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!
15 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
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Surprise Contest for 2026!!
Week 1:Did you finally scrap a WIP or project off your to do list? (3 pts)
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
4 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
3
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
I want to use a supply that I have been keeping in my stash or else pass it on! A randomly chosen one each month.
Jan: metal tags
Feb: wooden birdhouses
Mar: brass mini floral vases
Apr:
May:
Jun:
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; Nov
Craftalongs I want to participate in and what I want to make in each:
Week 1:Did you finally scrap a WIP or project off your to do list?
I did! I donated & threw out a few things actually, of note about 1/2 of the sweaters from the mending pile that aren’t the right size anymore. I’m not even keeping them for scrap material.
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, Mando/Grogu ornament, 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…
AIMR
(Linda -2026 time to regroup and renew :us:)
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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!
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….
