I started 2016 with my usual optimism, stating that I’d get more time for craft. But most of my plans were uprooted by a stuffed back, the concreter not finishing the garage base, and the book edit from hell.

In January I did my usual overview of the previous year, and a stash portrait. Paul brought home a little loom and we refurbished it and a friend’s loom. The Glamour Shawl was on Ashford Table loom, convincing me that I don’t like weaving with metallic yarn, and I wanted a loom with a race and lamms.

Weaving: Giotto Scarf. Using some ribbon yarn unravelled from a failed knitting project.

Crochet: I-cord Headband. Using some i-cord that had been hanging around since I first got the cord-maker.

Embellish: Pockets on the Houndstooth Scarf. Wove the scarf ages ago, the pockets while teaching a friend how to do log cabin, and finally got around to sewing them together.

Weaving: Dyer & Philips Loom. New heddles and tape.

In February I bought a pile of fine yarns for weaving. What I wanted to achieve on looms was changing. Not so much choosing projects to reduce stash and more experimentation and learning new structures.

Weaving: Hibiscus Scarf. Test piece on the D&P loom.

Weaving: Rep Runner. A sampler – too loosely sett.

In March I started my first ever weaving class. It was this blog’s tenth bloggiversary, so I wrote about all the ways my crafty life has changed since the beginning. We spent a lovely weekend at Lake Hume with that friend and her partner, she and I weaving together.

Refashion & Embroidery: Cheesecloth Top. This has attracted lots of compliments.

Weaving: Touch of Glam Shawl. Not happy. So many mistakes. Inconsistent beating. Thinking of dyeing it black to hide the errors.

Weaving: Floor Loom. I love it!

In April I finished the weaving class, and ever since have been buoyed by a new confidence while frustrated that I couldn’t get time to keep exploring weaving. A shopping trip where I couldn’t find non-acrylic winter woolies set me on the path of researching fast fashion.

Weaving: Overshot Sampler

In May and June, inspired by ethical fashion, I did some sewing and refashioning.

Embroidery: Finished Unfinished Cardy

Sewing: 50-50 A-line Skirt

Refashioning: Denim Skirt

Sewing: Inkle Band Top

Sewing: Handspun Vest

Weaving: Undulating Scarf

In July, inspired by 1outfit1year, I bought an electronic spinning machine and found I was much more comfortable using it than a foot-powered one. I finished my first woven-by-hand braided rag rug and some Bargello samplers.

Weaving: Braided Spectrum Rag Rug

Embroidery: Bargello Samples

Spinning: Electronic Hanspun

August contained a mix of spinning, weaving and sewing – and a big landscaping project. I gave a Zoom Loom to a friend’s daughter interested in weaving and taught her how to use it.

Spinning: Silk Cap Handspun

Sewing: Handspun Handwoven Jacket

Weaving: Reddy Runner

September was a quiet one, craft-wise, because I was in Norway and Denmark for most of it. (The posts were mostly pre-written and scheduled.) However, I learned nalbinding while I was there.

Weaving: Electric Boogaloo Scarf

Weaving: Fanspun Shawl

Spinning: Blue & Linen Handspun

Embroidery: Blackwork Bookmark

Embroidery: Black Rose Red Cardigan

Nalbinding: Nordic Mitts

Embroidery: Traveller Pendant

In October I reviewed what I was capable of doing in work, art, craft, DIY and gardening, since it was clear my back wasn’t going to go back to pre-2016 health. I sold the D&P loom at the Guild sale (and found out later that they sold it for $10 cheaper than I’d specified – no idea what happened there but it’s not enough to bother quibbling over.)

Spinning: Owl of Athena Handspun

I didn’t finish any craft projects in November and December, thanks to the Edit From Hell. I almost did. The pinwheel tea towel fabric came off the loom. It just need washing, cutting up and hemming. I also finished the Gamp Pin Loom Blanket – even had it washed and dried before NYE – but I’m not happy with the sewing together of the squares and have decided to redo it.

Overall, 2016 was a good year for weaving. Though I didn’t get as much of it done as I’d hoped, I learned a great deal and I like my table loom. I seem to be growing more focussed on it, only dipping into other crafts occasionally – and mostly those that have a relationship to weaving (like sewing fabric I’ve woven).

That’ll continue through into 2017 I hope, but that’s a subject for a different post.