This Sarah Stitches

Tag: Plans

  • Crafting Plans: Q1 2026 Plans

    Crafting Plans: Q1 2026 Plans

    Happy New Year! I hope you had a good start to the year. We had a quiet but lovely NYE just the way we like it to be.

    Looking ahead to this first quarter & my crafting plans I have decided to split my time into sections. I would like to have some dedicated time for each of my current loves; knitting, crochet & cross stitch. In the first quarter of 2026, I have approximately 12 weeks available for craft. I can generally speaking, get some time most evenings to work on my projects. (unless we have plans)

    I am invigorated to participate in some challenges this year. Year of WIPs is a cross stitching challenge hosted by Melanie Watkins in Facebook. WIPGO is hosted by Jessie Marie on Facebook. Stitch from Stash is a cross stitching challenge hosted by Stephanie Kyle on Facebook.

    I have also been toying with the idea of participating in the 12 cast-ons challenge created by Ang of Yarn N Yarns.

    Knitting

    I would love to get some more squares done on my Cosiest Memories Blanket. I have most of the smaller mitre squares completed but just now need to mattress stitch them together to then knit the log cabin border around them.

    I would also like to cast on some socks. I have not attempted socks yet but would love to have at least 2 pairs in my wardrobe before the end of this year.

    I also would like to at least cast on the two cardigans I promised my niece last year. One of them will be the Arctic Coast Cardigan by Gabrielle Danskknit before she much older. For this project, I’m planning on using King Cole Anti Tickle Merino DK yarn for the colour stripes & complete a rainbow order for those stripes. The main colour choice as I write is between Gunmetal Grey & Storm Grey.

    The second cardigan for my niece is a WIP that I inherited from my Mum. She had started to make it but lost interest in it so abandoned it. I finished the front & back pieces last year but when I tried it on my niece , it was far too small. I purchased similar yarn last year with a view to starting it before the end of 2025. It’s a pattern booklet from Patons.

    I would also like to get the Painting Bricks shawl for my Mum finished this quarter.

    Top Row (Left to Right): Cosiest Memories Blanket squares. Squares constructed with log cabin stripes. Middle Row: Contrast colours for the Arctic Coast Cardigan. Main colour choice options. Bottom Row: Peplum Cardigan. Painting Bricks Shawl inspiration.

    Crochet

    I would love to make another version of the Seafoam Cardigan in grey. I love the one I made in burgundy & think my wardrobe needs one in grey.

    I got some lovely Jewelspun yarn for Christmas this year & have been thinking about what to make with it. I have picked out some potential patterns from the a modern crochet sweaters book I have. Once I have some more concrete plans, I’ll let you know.

    I would also love to try to finish the 2 Granny Square Cushion covers I’m making. The pattern is by Kirsten Ballering. I am modifying the pattern slightly to make a removable cover with an envelope style opening.

    Left to Right: Jewelspun Yarn for Christmas. Granny Square Cushions.

    Cross Stitch

    As I seem to have re-discovered my love for cross stitching, I would like to finish Spirit of Christmas by Lizzie Kate. I think this is my oldest cross stitch WIP. I started this in December 2017 when this was released as a 3-part mystery SAL (stitch-a-long)

    Looking at the remaining WIPs I have, I would also like to make some progress on Reflections of New York City by Ink Circles & Memories of Summer by Sarah Elizabeth Stitches. (me in a former life)

    Let’s see how I get on. What are your plans for the first part of this year?

  • Crafting Plans: Q4 2025 Review

    Crafting Plans: Q4 2025 Review

    We are now at the end of December. It feels like a good time to recap my plans for Quarter 4. I will review what I worked on and anything I want to roll over into my 2026 plans.

    Knitting

    The first goal in my Q4 plans, was to finish my Stornoway Sweater by Cheryl Mokhtari. (Coco Amour Knitwear). I started this project on 8 October & I cast off on 23 November. It was on the needles for 47 days.

    Project Details: sweater knit with 5mm needles (US 8) using Yarnsmiths Create DK in Linen (main colour) & Fjord Blue. (contrast colour)

    I loved working on this project with the repetitive and engaging stitch pattern. I had left it untouched until last week. I was still weaving in ends on Christmas Eve to make sure I could wear it over Christmas.

    I did wear my Stornoway Sweater whilst we were with family. Ironically, I don’t have a photo of me wearing it! I did a steam block before wearing it. I can’t decide if it needs a wet block. I am also unsure whether the arms need a little more length to them. I’ll make sure to post an update in 2026 once I’ve decided what to do.

    I made progress towards another Q4 knitting plan as I did make a start on a shawl for my Mum. I decided to start another Painting Bricks Shawl by Stephen West. As with my existing shawl, I am using yarn from Elderflower Stitches to knit up my Mum’s version. I love how it’s knitting up. However, it’s on pause for now. I have run out of the main colour, Puffing Chimney Tops. I’ve ordered another skein to enable me to finish this in 2026. Mum’s version was started on 16 November so has been on the needles for 44 days.

    Project Details: shawl being knit with 3.5 mm needles (US 4) using Elderflower Stitches Super Sock fingering weight yarn in Puffing Chimney Tops (main colour) and the main skein & minis from a set called Seashells (contrast colours)

    Whilst we’re on the subject of the Painting Bricks Shawl, I did finish my version this quarter. I started this project on 26 October & I cast off on 18 December. It was on the needles for 54 days.

    Crochet

    The first crochet goal for Q4, was to make another  Eco Plant Coaster by Krystal Amador. (Eco Minded Stitches) This was another fairly quick project, as I started & finished this on 22 December.

    Project Details: coaster was crocheted with 6.5mm hook (US size K) using scraps of Caron x Pantone Bulky yarn in the colour Summer Forest. I have not yet woven in my ends!

    I haven’t made any progress towards finishing the 2 Granny Square Cushion covers I’m making. The pattern is by Kirsten Ballering. I started these covers on 8 September so have been on the hook for 114 days.

    Project Details: cushion covers being crocheted with 4.5mm hook. I am using Women’s Institute Premium Acrylic in Grey. (main colour) The contrast colours are Brown, Blue & Mustard from the same brand . I am also using Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Paper White as a contrast colour.

    Cross Stitch

    I did not make any progress on Spirit of Christmas by Lizzie Kate. I definitely have plans for finishing this project in early 2026.

    I did manage 2 stitching day sessions in Q4. I worked on 3 projects on those days. These were:

    • Jane Eyre Sampler by The Primitive Hare
    • Grandpa’s Pickup from the Farmhouse Christmas series by Little House Needleworks
    • August from the Wordplay Series by With Thy Needle & Thread (Brenda Gervais)

    Project Details: Jane Eyre. Started 1 September 2020. Using mainly Victorian Motto Sampler Threads in my own colour conversion.

    Project Details: Grandpa’s Pickup. Date started unknown. Stitching on 32ct Cirrus 2nd Murano from Chromatic Alchemy. Using mainly DMC in the recommended conversion.

    Project Details: August Wordplay. Date started unknown. Stitching on 40ct natural linen. Using mainly DMC in the recommended conversion.

    I am pleased that I managed to get some stitches in to some of my cross stitch projects this quarter. I’m not surprised that all of my WIPs will be coming into 2026 with me. I do feel a bit more motivated to work on my cross stitch projects again, after such a long hiatus.

    How have your plans gone for the last part of 2025. Have you had success?

  • Current Projects: Crochet

    Current Projects: Crochet

    I use the same Notion template to keep track of all things knitting crochet. I mentioned the template I use in more detail in my Knitting Projects post.

    I currently have 2 crochet WIPs. They are:

    • Marled mini basket using the Cache Basket by Yarnspirations
    • Eco Plant Coaster by Krystal Amador

    Both of these are being worked up using scrap yarn. I love it the marling that is occurring when the 2 balls I have wound up change. It’s mesmerising to watch the colour change happening.

    Marled mini basket. Based on Cache Basket by Yarnspirations.

    I have plans to make another Seafoam cardigan either later this year or early next as I really like how it’s an easy layering piece.

    I also have a pair of leg warmers in my queue to get on the hook very soon. I have the perfect yarn picked out, a Caron Cake I’ve had for a very long time, pre-2019. The shade of the ball I have is Faerie Cake. It’s the most gorgeous fade of white to light sea green to turquoise.

    Caron Cakes in Faerie Cake colourway.

    What are your favourite colourways? Do you have any go-to crochet patterns?

  • Crafting Plans: Q4 2025 Plans

    Crafting Plans: Q4 2025 Plans

    I talked about my Q3 projects in this post, but thought I would dedicate a separate space for what plans I set out for myself for Q4 of 2025 in terms of my crafting projects.

    Knitting

    In the last quarter of the year, I would like to get my Stornoway Sweater by Cheryl Mokhtari (Coco Amour Knitwear) completed. I started this project on 8 October this year. It should be a relatively quick knit as it is being knit up on 5mm needles (US 8)

    I would also like to get a shawl started & finished for my Mum for either her Birthday or for Christmas. It seems unlikely that I will be able to get a shawl done in less than a month, especially considering it will be knit up in fingering weight yarn. At the time of writing, I plan on making the Raina Shawl by Andrea Mowry (Drea Renee Knits) as I love the look of this shawl. My hesitence comes from the brioche portions of the shawl as it has been a long, long time since I have done any brioche knitting. I just need to relearn that muscle memory a little first.

    Left to Right: Stornoway Sweater progress. Raina Shawl.

    Crochet

    In the last quarter of the year, I would like to make another Plant Coaster to use some of my remaining bulky scraps. The pattern I found on Ravelry is the Eco Plant Coaster by
    Krystal Amador. (Eco Minded Stitches) I would also love to try to finish the 2 Granny Square Cushion covers I’m making. The pattern is by Kirsten Ballering. I am modifying the pattern slightly to make a removable cover with an envelope style opening.

    Left to Right: Plant Coaster inspo (a previous make). Granny Square Cushions.

    Cross Stitch

    In the last quarter of the year, I would like to make some progress on Spirit of Christmas by Lizzie Kate. I think this is my oldest cross stitch WIP. I started this in December 2017 when this was released as a 3-part mystery SAL (stitch-a-long)

    Looking at the remaining WIPs I have, I would also like to finish Grandpa’s Pickup mini. This was part of the Farmhouse Christmas Series by Little House Needleworks.

    Let’s see how I get on. What are your plans for the remainder of this year?

  • Crafting Plans: Q3 2025 Review

    Crafting Plans: Q3 2025 Review

    As we approach the mid section of the final quarter of the year, I wanted to do a bit of review of what I have worked on, completed & started during Quarter 3.

    Let’s start with Knitting. From July – September, I completed a total of 2 projects. These were the Sweet Breeze Top by Veronica Lindburg (Kutovakika) & the Sea Glass Cardigan by Wool & Pine. The Sweet Breeze Top took me 126 days to finish whilst the Sea Glass Cardigan took me 165 days to complete. I did not start any new knitting projects in this quarter.

    Sweet Breeze Top
    Sea Glass Cardigan

    Moving onto Crochet. From July – September, I completed a total of 9 projects. These were:

    • Brown Butter Shawl
    • Movie Night Cocoon Cardi
    • Seafoam Cardigan
    • 4 large Eco Plant Coasters
    • 2 medium Eco Plant Coasters

    The Movie Night Cocoon Cardi took me 57 days to complete. The Seafoam Cardigan took me 55 days to complete whilst the coasters & the shawl took 1 and 2 days respectively to finish. I started the 6 Day Star Blanket (superstar version) in quarter 3 as well.

    Finished Projects L-R. Row 1: Movie Night Cocoon Cardi, Brown Butter Shawl, Large Eco Plant Coaster #1. Row 2: Large Eco Plant Coaster #1 modelled underneath plant pot, Medium Eco Plant Coaster #1, Large Eco Plant Coaster #2. Row 3: Large Eco Plant Coaster #3, Large Eco Plant Coaster #4, Medium Eco Plant Coaster #2

    And finally, cross stitch. I worked on zero projects in Q3 and therefore finished nothing.

    My observations of my crafting habits during the quarter have been influenced heavily by my desire to stash bust this year. A lot of the crochet projects I have started & completed this quarter have used yarn from my stash which I am pleased about.

    I think I would like to dedicate some of my crafting time to cross stitch in quarter 4 to have some progress on some of my WIPs. You can find out what my current cross stitch WIPs are in my cross stitch post.

    Whether I can actually achieve that, only time will tell. How do you manage multiple crafts? Do you dedicate specific time to each of your crafts?

  • Current Projects: Cross Stitch

    Current Projects: Cross Stitch

    It’s been an absolute age since I worked on any of my cross stitch projects. I am currently in my knitting & crochet era. Although my cross stitch WIPs may think I have abandoned them in the corner of the front room, I do want to make some time for them in the coming year.

    I currently have 12 cross stitch WIPS. These are:

    • Spirit of Christmas by Lizzie Kate
    • Jane Eyre Sampler by The Primitive Hare
    • Deer Friends by Plum Street Samplers
    • Village of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings
    • Reflections of New York by Ink Circles
    • Advent Banner by me
    • Gingerbread Stocking by Durene Jones
    • C-3PO by Stitchline
    • Giant Harry Potter by Clouds Factory
    • Memories of Summer by me
    • Farmhouse Christmas – Grandpa’s Pickup by Little House Needleworks
    • Autumn ABCs by Lizzie Kate

    I have left most of these untouched for over a year. Looking at the list of my WIPs, I do want to finish all of these. Some of these were intended to be gifts for family members. Perhaps that is the motiviation I need to pick-up my cross stitch again.

    Do you have any suggestions for how to make time for all the crafts? Do you dedicate set time for different discipline.

  • Current Projects: Knitting

    Current Projects: Knitting

    I use Notion to keep track of all things knitting. I have all my yarn documented into my knitting template as well as my knitting projects. I can then easily transfer information into Ravelry for my projects. I found a great Notion template for knitting from Kate which I have added some additional views to.

    I currently have 3 knitting WIPs, 2 of which I am actively working on. They are:

    • Painting Bricks Shawl by Stephen West
    • Stornoway Sweater by Cheryl Mokhtari
    • The Cosiest Stitch Blanket by Kemper Wray

    The Cosiest Memories Blanket is a long-term WIP. There is no deadline for completing it but I would like to see some progress before it’s 2nd birthday.

    I always have grand plans to start & finish more projects than I think I can achieve. This quarter, I had planned to start at least 1 of the 2 cardigan designs I had picked out for my niece. Did that happen? No. But no matter, my niece will still love her cardigans next year.

    Do you have a plan when it comes to your knitting? What happens when things don’t go according to plan?