28.12.14

This Year In Stitches

Before I'll take you on a summary of my 2014 I'd like to share a little preview with you. Because - for the first time in my life, I daresay! - I have made a couple of new year's resolutions. Crocheting, creating, exploring new techniques, connecting with other creatives, photographing and blogging makes me happy. So I will reorganise some things in my life which should enable me to spend more time to do these things. I really hope to pop by here more often, share more patterns, start making tutorials even. And I'd like to take more time - quality time ;-) - to say hello on all those lovely blogs out there.

Well, let's see in December 2015 if I've kept that promise... (Or threat - depending on your point of view of course, hahaha.)

This year started for me with a period of travelling (hooray!). After that it has been a hectic year, and that shows in the numbers of posts this year. Only 32, this being the 33th. The lowest number since I started blogging mid-2012. Nevertheless, there has been a steady growth in the number of visitors - and I'm thankful for each and every of your kind visits! Most visitors are from the United States, followed by the UK and The Netherlands.


Okay, time for a chronological recap of some my favourite projects of last year. Below each (set of) photograph(s) you'll find the link that brings you to the original post.


I made this sample for a blanket in Thailand. I decided it was not a suitable project while travelling: too much weaving in, too many colour changes, all in all too fiddly. Nevertheless: I really like it, so I would still love to make a blanket with this pattern someday. The sample lives its life as a doily now.

ByHaafner, crochet, doily, pastel
Click here for the original post.

So I decided on another, less fiddly project: conveniently called my Travel Blanket. Easy and portable. Loved every minute making of it. When I see it now I remember all the places where I sat crocheting the squares: under a tree near a temple, on a terrace overlooking the Mekong, in one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants while enjoying a coconut smoothie, in an old, traditional wooden house... And piecing it together on my small terrace overlooking the mountains... Memories I'll hope to treasure for always.
ByHaafner, crochet, travel blanket, solid granny squares, pastel, picot edging
ByHaafner, crochet, travel blanket, solid granny squares, pastel, picot edging
ByHaafner, crochet, travel blanket, solid granny squares, pastel, picot edging
Click here for the original post.


Okay, so these are not stitches, but a glimpse of two pieces that inspired me while in Thailand - and still continue to inspire me. Although different from each other, I love the compositions and colours combinations in both.
ByHaafner, wall painting in Thailand, bright colours

ByHaafner, wall picture, temple, birds and flowers
Click here for the original post.


And while travelling I took you with me on something of a queest to good local yarn... I still remember how deep blue my fingers were when I worked with this indigo hemp yarn. ;-)
ByHaafner, yarn, handspun, hemp
Click here for the original post.


I loved how you'll see crochet everywhere in Thailand. This shop was a lovely example...
ByHaafner, crochet shop, Bantaktor, Chiang Mai, crochet bagsClick here for the original post.

Of course there were doilies this year...
ByHaafner, Japanese crochet, doilies
Click here for the original post.


Back home I was happy with my new rug. Basically a blow-up version of a doily.
ByHaafner, crochet, doily, rugClick here for the original post.

And although we had a lovely spring I couldn't resist making these mittens from a Japanese crochet book.
ByHaafner, crochet, Japanese crochet pattern, mittens, pastel
Click here for the original post.

More Japanese influences... I made a post inspired by Japanese styling. (I can't help it but I l-o-v-e this bunny.)
ByHaafner, white & pastels, bamboo yarn, bunny...

ByHaafner, crochet, placemat, granny square, potholder, pastels
Click here for the original post.

I realised my biggest granny square so far! It measures 2.5 x 2.5 meter. Started as a stash busting project, but - as the rounds grew bigger and bigger - I ended up (of course...) getting new yarn. Love how comfortable this blanket turned out.
ByHaafner, crochet, giant granny square, blanket
Click here for the original post.

Moments like this were far too few this year...
ByHaafner, crochet throw, patio, pelargoniumClick here for the original post.


There were more pastels. Like the three hangers I made for Mollie Makes!
ByHaafner, Mollie Makes, #41, crochet, hangers, pastel
Another pastel doily...
ByHaafner, crochet, doily, pastels
And you could see me in action... Well, sort of.
ByHaafner, crocheting, crochet flower, pastels, pink
Click here for the original post.

More doilies... I took this pattern from one of the many Japanese crochet books I bought in Thailand.
ByHaafner, crochet, doily, pastel
Same pattern, different yarn...
ByHaafner, crochet, doily, pastel
Click here for the original post.

Pom poms take over the world - to begin with my craft room. And do you spot the doilies in the background? ;-)
ByHaafner, pom pons
Click here for the original post.

After that colour explosion I needed to get the balance right with an 'All Natural' post - which had actually an interesting follow up. I'll go into that in a whole new post soon... *teaser alert*
ByHaafner, natural fibres, cotton yarn
Click here for the original post.

When I was too occupied otherwise to finish a crocheted project, I popped by here to share my happy stack of blankets.
ByHaafner, crochet blankets, pastel, colours
Click here for the original post.

But then - hooray! unbelievable! trumpets please! - I actually began and finished a project. I'm in love with this cape, the pattern - again - is from a Japanese crochet book. In the original post you'll find the information about that book. It's definitely a cape that attracts attention when you wear it. I'm especially happy with how I tweaked the pattern by crocheting the neck cowl, in stead of knitting it (which the original pattern calls for).
ByHaafner, Japanese crochet pattern, crochet cape

ByHaafner, Japanese crochet pattern, crochet cape
Click here for the original post.

I'm not proud to say that since I became a crocheter, I became a hoarder as well. Yarn and hooks. Do I need to say more? (I'll actually do a post or two about that in the next year...) This autumn, in my insatiable hunger for new crochet tools, I came across the handmade wooden crochet hooks by Henk: www.houtenhaaknaalden.nl. So of course I had to order a hook. ;-) He made me this gorgeous hook for me from an old bench (recycled, I like that!). I haven't used it a lot yet, because I've been working on projects that required another size, but I will definitely use it more often in the future. I'll write more about it next year. For now I'll say that he has many more types of hooks and he can make them fitted to your hand. (This is not a commercial, I'm just enthusiastic about such a beautiful craft!)
ByHaafner, crochet, sample, pink, handmade wooden crochet hook
Click here for the original post.

Meanwhile my Travel Blanket found itself a spot in our house.
ByHaafner, yarn, basket, brights and pastels
Click here for the original post.

Early this month I shared my Fifties Cowl with you and was swept away by your kind comments. In a second post I wrote down the pattern.
ByHaafner, crochet, cowl, woven stitch, pastel
Click here for the original, picture heavy post.
Click here for the pattern.

Looking back, I think my year could quite accurately be summarized as Year Of The Works-in-Progress. (I omitted the wips and several other projects from this summary.) Quite a few of them still unfinished...Mmm, I feel another resolution coming up, haha.

I would like to end this post with expressing my sincere happiness with your visits, kind comments, inspiration and support. The online craft community it just wonderful.

Thanks for everything and I wish you a happy, creative, inspirational 2015!


23 comments:

  1. Wow, it all looks so impressive all together like that. You've had a very productive year and made some really beautiful things The handmade crochet hook is a thing of beauty, how wonderful that people take the time and trouble to create objects like this. I shall very much look forward to more posts from you in 2015. Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into your lovely blog. Wishing you a fantastic New Year. CJ xx

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    1. Hi CJ,
      Many thanks for your visit and kind words! (Yes, I am smitten with that crochet hook...)
      Happy New Year!
      xhaafner

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  2. so much lovely crochet.I just love that giant granny, one day! so much inspiration here on your lovely blog. Look forward to seeing you about more. The re-organization sounds good. A good new year! X

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    1. Thanks Heather, for your lovely comment. I wish you a very Happy New Year!
      xhaafner

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  3. Wonderful post! I really enjoyed seeing a review of your year. What a spectavular parade of crocheted items and as a new follower I'm eagerly anticipating what you have to share in 2015. I also am reorganizing and implementing a new daily/weekly planning strategy in hopes of accomplishing more for my family and myself, also. And like you, I'll see how well I've done come Dec 2015! =)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Elizabeth,
      Many thanks for your kind comment and for being a new follower! Yes, it's quite a challenge to re-organize and prioritize, isn't it...? Best of luck with that too! :-)
      xhaafner

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  4. Fantastic post! How I love to see your beautiful work all together! I am embarrassed by my hoarding since becoming a yarny too, but it all really does bring joy into my life so I figure that makes it pretty ok :o) . Thanks for sharing your brilliant photos - I adore the pom pom one! Sam xxx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Samantha and thanks for your lovely comment! Ah yes, it does bring joy, doesn't it. And somehow it feels less bad to be hoarding things that are meant for making something, rather than just for the sake of 'having' something, if you know what I mean... ;-)
      Happy New Year!
      xhaafner

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  5. Hello! This is a lovely idea to compile all your finished projects in one post!
    So nice to see all the wonderful things you made!!!
    You should be proud!!!
    I don't know what my favourite is amongst all these, it is difficult to say, they are all pretty! :)
    Your photography tells the story in a pleasant way!
    I hope you will find the time for as many posts as you can and I'm looking forward to reading them!
    Have a wonderful 2015!!!
    Ingrid xx
    http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ingrid,

      Thanks so much for your visit and your compliments - that made me blush! ;-)

      Happy New Year!

      xhaafner

      Delete
  6. So beautiful and inspiring always. All the best for 2015. Liz :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Liz and a very Happy New Year to you!
      xhaafner

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  7. May I say I like all your crochet work?! Because I do! ��
    Best wishes for the new year ahead!

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    Replies
    1. Ohwww Elisabeth, that's so kind of you, thanks! And may I return the compliment because I'm a big fan of your work! :-)
      Happy New Year!
      xhaafner

      Delete
  8. So, so many gorgeous and lovely things!!!! Happy New Year! xo Holly

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Holly and a very Happy New Year to you and your loved ones too!
      xhaafner

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  9. Hi dear! Thanks for visiting my country! Hope we treat you well :) Love your work! You have the good taste and sensitivity. Congrats and happy new year!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ana,

      Yes - I love visiting your beautiful country and one important reason for that is because everybody is so very kind! Love the friendly atmosphere in Portugal...

      Thanks for your visit to my blog and a Happy New Year!

      xhaafner

      Delete
  10. Ik houd echt van je mooie haakwerk en leuke blog! Ik ben daarom blij met je goede voornemen! Ik wens je een fijn 2015 toe!

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  11. I absolutely love the simplicity yet elegance of your crochet makes and look forward to your posts in 2015!! Thanks for the inspiration, Pati x

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  12. So much gorgeous crochet: I love it all, fab designs, patterns and color choices! I'm so very happy to have found your beautiful and inspiring blog! Marianne xx

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