I joined a 50 Projects Craftalong on the dead space back in 2006. So this is actually my 20th anniversary doing this craftalong. On Lettuce Craft, it will be year 7. I haven’t always been good at keeping up on things and along the way, I am sure that many of the projects that I thought I wanted to do got listed and never made. But, that’s ok.
I have to remind myself that this is not a contest or competition to see how many projects can be completed in a year. Having done this for so long, I know that it is more of a focus help and some accountability. More importantly, it is a chance to pat ourselves on the back for being makers. Say that aloud: WE ARE MAKERS!
When I talk to people IRL, they are surprised to learn that there are people out here that still carry on traditional crafts like knitting and sewing. They are mostly delighted to hear it and then want to learn more. We are special. We use modern technology and websites for inspiration and tutorials. We share ideas and knowledge. We learn. We teach. We experience the joy of making something with our own two hands. We see the delight when others get our gifts.
I am going to be 72 this year. Most of you are way younger than I am. I want you to know that I appreciate your enthusiasm, your hacks, your sharing links, and your talent. It makes me happy to accepted by a community when IRL, women of my age are often “invisible” and discounted for having any talent, skills, wisdom, humor, etc. It feels great when you encourage me and comment kindly on my projects. I feel forever young!
Before things get too sappy, here are the basics for this craftalong:
Make stuff, post stuff, share with the community, have fun!
18 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
2
Surprise Contest for 2026!!
First Quarter Jan-Mar 2026
Week 1:Did you finally scrap a WIP or project off your to do list? (3 pts)
Week 2: What is the absolute ONE project you really want or need to get done in 2026? (3 pts
Week 3:Week three question:
Think of a WIP that you have had for some time. What is keeping you from finishing it? Can it be overcome and how (ie. buy more yarn, frog to a certain point, read directions)?
If not, what can you do to remove it out of your brain and WIP pile?
3 points for answering; 5 points for removing it; 10 points for finishing it
Week 4:
Name a new project that you have started , or can’t wait to start that you can complete in a short amount of time. Something that gives almost instant gratification from start to finish.
3 pts for naming, 10 pts for completing
Week 5: Do you have a project that can be completed in little bites? Maybe a bit everyday that you could post in February and be done at the end of the month? [5 pts for starting; 10 points for finishing]
or, finish a project by the end of February…all finished projects will get 1 point. It is winter for most of us, so being inside is the perfect excuse to craft!
Week 6: Excited to start a new project? Bored with mending, WIPS, or even current projects in progress?
List three items that you would like to get to this quarter. (5 pts)
Bold the one item that you can start this week. (1 pt)
Finish one item by the end of Feb. (3 pts)
Finish one item by the end of Mar. (1 pt)
Week 7: What is your “go-to” project when you just want to make something? This is probably something you already have the supplies on hand at a moment’s notice. When was the last time you made your “go-to” project? Do you need to fill up on supplies? (ha ha) (3 pts)
Week 8: Many of us craft something for the holidays, whether it is a special card, a home decor item, or a gift. What holiday (if any), will you be working on during March and what do you want to make?(1 pt)
Week 9: Do you have a particular day that you like do your crafting? Why that day? (1 pt)
Week 10: Easy peasy. Did you craft this weekend?
Week 11: Do you have an exciting NEW project that you are eager to start?
Week 12: Name on project you did this quarter, large or small, that you are especially pleased with. Are you looking forward to a similar project this spring (or fall for those in opposite zones)?
Second Quarter - Apr-Jun 2026
Week 13: Now is the time to update your lists and plan for some spring projects! (1 point for list; 2 points for every completion)
Week 14: Do you get stressed out during tax time? Does crafting help or are you too distracted?
Weeks 15 & 16: Rest and regroup…Freebie 1 point for anyone that showed up in April.
Wks. 17 & 18: How do you decide what your next project is going to be? Is it a special event coming up? Is it something you need for your home? Is it something you saw online? Is it to use up stash? Is it just because?
5 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
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My 2026 Goal List. Subject to change, of course, because that is what happens in real life!
Objective: Use the good stuff and use stash supplies
Throw pillows with orange/blue theme
Wall hanging of some sort (natural elements to break up the modern stuff)
Three small macrame hangers for spider plants
QBOM-June 2025; July 2025;
Craftalongs I want to participate in and what I want to make in each:
Week 1 scrap a WIP/UFO (3 pts):
Donated & threw out a few things including about 1/2 of the sweaters from the mending
Week 2 the absolute ONE project you really want or need to get done in 2026 (3 pts):
Felt mushroom house! (are the points for naming or finishing this project?)
Week 3 a WIP that you have had for some time (answer 3 pts)(remove 5 pts)(finish 10 pts):
Add a crocheted border to the patchwork blanket I made for Rob out of old fulled sweater squares.
Week 4 a new project that you can complete in a short amount of time (name 3 pts)(complete 10 pts):
5th round of Positive Affirmations, actually 2 partners for this one, started and done! Do I get double points, haha.
Week 5 Do you have a project that can be completed in little bites (start 5 pts)(finish 10 pts):
Mending Rob’s sweaters. I started by culling the pile.
Week 6 3 items to get to this quarter (list 5 pts), 1 this week (Bold 1 pt), 1 by end of Feb (3 pts), 1 by end of Mar (1 pts):
Joined the felt badge swap and completed badges for 2 partners, yay me!
End of Feb finished the basement reno! HUGE!
End of March, we’ll be done the small bedroom refresh and have moved ourselves in there! On track to finish!
Week 7 go to project (3 pts):
Oh, definitely sewing. I have a hoop and some scraps and embroidery floss in my purse to grab and stitch on whenever I have a moment. It’s mindless, purposeless, and just the best!
Week 8 March break project (1 pt): Changed my mind about this one, am going to finish a small green scrappy stitch and mail it to my mom. (Canadian March Break is 14-22)
Week 9: Fave day to craft (1 pt):
Oh, any time at all! Obviously when I feel relaxed and able to focus but there’s no set time for it.
Week 10: Easy peasy. Did you craft this weekend?
I worked on that green stitchy and made a big dent in some new plans to move the studio around.
Week 11: Do you have an exciting NEW project that you are eager to start?
Sashbag had a sale so I ordered a replacement, I’ve worn the one I have for 2 years straight. I’m going to disassemble it and make my own version with the improvements I have been wishing for.
Week 12: a project from this quarter that you are especially pleased with.
I really liked that sewing kit and a cookie tin! I especially enjoyed taking it to the office and pranking my coworkers, haha.
April Now is the time to update your lists and plan for some spring projects! (1 point for list; 2 points for every completion)
Week 14: Do you get stressed out during tax time? Does crafting help or are you too distracted?
Rob does our taxes, I just get stressed out when he takes a really long time to get them done!
Wks. 17 & 18: How do you decide what your next project is going to be? Is it a special event coming up? Is it something you need for your home? Is it something you saw online? Is it to use up stash? Is it just because?
So random for me.
***If you are inspired by something you see online, made by someone here, give them a shout out.
Alex’s spring flower cross-stitch!
Project wish list:
Finish basement reno - FINISHED!
Move kid into basement - MOVED!
Paint kid’s empty room & move in
Paint our empty room & move friend/boarder in
Dig out old garage space & make a covered deck
Clean up front yard
Yoga studio planter boxes
Yoga studio door curtain
Yoga studio renos - wall, door, remove cupboards, build storage, clean/paint gear room
Learn to knit & knit something
Draft & sew sashbag
Finish denim laptop bag
Make removable purse insert
Duffle bag for Rob
Draft patterns from fave old clothes
Summer dress
Quilt squares WIP
Little mushroom house WIP
I’m holding space here to get my ideas flowing. Thanks again for setting this up!
My hope-to-do list: Priorities: Kidlet pink sweater
The Frog The Snowman candle mat
Nana Knitting Bag
Other ideas: Project keeper footstool, 12 days of Christmas Calendar, House elf ornament, knitted dolly (with clothes or topsy-turvy maybe), House shaped tissue box cover, Reusable party decorations, Chair socks, Needle Minder kit, Star Wars kit, Gnome kit, turtle kit, Family Yearbook, kid’s personal Yearbook, FPY used up, button garland, bedroom buntings, vanna yarn use up, Use the Gsquare,
I can’t believe this ‘along has been happening for so many years! Just shows what a little accountability and probably light hearted competition and cajolery can help produce.
I’m back again. I just received a whole bunch of crafting gifts for Christmas, so I’ve go to try
Finish at least 2 long term WIPs
Mushroom cross-stitch, only started it in July 2025, does it count as a long term WIP? It got put down once the daylight went one day and forgotten about for the best part of 6months!
Definitely a long term WIP, started Dec 2020, was going well until I learnt I can’t count I’m calling it done because I don’t want it to be hanging around any longer! The last rows are not per the pattern
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
15
Even if you get one project done, it is more than enough! This craftalong is for whatever you want to make stuff you want to make! Can’t wait to see your list and projects!
Question of the week:
Did you finally scrap a WIP or project off your to do list?
Something that you have been slogging around for quite a while but finally said, nope, not going to happen?
Did you recycle it? Pass it on? Frog it? Trash it?
How does it feel to get that monkey off your back?
You will get three points for any answers to this question…for our secret surprise game for 2026!
To do: Penta Pillar Pullover Rumble raglan Layla Cardigan
overdye seaglass sweater
protest hat w/FiberSeed sprinkles
reusable dog treat bags
pillow cover
flying geese quilt
incomplete loop earrings
7 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
17
I got a clear vinyl pouch from KnitPicks for the interchangeable needles I purchased. I love it but it is showing wear. I like that I can see what needles I wrote the size right on the clear vinyl.
I wish the sections allowed for more duplicates of needles I use the most. I also need a way to track where the needles are in use. I know I have a lot more needles attached to long tern projects like shawls and blankets.
I use the inner pouch for my gauges, wires, etc. You have me thinking now of designing a custom pouch based on what I have been working with with the last ten years.
Answer to W1 Q: I wouldn’t say that I scraped a WIP but more so I passed on some yarn that I had been holding onto hoping I’d someday use it up, but never finding the right project for it. With that in mind, I have more yarn (and good stuff too) that I could probably do the same with. The yarn is magenta but not a shade that I love, or can use up easily and there’s 2+ balls of it. I will pass it onto my partner’s nieces and nephew who have recently gotten into knitting (I gifted a circular knitting machine to the oldest who loves it!) and crochet. Thanks for the push to do that! The yarn in my stash has definitely been bugging me to be used in some way; it doesn’t have to be me though!
Same! Those vinyl pouches do not last long. I just had to tape the cover flap on one of mine because it wore right off! I have been looking for a replacement, but nothing is quite right, or already comes with needles, where I just want the pouch. I hope to eventually be motivated to try to sew my own replacement…maybe this year….
I’m calling it done because I don’t want it to be hanging around any longer! The last rows are not per the pattern
Swap gift
