Year of Projects 2015-2016

http://fieldlilies.blogspot.com/search/label/Year%20of%20Projects%202015-16

I'm eager to be joining in a Ravelry Group of bloggers called Year of Projects. The concept is simple.   Each blogger creates a list (however s/he wants to fashion it) and for a year (July through June) posts about the progress made on this list.  Ideally, posts will be made every Sunday.   Clicking here or on the image above will bring up all my Year of Projects posts for 2015-16 (most current posts first).

The first part of my list is about process.  I want to get freer with the idea of simply practicing and sampling different techniques and tools, and stretching who I am and what I know - as a fiber crafter. It will be nice if practicing and sampling produces some end products, but for the purpose of the first half of the list learning is the project, per se. So I begin with listing techniques or skills I want to practice, as well as some personal challenges. Then my project list is more like an idea mill where I can plug in things that grab my attention (or as I start or finish them) during the year.

Here we go:

Techniques/skills/tools/education/experiences:

Tunisian crochet - Tunisian stitch dishcloths (June, 2016)
                           - Shadow Stitch pillow cover (in progress)

Knitting it's been years!  I tried, but not very hard.  ;)

Soft sculpture/Amigurumi

Use a crochet or knitting tool I've never used before.  Tunisian Hook

Try to learn how to read a charted crochet pattern.   Great idea, but didn't do it.

Make stitch markers.  (See Small Things on May 29. 2015)

Swatch  (do it, explore it, learn to appreciate it)   I didn't.

Challenge myself regarding photos of finished objects.
    Learn about and practice better picture-taking. Learn how to better use my camera.
         Read and apply lessons in Understanding Exposure
    Participate in Ravelry: Project Photography group:
          "Dance" - August 3, 2015
          "Pattern" - December 27, 2015

Host a CAL project on a Ravelry group:  

1) I was actually given this opportunity just before starting this challenge, so I'm plugging it in here as a personal encouragement.  I hosted the Week 26 CAL Challenge on the Kitchen and Bath group making Anemone Bath Puffs 

2) July 5-11, I hosted the Week 28 CAL Challenge on the Kitchen and  Bath Group making one of Wink's Mandalas.

3)  December 13-19, I hosted the Week 51 CAL Challenge on the 2015 Kitchen & Bath CAL making a Christmas Doily - or a larger baby blanket using the same pattern.

4)  December 27-31, I hosted the Week 53 CAL Challenge on the 2015 Kitchen & Bath CAL making a Double Shell Headband

Could list more, but shortly after the new year I became a regular CAL hostess (as in at least once a month), as well as a moderator on the Weekly & Dishcloth CAL Group on Ravelry.

I also volunteered as a moderator on the Year of Projects group on Ravelry when it became evident that more moderators were needed.

    
Read & review 3 books on fiber or textile arts.

Explore joining a local group of fiber artists.

Get to know a charity/ministry through which I'd like to benefit others with my crochet or knitting.

Create a crafting space that is inviting and that works well for me
     (both for working in and storage).   This is a work in progress

***********

Projects Completed

In the spirit of creating actual projects my idea list includes:

- Item(s) for the home
      practical, but pretty:
         Chevron pillow - 7/19/15
         Hyperbolic Dishcloth - 7/12/15
         Kilim Throw - 2/2016
         Spring Weight Blanket - 3/2016
         

      and purely aesthetic:
         Christmas Doily - 12/2015
         Button-front Pillow - 3/2016
         Granny Sweethearts - 1/2016

- Sew a project bag (a bag to hold a crochet project and accompanying yarn)
         
- A blanket inspired by Lucy at Attic24

- A shawl (maybe several different kinds)
         Crescent Lace Shawlstarted, but this may get frogged

- Gifts
         Linen Stitch scarf - 9/26/15
         Round Ripple Baby Blanket - 11/21/15
         Double Shell Headband - 12/22/15
         Adeline Fingerless Mitts - 12/27/15
         Doily Purse 4/2016
         Spring Into Summer Baby Blanket - 6/19/16
         Loopy Love Sweater - 6/21/16

- A garment

- Something vintage

- Something completely whimsical
         Pumpkin treat bowl - 10/10/15
         Soft Pumpkins - October & November, 2015
         Mini Ami Octopus - 3/2016
         Harry the Hedgehog - 3/2016

- Something one of the guys in my family would wear/use
         Crocheted Linen Scarf (for Greg) - 1/17/16

- A "SURPRISE!" gift for someone
         Curlicue Hats - 11/1/15  (for B & K's foster children)

- Something amigurumi

- A container  (a basket, a bowl, a box...)
        The Starling Bag - 2/2016
         

- Any number of items that just strike my fancy
         Chunky Color Block Cowl - 9/5/15
         Octagon Baby Blanket - 9/19/15
         Wine Cowl - 11/7/15
         Bold & Bright Round Ripple baby blanket - 11/29/15
         Forcefield Scarf - 12/12/15
         Christmas Doily - 12/16/15
         Forcefield Scarf - 12/2015
         Pink Tides of Change - 1/21/16
         Cabled Slippers - 2/2016
         Kaldred Bracelet - 5/2016
         Arrowhead Striped Blanket - 3/2016
         Diamond Stitch Blanket - 5/2016

- Participate in a test of a new crochet project  
         Come Sail Away Scarf - 8/27/15

- Participate in a Mystery CAL (Crochet A-Long)
         Mandala Madness  -  12 week project, finished June, 2016


- Write a simple pattern and make it available here and on Ravelry

- Try felting

- Get back to embroidery (this is wide open)

- Sew a top  (it's been years)

- Sew a skirt (even more years)

~~~~~~~~~

Okay...that's good for starters.  I'm sure this will evolve over time, but I think I'll work best with a list that's open ended and idea-generating and, most importantly...flexible... as I progress through the year.

If this sounds interesting to you (to either join in with your own Year of Projects, or just see what others are doing), check out the Year of Project group on Ravelry.  While the YOP year begins on July 1st, you can join at any time!

Note:  You will need to be a member of Ravelry to fully access the links in this post. Consider joining if you're not a member.  The resources there are astounding.  And membership is free and easy - just click on the small ravelry logo below:


http://www.ravelry.com/

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