Everything I Made in 2022

December 20, 2022December 20, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to a little post where I share all the things I made over the previous year. I am still working on a few projects that I expect to finish so I am going to add them as well. This year was my first full year of knitting and I have to say, I learned a ton of things. I did cables for the first time and learned how to knit myself a sweater. Which has quickly become one of my favorite things to make. Throughout 2022 I managed to complete a total of 21 projects, plus another 2 I am going to be finishing before the end of the year. Anyway, on to the things I made! Oh, before I forget I am just going to add a picture of my favorite project from each month I completed one, otherwise this post will be way to long, I will also include links to all patterns as well if you want to take a closer look.

Stats

Socks: 9 pairs

Sweaters: 6; 2 short sleeve, 4 long sleeve

Cowls/Scarf: 2, maybe 3 depending on how the next few weeks go.

Hats: 2

Shawls: 2

Stuffed Animals: 1

Bags: 1

Projects Completed by Month

January 2022: 2 Projects

Apiarist Cowl by Claire Borchardt

Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague

February 2022: 1 Project

Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes

March 2022: 1 Project

So, this one I don’t have a picture of or a pattern for. I ended up making a pair of socks that was ribbing from top to bottom and gifted them to a friend of mine.

April 2022: 2 Projects

Saraya by Saysha Greene

Bright red shawl with various textures including bobbles, eyelets, and cables.

Ranunculus by Midori Hirose

May 2022: 2 Projects

No pattern vanilla sock made from rainbow yarn!

Pair of socks with no patterning or anything, heel flap and gusset.

Out-Stranding by Christie Archer

July 2022: 4 Projects Completed

Color Palette Socks by Laura Moorats

Anker’s Summer Shirt by PetiteKnit

Tan short sleeve shirt with a textured yoke.

Duotone Cowl by Orange Flower Yarn

Another pair of no pattern vanilla socks, that I made with pink toned yarn.

August 2022: 2 Projects

Georges Top by Johanna Gehrisch

Picnic Blanket Socks by Helen Stewart

Bright colored socks with a textured leg and contrasting heels and toes.

September 2022: 1 Project

Float Tote by Knitty Natty

Crocheted cotton bag with 5 pouches inside.

October 2022: 2 Projects

Alpenglow I by Andrea Mowry

Color work sweater in three different colors. Pattens include zigzags, rectangles, and points

Heel Toe Do Si Do by Crazy Sock Lady Designs

November 2022: 3 Projects

Christopher Bunny by Susan B. Anderson

Sarkle by Kate Davies Designs

Tan long sleeve pattern with a yoke pattern that looks like a giant snowflake and your heads the center

Oslo Hat – Mohair Edition by PetiteKnit

December 2022: 1 Projects, 2 Others that will likely be finished.

Bear Paw Socks by Andrea Mowry

Spinifex Socks by Helen Stewart

After the Storm by The Little Wolf Knits (Not Yet Released)

So there are all the things I made over the entirety of 2022, it is kind of amazing to look back at this list and see all the different things I have made and the new things I have tried. I am really excited to see what kind of projects 2023 brings and what else I am going to challenge myself with and grow my skill with these hobbies.

Sign Off 2020 — Sign off, thanks for reading!

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Just a Few of My Favorite Things 2022

December 9, 2022December 2, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Hello and welcome to a really random post today. I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite things that I have discovered this past year. All of which I bought myself! I am going to go threw a few categories of items, so be prepared for a hodgepodge of things!

Reading

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle – I bought this bundle this year because I had to downsize and move away from physical books. So far this ereader, cover, and charging dock have worked wonderfully. It is a lot more responsive than my previous kindle and kobo as well as the screen is more sharp, at least to my eyes. I found myself reading more before bed as well.

Post-it Transparent Sticky Notes – when I did read a physical book I loved using these see-through sticky notes. I could annotate away easily without having to change my sitting position very much. Just doodled or jot down something then stuck it on the page.

Crochet/Knitting

Furls Streamline Resin Swirl Crochet Hooks – These are for sure an investment, but I found that this year using these work perfectly with how I naturally want to hold my crochet hook and the hand motion I use. Even when I am knitting I keep one of these on hand for when I drop a stitch.

CYPRA Interchangeable Needle Set 3.5 Inch Size – I started off knitting with larger tipped needles and I found that I knit faster and easier with shorter ones. I picked these up and I feel in love with them for a few reasons. The first being they are made of metal, I am a tight knitter so with this material I had a lot less drag on my work. The second being I was able to maneuver the needles a lot easier because they were smaller and I was not fighting them as much for smaller circumference knitting.

Tape Measure, I know this one is not glamorous and honestly any one will do. I never used a measuring tape more than when I am crocheting or knitting. I have them all over the house so I always have one on hand. If I had to pick one I really love and has held up really well it would be Clover Shiro Spring Tape, plus you can easily find it at a big box store if need be.

Daily Life

Tea/Coffee Handwarmer Ceramic Mug – You can get these amazing mugs left or right handed, but these mugs are amazing. I ended up having a bit of a collection of them. I love these because they are on the larger size, more coffee for me, but also because they keep my hands nice and toasty during a chilly morning or day. Plus, they are dishwasher and microwave safe.

My Bullet Journal, I am not really going to link something specific for this one, but I use it for EVERYTHING. I love that I can make it anything I want or need and is relaxable, especially in comparison to commercial planners. Which, please don;’t get me wrong those are amazing too if you find a layout that works for you. If you want to take a look at my bullet journal you can look at my category called, Bullet Journal Jottings, Writing & More. It is just really nice that you can take a notebook from the dollar store or a nicer one and turn it into something all your own.

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Knitting, Crochet, Crafting, Art & More

Great Last Min. Handmade Gifts

December 3, 2022November 5, 2022 bookishluna4 Comments

With all the gift giving coming up, I thought it might be a good idea to maybe share some of the last min. gifts I have made over the years. Please note, the prices of these patterns are accurate for when it was written and are subject to change.

Free Crochet

Easy Crochet Velvet Twist Headband by Tiffany Brown Ravelry | Website, this was a really fun and easy project. I really loved working with a super-soft yarn and I have actually made it with a wool based yarn as well and loved it just as much. It is nice and simple, but has just enough interest with the twist.

Crochet Velvet Infinity Scarf by Daisy Farm Crafts Website, I ended up finding this pattern to make with the headband above. The simple, but very affective stitch pattern was great. It went fast, but also kept my interest throughout.

4 Fun Stitches for Chunky Crochet Cowls by Daisy Farm Crafts Website, this is actually a four in one pattern and I made every single one. They are all great ways to try new stiches and also get something gift worthy at the same time.

Paid Crochet

Merci Cloth by TL Yarn Crafts Ravelry | Website, Sadly, I was so excited about gifting these I forgot to take a picture of them. I ended up really loving these and so did the people I gifted them to. I have even made a few replacements as well.

Jessie Stash Basket by Toni Lipsey/TL Yarn Crafts Ravelry | Website, this is a great present that is quick and easy to make. Not only that, it is great to load up with someone’s favorite snacks and treats. After that it is great to hold different things as well. I made one for myself and gifted another and I used mine to hold my TBR.

Free Knitting

Apiarist Cowl by Claire Borchardt Ravelry | Website, this was the first time I made cables and it has such great and clear instructions. It is fun and engaging and looks a lot more complicated than you would think at first glance. While it has a lot of patterning, it being a cowl is perfect for a quick gift.

Steek This Coffee Cozy by Rachel Molenaar Ravelry, this is great for two reasons. You get to practice steeking if it is something you have never done before and a person you love gets a really nice cozy for their mug. This was a hit when paired with the persons favorite tea/coffee.

Paid Knitting

Musselburgh Hat by Ysolda Teague Ravelry | Website, this is one pattern I feel like a lot of people have made. I have made multiple of these hats and they take me between a week and a week and a half. They are really great because they are double thick and you can use whatever weight you have on hand. In my case I have always used fingering weight and it was a great wayu to use that special skein of yarn I didn’t know what to do with, but I loved.

Christopher Bunny by Susan B. Anderson Ravelry | Website, this is a really cute pattern to make for a little one or just someone who really loves animals. The pattern is so detailed and has pictures throughout to guide you. I really loved this personally because I never knit a stuffed animal before this and I was not overwhelmed in the slightest. There are also video tutorials that go along with it.

I hope some of these are able to help you out with some last min, gift crocheting or knitting! I know I had a ton of fun when I made each of these. Sadly, a lot of these I made before I was keeping track of my creations by taking pictures so I don’t have pictures of share of each object. I also sometimes get so excited about gifting them I wrap them up before snapping a picture as well. OOPS!

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Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | December 2022

December 1, 2022November 13, 2022 bookishluna2 Comments

Hello and welcome to my monthly intent post for the last month of 2022! I know I have been very hit or miss with posting this year, but I am hoping to turn that around this month and going forward. Anyway, as with very monthly intent, I am going to take a moment to share some of the goals and plans I have for the month ahead.

Reading Plans

I honestly have no real goal this month in particular. I have a lot going on this month with last min. gift knitting and crocheting and all the holiday plans. I feel like if I am going to have a goal is to just read what I want. I have no plan and that is my plan, if I can call it that.

Crochet & Knitting Plans

This month I really want to enjoy my knitting my advent striped sock and maybe crocheting my other advent as well. I say maybe because the advent I was lucky enough to have has both a crochet and knitting pattern and I have no idea what they look like at this point. I feel like I will figure it out once I see what my options are. Other than that, I just have a few gifts I need to finish, but I am not too stressed or worried about the deadline currently.

Random Goals

This month I really would like to get organized for the new year. I mainly want to set myself up for success in 2023 by doing what I need to do to try and succeed at the goals I have for 2023. December is a really odd month for me in this respect. I feel like it is all about wrapping up the previous year and getting ready for the new one.

Other than “prepping” for 2023, I really want to take part in blogmas this year and post each day leading up to Christmas. In the past, I did a version of blogmas, The 12 Days of Blogmas”, but this year I really want to commit and post from the 1st of December thought the 24th. It is a lot of work, but I think I can do it. Plus some of the posts I am planning are fun and silly. I am hoping this will reignite my love of blogging.

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Monthly Digest

Monthly Digest | September 2022

October 5, 2022October 1, 2022 bookishlunaLeave a comment

Reading

Maledictions: A Horror Anthology by Cassandra Khaw, I ended up really enjoying this collection of horror short stories. It was just great to pick up here and there and read something when I didn’t have a ton of time. That being said, it is a collection and I liked some sort stories better than others. I feel like that is just how collections work though in general. This was also my first introduction to the WarHammer universe and I enjoyed how vast it is through these little stories. I am interested in diving into this universe a bit more, I just need to figure out where to dive in fully.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, I know a lot of people have been talking about this memoir so I won’t ramble on too much. I really loved this memoir because of McCurdy’s voice and her ability to explain her story and her feelings. This book has a lot of tough topics throughout, various types of abuse, which no child should have to go through. Let alone from their own mother. This book was one I had a hard time putting down because I just wanted to keep reading and I have to say I am so happy for McCurdy and where she is now. In charge of her own decisions and her own life.

Crochet, Knitting and Crafting

Sadly, I did not finish my sweater by the end of the month, but I am so close! I had to wait for a needle to get here, in the mean time I ended up starting and finishing another project while I waited. I ended up crocheting a Float Tote by Knitty Natty, which is like a project bag, but you also create an insert to organize different skeins of yarn. I ended up making the biggest size, 5 skeins. I plan on using this to make a sweater where I am knitting together 3 strands at a time and this is perfect so all my yarn doesn’t get tangled and roll all over the place.

Life

This month I really focused on my making my space comfortable and relaxing. I ended up doing an unhaul a bit of books to donate locally. I also reorganized my dressers and closet to better work for me as well. It was a lot of work, but now that it is done I am really happy and feel a bit more at ease when I walk in the door since I am not faced with so much clutter and stuff piled everywhere. I do have one more drawer, my crafting drawer, that I want to tackle still, but I am waiting until next month and the colder months to look through those items. The main reason being I tend to do more crafting during that time of the year and I want to see what I use and don’t use.

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Current Reads and WIPs

Current WIPs and Reads | May 2022

May 15, 2022May 14, 2022 bookishluna10 Comments

Hello and welcome to a midmonth check-in! I just wanted to take a moment to share what I am currently reading and what I am currently working on craft wise as well. This month has already flown by, I have already finished a few books and projects that you will see in my Monthly Digest post for the month, but I am still reading and working away on other projects and books currently.

My Current Reads

Berserk Deluxe Edition Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura, Jason DeAngelis (Translator), I just started reading this so I am not too far into it , but the illustration style is great! It can be graphic though, so be warned! There is a lot going on so you just keep wanting to turn the pages and get sucked in for sure.

Other than this, I am planning on picking up The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite, who wrote My Sister, the Serial Killer, which I LOVED! So I am really looking forward to reading this because her thriller style is unique. Even if you know what you are picking up, she still manages to surprise you. For me, this is a HUGE plus. Even thrillers that don’t give away huge plot points I feel like I can easily predict since I read so many of them. Braithwaite on the other hand can tell you a ton about what is going to happen, but still takes me on a ride!

My Current WIPs

Body Language Cardigan by Knits N Knots, I am finally working on anther crochet project! I have not done crochet for a while, but I have missed it. I decided on this pattern because it looks nice and cozy, but also lets me practice some seaming since it is made in pieces. I am hoping to finish it before it gets too hot and I wont want to touch it and it will be ready for next fall. I am currently working on the back panel and the largest for this sweater. I feel like once I finish this panel the rest will fly!

Crochet project, showing the start of the back panel

My on the go project has been my Rainbow Vanilla Socks, no pattern followed for this. I am just knitting based off memory of knitting other socks. I am at the heel on both of the socks currently, I like to work both socks and keep them at the same sections so I finish them close together instead of getting with burn out when I have one totally complete sock an one not even started.

What are you currently reading or working on?

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Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | May 2022

May 1, 2022April 30, 2022 bookishluna2 Comments

Hello and welcome to a bit of a planning post for the month of May! This month I am planning on doing quite a few things, but also trying to make it a priority not to do too much and get overwhelmed. It is really easy with the beautiful weather to say yes to too many things.

Reading Plans

Unfortunately, last month I did not get to read Berserk Deluxe Vol. 1 in its entirety. Due to this I really would like to get that completed. Other than that I don’t have any specific books I want to read in May. I have been doing well with not really saying I need to read X,Y,Z the past few months. Since it is working so well, I don’t want to mess with it.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

This month I really want to finish working on my Out-Stranding by Christie Archer, which is a color work and textured shawl. I am planning on finish it within the first half of the month so I can move on to a bigger project. The project I want to get started after that is the Body Language Cardigan by Knits N Knots, I have not worked on a crochet project in a while and I have had the yarn for this sitting around since late last year. I want to get it done so I can wear it in the fall and maybe a bit before the Summer fully hits. Other than that I am just working on some vanilla socks.

Random Goals

This month I really want to have a picnic. I know it is a really silly goal, but I really enjoy having a good meal with good people outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather before it gets way to hot to function. I also would love to get my tomato garden all set up and reading to go as well. Every year I grow tomatoes and I am planning to continue this year. I just need to get new planters and soil, mine ended up breaking last year because they grew too large.

I hope you all have a really amazing May ahead of you! Do you have any fun plans coming up this month?

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Monthly Digest

Monthly Digest | April 2022

April 30, 2022 bookishluna4 Comments

Hey all and welcome to a bit of a review of the previous month! Spring has officially sprung bringing with it a ton of rain and pollen. While I did really enjoy falling asleep to the steady rain this past month, I am not too thrilled with the pollen that is making me sneeze left and right. But, I will say overall this month has kept me busy in a really good way!

Reading

The first book I read this month was The War of the Poor by Èric Vuillard. I originally picked this book up because I read a book by the author in the past. While I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, I was not too keen on there not being footnotes or endnotes to support their nonfiction book. I will be honest though, I am not sure if the intention of this book was meant to be nonfiction as well so I decided to do a little digging. The reason I had the expectations of this book being nonfiction is due to it’s tags on goodreads; History, Nonfiction, French History, but on the publishers site is quoted as saying, “A dazzling piece of historical re-imagining” Pan Macmillan. So, I feel like individuals are mislabeling this historical fiction novella as nonfiction, which is unfortunate. Obviously, this is no fault of the author by any means, but it does change how I see this novella. The writing was engaging to say the least. This was a topic I studied a lot during my time in University, but it was really interesting seeing it portrayed in this manner. Even though I read about this time in history I was not bored or felt like I was experiencing Déjà vu. I read it in two sittings and I only put it down the first time because I needed to get to sleep. Overall, I ended up giving the book 3 stars!

Crochet, Knitting and Crafting

I completed two large projects this month, the first being a Ranunculus, my first wearable and I am actually quite proud of it. I ended up wearing it the day after I finished it! I can see why so many people love this pattern, it was a project I never hesitated to pick up and it worked up quite quickly. It had some new things I needed to learn, but I am always open to learn something new.

The second big project I finished was my Saraya Shawl, which I plan on wearing to a friends wedding later this Spring. This pattern was written by Saysha Greene and was published in Worsted. It was a really fun knit that challenged me, but didn’t leave me burnt out.

Life

This month I did a lot of fun things, especially since the weather started to warm up. I had a really lovely date with my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary where we got to have a really delicious meal while enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors. Then we adventured to our favorite ice cream shop and enjoyed them while hanging out on a bench talking and people watching.

I also went on a few adventures with my friends. I went to the movies for the first time in YEARS, which was nice because no one else was there really. So the two of us were not holding back our reactions to the movie in the slight, it was funny because the few other people watching the movie did the same thing. Then, with another friend of mine we went yarn shop hopping, I ended up picking up yarn for a few projects I want to make this year. We ended up going to about 8 shops, the discounts were so good I could not resist. I would have bought this yarn anyway, just for later down the line. We also ended up getting takeout after all that shopping and the food was just AMAZING!

This month was really great, mainly because I was able to hangout and create some great memories with others. I really hope to have a few picnics with some of my other friends I need to catch up with in the upcoming months.

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Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | April 2022

April 1, 2022 bookishluna5 Comments

Hello and welcome to a new month! Last month I decided to take a bit of a break from blogging and take some times to get some other things done, but I am excited to be back and jump right in with a monthly intent post!

Reading Plans

This month I am really going to be mood reading, I want to read Overlord Vol. 3. I am reading the light novels slowly and they are wild and all over the place and I am enjoying them a lot. I also would love to start and finish
Berserk Deluxe Vol. 1 as well. Other than that I really am just embracing my mood reading and picking things up as I feel like it.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

This month I would really love to get two projects off of my needles. The first would be the Saraya Shawl by Saysha Greene I only have one repeat of the cables and the edging to do, so I should be able to knock this out by the middle of the month. I am really loving this project so far and the designer, Saysha, is just amazing! The second project I would love to finish this month would be a short sleeve Ranunculus by Midori Hirose. This is my first sweater so I am doing a lot of new things so I will be thrilled if I finish it by the end of the month.

Outside of those two huge projects, I really want to finish my rainbow socks. I got some beautiful rainbow striped yarn in late February and I have been waiting to finish a pair of socks for a friend before casting these on for myself. I just finished those socks so I really want to get my socks made!

Random Goals

This month I just want to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather that is starting to finally start up! I would love to eat outdoors this month and enjoy some good food with friends or loved ones while we all enjoy the beautiful Spring weather before Summer shows up and melts us all.

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Monthly Intent

Monthly Intent | February 2022

February 3, 2022January 30, 2022 bookishluna6 Comments

Welcome to my very ambitious post about my February plans. I don’t know why, but I always end up making a ton of plans and lofty goals for the shortest month of the year. With that aside, I do have a few things I want to try and accomplish over the next 28 days.

Reading Plans

This month I would like to finish reading The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, which I am buddy reading with @jkimexploring. I am about 30% into it as of right now and I am really enjoying it. Outside of that I don’t want to have any set reading because mood reading and not setting to many specific reading goals for myself last month really paid off since I ended up reading 9 books.

Crochet and Knitting Plans

This month is all about starting a few projects that will take me some time. The first one is the Saraya Shawl by Saysha Greene. I love how beautiful and playful this shawl looks, I first saw it in my copy of Worsted and I loved it right away. I ended up ordering the same color as the sample. Since a lot of the techniques used in this pattern are new to me I know it is going to take quite a while, but I love a challenge!

The second project I plan to start and I know I will not finish for months if not years is the Scrappy Granny Stripe Blanket by Lucy of Attic24. I have quite a few scraps left over from projects and the like so I was looking all over for fun things to make with them. I came across this pattern and knew I wanted to start it ASAP. So, every time I finish a projects with fingering weight yarn I am going to add to this. I can’t wait to see how all the colors play together as time goes on. In February I am planning on getting all the stripes for the scraps I already have crocheted up. I am going to try to keep up with this by doing scrappy Sunday, which is a thing I found through Crazy Sock Lady on youtube.

Random Goals

I really want to try learning a new craft this month, I am learning towards cross stitch. I also really want to get back into language learning. I was doing really well for a bit, then life got a bit chaotic and I had to let some things go. But, I really want to jump into it again. Outside of those two things, I just want to have some quality time with my loved ones. January was good in quite a few ways, but sadly I was not able to see my significant other the entire month so I really would like to spend as much time as possible with him.

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