A review of a year of crafty growth

​The year 2019 was the year I intended to be more authentic. Yes, authentic was my “word of the year” last year. If you are new to this habit, choosing a word for the year is suggested as a way to help you focus your time and efforts during the new year towards achieving goals associated with a theme.  Elizabeth Rider, a nutritionist, author, blogger, health coach and online business mentor tells us, “Your Word of the Year sets an intention, a theme per se, for how you want your year to flow. It is a constant—yet gentle—reminder to focus on creating positive change.” (https://www.elizabethrider.com/word-of-the-year/)

Thus, in 2019 my crafty intentions were focused towards reflecting authenticity.  I wanted to identify who I really was as a crafter and to focus my time and efforts towards being that kind of crafter. As I reflect on last year’s crafting, I can see that I am the type of crafter who enjoys having handmade items all around her. Where as in previous years I had focused on making garments, this year I discovered that I feel more authentic when I surround myself with my crafty makes. So I ended up with crochet all over the place!

My 2019 Crafty Runway 

In 2019 I made more tops, shawls and socks but I also ventured into making yarny objects part of my home decorations. Next, I proudly present My Crafty Runway 2019.

1) Crochet Mother-of-the-Groom Gown

Although this is not a home décor item, I couldn’t let a summary of my crafty year go by without mentioning one of my biggest triumphs of this year… my Mother-of-the-Groom Gown. 

​The dress was based on a pattern from Annie’s Crochet (https://www.anniescatalog.com) called the Everlasting Wedding Dress. I needed to modify the pattern because I was using a DK weight yarn and not the fingering weight recommended, but I was very proud of myself for following through with this. You can follow my progress and watch the dress come to life  in my podcast episodes on YouTube. (Check out Episode 31, Episode 32, Episode 33, Episode 34 )

2) Crochet Doilies

I had this desire to go work on some classics in crochet this year. So, I tried out doily making for the first time and, I have to say, I really enjoyed my experience. I made several holiday themed pieces and even hosted a Doily-Exchange on my YouTube channel. I sincerely enjoyed my makes and I want to continue making doilies for my home and as gifts.

First up is my Minerva McGonagall Doily. It is a witchy doily based on a paid-for pattern found on Ravelry at www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/masquerade-party-crinoline-girl-doily---item-0475 .

Next we have my The dementors are here Doily. 

The pattern is a free pattern by Marsha Glassnor called Boo! that can be found on Ravelry at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr... .

A third doily I worked on this year for the Halloween Season was my Pumpkin Patch Doily that was created by following the Jack-in-the-Web doily pattern by Marsha Glassner. It is also a free pattern on Ravelry that can be found at www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jack-in-the-we

Last by not least, I crocheted a gift for my doily exchange partner, following The Mini Rings of Change Doily by Frank O'Randle, another free pattern on Ravelry. I was only able to complete 38 of the 42 rows in the pattern before running out of thread. So, I ended my doily there. It ended up measuring 18 inches in diameter which I thought it was pretty big The pattern can be found at: 
​www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-rings-of-change .

3)  Crochet Rugs
I made a Pom-pom Bathroom Rug this year.  I used 6 balls of Pomp-a-doodle yarn by Red Heart in the colorway Quirky. The yarn is actually slip stitched to a rug backing to create the rug. I basically followed this pattern by Yarnspirations, www.yarnspirations.com/row-en/red-heart-trendy-oval-pompom-rug/RHC0524-015268M.html

I also continued my doily adventure by making a Giant Doily Rug using a pattern I found at 
 www.craftpassion.com/giant-doily-rug/. This rug was part o my Christmas Décor.

4) Wall-art 

My final category for home décor would be crocheted wall-art.  I find fiber based wall art very attractive and I find that it softens the wall of my home so I feel more relaxed and at peace.  So when I saw a post on Instagram announcing a photo-tutorial for making a Christmas Tree Wall Hanging out of granny squares, I had to go down that rabbit hole.  You can find the tutorial as a free download from Ravelry at:   www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grandmas-vintage-christmas-tree  .  

​A new year to grow….

We are more than half way through the first month of 2020, and I am sure most of us have spent many moments reflecting on the way the previous year went for us and in what ways we would like the new year to be different. My reflections took me to choose the word "Grow" for my word of the year. Of course, it can be applied to all aspects of my life, but in terms of my crafting,I would like to  focus on learning new skills or just improving the ones I have. Who knows?  Maybe this year I could just grow in another direction all together. Either way, I am game and I'm hoping you'll come along for the ride. It will be a bumpy one, I am sure!!!