Did I Meet my 2025 Crafting Goals?
Back in January, I set half a dozen crafting goals for myself. These goals ranged from trying new-to-me crafts, to working on specific projects, to trying to get a handle on my out of control knitting WIPs. So did I actually stick to these and get any of them done? Let’s see!
1. Try sashiko mending/embroidery. DONE! I chronicled this for the blog (Part 1, Part 2), and I’m still at work on embroidering my upcycled linen pajamas, so there will be a part 3 in 2026!
However, if you go back to that original post, the two items I listed as wanting to mend ended up not being appropriate for sashiko. I did do a different kind of visible mending on my knit jersey shift dress, but it wasn’t really interesting enough to blog (I literally just sewed the holes closed with a contrast thread). Fixing that sweater is still on my list.
2. Try fabric dyeing. This is the one goal I didn’t do at all, although I have done a lot more research on how best to tackle cold-water dyeing. I should probably do a smaller scale project first – I think the scale and stakes of dying 6 large curtains that will hang in my living room windows is what’s intimidating me.
3. Crochet my first non-arumigumi project. DONE – and then some! The first project, as noted in the original post, was the crochet vintage afghan, first post here. I’m about half a dozen squares away from being able to join them together so a wrap up post will be coming in early 2026! But in the meantime I also crocheted a small pouch (from the Summer Crochet book by Janine Myska that I illustrated the charts for), and the City Witch hat from KnotBadBritt ! There will definitely be some additional crochet goals on next year’s list.
Everything I crocheted in 2025!
4. Replace my Weekender. DONE! I may write this up for the FOlio soon, as I ended up having to do some major recalculations when I could not get the pattern gauge with my chosen yarn. I got this done in time to wear it for the very last chilly weekend of spring, and I’m looking forward to having it around this winter!
The yarn is SO pretty - unfortunately it’s a discontinued Purl Soho line.
5. Finish off some of my WIPs. This is about 90% DONE. I picked out three long-term WIPS to finish – the Kernel scarf recently discussed in the FOlio, the second mitten from my Skeindeer Midwintdeer mittens (Ravelry link), and I am very very close to finishing my Festive Yoke Cardigan (Ravelry link) — I only have the steek and button band left, so it may actually be done by the time this post goes up!
I also decided to frog a pair of thrummed mittens I started, a pair of socks where the yarn was too busy to show off the intricate cables, and a summer top knit in Tencel yarn where I wasn’t happy with how the color was pooling. I already have a new sock pattern identified for the sock yarn and I’m considering looking at crochet patterns for the Tencel yarn as I think a crochet stitch pattern might not pool in the same way.
All the yarn (and wool locks) I just put back in my stash.
6. Sew at least one item of clothing. DONE and then some! The absolute key in getting this done was finally setting up a separate sewing station in my craft room/office – being able to work on a sewing project in small chunks instead of having to spend a weekend marathon sewing so I could have my computer desk back on Monday made a HUGE difference (and also dramatically reduced my “sewer’s rage” incidents, because I could just stop when I started to get frustrated instead of feeling pressured to keep going). I sewed not only a skirt (that I’ve even worn out of the house a few times), but a couple drawstring project bags, and started a wearable mockup of a tunic top with pockets. I also did a lot of skills for the first time, including inserting a zipper, making bias tape, using bias tape as trim, and sewing tucks and pleats! I finally feel like I might be able to start sewing clothes for my everyday wear- so definitely look for that content in 2026.
I think 5 out of 6 at least partially done is pretty good! I learned a lot of new crafting skills this year, which was really fun. Crafting was definitely an escape for me in a year where there was a lot of external horror in the world; if you’ve been following along this year, thanks for coming along!
Did you have any crafting goals this year? How did they turn out?
