What are your crafty plans for 2014?

[SomewhereBeyondTheSea]

Hi all, sorry if there is already a thread along these lines, I did have a look but couldn't see one. Thought it would be nice to share ideas - I don't really have anyone irl I can ramble about knitting with!

I have just started the Ashton shawlette (Ravelry page: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ashton-shawlette) - it's my first time following a lace chart, and I'm not very obedient at following patterns, so it'll be interesting to see whether I can stick with it ...

Using Sirdar country-style DK, in a kind of mustardy yellow, and 5.5mm needles, so I think it'll turn out quite a bit bigger than the 'official' pattern.

Anyone else got something on the go, or planned?

Hi. I've been making miniature bears (crochet) for a while and have got a bit bored with that so I have just downloaded some knitting patterns to have a go at knitting lace. Think I will probably try a scarf to start with as I don't think I can cope with a lace pattern and shaping too. I have chosen patterns with written instructions though as I don't feel brave enough to tackle a chart yet. Good luck with yours. Keep us posted with how its going.

I am currently making a crochet cowl for DD1 and then I want to make lots of white blankets for the neonatal unit at my local hospital. I need some inspiration as the last lot were granny squares - absolutely beautiful if I say so myself - but given that they are usually used for babies that pass away I would like to make something lovely.

Later in the year I will finally get round to the sofa throw I had planned for the end of last year.

I want to practice my free motion quilting and was inspired by a morse code quilt my friend/teacher made a while back. I'm going to do something similar with binary. I'll basically be tracing the 1's and 0's onto the quilt top and densely quilting around them (black thread on black fabric) so they stand out.

Just spent this afternoon planning a crochet ripple blanket for DD that I am making from an adaptation of an Attic 24 pattern. Just calculating how much of each colour I need it is going to be all blues. As Lucy says don't ask about the cost it's going to be an heirloom.

Nothing specific but I am going to try not to buy anything new - I will endeavour to use up what I have and also plan ahead and make more cards and gifts.

I'm going to try and craft gifts this year and do a project a month. So far:

January - marmalade
February - fleece hot water bottle covers
March - appliqué blankets for dc
April - small cross stitch pictures
May - jumper for dd1
June - strawberry jam
July - jumper for dd2
August - damson chutney
September - needle books
October - knitted nativity
November - knitted nativity and Christmas cake
December - Christmas cushion covers

We'll see...this year was not very fruitful but we had building works going on.

Hexipuff quilt. Has anyone done one?

I'm planning to do something significant to a knitting/ crochet/ patchwork WIP each day, until I clear some of them.

I'm also going to try to write for at least 15 mins a day and crafting of a type actually edit a previously written story four another 15 mins.

Thanks for posting everyone - great to hear about your projects.

5HundredUsernames - I haven't found the lace + increases too bad so far, will be interested to hear what pattern you choose for your scarf. Are you going to choose fine yarn and small needles? I am no good at delicate work so chose to go larger so that I can focus on getting my head round the pattern, but am already beginning to see that finer-scale work would produce a much more delicate result. Am already tempted to do another one with smaller needles and yarn if I manage to finish this one!

Woollybackswife - blankets sound lovely, such a good cause.

Bigbirthdaygloom - that is some calendar! I'm a commitmentphobe, I couldn't plan that far ahead

Ethelb - the hexipuff quilt looks amazing - but so much hard work. Good luck with it, keep us posted!

I'm planning a House Sampler as a block a month project. My plans are here. I was thinking of running it as a stitchalong project....what do you guys think?

I'm planning on having a crafty in the middle of bootcamp for my birthday - does that count?

I need to do my promised squares for the WH blanket before I even think about anything else!!

At the moment I am undecided what weight yarn to use, like you was thinking a bit thicker to start with to make it easier but I love the look of the fine work so don't know if to be brave and go for it. I am just finishing a more basic DK scarf and then will decide. I have quite a bit of thicker yarn in my stash but would have to specially purchase finer stuff so will maybe experiment a little with that first. I am used to using fine crochet thread for the bears but not sure if I could manage to knit with it, I'm also a bit worried that I will give up easier as im quite impatient to see results and fear it won't grow quick enough!

I'm going

I'm going to finally crack crochet. I've enlisted the help of a friend.

I think I'm going to have a break from knitting to give my head space to get into one stick rather than two!

And I'm going to try to expand what I use applique for after making a chewy/little comfort cloth for DD.

I'm going to make some more personalised towels as they were a big hit. Also planning to make a memory blanket for each of my 3 dc and maybe memory bears, not necessarily all this year though.

I'm totally in awe of the skill set here. I made mini Christmas stockings for all the women teachers last year and secretly put them in their pigeonholes(till someone caught me) This year I am doing them for the boys, in team colours/old men socky style. I'm also going to make an advent calendar for my DNS. Get sewing machine out of attic and teach cack handed ds to sew.

I'm determined to finish the 6' x 8' quilt I started when I started maternity leave with DS1 (now 2!). I had a 'genius' idea that I would hand quilt flowers all over it rather than just doing the seams/big lines. I am beginning to lose the will to quilt

I'm also going to do a big sun mosaic to cover up the hideous piece of plywood the landlord used to block the fireplace.

Oh muppet I did some hand quilting in the cuddle cloth I mentioned above and was so proud of it. I know machine quilting is faster but there is something lovely about hand quilting on an heirloom/gift that you are giving.

Nearer Christmas I'm going to hand quilt coasters and mats or a table runner.

crochetbyjoanne.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/white-crocheted-puff-stitch-baby-blanket/

I love this white blanket :)

So many crafty things I want to do this year:

I intend to stash bust as much as possible (before I get overtaken by all my yarn!!). Lots and lots of plans: Kate's OWLS jumper, Tasha's Victory beret, MJ Mucklestone's fairisle tank ... et al. Oh, and at least one pair of socks a month!!
I intend to learn how to crochet well (emphasis on the 'well') . I soooooo want a ripple blanket.
I want to improve my sewing skills and make use of my lovely new sewing machine to make clothes for myself.
I would like to give handmade gifts throughout the year (obviously excluding DS as I don'[t think knitted XBox games will cut it ... although I do have regular orders for socks and cardigans from him!!

Good luck and a happy crafty 2014 to all and their crafty endeavours .

What a beautiful lot of projects! I'm resisting the temptation to add anyone else's to my list and trying to take the long view-I have years of crafting ahead! somewhere I know it looks like a bit of a list, but apart from the knitting and they're each am evenings worth so if I don't love making hot water bottles I can just do the one and feel I've done that month. Good luck all.

Some good projects on here! I'm extremely curious about the morse code and the binary quilt!

I have one main project which started yesterday - I joined 'the documented life' group and have started a art journal cross planner so a daily planner and then a weekly art journal pic or two. I have WIPs to be finished: 1. a bag - all cut out I just need to sew it together, 2. knickers - again, all cut out, just need to sew up - I didn't get chance before Christmas to finish off. I'd also like to make myself some clothes and some handmade gifts for birthdays/Christmas.. just need to sit down and plan out what.

Hoogally it looks lovely, it really does, it's just taking soooo long! It takes about an hour to do each flower, which are about five inches across. DH worked out it would take about 300 of them to cover the quilt. It's such a daunting prospect I find myself putting it off, which if course just makes it take longer! I'll get there in the end though

I am such a beginner compared to all of you!
Although I am probably lots older.

I am such a potcher; I start something, then get caught up in something else and don't finish anything off properly.

I have made a positive start by getting all craft materials together. Then had an psoriasis/arthritis flare up and couldn't face it. I am feeling better today so about to go and tackle it.

On the positive side I have made a Cosy for my Suki teapot. I am pleased as it is a different shape and I customised it.

It is ochre yellow and will have pink and purple roses and deep green leaves on top.

I want to make a jumper for DP. The style I want is baggy and holey iykwim? We have a couple that we bought in Glastonbury, hand made and imported from Nepal. Do you think I can try to replicate them?

Good luck with all you projects, they sound amazing.

earthymama
Your tea cosy sounds amazing!
Good luck with your jumper, you sound very talented. I wouldn't know where to start replicating an item, i have no imagination. I have to strictly follow a pattern.