I said “Happy New Year” then fell off the radar. Work’s been taking up too much of my time but I’m remedying that. I figure with today being Chinese New Year, it was a good day to start again and catch you up on what I’ve been working on and some of my plans for 2016.
The most important creative goal for me this year is to work without pressure or deadlines. Last year saw a lot of things being made with intense deadlines, many of the items not posted on the blog or IG because it was pretty much “deadline, make, sent, repeat”. While I do have some commitments this year, the pressure is not so intense; when I tell you that I’ve even stepped away from the Harry Potter Ravelry games, know that I’m serious about just enjoying making — just because. I’m even going to add #thejoyofmaking hashtag to my projects on IG from today to celebrate my way of slow making this year.
Since I started crafting, most years I’ve had a yearlong project; in 2016 my project is going to be a fiber breed study. Initially I was going to do it for three months but all the reading I’ve done encouraged a longer time-frame. Of course, my obese fiber stash had 11 different types of fiber to choose from so I’m going to spin one braid per month and leave it either as a single or finish it with different plying techniques. My basket is ready, 11 sweet fibers to spin and learn from, for the entire year.
In the meantime, I’ve been working on a crochet blanket for my friend’s son. I’m slogging through it now, but I’m determined not to put it on timeout. I must finish it by the end of next weekend so I’ll be working on it hard this week. I know … I said no deadlines but I’ve been working on this for much too long and I’m ready to finish it so I’m going to push myself … just a little harder.
On a dare from my friend Elisa, I’ve also made Youtube videos showing how I make rolags for spinning. The videos are totally rough (absolutely no editing) but I had fun making them during the “snowmaggedon” blizzard we North Easterners had two weekends ago. I’d post them but I’m going to condense the two videos into one and clean up the presentation. As soon as I’m done, I’ll post the link here, but in the meantime, these are the rolags I made for that demonstration. 😀
I called the set “Blizzard”. Appropriate don’t you think?
Then in preparation for my breed study, especially since I hadn’t spun for a few months due to my thumb injury, I got back in the saddle with what I thought was some random KnitPicks fiber, just to get a feel of the motions of spinning; it was like riding a bike. I still have about 1.5 ozs of this practice fiber to finish but so far it’s been beautiful!
Although it’s not part of the breed study, this fiber is definitely going to be a F.O. for 2016; it surpassed what I thought it was going to look like so I have to finish it.
I know you all have already come out the gate in January with your craft plans for the year so I’ll definitely be making my rounds to your blogs this week to see what you’ve all been up to so far for 2016. Hope you all have been doing well and I can’t wait to start interacting with you in this space again!
D'NALI 
I am glad to see you posting again. It is always a treat to read your wonderful words and drool over your beautiful photos.
The basket of goodness looks heavenly, as is that fantastic blanket.
Thank you so much Andi; it’s good to be back! 😀
I love seeing all that fiber. Spinning will be my newest craft. I ordered the Kromski Sonata in walnut. I have s pound of Romney arriving tomorrow along with a Woolee Winder. Funny, that the accessories will be here before the actual she’ll. I ordered everything yesterday, but from different companies. 😝
Oh man!! I can’t wait to see your pics. I don’t have a woolee winder so I’d love to hear your review of it. Welcome to the dark side; spinning can fast become an addiction … but a good one. 😀
I will do that once I get past the stopping and starting conquered. I will say that I do love my Kromski Sonata and will be writing on my craft blog more, because of that. Let’s see tension is nuts and my yarn is wonky… so I’m calling it (drum rolls) ART YARN! Last week, I did purchase spinning classes on Craftsy and those are helpful. I’ll be watching them again today.
YAY! Welcome back. And working without deadlines is so much better. I’m trying to do something for someone else and then something for myself this year. Last year I did a lot of selfish knitting and things for me but I kind of love that phase and am going to keep going. LOL
LOLOL! You and I are in the same place. I have a few gifts that I’m slogging over but have to finish after that, it’s all about what I want to do!!! And I love the selfish knitting you’ve been doing for yourself. 😀
I’ve missed you in this space! One of my 2016 ‘wants’ is to start blogging again. The Hygge parts of the year are off to a bumpy start. I’m so glad you reminded me it’s Chinese New Year. Hugs to you my friend, Linda
Tackle hugs!!! My hygge started kinda bumpy with some things (work/life balance I’m looking at you) but in terms of purging it’s been boss! I’ll text you so we could continue this convo … love to you too friend. ❤
Welcome back! I missed your posts! I know how you feel when you have a project with the deadline. It is always so stressful for me, I love my craft life smooth and stress free 🙂 Happy New Year, again 🙂 Looking forward to watching these videos!
It can beyond stressful, especially for designers like you; I’m with you, I don’t need stress from crafting. 😀
As soon as I’m done redoing the video, I’ll post here. Finishing it is one of my crafty goals for this month.
Good to see you posting again. Love the more measured approach to crafting. Looking foreard to seeing your spinning endeavours this year. 🙂
Thank you friend! I miss you posting too; but we’ll catch up soon. 😀
Happy New Year!
I think you are amazing Nicky and I love seeing all your fiber creations. As I have never spun before I can only imagine the satisfaction of seeing the yarn as it comes off your wheel, but I bet it’s the best feeling!
Have a beautiful, beautiful Monday!
It really is a beautiful feeling. I can’t wait for you to start. ❤