Needlework Roundup: First Quarter

Posted by Harper on

We are now three full months into 2025. It's amazing how fast time passes! Back in January, I set myself these goals for this year:

Now, obviously I haven't done all those things, but I have made some progress in the first quarter of the year. First off, I've published four new patterns of the twelve I plan to release this year. You can purchase them over at the Stitch Whisper Designs Etsy Shop. I started out the year with the Sideways Shell Hat--S2S hat, crocheted in shell stitch and using short rows for the crown shaping. Then I made a hat and booties set called Baby Set Squared. It's another crochet pattern. The hat is an updated version of the Girl's Chevron Cloche, and the booties are made out of modified hexagons, like the ones used in the hexagon sweater. The Elegant Ascot is a quick knit project and an updated take on a traditional pattern.  Finally, the Asymmetrical Stocking Cap is another new take on an old pattern. This stocking cap has the decreases on the back to make room for the cable pattern on the front.



I haven't done anything with free patterns yet this year, nor have I added any merch to the Etsy shop. I also haven't compiled any pattern collections or made a video tutorial. However, I have continued my weekly charity stitching. I used up the yarn I had leftover from the blanket I made last year for my son. That yarn made two half double crochet hats and a knitted Pioneer Braid Scarf. I've also made two other caps with other leftover yarn, and I started a granny square baby blanket with a stray skein of Red Heart. Using some leftover chenille, I've recently started making an offset cowl as well.




I did start the Rug Me Up Hooded Jacket for my baby, but the yarn I set aside for it turned out to be a little too thin. It's frogged now. When I pick different yarn, I'll make a bigger size so she can wear it next winter.

The pattern I picked out for the roly-poly toy turned out to be oddly written. Instead, I looked at some pictures of pill-bugs online and winged knitting one. I'm pretty happy with how it came out, and so is my son.



I did make the hat and mitten set for my 4yo, and he really liked them. I also made the Desert Rose Hat for my 14yo's birthday. He wore it a lot before the weather warmed up. Likewise, I made the Aspen's hat for my 16yo's birthday. He actually needed a hat that would cover his ears, since he works at a place that has limited heating in the winter. Quite a while ago, my older daughter requested a cat from the Cat Stack pattern, and she picked out some sparkly, teal chenille as the yarn for it. I made that (which also used up all my stuffing material), and she loves it!





I'm still working on my coaster set. I made two last year and another in January. I started another in February, but I ran out of thread in the final round. I need to fish more thread out of my stash, but I keep forgetting.



For most of March, I've been working on a sweater for my younger daughter. Mountain Top Yarns had a sale going on their retiring colorways where you purchase a grab bag of three skeins of their choosing. I bought a grab bag, and one of the skeins was a lovely sport weight wool in lavender, grey, and white, and it was the perfect amount for making a little sweater for her. Unfortunately, I had to frog parts of it a couple of times while I reworked my numbers, but I did finish it eventually.


Having adjusted for what I accomplished in the first quarter, this is what my list of goals for the year looks like now: 
  • Publish 8 more patterns for sale (4 knit, 4 crochet)
  • Continue turning free patterns from this blog into pdfs
  • Add merch to the Etsy shop
  • Start compiling some of my for sale patterns into collections.
  • Continue weekly charity stitching
  • Make at least one tutorial video
  • Make a crocheted fruit garland for Sukkot
  • Make the Rug Me Up Hooded Jacket for the baby
  • Make the Frida Beret to go with my gloves
  • Finish the coaster set I started
  • Make socks for myself
Working off of that, here are my goals for the next three months:
  • Publish 3 more patterns for sale 
  • Turn at least 1 free pattern from this blog into a pdf
  • Add merch to the Etsy shop ahead of Mothers' Day
  • Continue weekly charity stitching
    • To include finishing the blanket I started
  • Finish the coaster set
  • Make an Octagonal Romper for the baby
  • Start making a crocheted fruit garland for Sukkot

This post has been linked to Busy Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Senior Salon, WITS, Wonderful Wednesday, The Stitchin' Mommy, and Thursday Favorite things.

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