Crafting Pursuits

After a bit of a crafting hiatus in 2012, I’ve burst out of the blocks in 2013.

  

During the Christmas – New Year period I finally got my lacery socks completed (photo's to come soon).
 

And since the beginning of 2013, 2 projects have come off the needles already – my luxury cowl and mojo returned shawl (which has been getting a good workout at the office which the aircon set to freezing temperatures).

  

And now added to the mix is sewing.

  

In my early teenage years, the thought of making my own things appealed to me, but at the time I had no passion for the process, so after a couple of attempts, never gave sewing another thought.

  

Over the past two years though, I’ve had endless trouble finding things to fit properly. So late last year I decided to bite the bullet and buy a sewing machine, with the thought that I could hem or take in store bought items.

  

I’ve actually managed to fit a fair bit of sewing into the past few weeks, but have yet to hem a single item!

  

I spent my first day practicing stitches, and then moved on to making a few project bags and pouches, which turned out surprisingly well, considering I’ve never constructed anything before. And then I jumped into making a couple of skirts based on some great tutorials which take you through taking your own measurements and creating your own patterns. My first couple attempts are technically wearable, but not the best fit.

 

A third attempt was a circle skirt, which turned out to be really cute and I’ve had quite a few compliments when wearing it.

 

And my most recent creation over the weekend was this skirt (from Ottobre Spring/Summer 2009).

 

2013 Aims

In 2012 I had set myself the goal to knit more, blog more, and to find more balance in my life.

Unfortunately 2012 did not go to plan. I had trouble finding projects that I loved, so I struggled to finish things, blogging just didn't happen, I allowed work to take over my life again, and amongst other things, two family members passed away, all in all making 2012 a year that left me wondering when things would start going my way.

On a more positive note, 2013 has started in a much more promising way. 

I'm teaching myself to sew, which I'm enjoying immensely, I have sewing and knitting projects lined up which I can't wait to start, and I've already completed my first knitting project for the year.

My luxury cowl, made from Prism Symphony was a pleasure to knit.  With a fibre content of 80% merino, 10% cashmere and 10% nylon, the cowl feels beautiful against the skin, and the pattern Riverton Cowl was easy to follow and a super quick knit.

 

I've also been making more time for family and friends, and feel so much better for it.  So here's to 2013 being a year of creativity, balance and blogging!

 



Balancing Act

It's been awhile since I last wrote, essentially as I am struggling again with work/life balance.  I think it's pretty safe to say that I'm actually failing, and that lately it's been all work and no life.

After starting off well in January, my crafting has been dwindling, though I got some mojo back last week, and have finished my version of the Casu Cowl, have made some further headway on my Diagonal Lace Socks and am halfway through completing a Vintage Allure Beret.

Pics will follow sometime in the near future, as last weekend we had the unfortunate experience of being burgled, so I currently have no means of taking photo's. 

A big thank you to the lovely Sonia and the Richmond Knitters for helping me to keep my sanity in the first couple of days after we had been robbed.  Sometimes I think the bad things happen to highlight all the really good things in your life.

Hobby vs Business

Recently, people have been asking me why I don't set up a business selling my items, or alternatively, if I can make them something, which I have declined to do.

Firstly, because I got back into knitting as a way of creating some work/life balance - knitting on demand would turn my crafting into another job, and would take away some of the pleasure that I get from the process.

I also mainly knit for myself. When I do make something for someone else, it's because I have chosen to. Perhaps if I was a faster knitter, then I could justify using some of my precious knitting time on making items to sell, but instead I prefer to use what time I do have to make things either for myself, or for someone special.

If it was viable, then of course I would love to make some extra money from something that I love doing. But until someone finds a way to add at least 10 more hours to every day, then I'll stick with what I'm doing.

2011 Wrap Up

2011 has now been and gone.

There were some large and small changes throughout the year.

I made a concerted effort to get out more and spend time with people who enhance my life. I managed to attend most of the Richmond and Kensington SnB's, and love the group of friends that I'm establishing through these.

22 projects were finished during the year, and I made my first sweater and socks.

I attended Knit Camp in Daylesford, attended the Bendigo Sheep and Wool show, and Vogue Knitting in LA, and definitely want to continue to attend knit/crochet retreats and conferences.

My role at work has also changed, and I have made a promise to myself that I will not let work rule my life this year. As a result of this promise, I have also made a commitment to myself that I will find time for crafting at least 5 times per week.

Hopefully, that means many more finished objects for 2012!

Super Simple

I'm making a concertered effort to get all of my WIPs completed and was able to get two shawls off the needles last month. The first, Azzu's Shawl was a gift for a friend, and she absolutely loved it. It also served as my 'A' pattern for the A-Z Stash Down group on Rav.

The second was the 3S Shawl, knit with Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock Yarn (a new favorite). I absolutely love the colours, and bought several different colourways from the Eat Sleep Knit Black Friday sale last week.

Opposites

So both my Ravelry queue and my stash continue to grow.

In an attempt to try and get a handle on both, I have joined the Stash Down A - Z group.

Each month is assigned a letter and you choose a pattern from your queue (or a yarn from your stash) which begins with that letter and away you go.

This month was A, so the Azzu shawl that I was making for my friend Claudia fell nicely into the criteria. For B next month, I'm going to get myself organised and finish my Bandwagon Socks.

Of course, now that I have a plan to get both my queue and stash down, along comes the sign up to the Cookie A Sock Club for 2012. And having no willpower, I of course signed up :)