In my post yesterday I explained the internet problems we've been having, so let me just jump to the point of this post and say that I know this Year of Projects Roundup post is a week late. It just wasn't possible for me to post last Sunday.
That said, since I don't make any plans for my upcoming Year Of Projects, there's not a lot for me to write in this first post of a new YOP year anyway, so I guess it works out this time.
Let me tell you though... I felt sad last week not being able to create my favorite post of the whole year. But this weekend, going back through all the things I've made in a year's time was a great mood-lifter. Looking back at a record of things I've made in the last 12 months is encouraging. And almost always, I get a nice surprise when I come across some things I had pretty much forgotten about.
So settle in for a scroll down memory lane. Or just click through the pictures. I promise I won't mind. Or even know, for that matter.
I started the past YOP year finishing up a small (14") Kawandi:
I've had the itch ever since to make another, larger one. I'm just not sure how large a kawandi I have the stick-to-it-iveness to finish.
Just like in years past, when I put aside thick afghan yarn, I once again turned to my crochet thread to make doilies. All but the last large doily are from the book, 99 Little Doilies by Patricia Kristofferson. Kristofferson only assigns these doilies a number, but I usually feel compelled to give them a name.
🠅 Old Fashioned Sunday 🠇
Herb Garden
Not My First Rodeo
Carousel
I found it interesting that the same doily pattern made months later in a different color inspired a completely different name:
Crinoline
Chernozem
Windmill
Lead Rosette
And a favorite larger doily pattern was unearthed and made again:
Autumn Splendor
Before winter's blast, hat making skills were dusted off:
With hats handed off, my first Dahlia blanket that I had started in the spring was finished:
I enjoyed making it so much, I almost immediately began another:
Somewhere in the mix of blankets and doilies, yarny baskets were crocheted:
I loved how these turned out, and would like to make more, but my neck was so sore after making these, I've been hesitant to give them a go again.
Three and a half years after moving into this house, I finally sewed up some decent curtains for the laundry room:
I pulled out two sweet cross stitch projects I began in 2020 and finished them into mini pillows:
Actively ongoing:
In quiet, tired hours I've knit dozens of dish/wash cloths
Your projects are beautiful and surely have given you a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I hear you about the tight, sore neck and shoulder problems from some of these projects. I used to be all locked up, so to speak by suppertime after sewing all day.
ReplyDeleteThose days of needlework creativity are behind me now and I have fewer headaches.
Thanks for sharing these projects with us. I enjoyed the show!
Good food for thought, Barbara. I know your life has changed, and your new hobbies are perhaps healthier for your body. Every activity has it's benefits and drawbacks. One of the goals during this time of life I'm in is to find the balance between deep satisfaction that comes from some of my hobbies that I can now luxuriously enjoy with respecting the toll those same hobbies may take on my body. Sounds like good material for a blog post! :D
DeleteA perspective of a longer period of time can make progress more visible. All of these look great Becki!
ReplyDeleteThanks, TB! Yes, day by day it seems I accomplish very little some years. Looking at a year in review provides a more accurate perspective, I think. This would be a great exercise to do with all sorts of things. I need to give that idea more thought.
DeleteThe Dalia blankets made me smile. You are a genius at putting colors together. You had quite a productive year. And on top of this You had a garden to tend to also. Quite impressive.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind, Marsha. The garden keeps me busy and produces a decent enough level of tiredness by the end of the day that far less focused handwork happens during the summer than in the cooler months. That said, I kind of have a hankering for making some more doilies now. And embroidery is calling me. And I was going to try to knit hats earlier than last year. Yeah... focus is hard to come by in summer, I think.
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