Loved this video-I have a crochet blanket, crochet cushion cover, a pair of long needle socks, a pair of 4 dpn socks, a pair of flyer needle socks a knitted striped jumper - plus cross stitch slow stitch and countless embroideries - oh and a latch hook rug all on the go - love being able to work on what I fancy 😂❤

Thank you for a lovely episode 😊 I have, for me, too many wips, so first goal is to bring those down to a manageable amount 😅 second is to use more stash than I buy - so far +300 g 😂 but one can hope

My main goal for 2025 is to move house (mine not up for sale until March/April) - still lots of sorting to be done before then, including clearing lots of yarn but, anything beyond those goals will be a bonus!

Rather you than me with the red yarn - I knitted a red hat at the beginning of January and it took forever as I couldn't bear that colour on the needles! Re. commercial yarn quality ... I had a Stylecraft cream colour yarn recently which had 3 very black/dirty knots and I complained - the answer was that the British Standard permits up to 6 knots per 100g of yarn which I think is disgraceful. I, very occasionally permitted 1 knot on my handspun yarns and always tried to remember to mark it as such on the skein label and reduce the price! They did replace the yarn but very disappointing that our commercial standards are so low.

One thing you could look into to compliment your composting is a worm bin. I bet Robin would get a kick out of it, I know I did when I had mine 😂

Is it Littleworkroomcrafts? What have you been upto Wednesday... It's a great concept and always inspiring! I started with picking 9 things I wanted to achieve for Helen's Bingo Crafting Challenge and then I ended up filling a page with a list of goals for the year. Too many to list here, my main goal is to complete some of my WIPs from last year and focus on finishing some of the many blankets that I have in progress...

Absolutely loved seeing Robin sorting through all the minis ❤❤❤

I have some similar goals to you - crafting wise I am trying to knit from stash and have challenged myself not to buy anymore yarn until Yarndale in September, I also want to knit the patterns I already have rather then continuing to buy more and I also want to focus on knitting garments but alongside that I am hoping to knit a pair of socks every month. My main self care goal for 2025 is to get my walking mojo back and I am tentatively aiming to walk 1000 miles this year, unfortunately I have a bit of catching up to do as January didn’t quite go to plan.

2025 goals, use more of hand spun yarn. Ive been holding on to it because my mama spun it, its ok to use it, Im telling myself. The rest of plans is to knit what brings me joy, that is it. I had same goal for 2025 and it was a great year of knits!

I agree with you regarding resolutions. Goals feel better and offer more flexibility ultimately without the feeling of failure. I was inspired by you to go through my WIPS and organize my yarn. I had inherited yarn last year and now realize how much there is! Really lovely wooly stuff. So my one aspiration this year is no yarn buying unless it is necessary to complete a project. I remind myself that there will always be beautiful yarn available. And I can’t wait to see how you implement your snowball method to your WIPs. Suspect I will find that very useful…. 😂 As always, lovely podcast!

i definitely want to learn to crochet this year to celebrate a big birthday

Hi, I am in a total yarn diet this year, I have so much that I buy more because it’s easier than stash diving to find what I’m looking for. 🙈 and while I realise I am privileged to be in this position it is totally overwhelming so this year it’s a year of use it or it doesn’t get made. I am also not test knitting this year unless it’s for Hannah g makes and only for her because she designs children’s clothing and I can use stash. But you have just inspired me to use my knitting books. I have so many that I love so I think stash diving this year is going to include patterns. Anyway as always I loved spending some time with you. I’ve been watching about a year but seldom comment. Xx

Hi Gemma. When does the Crafty Witch open please.

Love this! Not just me x I’m guessing 33 WIPs.

I have a few things this year I would like to learn, they are learning to knit socks and to learn drop spindle spinning. I know it is not much, but I have to be realistic.

I am really looking forward to seeing all your makes! My plan is to make more sweaters this year, because I am usually so intimidated by them that I'm only making maybe one per year. But I've already finished one in January and I'm knitting on another one and I'm dreaming of at least two more:D I've got the yarn for ot, I just have to make them and that is my goal.

I’m focusing on garment knitting and crochet this year for myself. I also want to build my cooking and baking skills and continue with making my dream garden that we started work on last year. I have a greenhouse arriving next week and I’m so excited! Good luck with all of your goals 😊

Hi Gemma thankyou for mentioning my channel I think your goals are great ❤

I like to hear goals, but I just enjoy and do what I want. I finished a dragon today and did cast on a cardigan as a reward. I wanted to work on my wip's (5?), but I want to cast on all the things.

I love your 0 food waste goal! My crafting goals are pretty minimal. I have a Stella Quilt blanket I started towards the end of last year and I want to get one motif a month done so I can finish the blanket itself this year. Normally I clear my needles at the end of each year, but this was a carry over. The only other craft related goal is to track how much I spend on knitting - yarn, patterns, needles, notions, etc. I’m not trying to keep the spending under any particular amount (although there is a yarn budget) but I just want to track the overall amount.

I’m going to take a needle felting class at Unravel..new hobby??…maybe! I’m planning on making two sweaters for myself this year and then smaller projects for my family. I’m currently knitting a toy Robot for my friends child ❤

I like to start knitting things because I saw a pattern I liked, but never finished it when it came to sewing the parts together. Those will be my next projects. Meanwhile, I started knitting socks. But what I do is, like when I did the sleeves of the sweaters, I am knitting both simultaneously on one needle. I always hated when I have finished one sleeve or sock to start all over again. Now both socks are getting done at the same time. And all increases and decreases are also at the same place. I wish you lots of fun with your projects and hope you will go on and do not just the first rows of something.

@GEMMA yes please sock along

What sock pattern do you use @Gemma

I used that same yarn that you are using for your dads socks. I had splodges too and in one ball a yellow section was almost white. I complained and was sent another ball - but no real explanation of why it happened.

I just laughed out loud at the "ambient slurping" xD also thank you for taking the time and showing us your lovely makes!

As somebody approaching middle agedness I have to say I love cleaning the oven. It definitely takes motivation to start, but once I start, I just love it! Pink stuff and a scrub daddy and perfect ingredients for a fun weekend 😂

I love that you're curating different moods of blankets. Excellent idea

I love your yarn stash. It isn’t that big though…REALLY.

Hi Gemma, so happy to have found you today. I did guess 33 WIPs, at the end of the day, you do what makes you happy, I have 17 WIPs myself and I enjoy rotating my WIPs which makes me happy. Good luck with finishing some of your WIPs. Have a fabulous week ❤❤

I think you have 33 WIPs! I have 17 WIPs at the moment

My sister from another mother!!! I have ziplock bags instead of project bags, and I keep buying needles because there's a set of needles in each of those dang bags, soooo... I cleaned up, and I find I now have 23 (Yes, two three!) circular size 7 needles. Now, I have put the yarn back into my stash, but the sad point is, I was reduced to going online to find two more needle cases to handle the overflow... I mean, 23 size 7???

When my mom died I began a Wrapped in Lino shawl, which is acres of garter stitch on 2 skeins of lace weight yarn, with short rows just at the beginning and end for shape. It was absolutely therapeutic to just knit and knit and knit. I am very sorry for your loss. May their memory be a blessing.

I have what I call my "Hairy Mary" blanket for when I just need to do a comfort knit - extremely hairy, white laceweight acrylic yarn and just a simple moss stitch - 300 stitches per row and 6mm needles so around 30 minutes for me to knit one row and, though it isn't growing very fast, like your crochet blankets it occasionally gets some love. Not sure what 300 stitches will work out to be but I reckon at least 6 foot wide without stretching and, currently approx 2 foot long - a long way to go but no hurry! Currently back in "mothballs" whilst I knit more hats but Hairy Mary will be back soon no doubt.

I LOVE clean windows. So I can relate to you about cleaning. Your wip’s are gorgeous. Big hugs

Sibling Sweater, definitely go for the bigger size.

I am very sorry for your loss. My sister's husband passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve so I've been in a similar headspace. I did cast on a crochet blanket and have worked on it a fair bit, so maybe I also want a Not Well Blanket.

Sorry to hear yur sad news. I find my knitting or crochet of any kind helps me through life x

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve been in the same struggle sadly and creation does help. I love your channel so much and am very inspired by you. Side note, I’m from the US, but you don’t keep your eggs in the fridge? Enlighten me please ❤

Jeez I’m in trouble if your feeling old makes me positively pre historic lol for me it using the window vac and sucking up the condensation I really need to get out more lol

Since I have the privilege of staying home and not having to bring in money, I crochet or knit any time I am not busy with chores or dog stuff. I don't know if it's finding comfort or just that it quiets the non-stop noise inside my head, but either way, it is so deeply calming for me.

So sorry for the unexpected loss Gemma sending hugs your way. Saw your crochet sweater sample last week it’s beautiful x

Big hugs to you and hubby

Condolences to you and your family Gemma, I’m sorry for your loss. Knitting has been my comfort for a few years..I took it up after a major surgery and its got me through 2 subsequent ones. Now it’s my hobby and mindful time when I need it. Cleaning related…love fresh bedding and a clean loo 😅

So sorry for your loss… Hugs from Portugal 😘

Hi Gemma so sorry for your loss and the difficult time you are going through. You can definitely loose yourself in crochet out of the head and into the hands yo create something lovely. Take care.

I am so sorry for your loss. Each of us grieve in our own way and time. Time heals, but the pain doesn't really ever go away. There are times I still well up with tears for love ones long passed. My comfort knitting is plain socks or hats. I find keeping my hands busy helps. A big hug to you and sending you white healing light and vibes. xx

Hugs to you and your family. I get an absurd amount of pleasure from a freshly made bed with clean sheets, a mopped kitchen floor, and (as disgusting as it might be to do) a fully cleaned litter box (emptied , washed, and refilled) When I get stressed, I knit plain socks. 1x1 cuff, stockinette leg and foot, heel flap and gusset with wedge toe. I think it’s because I see progress at each point and when my world is spinning out of control, it a visible marker that I can do something and everything will move on.

Hi Gemma, sorry for your loss, take things as easy as you all can. Work on what brings happiness and comfort to you. When the time is right, finish the WIP that was intended for your loved one and use it on days where you need a hug and imagine it’s a hug from them. I’m sure they would have loved the project when it was finished, knowing it was made with love and would want you to use it in times where you need extra comfort. I made a shawl for a friend who was going through a tough time last year and she wears it on bad mental health days and days where she needs that extra bit to help get her through the day. For me, I love having an empty kitchen bench except for our coffee machine is the best thing ever and overall a clean house. Hugs from Adelaide 💙

Girl I'm with you, clean sheets, definitely vacuumed carpets. I also love wiped cabinets and when I get the tiny brushes to my faucets lol I'm so glad you and I can share in this. I lost my dad middle of 2024 and I honestly don't know what I would have done without my making! I worked on a garder shawl that was totally unusable due to the amount of tears and snot that fell on it while I knitted, grieved and healed! But if not for those stitches I just don't want to think about how different things would have been for me! I'm sorry for the loss your family is going through and am glad you too have making to get you through this. ❣️💙🤗🙏