Last year, I caught up with some of my fellow Woolly Workers to ask them whether they had any crafty goals they’d like to hit in 2025! After ticking off my own and catching up with Adam and Annette, I sat down with Francesca to see how these past six months have gone for her.
Hey, Francesca! How have you been getting on since we last caught up?
Well, as every good resolutions begin, they went… wrong! Actually, a couple of them have flourished, but the others are all at a stand still, or, to be optimistic, they’ve only taken a little step forward.
We’ve clearly all had a busy year so far, but any progress is always great progress! Let’s talk flourishing – do you have any updates or completions? We know that crochet hook’s been busy these past six months…
What I definitely worked on the most were the Pot Holders vests, mainly because there was a lot encouragement around and that was the right fuel for me. So after my red version, I’d been asked to make a baby version in pink, which seemed to snowball the requests! I then made one for my sister-in-law who is always traveling for her job. She needs something very versatile: something that she could be able to wear during a business meeting, yet comfortable to wear during the place to place, and as a statement for an evening dinner… so I’ve made a black version for her, too! I kept the mix and match of chenille, faux fur and something sparkle. Et voilà !
Not only are the vests fabulous, they’re such a kind idea, too! What others did you make?
I had another request from a friend who is a pilates teacher. She also wanted something very comfortable but a bit of a statement for a night out, just something she could throw on quickly after closing her gym to jazz up an outfit. With all that in mind, I made her a pink one, too!
Another request was for a Jaguar event, where the theme was to wear something in London Blue or Miami Pink, the colours of the new Jaguar Type 00 that were presented not long ago. The slogan of their campaign was “Copy Nothing”, continuing with the “Exuberant Modernism ethos”; the lady that made the request thought that wearing a Pot Holder vest hand made in London Blue colour for that event was quite adequate and definitely exuberant enough!
These all sound brilliant and a fantastic way to bring a sense of individuality to each vest! What has brought you joy over the past six months? This doesn’t have to be crafting related, just something you’ve enjoyed doing – could be as wonderfully simple as making a tea in your favourite mug!
Do you remember those two placemats that they were in my new year resolutions original list? Well, I didn’t even start them yet, but I was lucky enough to eat some fantastic Japanese meals in those very same vintage cups. So good!
Another great joy was some unexpected discovery on my family tree. Every time I’m able to add a name or just find some little info about an ancestor, it’s so thrilling! Last but not least: a dear friend of mine, who is a very talented writer, has dedicated a little poem to the baby blanket that I designed, the Forget Bee Not that was featured in the post in December. That was pure joy! Would you like to hear it? Here it is:
“Wiggling between petals, buzzing atop, please oh please, don’t Forget Bee Not…”
Ah, thank you, it was my pleasure! Have your initial goals evolved over this past six months?
Aside from the Pot Holders vest, another project has definitely evolved: the free downloadable patterns. The baby blanket, that I mentioned earlier, has grown in the small collection called Little Friends, together with the Ladybug Meadow. And next to them, another collection is growing, the Threads of Life collection, made in Yarnsmiths Chenille. Threads of Memories in a green palette and Threads of Love in reds. How poetic are the names, right?! The merit is surely of my writer friendđź’–
We make a great team, what can I say! Is there anything in your original set of resolutions that you’d like to continue to strive for?
Actually… all of them. None of them have been abandoned, there’s sadly just not enough time to do them all. Not enough hours in a day!
I hear you, wholeheartedly! Has your stance changed on resolutions as we’ve arrived at our check-in?
Well, I just realised that as I grow older, it doesn’t exactly help to succeed with my resolutions! But then again, in the past I would had felt defeated, whereas now I just shrug my shoulders and I go on with the next project.
A great way of looking at things, Francesca! We can’t wait to see what you do next! Thanks for sharing with us ✨
How are your own crafty goals going? Be sure to share them on our socials, including our WIP Wednesdays over on Facebook! If you’re enjoying The Craft Room, be sure to subscribe below so you never miss out on our free patterns, tips and tricks ⤵️ See you next time!