New Year Craft Resolutions

It’s a new year and for me that means trying something new. Lately I’ve found myself practicing more knitting than crochet, but that’s probably because I’ve been crocheting for 35 and only recently taught myself to knit (after several false starts over the years), so right now knitting feels new and exciting. I’m eager to try knew things and stretch myself, see what else I can learn.

This year I’m going to try a new knitting technique: knitting two socks simultaneously on two circular needles. I received a great book for Christmas (Knitting Circles Around Socks by Antje Gillingham) that makes it look easy. First, however, I need to get two circular needles the same size. That I don’t have yet. I have one of every size, but to do this you need two, so that’s my first task.

As for crochet, this year I’d like to return to my first love: making gowns for fashion dolls, like you see in the Annie’s Attic bed doll society patterns and the Paradise Publications historical doll gowns. They’re gorgeous! For years I made these and love it. It feeds right into my doll collecting hobby that has slowed considerably over the years as I ran out of space! I took a break from fashion doll crochet when I had a baby and didn’t have the free time for spending hours in my craft room attending to detailed work like applying tiny crocheted roses to a doll’s perfectly coiled hair or sewing boa feathers around the hem of a dress. I have a doll in the Paradise Publication 1900 Century Celebration costume about 85% complete, waiting for my return. Maybe this will be the year I finish her.

So what’s on your New Year’s Craft Resolution list? A new technique? A new project? Let us know how we can help you succeed.