My 2025 craft goals and 2024 review
We’re almost two weeks into 2025, but, I’ve had a busy Christmas visiting family in UK (I’m sure many of you can relate!). I’ve only just started to look back at everything and think about what I want 2025 to look like, both in my crafting world and other aspects of my life.
I talked about this exact thing in my latest Youtube episode, which you can watch below.
Don’t forget to give the video a like if you do, and let me know what you’ll be making.
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2024 in review
2024 BIG YEAR IN GENERAL, SETTLING BACK INTO vancouver life after a year travelling the world in 2023.
Moved into new apartment and to buy all furniture etc. we had our campvan here so we did have some things, like kitchen ware, bedding and I still had a stash of yarn i Had been keeping hold of, but yeah that was a lot, as well as finding a job which took much longer than anticipated, but happy to say i got there in the end.
3 BIG CRAFTING HIGHLIGHTS
I released 7 patterns that I’m really proud of:
The Nelson top, - a crochet top with heart cut-out. Loose, made in 4 panels and joined together. Perfect for summery days. Made with a bamboo cotton yarn.
Salt spring bags - 3 crochet patterns in one pdf. A collection of 3 bags; a tote bag, bottle holder, and phone holder. I love this set, you can see more about the design process in a previous video. I use these bags all the time, especially the bottle holder and phone hodler. They are great for going out for walks when a whole bag isn’t necessary. Someone reached out to me to let me know they purchased this pattern and made the phone holder as their first ever crochet project, which I was delighted about and really proud of!
Hornby vest - a crochet sweater vest (I guess i was really heavy on crochet pattern designing in 2024!) Made with worsted weight yarn, in the round, bottom-up it’s a good project for a confident beginner crocheter. Perfect for layering or worn on it’s own as it starts to warm up into spring.
Downtown socks - a knitting pattern! A perfect stash buster and beginner colour work socks. Constructed cuff down, heel flap and gusset aka my favourite way to design socks!
Thank you to everyone who has purchased one of my patterns, or supported me through testing, liking or promoting them.
Keep scrolling for more highlights….
my 4 pattern designs left to right: Nelson top, Downtown socks, Salt Spring bags, Hornby sweater vest
2. I started my Youtube channel
In April 2024 I published by first vlog! I had been thinking about it for a while, as I really enjoy watching youtube vloggers, from travel content to craft videos, and felt like it would be a fun way to join in with the maker community. It took me a while to build up confidence, but now I have been doing it for nine months and I’m really enjoying it.
Thank you to everyone if you’ve watched, liked and subscribed to my videos.
3. Started going to knit nights!
If you’ve been watching my vlogs, you’ll know that attending knit nights was something that I had wanted to do for a long time (years really), but I kept getting anxious at the thought of actually going.
However, in November 2024, I finally pushed myself out there and attended one that is local to me. I’ve only been to twice so far, but it has been great to connect with other local makers. I’m definitely going to keep attending knit nights, as well as other fibres events.
Onto my 2025 goals…
2025 Goals
1. Finishing the wips i HAVE AND GETTING THROUGH YARN STASH Work through my yarn stash- it’s not extensive by any means, but I do think, if i don’t get through it now. When will i ever get back to it? I have some ideas in my mind, and it’s next weeks video i’ll take a deeper dive into reviewing my stash, as well as look for some project ideas that would be great for stash busting.
2. Connected to that, reduce my spending. This is a goal I have across my life, not just crafting. I decided late last year that I was going to do this, and it does seem that “no buy year” has become a trending activity for this year. But rather than just go all in on “no buy” I would rather look at it as being really intentional with my spending, aside from the obvious living expenses that I have to spend money on.
I have just felt a little bit out of control with my finances over the last year or so, for various reasons. And i think being more mindful with how I spend money will help regain a little bit of control.
So with this in mind, I am as i mentioned, going to focus on using what i have. But if I happen to go to a yarn store, or fibre festival and see something I really love, and know exactly what I could use it for, then I won’t stop myself from buying it. But what I am going to avoid it buying sweater quantities of yarn to make a sweater I like the look of, even though technically I have enough sweaters in my wardrobe and another one isn’r essential. It’s a tough one isn’t it, because if you went on like that you’d probably only knit for 5 years before you felt like you had everything you needed. Anyway, I’m rambling, sorry if that has been a stream of consciousness that’s difficult to follow, maybe some of you feel the same way, but all that is to see, I’m not going to do any frivolous impulsive spending on yarn, my focus is to use what i have!
3. Continue going to knit nights and get more involved in the maker community, go to other knit nights and fibre events. And connect with people online, through this channel and other platforms.
4. Visit more local yarn stores. I’m very familiar with the yarn stores in Vancouver itself, but I know there are more in the greater Vancouver area that I need to visit. Unfortunately there might not be much travel for me in 2025, but I know there’s plenty of yarny things to do in BC to keep the wanderlust at bay.
5. Continue learning. Designing patterns has taught me so much, and although I am putting a pause of designing for a little while, I instead want to take the time to learn more about garment construction, stitch designs and more so I can come back with even better designs. I have ideas in mind, I just want to take the time to ensure they are the best they can be, so I don’t know if 2025 will be the year for them, I have 9 patterns out already, so I’ll work on p
6. Grow the wander and create business. Business talk, but I have really been enjoying what I’ve been up to with this over the last couple of years, designing patterns. Writing blogs and now starting the channel, I’d like to see it grow more. I have ideas and I hope you’ll join me for the ride. If there is anything you would like to see from me. Let me know.
That’s me! I’m already looking forward to reviewing these at the same time next year and seeing how I get on. Do you have goals for 2025? I’d love to hear them.
If you like this, other blog posts you might. like include:
Small knitting projects for your next trip
5 knitting projects to do with leftover yarn
If you’re looking for some mini knitting projects (that also make great gifts!) Check out my Journey Collection patterns
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