Name: Kaitlyn
Date: January 31
Current Location: Bethesda, MD
Happy New Year, All!
January has been a hell of a ride, and not what I expected.
I always start the year with grand plans, goals, resolutions, and ambition. Usually this lasts for only a few months before life gets in the way and I resume my usual mediocrity, however this year I was stopped cold by COVID. Again.
Nearly one year to the day from my first infection, I got COVID again. We suspect our New Year’s outing. That really cut into my momentum, but it was a mild infection and I was soon on my feet again and ready to go!
I attended the WEBS Winter Knitting Retreat mid-month, which was the first knitting retreat I’ve ever attended. The classes were very fun and interesting, and I learned a number of new skills that I can’t wait to try. I also won a free cardigan pattern from one of the sponsors, along with the requisite yarn to make it. I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
The other major bonus from the retreat was the goody bag we got ahead of time – a free pattern, and a number of free skeins of yarn!
Mostly I found the retreat very inspiring. I’m planning to make my first attempt at a sweater this year – I’ve got the yarn for it, I just need to pick up large enough needles to get it cast on, and I’ll be good to go.
Current Projects:
Tree of Life Afghan
Check out how large this one has gotten! I’m on the second tree panel, and I hope to have this one finished and squared away by the end of February so I can get started on a new afghan.
Fancy Yellow Socks
The Flying Arrows sock pattern from Helen Waittes using the lovely yellow ducky yarn I got from my San Antonio trip.
I’d originally cast this on to work on during my Seattle trip as it’s small and easy to carry around, but that didn’t work out, so I’ve been knitting away at it during my usual evening hours watching tv.
This kit from TL Yarncrafts and Lionbrand is a few years old – it came out for the 2020 holiday season, if I recall correctly, but was in such high demand that it took me several months to get a hold of it as the yarn was continually out of stock. I finally snagged it mid-2021, and have only just gotten started on the first few squares starting in December.
This afghan has 20 squares working on 20 different Tunisian Crochet techniques, which are joined together to make one large, lovely, and festive afghan!
I’m really enjoying this one. The squares are large enough to give me practice on the different stitches and techniques, but don’t drag out so long as to bore me. I’m looking forward to stitching this one together to see the final result!
Up Next:
I’m going to visit a friend up in New York for her birthday, and I’m planning an extra day in the city to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Keep an eye out for photos of my trip next month!
I hope your year has gotten off to a roaring start!
See you all next time! ❤
Have Yarn, Will Travel 
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