Drawing to an End

As we approach the end of the year, we tend to start thinking about what we want to accomplish next year. We set goals, we plan, we make resolutions. But, sometimes we forget to just be thankful. We also forget to look at all the good from the previous year. It has been a challenging year for me, and a busy one. I set up my website this year with all my patterns. I also started up my Etsy shop full time. Both were larger endeavors than I expected, with the website taking me months to get it where I was satisfied. I’m only just now feeling comfortable with where I have things. Setting up my own website for sales also meant getting tax licenses for Europe and what not. It was a bit more taxing on me than I thought it would be, but it got done. 🙂 My Etsy shop is coming along, but I am still in need of more inventory to get my page noticed. That means more wood burning designs. I have plans to make 4 sets of gnome ornaments (one set for each season). I also have some items I’m working on for Easter. I should perhaps consider doing something for Valentines Day, too. Anyway..I’m off track a bit. But, that’s how my brain works. It will occasionally get off on a mini tangent of things I could do. lol

So, not only did I get the two shops set up this year, but I’ve also been working on new designs through all this. I managed to publish 8 patterns this year. That is lower than I had wanted, but the summer was taken up with other things. I also have a full sweater in that mix that I had to get the sample knit for. In all, I think 8 was pretty good. I’m very happy with the improved quality of what I have been working on. This was also my first full year of getting all my patterns tech edited. I started doing that last year, but this year everything that was released was fully edited. I almost launched a 9th pattern, but it’s still in testing. So, we’ll say 8 1/2 patterns this year. lol

For 2020, I figured it was the best time to really start putting myself out there. I want to get more blog posts out, as well as continue the help section. I have not completed the Sock Basics posts yet, so I should start there. Then I will move on to other types of garment constructions and techniques. I also need to do more promoting. I just have not decided how to do this yet. When you are just starting out, you really don’t want to just hemorrhage money. And with tech editing, it’s already pretty rough. Unfortunately, you have to do what you have to do. I’ll try to take advantage of ways to not spend boatloads of money, but I think at least one ad campaign is going to be needed. I just need to figure out what the best place is to do it. The good thing about an ad campaign, is that once I have created and placed the ad, I just walk away. lol It’s not something I have to babysit.

On the design side, there are things I already have on the go. I have colorwork socks that I am about to bounce back in to. If I’m good about them, I can have the pattern ready for testing and editing by the 2nd week of January. I’m on the gusset right now, and they are toe up. So, it’s getting to the point where I can just knit and knit right up the leg. 😀 I can even give a sneak peek on these. I am loving the design, and it’s not just on the top of the foot, but also the bottom as well.

I also have a sweater on the go. Unfortunately, I have lost weight and the sweater may already be way too big. That might mean that I need to start over again (for the 2nd time lol). It’s meant to be an oversized sweater, so maybe it will be okay. Unfortunately, loosing 2″ off the chest has meant sweaters are a problem. haha! I still have a sneak peek of this one too, though. And looking at it, I think the size might be okay. I’ll check my calculations to see what the finished size should be, and go from there. 😀

Other than that, I want to try and get 10 pattern launched this year. These two with the one that is still in testing will be 3, so I am well on my way. I have already been doing some brain storming and have a few more that I am trying to figure out. There will be some more socks, as well as fingerless mittens in there. I also have a baby blanket and a scarf in the works. 😀 Depending on my time constraints for knitting, I should be able to get really close to my 10.

I am also trying to squeeze in some knitting just for me. In all likelihood, I will be selling some of my samples that I make for my designs. I really have so many fingerless mittens right now, that they are just everywhere. haha! I had been eyeing the Ease pattern by Alicia Plummer for ages! I finally decided that now is the time. I picked it up during the Gift-A-Long sale, and have been working on it since early this month. And I’m happy to report that I finished it this morning. And I’m in love. I love the fit, the look, everything. 😀 I made mine with the optional cowl/drawstring neck, which is just my style. I did have to start over initially, because my gauge was way off, and it was going to be far too big. I dropped down a few sizes on the pattern, because I liked the fabric I was getting with the size 10 needles. The yarn I used was Concept by Katia. It’s a cotton/merino blend, and is so amazing to work with. I’m hoping for just the right feel of light and airy with warmth, and I think this will do it. I can’t wait to wear it tonight.

And just as a reminder! I still have a 15% off sale going on. All the patterns here on my site are 15% off with the coupon code “Christmas”. Also, if you prefer Ravelry, the same code will give you 15% off there too. My Etsy shop has 15% off when you spend a minimum of $20.00, with no code needed. And as always, I have affiliate links at the bottom of my home page if you are ever so inclined to join in my oily journey, or are looking to buy some items. LoveCrafts is having a sale during January, so feel free to click my link to go check that out as well. 😀

Thank you so much for your support!! I really appreciate it! I hope the holidays are great to you, and that you have a Very Happy New Year! Stay safe, and I’ll be back here in a few days. 😀