New Year’s Day is always a wonderful time for reflection and setting goals.
As I look back on 2015, I see many changes some big, some small. Some happy, some bittersweet. Something else I noticed as I reflect back—geez, I have not blogged in a while!
I don’t know about you but at the start of some years, I forget how much I actually accomplished and grew over the previous twelve months. For me, I still cannot believe that I now get to spend every day with wonderful knitters and crocheters and beautiful yarn!
During our last happy hour event at Creative Ewe, I asked everyone what their biggest or proudest fiber-related accomplishment was in 2015. I found it interesting that some people had a hard time coming up with one accomplishment—especially as I’ve seen so many amazing things achieved in the Creative Ewe community in the past year:
- Knitting up a first sweater
- Finishing a first pair of socks
- Experimenting with color work for the first time
- Getting their stash organized
- And for some people, learning to knit or crochet for the first time!
I remember when I learned to use double-pointed needles for the first time. I felt like a foal learning to walk for the first time. It was just all limbs and spastic movements.
And my dogs got to hear me yell things like:
“This is impossible!”
“No one could ever knit with this many needles. It can’t be done!”
“This is the stupidest, &@%^*@, @&*!$% thing ever...[more angry muttering]…”
As we become more proficient as makers, we sometimes forget how difficult certain techniques or methods were at the beginning.
But the wonderful truth for all us knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, felters, and all other creative types—if we stick with it, things are hard until they aren’t.
My gift to our happy hour participants was not only the gift of my child-like laughter but a way to remember everything they accomplish in 2016. May I introduce you to the Fiber Feats jar:
Every time, we learn a new awesome fiber arts skill, I’m asking everyone to put it down on a little slip of paper and put it in their respective jar. By the end of 2016, I’m sure each person’s jar will be filled with tiny slips of paper that tell the story of their amazing achievements and growth.
And if you want to play along at home, here are the instructions to create your very own Fiber Feats jar:
What You’ll Need
- An empty mason jar
- A length of crochet chain stitch or knit i-cord
- Two pom-poms
- A self-adhesive chalkboard label
- Chalk or chalk pencil
- Darning or tapestry needle
- Slips of paper
Step 1: Tie your crochet chain or i-cord around the lid of the mason jar
Step 2: Thread your darning needle with the tail from each crochet chain or i-cord and push it through your pom-pom. Repeat with the other pom-pom and tail.
Step 3: Slap the self-adhesive label on the jar. Use the chalk or chalk pencil to label the jar.
Step 4: Each time you learn a new fiber arts skill or finish a project, write it down on a slip of paper and add it to the jar!
Wishing you a happy and sheepy New Year!
Binding off for now,
Christian
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