2024 review

I know full well that there isn't going to be a sudden burst of productivity in the next two days, so I can safely write my review of the year now. Not that there is a huge amount to review. A combination of increased family commitments (which are only going to grow), and a disinclination to sew (which I hope is not going to grow) has made this a sparse year.

So. Much. Blue. (And a bit or orange/brown)

Being able to sew practical solutions to problems always gives me a great deal of satisfaction, and my tote bag and yarn holder have both seen a great deal of use.

What dressmaking I have done this year has all been from tried and trusted patterns, partly because I just couldn't muster the enthusiasm to alter, and possibly regrade, a new pattern. My experiments with Simplicity 1777/4463 continued, this time with the V neck option (left). I made another Grace dress, with no variations from its well-worn predecessor (second right). And after a long period in my pattern drawer, old favourite New Look 6000 made a triumphant return (right).

On the plus side, all of these were made from stash fabric. On the minus side, the stash grew because I haven't used any of the fabric I bought this year. I do also have several works in progress, as starting a project and then running out of steam has been a theme of the year.

Shameful

My proudest sewing achievement was one which I had to finish because it was part of a course I was doing, making a toile from what turned out to be a very well-drafted 150-year-old pattern.

The fashion plate and the toile

While I may not have sewn much, I have definitely expanded my knitting repertoire. I had my first go at lace knitting with the Dahlia shawl, and loved it. I also learned top-down construction on the Confidette bolero, and then went on to make not one but two Express Line cardigans, for myself and for my mum. In total, I think that I knitted up about 2,160m of yarn (1.34 miles!) in completed items. Not bad for someone who could barely knit a couple of years ago.

There are lots of things which I would like to do next year, but I have too much else going on to give myself the pressure of setting goals. I do want to finish my Lothian shawl before my birthday, but that’s about it.