. Just a reminder that I don’t get compensated in any way for anything I share. I do it for my own enjoyment.
I enjoyed my yarn advent photo taking so much, I had a calendar made. It’s hanging in my studio. I will use it to plan my projects in 2021.
I’ve noticed other bloggers wrapping up the year with a list of completed projects. I think that sounds like the perfect New Year’s Eve post for 2020.
“Haze Over Maize: Granville 2020“
Fiber Art
Two pieces completed. I’m not going to post pics of new pieces since they are for a gallery show in September 2021.
Mistletoe Kisses Socks. I’m determined to finish these today even though JoJo chewed my needle and I had to cut the cable to get the knitting off, it was so mangled, and switched to double points.
In 2021, I’d like to sew more garments: another Rachel blouse, some pants, and a wool coat. And more PJ pants!
I hope you have something fun planned for New Year’s Eve. We’re still trying to figure out what to eat for dinner tonight, but at least we’ll have pie, both mince and chocolate! Happy New Year!
Many people choose a word for their New Year: something they want to focus on and manifest in their lives. I thought it might be a good idea to knit this word on a coffee sleeve so you don’t forget it, although you will have to chart your word yourself. Word Nerd Drink Sleeve free pattern by Ladybits Knits (Book Riot website link)
What about you? Do you choose a word for the New Year? Do you know what your word will be in 2021? Are you willing to share it in the comments? I’m still working on my word for 2021 but I will share it on January 1.
Only two more days of 2020. I’m trying not to expect too much from 2021 so I won’t be disappointed.
Something weird happened to two of my older posts. I found them in draft mode and I had to republish them.
Looking ahead to Advent 2021, I would love to knit this gansey stitch advent scarf by Tricia Weatherston (Ravelry link). It calls for worsted weight yarn. What’s funny is there was a day when solid color worsted was most of my stash. Now it’s mostly hand dyed sock yarn. But I do have some gray DK that would probably work out for this pattern.
I’m curious now. What’s your yarn stash look like? Lots of hand dyed sock yarn, like mine?
Look at this beautiful garment. It reminds me of the Northern Lights. I would probably never knit it. It is a combination of double knitting and fair isle knitting. It’s complicated. But I would definitely wear it. It’s gorgeous. They have kits for sale. I will think about it. A Winter Wedding Coat by Meret Buetzberger (Ravelry link)
Dyeing wool blue today. My next felt piece is about the blue moon we experienced in October.
In the last couple of years, I’ve started feeding the birds. I’ve really enjoyed watching them at the feeders. At our new home, we have wrens that nest around the house. While I have a felt birdhouse shaped like a caravan that I love, I’m wondering if I should try knitting (and maybe felting) some of these nesting boxes? They would be so colorful and fun to look at year round. This is a free pattern by Fleur Duivis. (Knotions website link)
Are you curious about Boxing Day? Me too. Wikipedia isn’t clear, either. The origin is connected to the poor and servants collecting alms for the Feast of Saint Stephen. (Wikipedia link) Another custom linked to Boxing Day is Mumming, a tradition I’ve always thought should make a comeback. Hipster mummers, please.
My Boxing Day tradition is having a clear out, which I’ve done. Now it’s time to play with yarn!
