Happy New Year to you all, I hope 2021 is a healthy and happy one for you. At the start of a new year I enjoy reviewing what I achieved in the past year and make plans for the next one. As for most of you, 2020 was a very strange year. Much of what I was looking forward to doing was cancelled and plans readjusted. For me, this meant working from home instead of commuting to the University where I work, but also working more time in the NHS than planned to help with the Covid response. Not surprisingly, this had a big impact on designing and my knitting time.
My Gantt chart for designs in 2020
I started 2020 with a lovely colour-coded spreadsheet Gantt chart of the designs I wanted to make over the course of the year. I had 15 things I planned to design and release over the course of the year. I managed four! This feels quite an achievement given everything that was going on. I republished my Striate cowl, a previous Knit Now design, collaborated on the Shoulder to Shoulder MKAL, published Rosie the Angora Goat and my Stellara jumper.
I also took part in the virtual Wool Monty, Yarndale and Indie Gift-a-long. They were great events put together by the organisers, but I do miss seeing people and chatting in person to customers.
I also managed to knit a few other things, although much slower than normal for me. I have a new hat, knit a bedjacket for my great Aunt Daphne from a vintage pattern and finished off some WIPs that have been lounging around for several years. Whilst I do not miss commuting for 3 hours a day, it did give me at least 90 minutes (more with the frequent train delays or on work trips to London) of uninterrupted knitting time three times a week. Not commuting, along with working longer hours and feeling tired, severely reduces my knitting time and I do find the longer time needed to complete things frustrates me a bit. I am used to churning out things quickly and readjusting my expectations is not easy.
The slower pace of life in the past nine months has had some benefits though. I had more time at home, explored more of my local area than I normally get time for, supported local businesses and had a much more homemade Christmas than I normally do since I was not rushing around and travelling. I made bunting, tree decorations, mince pies and Christmas pudding, a Christmas wreath and some sloe gin. I had a very peaceful Christmas this year, but I do so look forward to seeing my family and friends again.
One change that has affected my business is the UK leaving the EU at the end of last year. This has greatly increased the ‘red tape’ involved in sending parcels to the EU (despite the promises of a reduction) and it is currently not feasible for my small, solo operation to undertake this. Hopefully this will one day change, but for now I have turned off international shipping for physical items in my online shop and Etsy store. Digital pattern downloads (including ebooks) are still available worldwide and are not affected.
I am not sure what 2021 has in store for everyone, but the vaccines gives me hope that the end to the pandemic is in sight. It is very difficult to plan events at the moment and I am not sure I will make a spreadsheet of designs for 2021. I might just see where my energies and creativeness lead me over the next year. Do you have lots of plans for knitting and crochet, or are you like me this year and casting on new things as and when you get inspiration?
Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year,
Sarah x