A Year In Review: 2020 with @TheSkeiniac

Good riddance, 2020.  Am I right? 

Seriously, y’all.  What a year.  It went absolutely nothing like I planned in all aspects of my life.  I know that was the case for everyone.  But one good thing that did come out of 2020: LOTS of yarn time.  I am afraid to even count how many pattern tests I completed this year, and I am absolutely thrilled that I was able to start this blog.  I am truly blown away by the success of the blog in such a short period of time, and I have all of YOU to thank for that.  So, THANK YOU very much for all of your support. 

Before I review all of my projects from 2020, I want to talk about a few of my specific goals for 2021:

 GOAL 1

Test less.  Make existing patterns more (or really, at all).  I have a tendency to test, test, test.  And that means I NEVER take time to make some of the beautiful patterns that are already out there, many of which are already in my Ravelry library.  While I was making a sample knit for @hausofwool late this year and then some gifts for family, I found pleasure in making a pattern without the pressure of needing to closely scrutinize and edit the pattern, track my yardage, and fix minor mistakes, and having the freedom to make modifications as needed.  There are dozens of beautiful patterns out there that I have been wanting to make, so 2021 is the year for that.  How am I going to make that happen? 

Well, here is my commitment: For every pattern test I take on, I will also cast on a non-test.  

Furthermore, the non-test that I cast on needs to be in the same general category.  If it’s a garment test, I have to cast on a garment non-test.  If it’s a shawl or a beanie, I have to cast on another neck or head accessory.  If it’s a sock or mitt, another sock or mitt.  You get the idea.  And I have to cast it on by the end of the month after my test begins.  So, for every January test, I have to cast on the non-tests by the end of February. 

I am really excited about this commitment, because it not only assures that I will make non-tests, but it will force me to take on less tests too, knowing that each test I take on is actually two projects. 

I’ve already started planning based on my January tests!

January tests in progress:

• Despite Shawl by @detroitknots

• Tutti Frutti Top by @themarvelousmrsmaker

• Suriously Soft Sweater by @by.stephanie.erin

Non-test plans:

• Retro Camp Beanie by @ponderbird

• Tan & Tipsy Top by @knittingtipsy

• Roll Neck Tank by @hannahsingleton

 GOAL 2

Buy less yarn.  My yarn stash is BANANAS.  It’s like I think if I don’t buy the yarn now, there will never be another beautiful yarn available when I want it. I am not foolish enough to believe I’ll never buy yarn again, but I am committing to my standard yarn diet for 3 months and then re-evaluating.  For 3 months, the rules are: no yarn purchases unless you actually CANNOT possibly make it with yarn from the stash.  For my non-tests, if I cannot make it with yarn from the stash, I need to choose a different pattern commitment.  For tests, I need to consider this before taking on the test and only break it in rare, special circumstances.  Based on what I have in stash, I really should not need to buy anything for at least three months.  After March, depending on how things are looking, I will either continue the yarn diet or give myself a monthly budget that can carry over if I do not use it.

GOAL 3

Read, color, and journal.  This has nothing to do with yarn, I know.  However, reading and coloring are two things I used to really enjoy doing but literally never make the time to do now.  Journaling is something I want to try out for my mental health going into what I know is going to be a very difficult year for me.  How it relates to the yarn life: well, it’s another reason I will need to keep my testing lighter this year, to make time for these other things I used to enjoy.

The specific commitments:

• At least one book per month

• At least one coloring session per month

• At least weekly journaling

I know these are big ambitious goals, but I am hopeful.  Wish me luck.

♡♡♡

As for the blog, you can expect:

• Continued bi-monthly Friday posts by me or a guest author with tips, advice, experiences related to or relevant to the pattern testing process. As always, if there’s a topic you’d like to see covered, let me know!

• Continued bi-monthly Tester Tuesday features of other makers in the community as it relates to pattern testing. If you’d like to nominate a superstar tester or a designer for whom you really enjoy testing, let me know!

• And a brand-new series starting this month: SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT.  In this series, I will be reviewing products and patterns, likely on a bi-monthly basis.  This could include yarn, stitch markers, particular patterns, needles, hooks, project bags … really anything related to the process of knitting and crocheting!  If there is something in particular that you’d like me to review, please let me know.

♡♡♡

Now, I’d like to turn back to reflecting on 2020 – the year of no social life and lots of yarn time.  I finished 105 projects this year. Granted, some of those were small - a batch of beanies for my bachelorette party, some coasters, etc. But still! Here are the projects I completed by month. Most of these are on my Ravelry projects page, which will contain more information for you about each of the patterns. The designers’ Instagram handles are also listed. Be sure to check out any of the ones you like and support your fellow makers!

JANUARY 2020

• The Possible Pullover by @leroocrochet

• 3 Braided Tunisian Ear Warmers by @tlyarncrafts (Not a test! These were for my bridal shower.)

• The Cinnabar Sweater by @mavencrafted

• 11 Forever October Slouches by @knitbrooks and 10 velvet scrunchies (Not a test! These were for my bachelorette party.)

• Thunderhead Beanie by @michaelshauun for a friend (Not a test!)

FEBRUARY 2020

• The Scrappy Sweater by @ninabellaknits

• The Dixon Toque Lite by @pacificknotco

• The Basic Stitch Bikini by @knittingtipsy

• The Amelia Socks by @leroocrochet

• The Aurelia Shawlette by @knotbadbritt

• A monkey stuffed animal with a pattern by @sewrella, for a friend’s baby’s birthday. (Not a test!)

MARCH 2020

• A baby blanket for a close friend of mine.  (No pattern – freestyled by me. Not a test!)

• The After Glow Ruffle Crop by @themarvelousmrsmaker

• The One Skein Wonder Cowl Lite by @bellas_custom_crochets

• 3 Belyea Bobble Coasters by @pacificknotco

APRIL 2020

• The Kelly Knotted Headband by @pacificknotco

• The CinnaBaby Sweater by @mavencrafted

• The Nina Socks by @gavriellamakes

• The Bubbilicious Bag by @littleredknits

• The Hampton Dish Cloth by @pacificknotco

• The Soundwave Shawl by @by.stephanie.erin

• The Plant Lady Cowl by @sundaughterknits

• The Dawe Dishcloth by @pacificknotco

MAY 2020

• The Tunisian Comfort Tee by @detroitknots

• The Vivien Halter by @ponderandply

• The Simone Sweater by @gavriellamakes

• The Ashcroft Dishcloth by @pacificknotco

• The Treble Maker Tee by @capital.crochet

 JUNE 2020

• The Summer Romance Wrap by @littleredknits

• The Tessellation Tee by @by.stephanie.erin

• The Because Rainbow Mitts by @sundaughterknits

• The Escalante Tank by @hannahsingleton

• The Tunisian Void Shawl by @by.stephanie.erin

 JULY 2020

• The Sunflower Shawl by @capellalunafibers

• The Beach Babe Bag by @michaelshauun

• The Tauriel Socks by @mavencrafted

• The Tunisian Desert Top by @detroitknots

• The Empower Bandana by @detroitknots

• The Crosswinds Wrap by @littleredknits

• The Stripey V Tee by @hannahsingleton

• The Party Punch Shawl by @tlyarncrafts

• Millie the Milk Dud amigurumi by @oddknotsandthreads

• Baby Blanket for my nephew (No pattern and not a test!)

 AUGUST 2020

MY BLOG LAUNCHED! ◡̈

• The Cozy Plant Duo (Hanger + Coaster) by @seniya_studio

• The Happy Sack Tote by @capital.crochet

• The Flannel Shirt Socks by @thelittlewolfknits

• The Dove Dress by @madebyhaileybailey

SEPTEMBER 2020

• The Tropicana Twist by @themarvelousmrsmaker

• The Timber Beanie by @baahumble

• The Brioche Shmioche by @michaelshauun

• The Louellen Tee by @pacificknotco

• The Cinna Cardi by @mavencrafted

• The Trestle Trail Slouch by @knitbrooks

• Two coasters and a dishcloth for a housewarming gift! (Not a test)

OCTOBER 2020

• The Roan Beanie by @oddknotsandthreads

• The Fenna Shawl by @knotbadbritt

• The Comforted by Cables Pillow by @things.beth.makes

• The Front Range Scarf by @baahumble

•  Squares and seaming of a baby blanket gifted to a fellow maker friend! (Not a test!)

• 3 secret tests NOT YET REVEALED ◡̈

 NOVEMBER 2020

• The Auckland Sweater by @pacificknotco

• The Blythe Dress by @namaste_and_crochet

• The Cinna Kiddo Cardi by @mavencrafted

• The Pinetop Socks by @mavencrafted

• The @montana.crochet Advent Fringe Shawl designed by @1dogwoof

DECEMBER 2020

• The Marled Alaska Cowl by @badsheepyarn and @sundaughterknits

• The Brightfeather Sweater by @knit.love.wool for @hausofwool (Not a test – a sample!)

• The CinnIllusion Scarf by @mavencrafted

• The Itty Bitty Stockinette Raglan by @christieboddendesigns (Not a test! Gift knitting.)

• 2 more Forever October Slouches by @knitbrooks (Not a test! Gift knitting.)

• The Winter Sparkle Ear Warmer by @capital.crochet (Not a test! Gift crochet.)

• Dinosaur stuffed animal for my nephew based on a drawing by my brother! (Not a test! Gift crochet.)

• The Amess Cowl by @pacificknotco (Not a test! Gift knitting.)

• The Endless Seasons Shawl by @thefrostedstitch

• The Cloud Crop Top by @evolvecrochet

 ♡♡♡

Thanks for reading about my year in review! It was definitely a busy year for making. I learned a lot of new skills and techniques, and over time, have learned a lot about my personal style and preferences. I am excited to go into 2021 with more intentional making - a focus on pieces that really speak to my style and preferences. Hope to see you around the maker community throughout 2021. ◡̈