Summarising a year - only bringing the good memories with me

The year is nearing its end and we'll start a new year with new energy! Oh, who am I kidding...let's end the year with Christmas stress and start the new year just as tired as we were in December.

I don't have any New Year's resolutions, but I have goals I'm striving towards, but it's not a failure if I don't reach them. I want to exercise more, eat more healthy, reduce my yarn stash and publish more patterns, but I'm not feeling guilty about buying yarn, taking the bus if it's bad weather or indulge in chocolate every now and then - It's not about living the perfect life, it's about living my life and enjoying it.

When I look back at 2017 there are definitely some tough times, but also some fantastic highlights. I went on an amazing holiday to Japan, I saw two of my patterns make mega success on different platforms, I tried out screen printing (It's super fun!) and I got to see my family a lot and celebrate some of the highlights of their lives. It's been a tough and long year, but it's also been a very exciting and fun year.

My goals for 2018 are
- Feel good about myself
- Feel good about my knitting and crochet
- Allow myself to take a break (from small or big things)
- Try something new
- Stop doing things that takes more energy than they give

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3 trendsetters for 2018

Winter has arrived to UK, and we've even seen a little bit of snow in the capital; something we haven't had much of the last couple of years. For us knitters it's a perfect excuse to wear more knitwear! So what are we wearing this year? Looking at social media among knitters it's quite clear that knitted sweaters, especially with a little bit of pattern on the yoke, are a strong trend at the moment; and for a good reason! Imagine an Icelandic or Bohus style round yoke with colour pattern, and then you update it with a little bit of graphic patterns, and also delicate botanical inspiration. Update the colours to the latest trends and the yarn choices are plenty to suit any taste and wallet. There are 3 names topping the trends, Jennifer Steingass, Caitlin Hunter and the ever so talented Isabelle Kreamer. These designers are definitely topping the design game! Check out my Pinterest board for the winter 2018 trends here . Jennifer Steingass has so far released 12 p...

Me Made May and my inner peer pressure

Dear self It's ok not to have made your wardrobe yourself. It's ok to buy clothes in shops. Sure, you've knitted a lot of sweaters, shawls, hats, etc. but you don't have to weave your own fabrics and sew your own clothes - you make a lot of other things! What about the print on the wall you made? Or the necklace? You made those! Be proud of things you've made or accomplished, even though it may not be your whole outfit. May is a fantastic month and on social media a lot of the peope I follow celebrate Me Made May, a celebration of a home made wardrobe. I can sometimes feel the pressure to join in the choir, but the truth is that I've made the decision not to make my own clothes. I want to spend my time on other things and I'm happy to go shopping for my clothes. During MeMadeMay I sometimes have to remind myself that it is OK to wear store bought clothes. For some people it's not a choice, they may not know how to sew, in my case it's more of a ch...

Quinoa salad with melon and pomegranate

The hot summer weather brought inspiration to my kitchen and I wanted a fresh salad with summery flavours. Top it with salty halloumi to restore the salt balance after a hot day in the sun. 2-3 servings 60 grams quinoa (1 1/2 portions) 1 red pepper 3/4 Cantalope melon 1/2 Pomegranate Parsley Lemon Olive oil Halloumi Greek yoghurt Prepare the quinoa as per instructions on the packaging and let it cool down. Squeeze 1 table spoon of lemon over 1 teaspoon of dried parsley to soak while preparing the rest of the salad. Cut the vegetables for the salad and mix together with the quinoa, pour the lemon and parsley over and add a splash of olive oil. Cut the halloumi in thick slices and fry on low heat. Serve the salad with a dollop of Greek Yoghurt on the side!

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