2022 - A Year In Crochet

I’ve been crocheting for 10 whole years!! Ish. Maybe technically eleven. I dropped out of university in January 2012 and during my year off, I taught myself to crochet. I only started keeping a log of what I’d made in 2015, and only started blogging it in 2018. Wahey! So perhaps 11 years of crochet. I’ve made lots of things in those maybe 11 years. Over 500 hats, multiple blankets (most double bed sized), absolutely loads of amigurumi toys, and a couple of uteruses. Why not.

I still need to get better at sock making; I have made 7 socks so far and only one of them has never been worn, mainly because I still can’t bring myself to make the second one for the pair. Two other socks are so beyond repair it’s not worth bothering and at this point I should just make a new pair. Or the second sock. Maybe 2023 will be the year of the sock? I hope so. Socks, pet blankets, and maybe a Persian Tiles blanket big enough for a double bed.

You can read the previous years posts here (click the numbers): 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018

You can read about my varying blankets here (click) 

And if you’re on Ravelry, you can follow me (is that the thing?) and see my projects here (click) 

 

So, 2022! Last year I said that I feel a good making year coming on, and now I’m not sure if I have done. Yeh I’ve made stuff, but not as much as I’d planned or wanted. I did change jobs in 2022, and I have also started a monthly crafting social group. So maybe next year will be the good making year? Who knows. I say that every year.

 

Patterns are linked below the item name if I used one

 

1.       Pink hat for Uanita (for her granddaughter actually)

 Pattern – my own, but I alternated DC and Tr stitches to get a nice texture.

Flower – I think I used a sunflower pattern but changed the colours 

2.       14 mini covids, following on from the 4 big covids I did in 2021. These were chucked around at the annual Lickey Hills Wassail and much hilarity ensued! Everyone knows that St George died of being bombarded by squishy yarn covids.

 Pattern – my own, just a ball with bits on 

3.       Ripple blanket. The huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge blanket!! So big it covers the entire bed and hangs over the sides. So heavy. So comfy. Defo will never fit in the washing machine.

 Pattern – a google step by step for ripplestitch  

4.       Springtime gonk, complete with flowers and stuff. I made the flower in the pot freehand and I’m very proud of it!!

 Pattern - Gonk Shop 

5.       Freddie Mercury, for a cousins cousins cousin. Not really, but I think there is a cousin somewhere along the way. Definitely went to a family member!!

 Pattern - Freddie 

6.       Cushion cover foot rest for the trunk. It was made as a huge flat lay rectangle and then I cut some foam padding to fit. Stitched up one end and put press studs on the other end so I can remove the cover to clean it. No pattern, but I alternated DC and Tr stitch for texture. It is over my legs in this pic 

7.       Big pigs in blankets. Because why not? I love them. Most have been gifted.

 Pattern – A Good Right Hook  

8.       Mini pigs in blankets

9.       A tiny pig, sans blanket. The plan was to make teeny pigs in blanket earrings but it was such hard work to make one that I just can’t bring myself to make the second. 

 

10.   Bluey & Bingo. Quite a fun make! I like making lots of component parts and then seeing the whole thing come together

 Pattern - Bluey & Bingo pattern 

11.   Dragonscale stitch cowl. LOVE THIS. Easily the best thing I’ve made all year. Made from super squishy soft Alpaca wool from the Isle of Wight – the same stuff I used to make our socks and D’s fingerless gloves in 2019. SO SOFT. I wanted it to look autumnal like leaf litter, and it really does. Well pleased with this.

 Pattern – google dragonscale stitch.  Made as a flat lay then folded round and stitched together, after I had undone a lot of it because I made it too wide. Super fiddly and time consuming to make but worth it. 

12.   Cleaning cloths. I make these every year as they are an easy make. 100% cotton and machine washable, great to have around the home. Perfect for cleaning root veg. £10 for a pack of 7 if anyone is interested…

 Pattern – none, just freehand 

13.   Woollen Hats. All 100% wool.

 Pattern – none, I am very well practiced at making hats nowadays.

 I made this one to match a jumper I was asked to repair, using the leftover wool 

I made this one for David in the West Mercia Search & Rescue colours, and then I made him another one with a brim because he stole my old hat for the day and it spoilt him, so he wanted a luxury hat, and he has now gifted the other one

 I made this one for me!   

      

14.   Shell stitch cowl, for me! It was meant to be a cowl but I didn’t make it wide enough, so I just kept making it longer and longer, then decided I could turn it on its side, fold it, stitch it, then have a snug cowl which is double thickness and won’t flop open or down – which means it’s safe to wear when I’m chainsawing awwwwww yis!

Pattern – google shell stitch tutorial  

 15.   Screenwash hats. A moment of madness from me, but I am going to remake them slightly smaller. The idea was to put them over the screenwash nozzles on my car to prevent them freezing. It didn’t work, but that was because the overnight temperature dropped to -8c and ain’t no little woollen nipple covers gonna help in that weather.

Pattern – nowt 

16.   Jumper repairs. A geology friend from Twitter via Scotland asked me to repair his jumper, so I spent a merry two weeks patching up holes. Very pleased with myself. Some holes were darned and some were patched. 

17.   A woollen blankie for Sir Pippington the First, Esquire of Bonemill (‘Pip’ to his mates)

Pattern – just a granny square  

I have also darned socks (repeatedly) and am currently working on a few other things that I can’t say what until they’ve been finished and posted.

I am starting a new venture called Salopian Crafts, to sell some of the things I make. This is very much a pocket money venture rather than a life changing career move, and I’ll take commissions – just give me plenty of notice!! October is too late for christmas presents, just sayin’. You can find me here on Instagram. 

 

And a final late entry, made in two days after christmas, whilst watching Wednesday on Netflix (again)

18.   Bed socks for Poppa Beardy

No pattern, because I freehanded them and I’m well pleased with myself! Just dc stitch with some increases here n there. 

I have started my 2023 to make wish list, so I’ve got a busy crafty year coming up!