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!!
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?
5 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
Weighted sewing machine cover
Crochet Pocket shawl-from 2025
Catalona flower shawl - from 2024
Double Take Beanie
Ltweight hoodie
Felt Ornaments
Paper wreath ornaments
Night Owl Cross stitch Crochet Christmas pickle for our tree
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:
I did it! 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.
Week 2 the absolute ONE project you really want or need to get done in 2026:
Felt mushroom house!
Week 3 a WIP that you have had for some time:
I have always wanted to add a crocheted border to the patchwork blanket I made for Rob out of old fulled sweater squares. I don’t know how to figure out the gauge and I feel intimidated by such a big project and messing it up. I could just do it, or I could sew a blanket stitch edge. My plan was to use wool yarn we got on a cross-country trip to visit my Aunt’s cottage on the east coast before she passed away so there’s some sentimentality delaying the project too. She would want me to find joy in the making though, so I should let myself feel her love and support while I just get to 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:
I’m crafting for the 5th round of Positive Affirmations, that’s a small one, and bright & shiny too. I can get it done by the deadline.
Week 5 Do you have a project that can be completed in little bites:
Restringing a garnet necklace. I have a plan for it! Just gotta make sure I have the right sized beads.
Mending Rob’s sweaters. I’m just sitting around watching tv in the evenings, I might as well keep my hands busy!
Week 6 3 items to get to this quarter, 1 this week, 1 by end of Feb, 1 by end of Mar:
Joined the felt badge swap and completed badges for 2 partners, ya 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!
Week 7 go to project:
Oh, definately 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: it’s gonna be that bedroom refresh. We need a nice curtain, wall art, and something pretty for the bed, end table, and side table to tie it all together.
Week 9 Fave day to craft:
Oh, any time at all! Obviously when I feel relaxed and able to focus but there’s no set time for it.
Projects:
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, 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
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!
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:
scrappy scarf
wonky jean stars quilt Rumble raglan Sorrel sweater
pillow cover
art quilt wall hanging?
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….
