I never like it when people post on social media that it has been the best/worst (delete as appropriate) year of their life. I don’t think you can measure happiness by a Roman calendar. I expect ups and downs each year; a greater proportion of one or the other. I, myself, have been guilty of thinking my life would change on January the first; surprised when unpleasant memories hadn’t magically disappeared.
I prefer to use a year as a block of time to measure progress. Without further ado, here is my progress both personally and for Little Miss Drop Stitch. I have also made a YouTube Video on this, if you prefer to access things in that way.
My lovely friend Jacqui (featured on the Bolton craft shop blog) coined this year – 2023 – as 2020ME. And boy did me and my friends hammer that. I know Jacqui travelled to some amazing places and knitted things for herself, as she is always making presents and requests for little ones. For me, this year has been about developing my crafting skills and the dreaded ‘adulting’ skills (I’m mid-to-late twenties shall we say).
In January I just knitted, so let’s skip that month. In February I went on the Arne and Carlos Knitting Cruise around Norway to see the Northern Lights. I have begun to document this both written and on YouTube. If you would like to see what I have shared thus far, click here.
This might seem like a lovely holiday to you reading this post: for me it was more than that. To give context, I haven’t really had much independence (because there wasn’t a need to), but when I was about 24 I realised everyone around me has these life skills which I don’t. Perhaps I will go into more detail one day, however, long story short I had taken small steps over about 18 months going to the city and travelling on trains by myself. These small steps got me to the bloody Arctic with Arne and Carlos!
I am so chuffed with myself and this genuinely transformed me as a person. My mum was beside herself I was travelling to another country and we all thought I’d taken more on than I was ready for, but I settled into things (hooray for Google maps). Part of the holiday was solo travel or the opportunity for alone time and part was with a group of people from around the world I’d never met before. So, I gained a lot of confidence and knowledge socialising with new people and getting from A to B (or in this case from Manchester to the Russian boarder!)
It was a lot of money, but I think about this holiday every single day and I really grew as a person. That, and I brought home 8kg of wool hehe. Anyway I could bore you all day with Arne and Carlos, so I shall leave it there for now, but do keep an eye out for my future blog posts about this experience.
We now move to Spring and in this time I got my sewing machine back out. I haven’t really touched it in about 5 years, so my confidence had definitely gone. Since working from home, I was on my desk in my room, hence the sewing machine not having a place. Since moving work (day job) into my brother’s old bedroom, I can leave my laptop with all it’s wires and life support in one place. Now, I’m motivated to get my sewing machine out knowing I don’t have to put all my work stuff back and spend more time tidying than sewing.
I started off with the Tilly and the Buttons pyjama pattern (but made jazzy elasticated summer trousers). I’ve learned a lot of sewing skills this year, in addition to improving old ones. Indie patterns weren’t really a thing when I sewed previously, so I am enjoying exploring these designs. My fabric stash also grew! Whoops.
In Summer I had an inkling that I wanted to share my crafts and tips with others. Quietly and behind the scenes, Little Miss Drop Stitch started to bloom. We launched in August and I am so thrilled each time someone likes or shares what they have made using one of my patterns. I am not really a techy person, so it was very unexpected that in 2023 I would be learning how to make a website, editing videos, filming, setting up lighting and using a camera. I am still learning, but chufty badge for all that progress. I feel like I’m managing to be consistent without LMDS becoming too overwhelming. I have a 9-5 to fit in also (which I do really enjoy!). A woman’s work really never is done!
I have also stated to make little travel blogs and write up back dated trips. It is important to me to support local craft shops, but in grand Rachel style I’ve taken this global (well, Europe). It’s a good motivator for me to spread my wings and hopefully help people planning a trip. If you are the sort of person who reads a menu online before going to a restaurant, then you are definitely the person who tries to look in craft shops on Google for your upcoming holiday.
Little Miss Drop Stitch has also had me designing my own patterns, as well as researching how to set them out for customers. So far I have four knitting patterns on Ravelry and three FREE sewing patterns on YouTube and the website. After New Year, I will be typing up the pattern for a cowl and a fair isle headband. I really enjoy designing patterns, even though the process is slow, because it adds another challenge of having the maker in mind, rather than myself.
By the Autumn, I had another uncharacteristic burst of adulting. I finally decided to start cooking. Seemingly trivial, I had previously turned away from cooking because 1. I wasn’t very good at it, 2. how do I cook for one person? 3. I don’t want to wait around after work, I want to eat. 4. I’m a wee bit fussy. 5. I just struggled to find the energy and motivation.
Alas, no more! I somehow found a gadget which not only made cakes, but also chops, blends and a whole load more. The ‘proper’ version is a Kitchen Aid, however that is very spenny, so I was thrilled to find Kenwood did their own version. It was worth the money and I now make things from scratch and blend all that veg! I also batch cook, so it’s easier to cook for one and after work I can have a meal ready in minutes. I feel so much more alive and awake by eating more, consuming vegetables and ditching the ultra-processed diet.
Clearly, this was a ‘keeping busy’ period and in September I began to learn Norwegian. We all know the stereotype that British people don’t learn languages-and we don’t! It is daunting to literally start knowing something from scratch and be less competent at speaking than Norwegian children. Duolingo really sparked my interest and helps me to learn and memorise things. Again, another example of something I thought I didn’t like because school made it boring or traumatic (boring for languages-traumatic for PE!). Obviously I don’t do half a job, so I have other books and resources to help me. I am enjoying learning Norwegian and I can now understand about half of what the wool shop in Oslo-Fru Kvist-post on their Instagram.
This year it has been so beneficial for me developing habits. I prefer habits to routine, as it suggests something you can’t deviate from. Whereas a habit is a small thing, repeated each day: just like learning another language or cooking.
I finally finished the bloody Knit-ivity after four years. Do you ever have a project consume your conscience more and more and you just have to get it done?
I also saw two orchestras which I have wanted to see since I was in high school-so over ten years. This is Andre Rieu (MEN arena or whatever it is called now) and The John Wilson Orchestra (Bridgewater Hall). Both in Manchester.
Now for the bit we all want…crafting goals. I think I did really well with these this year. I have certainly smashed having a go at colour work; this is something I have grown to enjoy and find relaxing. I was in a rut of buying new wool for a project, which isn’t a bad rut to be in, however, I found I was getting less creative. So, this year I have completed a couple of scrappy projects, in addition to designs that used wool that I already had in. The Perfect Autumn Scarf (grey version) was made from leftover and unused sock yarn. Have I smashed this goal? Well, I did also buy a lot of new wool form Norway and the UK. I think that has more than neutralised my creative efforts.
In 2023, I did a small tapestry kit, which I really enjoyed as it was printed on the canvas. It’s like colouring in, with wool. It’s nice to take a break and not have to concentrate on a chart.
With a few blips, I have finally got into a good sleep routine. My problem is it takes me ages to get off to sleep-sometimes hours-so reading before bed has really helped this. I have also got out of the habit (addiction!) of looking at my phone before bed. This was really challenging, but has massively improved my ability to get to sleep.
And finally, I purchased barely any clothes this year. Three pairs of dungarees and two polar neck tops. This is quite unprecedented for me. I have made quite a few garments, as well as my trusty knitted jumpers and cardigans. This was motivated by decluttering, sustainability and the cost of living in the UK. Clothes are so expensive now, so I can finally break even or make a garment for less money. This enables me to have my own style, learn and let go of fast fashion.
Well I need a hot chocolate after all that! Obviously there has been difficult points in the year as well, but I am really pleased I have found methods and motivations to keep on top of things and stay in control. I hope you will join me on my next post and hold me accountable for my 2024 goals.
Take care, Rachel G x
Little Miss Drop Stitch 