Hardworking Little Elves: How are you kicking off the year of crafts?

Dear users, dear authors,
what are you working on right now?

Happy New Year to you all!

I’m working on my New Year’s resolution. This year, I want to finish the blanket I started for my daughter two years ago.
I don’t want her to outgrow the horses before I finish the themed blanket.
And for myself, I’m knitting a summer shirt and new chair covers from leftover yarn.

I’m currently knitting a sweater for myself. After that, I’ll be knitting a beanie for my mom’s boyfriend. His birthday is in early February, so I want to give it to him then.

I’m currently working on a crocheted spring poncho. 

I’m still working on my pillowcase—I’m crocheting it using various Tunisian crochet patterns.

I’m knitting a poncho, an infinity scarf, a soul warmer, and a large scarf.
I need some variety so I can switch things up every now and then.

I’m crocheting a square blanket based on a pattern by “Häkeln mit Meti” (crochet magazine).
Using up leftover yarn—I’m on a “yarn diet,” after all.

My year of crocheting got off to a good start—I actually finished my long-term UFO—a waffle-patterned sofa blanket—after what felt like an eternity. That was truly liberating...

I’ve started crocheting a little odds-and-ends basket, but it’s on hold for now because I’m spending a lot of time at my sewing and embroidery machine.
Right now, I’m embroidering a design that I want to put on a small bag. She has type 2 diabetes and needs a bag where she can store all her supplies for it, including the little notebooks for her notes.

Mel, that looks great—it’s a wonderful idea for your gift. :)

I’m knitting a sweater for myself, a hat for my husband, and a cowl for myself. I feel the same way—I need several projects going at once so it never gets boring.

Wow, Monika, you’re so hard at work!

Mel, that baby gift is absolutely beautiful :-)

I usually only have one craft project going at a time (but 1,000 other things on the side); right now I’m knitting a hat for myself using the double-face technique. 

After making so many crocheted snowflakes, I’m now knitting more “Deluxe” wrist warmers—still as belated Christmas gifts… Then I think I’ll tackle a ball of yarn and start a crocheted shawl. I have more than enough plans, but unfortunately not enough time!

I’m already knitting the sixth baby sweater for my grandson, who was born on August 1.
First, I knit the sweaters, and then I embroider cool designs on them, like a pickup truck with bales of straw.
Each sweater is a real work of art and is admired by everyone.

I just unraveled a project... that was liberating, too, because I’d gotten stuck on a project and couldn’t find a good solution. On to the next one....

Claudia, sometimes you just have to rip it out—it’s really liberating. Yesterday I finished the first sleeve of my sweater; I had to rip out my first attempt, too. I also crocheted my first little nest for animals in Australia. My neighbor gave me two cakes of yarn for Christmas—they’re perfect for this. Today I’m tackling sleeve number two and maybe the next nest. 

I’ve also been working on the nests for Australia since Monday. I finished the fifth one yesterday. 



My cotton stash, which has been sitting in a box for a long time, is dwindling. Let’s see how many more I can make.

Nadeleule and Petra: I’ve never heard of these little nests for animals in Australia. Can you tell me more about them? Thanks.

Wollbaerli, they need the little nests there for orphaned baby animals—birds, opossums, and other small animals that were rescued from the fire and are now being nursed back to health. For larger animals like koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, etc., they use sewn fabric bags or duvet covers. However, customs regulations are very strict. Only certain types of yarn (acrylic, cotton, wool, sock yarn) may be shipped with the original label attached. They must be completely free of animal hair and packed in new plastic bags. The shipping boxes must also not have previously contained food or similar items.