As I step into February and reflect back on my recent recaps, I've decided that this year I will approach my crafting a little differently than I did last year. In 2025, I set myself clear challenges and goals - projects to complete, and milestones to tick off. While that structure was motivating, it also came with a fair bit of pressure.
This year, I’m intentionally planning no pressure crafting....
Rather than working toward specific challenges, 2026 is all about low-key creativity. I’ll still be crafting regularly, but without the weight of deadlines, well, other than those for test knits. The goal is to make progress on any craft previously started or begin one I've wanted to start. My progress keeper sheet will ensure I'm working on each craft monthly. I'll be checking in throughout the year to show you what progress I've made on projects, plans of what I want to create, and new ideas I might like to learn.
This progress keeper is just to help remind me to work on all my crafts at least once a month, if I miss a day here or there, no worries - no pressure!
I'll start with the four most active crafts that I know I will be doing almost daily, or at least weekly.... those are quilting, knitting, cross-stitch, and spinning.
Quilting
A patchwork table topper for my strawberry block (or flower blocks)
Strawberry Block: check out last week's blog post for more details about this: A Sweet New BOW Bloom: Strawberry plus Table Topper
Knitting
Knitting has been slow for January. I started a knit on the 6th of January and it should be finished, but I've been busy with other crafts. In any case, I'm rapidly working down the second sleeve and my goal is to have it complete so I can cast on some new knits (yet to be decided).
Cross-stitch
A temperature Cross-stitch! My daughter put me onto this and we decided to make one together. This is the original and you can find the pattern on Etsy by TeenyWeenyXStitch.
We have a little bit of catching up to do because we needed to order the supplies, but I'm sure it won't take too long.
Spinning
This roving I started after Christmas and have continued through January.
And next I've started spinning a corriedale and nylon roving that I'll no doubt make into socks.
Crochet
If you were following last year, you know I crocheted a temperature blanket. This year I've crocheted all the blocks together and added the borders.
Now I just need to finish running in the ends and give it a good block. I've made a start on those ends. Can you see them all?
Embroidery
I thoroughly enjoyed stitching the redwork last year, so I've decided to do more embroidery this year. I have a little stitch book to practise and learn new stitches. Two panels are complete.
Painting
Last year, or was it the year before, I started a paint-by-numbers at the same time as my granddaughter started one. She has finished hers and I need to finish mine so my progress keeper will keep me painting each month. I'll show you before and progress photos.
Diamond Embroidery
This set of five pictures was started a few years back and this craft is something I don't do a lot nowadays but I do want to finish these and get them up on the wall. This craft is something I enjoy when I need something mindless to do but need to keep my hands active without the need to think too much. It is also a great thing to do with the grandkids!
These check-ins will be a way to stay mindful of my creative habits without turning them into obligations. Think of it as a quiet roll call: Did I sew? Did I design? Did I complete something? If the answer is yes, in any form, then the month is a success.
I’m looking forward to sharing this gentler, more flexible creative journey with you. Perhaps you have some ideas you'd like to offer..... or maybe suggest a new craft I haven't tried before.... please leave a comment below with any suggestions and ideas you may have.
