A Year of Projects Intro

Knitting, YOP

Last week, I came across a group called A Year of Projects. It’s a Raveley-based group. It’s a group of bloggers that set themselves year-long challenges of projects. I believe it isn’t just knitting or crocheting, but maybe sewing and other crafts as well. This year, it runs from the 6th of July 2024 to the 28th of June 2025. Yes, I’m late. I think the good thing about joining when there are only a few months to go is that I can see if I can stick with it.

My plans for the next few months.

  • Start and finish at least one more pair of socks for DH, if not two.
  • Continue working on my Granny square blanket. At least one square a week.
  • Finish my Small Fry Scarf. Only started on Sunday.
  • Start and finish the Easy Folded Poncho. I purchased the yarn this week from Little Woollie Makes Store.
  • I want to start a blanket with some of the Nutiden yarn I have in my stash.
  • I would like to finish Primrose by Stacy Nash Designs (cross-stitch)

For now, I feel like that’s enough projects to have on my to-do list.

The Rowan Felted Tweed is the yarn I purchased for my poncho.

Currently watching – Shetland Series 9

Weekend

Baking, Weekend

Although I finished knitting a pair of socks on the weekend I feel like I have very little to show for my weekend. We took our first trip to Phillip Island. This is a trip I would recommend taking on a weekday or maybe when the weather isn’t in the mid-thirties. I’m unsure how many extra people were on the Island due to the World Superbikes. As much as I was overwhelmed by the amount of people and traffic I would go back. I’d love to see the island in the winter.

On Sunday we received some much-needed rain. And unwanted wind. We were lucky that we didn’t lose our power. Something that seems to happen quite a lot here when we have strong winds. And while still in the baking mood, I made an Apple Custard cake. I originally found it on Instagram, but the recipe is from the NZ Woman’s Weekly website. It is a simple yet delicious cake. As well as serving it cold it would be perfect as a dessert with ice cream or custard.

Currently watching – Shetland Series 9

Knitting Plans

Knitting

Needing something on my needles other than socks. I have picked the Small Fry Shawl by Samantha Guerin. The yarn I am planning on using is Shetland 5ply in Mustard Twilight.

I was hoping to cast on tonight. Unfortunately, on the weekend I hurt my little finger on my right hand while bringing firewood into the house and herding one of the dogs inside. I tried knitting and although there wasn’t a huge amount of pain, as soon as I straightened my fingers that’s when the pain kicked in. I’m hoping that if I rest it for a couple of days I will be knitting again by the weekend.

Currently reading – The Thirteen Problems Currently watching – Silent Witness series 28

More stripes

Knitting

The second pair of socks for DH are off the needles. I went with stripes again as I feel I knit them faster. The yarn is from Desert Vista Dyeworks in the Halloween Moon colourway.

I knit these socks toe-up using a wedge toe and the Fish Lips Kiss Heel. I have already started the third pair of socks, which I am using Plucky Knitter in the Primo fingering base.

Currently reading – The Thirteen Problems Currently watching – Silent Witness series 28

Apple & Date Loaf

Baking

Today has brought the coolest and wettest day we’ve had here in a few months. We currently have a “feels like” temperature of 4.4 degrees and we have lost power twice in the last 24 hours. Monkey (the cat) is currently in bed asleep with the electric blanket on and I have just baked an Apple & Date loaf (Lumberjack) and I have curry simmering on the stove.

Apple & Date Loaf

  • 2 green apples, peeled & diced
  • 1 cup of dates, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 100g butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1/2 cup self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder

Method

  • Step 1 Combine apples, dates, baking soda and boiling water. Cover and stand for 10 minutes.
  • Step 2 Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix well. Stir through apple mixture with flours and baking powder.
  • Step 3 Place mixture into a greased and lined cake tin. Bake in a moderate oven at 180 degrees for 45- 50 minutes.

Currently Reading – The Good Wife of Bath by Karn Brooks

Sunday

Cooking, Knitting

With the temperature dropping, I thought it would be the perfect time to cook a curry. While waiting for the curry to cook, I also worked on what would be the third pair of socks for DH.

The sock pattern is a basic K3, P1 rib sock. The yarn is from The Plucky Knitter. The base is Primo fingering. I’m unsure of the colour as I have lost the band.

Currently Reading – The Good Wife of Bath by Karn Brooks

Reading through January

Reading

In January, I read/listened to ten books. I assure you that isn’t as impressive as it sounds. Two books were audiobooks, and five were books under 150 pages. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that. Actually, I am embarrassed to admit that. I rarely read short stories, and certainly not five in a month.

I started the year with The Hollow by Agatha Christie. I have read this before, however, this was the first book for the Read Christie challenge for 2025. Actually, the official book was Five Little Pigs. The Hollow was the alternative book option given. And as I didn’t have Five Little Pigs I went with what I had. This book is number 26 in the Hercule Poirot series.

The second physical book I read in January was Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This book was published in 2022. And I have no idea why I waited so long to pick this up. Sometimes I allow my head to get stuck in the crime and fantasy rabbit hole and I don’t look outside either box. I won’t go into detail with this book as unlike me you most likely read it when it first came out.

These were my two stand-out books for the month. I blame myself for that as I found myself becoming a tad lazy by the end of the month.

  • Book 1 – The Hollow by Agatha Christie PB
  • Book 2- Corrupt by Penelope Douglas Kindle
  • Book 3 – Dark Corners -by Ruth Rendell AB
  • Book 4 – Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus PB
  • Book 5 – Giving up the Ghost by Dean Rasmussen Kindle
  • Book 6 – Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood Kindle
  • Book 7- Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey Kindle
  • Book 8 – Ladies Lunch by Lore Segal PB
  • Book 9 – The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman Kindle
  • Book 10 – The Lost Sisters by Holly Black Kindle

Happy Reading!

January 2025

Knitting

Starting off with my first FO. My DH has requested four new pairs of socks before winter. So my thought was to start with Self-striping sock yarn. Although I prefer wearing single-colour socks. I do believe I knit-striping sock yarn quicker.

Pattern: Vanilla sock with the fish lips kiss heel Yarn: Desert Vista Dyeworks – Viso Colourway: Sleepy Hollow

I knit the first pair with Desert Vista Dyeworks. I have 28g left. My second pair has been cast on. I am using DVD yarn again in the Halloween Moon colourway.

January wrap up

Knitting

It has been a great start to the year with my knitting. I finished my biggest-ever project. I started this blanket in 2015. And although there have been long stretches of time, my blanket received no love. I am so happy for her to be off the needles.

I am looking forward to the weather cooling down, so I can snuggle on the lounge.

Pattern: Chevron Baby Blanket by Espace Tricot

Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage base

Meterage: 2,470

Watching: Rewatching Season 1 Warehouse 13

Reading: Re-reading A Court of Wings and Ruin

Knitting Bingo Plan

Knitting

I feel like posting this on the 6th of January is a little late, considering I have already finished the first project on my list. However, the first week has unfortunately gotten away from me. So before I post my finished project photos, I wanted to post my knitting plans for January to March.

I wanted to make my plan manageable, considering I am also challenging myself to read 48 books this year. I will post more about the reading challenge later.

Happy Friday!