Check-In Post January 1st 2022

[badly_knitted]

achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


Today's Question: Do you have any crafting goals for this year?


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[peaceful_sands]

I didn't get anything done today.

My goals for the year are to keep crafting and enjoy myself and use the time to relax and detach from the every day stuff that builds up.

I'm not too worried about any specific projects, although it would be good to finish the Winnie the Pooh cross-stitch I had started before Christmas, and at least one of the two pairs of socks that I've got started. I bought yarn to try crocheting a sweater - this would be a first so a bit nerve-wracking - I've always stuck to blankets or small projects really when it comes to crochet. There is another blanket lurking in a drawer that's barely started - might be good to do that although I don't know what I'd do with it when finished. There are lots of things that I'd like to do if time and energy permit but I also want to keep up with my reading as I've been making a determined effort to reduce the number of unread books in the house and trying to find the time for everything I'd like to have time for is always a challenge!

[smallhobbit]

I'm fully in favour of doing the crafts you want. Projects can be adjusted as you move through the year.

This year my plan to read my TBR pile faster than it grows!

[peaceful_sands]

At the beginning of 2017, I had logged all my books (or almost all) and realised that if I didn't acquire any more books and reduced the books I already had by 50 per year it was going to take me 19.5 years to get through the books. I also acknowledged that there was no way I wasn't going to acquire any more. Since then I have been working hard to reduce the waiting pile regardless of what comes in by a minimum of 50 - kind of successfully. As of January 1st, I'm down to 10.36 years to finish what's on the shelf - realistically they will never all be read but at least I'm slowing the overwhelm and regaining my space by dealing with the issue albeit slowly - there are less books stored in inaccessible boxes in the loft and garage. I'd like another few years of really good progress (above the 50) and then I can relax and just keep a balance between incoming and outgoing.

[badly_knitted]

You sound so organised! I;'m lucky if I manage to get through 20 books in a year these days. A lot are never going to get read. I need to clear out some more. 2 bags full have gone to the charity shops this year so far.

[badly_knitted]

That's a good goal to have. It's important to have ways to de-stress from life, especially with the way things are right now.

You've got a good range of projects in the works, something for every mood. I'm sure you'll find a use for the blanket by the time it's done, even if it's as a gift.

Good luck with crocheting a sweater, that sounds quite daunting, but I'm not very good at crochet anyway.

I hear you on the books. I've got literally hundreds lurking unread and I've been trying to read and get rid of some, but it's an uphill battle. Never enough hours in the day.

[althea_valara]

Got a pattern picked out for your crocheted sweater? I've crocheted a few garments so I may be able to help if you get stuck. Cheering you on - you can do this!

[peaceful_sands]

Thank you for the offer - it's much appreciated. The pattern is called 'Four Hour Fall Sweater' found here that I'm going to try. A bit nerve wracking at this point but I'm sure it will all be okay once I get going.

[althea_valara]

Pretty!

I just read through the pattern and it looks to be a good one. I see the designer has updated it so it has a gauge listed now - that's crucial if you want a sweater that fits how you expected. Last top I tried crocheting came out far too big because of gauge issues, grr.... Anyway, I have every confidence you can do this! The pattern really does look like it's pretty easy.