Happy New Year to everyone! I have to say starting a new year out on a Sunday pushes all my organizational buttons since it’s nice and neat to start off with plans at the beginning of a week. We did not stay up late to ring in the new year (we never do, in fact) but had a nice dinner and watched some college football. Having had a lovely walk outside where the gray skies are threatening snow, we plan to make a slow-cooker dinner, enjoy the fire and of course, I’ve got some crafting plans.
Last week, I finished up the Bear’s Rainbow Blanket, aka the Quiet Voices Advent Box blanket, and I couldn’t be happier with it. I used up all of the sock-weight minis in the box, held double, to crochet the central blocks and then added in a undyed/off-white sock yarn of the same base, also held double for a round of double crochet (US term) and then the zigzag crochet join. I finished it all off with a round of double crochet and then a round of small picots for the edging. Total yardage used was 4545 yards! These soft grayed colors are very much my preferred palette, and I plan to keep this one handy near my crafting chair for cooler mornings before the fire gets going. A nice way to finish out the year.
The only other thing I had in progress at the moment was the new full coverage cross-stitch piece I began on 12/26/2022, in memory of my best beloved Emma. Not a ton of progress – just over 800 sts – but it’s a start and once I concentrate on my focus piece for a couple of weeks, this will be back out in January for more time.
Today I plan to start quite a few things including a sashiko project, a new sweater and some socks. I’ve also got a book queued up for a buddy read and will have that to enjoy as well.
I hope everyone had a good start to their New Year and here’s to an amazing 2023!
Knit One, Spin Too 
Ha, I see we’re on the same track with a Sunday new year’s day! Your blanket is so beautiful and I’m sure it will be delightfully cozy!
Great minds passing like ships in the night. 😀 I am very pleased with it and already have logged several hours under it with a cup of tea and a book in hand.
I love the soft hues of your blanket. Something perfect to cuddle under on a snowy evening.
Thank you! I think so too 🙂
Your blanket is beautiful. WOW 4000+ yards. That’s a good stash bust! What a beautiful crossstitch that will be. Reminds me of my kitty.
The new xs is going to be stunning. 800 stitches in a week is awesome. I have enjoyed watching your blanket grow via Instagram.
Thank you! I’m hoping to be able to devote a bit more time to stitching this upcoming year. 🙂
IKR? I’m now thinking about how to combine some other fingering weight solo skeins into another project. Tuxedo cats are something special for sure!
That blanket is stunning! A huge undertaking for certain, but the end result is just amazing. I also want to thank you for your book review (several months ago) on The Summer Queen. Based on your recommendation, I listened to that book through most of the fall as I walked with my dog. Currently, I’m a little more than halfway through the second book, The Winter Queen. I’ve enjoyed both books immensely, so many thanks for that review.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed/are enjoying that series. I need to get back to it this year. I’ve got Winter Queen in my queue to listen to as well (I love audiobooks for dog walks).
Your blanket is lovely and the cross stitch is going to be stunning!
Thanks so much, Lucy! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Your evening sounds perfect, and I love your projects.
Thank you! We aren’t much for the stay-up-late/party-hard scenario. 🙂
I am such a sucker for crocheted blankets! Yours is gorgeous! Your new XS is also beautiful. I’ve never done a HAED and I probably never will. I’m not sure I could keep all the colors straight like they do with all those needles and threads hanging off in all directions. Was Emma your cat, I take it? What a lovely way to memorialize her. I was in bed by 8:30 New Year’s Eve! LOL! I was going to have a fire too but it was too warm here. I had one on Christmas but then it warmed up. Are you going to start another blanket? I’ve been wanting to try Sashiko also. Your project plans look wonderful!
Thank you! I’m really pleased with how it came out. I have another blanket on the go already – partly finished – the Beach Walk Blanket. I need to get that finished up this spring! There’s a great app to assist with working full coverage patterns like HAEDs. It’s Pattern Keeper (only available for android and not apple products) and it’s a complete game-changer. Yep – Emma was my old girl who I lost in early December. I miss her greatly but we’ve got a new tiny terror lording over the household now 🙂 Happy new year to you!
Your Bear’s Rainbow Blanket is lovely and I, too, favor that color palate although I cannot imagine a project that takes over 4,500 yards! My biggest project, my Gansey Afgan, used just over 2,000 yards. Something to aspire to. Happy New Year and many happy projects in 2023!
Holding the yarn double makes it sound really impressive 😉 Happy New Year!
It’s incredible how colourful this blanket has become with the border added. All the colours looked so subtle in tone I was worrying about how it would look but it really is beautiful and you obviously had a vision you went with and it’s ended up a real success.
I am so happy with how it turned out – but I’m really glad I went with the unifying border color. I think that made a big difference. Thanks for your kind words!
Your blanket is BEAUTIFUL!! I love the colors and how it all worked together. I can see why you’re getting so much use out of it already.
The cross stitch will be magnificent.
Thank you! I’m so pleased with it – and it’s warm and snuggly. Happy New Year!
I love the way the blanket turned out! Great job on that. Happy New Year!
Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well!
I am doing more hand stitching these days and sashiko is on my list.
I just started abasic project to dip my toe in. It’s a fun technique and very meditative.
Lovely blanket! Love how the colors go together. Happy New Year!
Thank you! I really enjoyed using up this advent box palette!