2022: Dazzling Retrospective in Crocheting and Knitting

As I set out goals and projects for 2023, I decided to look back over my crocheted and knitted work for 2022.  Since I began this blog in 2017, I have posted 138 articles, and this final post for 2022 will be 139.  This year 11 of my articles have been crochet focused, 7 were knitting focused, and 1 featured both knitting and crochet;

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 What new designs have I developed?
What kinds of new projects have I explored?
Which new skills have I learned?
What pieces were my favorites?
Which color profiles stood out?
Did I use free patterns, paid patterns, or self designed patterns?
Did I accomplish my goals?
​What did I learn?

The following articles were posted in 2022.  As i revisit the pieces that I have created, I am filled with pride.  

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/embroidery-on-a-girl's-knitted sweater
​​http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/crocheted-ballet-shrugs

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/creating-knitted-sweater0drama-with-striped-sleeves

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/accessorize-your outfit-with-a-crocheted-cowl
http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/embroidery-oaccessorize-your-putfit-with-knitted cowl

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/crocheted-cardigan-in-spring0colors

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/crocheted-purses-for-spring

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/stash-busting-with-strategic-crocheting
http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/improving-crochet-with-stash-busting-yarn

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/striped-diagonal-scarf-with-gradually-shaded-hues
​http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/boomerang-striped-knitted-wrap

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/free-crochet-scallop-wrap

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/free-crocheted-ombre-throw-with0artistic-border
​http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/crocheting-with-ombre-infinite-possibilities

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/crocheted-floral-freeform-scarf

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/embracing-colors-and-stripes-to-design-a-girls-knitted-cardigan

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/celebrating-girls-freeform-cardigans

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/knitted-comfort-dolls-dressed-up-in-style

http://www.lilcreates.com/lillians-blog/from-drab-to-glam-gray-acessories-for-winterware

.My website, www.lilcreates.com and I Pad photos reflect on how busy I was during 2022.  Roughly calculating, I produced about 35 crocheted pieces and 33 knitted pieces.  This total does not include the 55 comfort dolls that I knitted for 'RKids and a special project for the New Haven School System. Types of pieces include 12 girls' sweaters, 14 shawls and wraps, 6 cowl, 7 purses, 8 blankets and throws, at least11 hats, and 10 or more pairs of mittens.

Most of the girls' sweaters have been gifted to my granddaughters.  Most of the shawls, blankets, and throws were donated to Threads of Love.  The majority of the hats were donated to Hartford Bags of Love and the Human Services department of the town of Woodbridge. I kept a couple of hats and mitten sets for myself as well as some of the special knitted or crocheted wraps.  I am pleased to accessorize my wardrobe with my handiwork.

What new skills did I learn"|? I transitioned from 2 needle mittens to 4 neele double pointed mittens and was quite pleased with the result.

What projects were the most fun?  I really enjoyed the freeform knitted and crocheted sweaters that I made without a pattern for my granddaughters.  The freeform floral scarf that was constructed from individual crocheted flowers presented an interesting challenge.

What did I leave out?  I did not produce any pieces for men this year. However,I have a pattern that I want try out for my husband.  Although I usually knit and crochet with acrylic yarns, I will invest in wood or cashmere as he needs to keep warm when he performs outdoor tasks in winter.  I did not make any socks, and do not think that I will tackle them in 2023/.  I do not enjoy working with fingering weight yarns, and have not learned the short row techniques needed for the heels and toes.

I still have not learned how to do Tunisian knitting.  This still remains a goal for the future.  A friend gave me a pattern for a linen stitch scarf that I will try in 2023.  Maybe this year I till knit or crochet a sweater for myself.  I have the skills, but I worry about the fitting.

The scarf/ wraplet that I attempted to knit with expensive fingering weight yarn remains in my WIP project bag.  I do a few rows when I do not have a new project to start, but the piece does not bring me joy.  Still, I refuse to give up as the yarn was pricey.  I will push forward to finish it in 2023.  It would not pay to frog it and start over,  It is not the pattern.  I just find working with fingering weight yarn tedious,

Reviewing this article and the pieces that I have included,I am proud of the skills that I have learned and the pieces thatI have created.  It was fun to experiment and to follow new patterns.  Was this article for my readers or for me?  I am not sure.  However, the analysis helped regain a perspective on my body of work so that I can set forward-thinkiong and realistic goals for 2023.

Readers, what were the highlights of your crocheting or knitting experiences during 2022?  Did you gain any new insights when you looked over this year's work?  Did the analysis help you plan for 2023?  As always, I appreciate your feedback and reflections.  I welcome you to join on my stitching journey.