Our Failed (Crafting) Resolutions

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If you’re one of the many people who make resolutions for the new year, then chances are you’ve also failed to meet a few. We have a tendency to feel bad when we make a resolution and don’t end up meeting it. We’re here to tell you that’s okay! Resolutions are good guiding lights, but they aren’t the be all, end all of a year’s success. Let’s toast the year as it was, not as we imagined it. So today, join us in remembering the resolutions that didn’t quite happen this year.

A Resolution-Free Year

Kerry Bogert, Content Manager, Yarn 

I dropped setting resolutions years ago. Instead, each January, I pick a word to guide me through the year. It’s a touchstone for me to meditate and reflect on. As a new empty-nester, I picked “shift” as my word for 2021. Throughout the year, I found that there wasn’t just a shift in my family life but in my knitting as well! However, not in the ways you might think. I didn’t knit more with my newfound freedom; I think I might have knit less.

Instead, I found myself becoming much more selective with my projects. I looked for patterns that filled in missing pieces in my wardrobe, introduced me to new yarns, or challenged me with techniques I hadn’t tried before. My word for 2022 hasn’t come to mind yet, but I know whatever it is, this time next year I’ll still be knitting, and I can’t wait to see what projects I’ll make.  

Get Organized

Katie Hacker, Content Manager, Bead & Jewelry

Raise your hand if the following applies to your beading/jewelry/knitting/crochet supplies or crafting area. It looks like: 1. Mardi Gras moved from New Orleans to your workspace this year. 2. You’re starting your own online supply company, even if you aren’t. 3. Raccoons had a play date and forgot to invite you. Me, too – to all three! And every year I resolve to make a change.

Here’s what I actually do. First, I spend some time returning stuff to its proper place in short bursts of organizing interrupted by “ooh, I forgot I had this. I’ll just make a quick pair of earrings.” Or: “My niece would have fun with these. I’ll just put a little gift box together.” You know how it goes. It’s kind of a trip down memory lane so I do a little bit at a time. Then, I sweep everything else off my worktable and into a box. Ta-da! A fresh start. Does it really count as a failed resolution if you’re having fun? Because having fun is the #1 resolution, after all.

Both New and Familiar

Tammy Honaman, Director of Content

Every year around October, I find myself getting lost in the world of gift making. As we approach the holidays and shipping deadlines, the gifts I make become more production-line style. These are made with the same love as those made earlier on, but they’re often less exciting to create. After the dust settles, the decorations tucked away until next year, and my studio put back in order (or close enough), I love to stretch my fingers and my brain on something new, or on something I put off “until later.” This shapes my resolution for the year ahead; push past your comfort zone and allow time to fail so you can learn!

Early the first week of January, my workshop has a new glow and there’s a gentle hum. The top of my bench is covered with all the supplies I need. I get so excited and believe, this year will be the year! Inevitably, I’m also gearing up for traveling to Tucson. By the second week of January, reality hits! I find my mind wandering to thoughts of warmer (and brighter) days. My desk and to-do list is stacked with all the things needing attention before I hit the road. I see my workbench in the corner of my eye then realize I should make something quickly to “go with that new outfit.” I also want to make a few things for the friends I’ll be seeing in Tucson. I think to myself “there isn’t much time,” so I push the tools and supplies I took out aside and just grab a few familiar things to work with—maybe even replicating my holiday gifts. And so it goes.

Resolutions are wonderful, but simply allowing yourself to exist without pressure can be a gift to yourself, too.

My Failed Crochet Resolution

Toni Rexroat, Contributing Editor & Crochet Expert

I didn’t have handmade crochet gifts for everyone in my family last year. At the beginning of January 2021, I had a list of amazing resolutions. One of them included a small handmade crochet gift for each of my extended family members. It was just a little over one per month. Totally attainable right? Then 2021 actually happened, and there was no way to get them all done in time. Still, I didn’t stress about it. It’s not a failed resolution; it might just take a little longer to accomplish. I didn’t fail to complete crochet gifts for everyone in 2021; I’m halfway to getting handmade gifts done for 2022. It was a tough year, and we made it through. Don’t worry about unaccomplished (yet) resolutions. It’s more important to continue enjoying crochet, knit, bead, or craft.

Sew Something (I Didn’t)

Julia Pillard, Digital Content Editor, Yarn

Back in 2016, I started making a list each year of things I wanted to accomplish. One guiding word followed by a set of goals to help give some structure to the year. For 2021, one of those goals was to sew more often. I’ve been a knitter and crocheter for several years at this point, and sewing is the next craft I’d like to add to my repertoire. And I can technically sew … I just find it very intimidating. 

Needless to say, I didn’t actually accomplish this. I cut out most of the pattern pieces for a vest mock-up, but that is as far as I got. And ultimately, that’s just fine with me. For the moment, I find knitting and crochet more fulfilling and more applicable to my lifestyle. That list of goals will change every year, and I won’t meet everything on it. But that’s okay. Sometimes my goals don’t end up being as important as spending time with the people I love and doing the crafts that are closest to my heart. 

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Regardless of how many resolutions you did or did not accomplish this year, I think we can agree 2021 has been a doozy. Take care of yourselves, and remember: failed resolutions don’t define you. Goals are fine and good, but they aren’t the stuff that life is made of.

Happy New Year from Interweave!

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Celebrate the New Year with Interweave!