Hello and welcome to 2025! Please join me as I share with you some crochet memories from 2024.
January: Finishing the 2023 Temperature/Sampler Blanket
January started with a big finish! I completed the Crochet-A-Long (CAL) project I had been working on throughout 2023: the 2023 Temperature/Sampler Blanket. For this project, I used Lion Brand Mandala Ombre yarn, which added beautiful transitions that complemented the color changes for the temperatures. It was such a rewarding project, but I was also relieved to tie up loose ends and call it done in early January.
February: A Special Birthday Gift
In February, I worked on another temperature blanket, this time as a gift for a dear friend who turned 30 in March. Instead of following the current year’s temperatures, I researched the average high temperature for each week of her first year of life. Using Caron Simply Soft Yarn, I created a cozy and personal keepsake to celebrate her milestone birthday. She was thrilled with it, and I loved making something so meaningful.
March: A Creative Pause
March didn’t quite go as planned. I started a new crochet project, but somewhere along the way, I lost my enthusiasm for it. Sometimes, you dive into a project thinking it will be amazing, only to realize it’s not quite what you envisioned. Has that ever happened to you on your creative journey? While it’s disappointing, it’s also a learning experience. I’ve since moved on, but the unfinished piece reminds me that not every idea is a keeper.
April: My First Crocheted Top
In April, I decided to tackle a new challenge: making a fitted wearable for myself. I chose to crochet a top with the goal of finishing it before Wayne and I went on vacation in May. It was my first time creating a fitted garment, and I’m so proud of how it turned out! I finished just in time and was able to wear it during our trip.
May: A Blanket with a Special Connection
May was filled with meaningful projects. I crocheted a baby blanket for my great-niece’s baby shower. Around the same time, she had to go to the hospital due to complications. She sent me a picture of the blanket I had made for her and her husband as a wedding gift, saying it was her favorite and brought her comfort during that stressful time. It was so heartwarming to know that my crochet brought her solace.
When I gifted her the baby blanket, she was overjoyed and has sent me several pictures of her son enjoying it. Knowing my work brings joy to others is the best reward.
Travel-Friendly Crocheting: Soap Sacks
During our vacation in May, I wanted to bring a travel-friendly crochet project. I packed some cotton yarn and made soap sacks to donate. If you’re curious about this initiative, check out my July 22, 2024, blog post where I delve into the details. Soap sacks are fun and quick to make, and they’re perfect for traveling since they don’t take up much space.
Next week, I’ll continue sharing my 2024 crochet year in review. I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane so far. Have any of my projects inspired you to start something new? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
~Belle
