New year, new faves
Happy New Year to those who celebrate. My usual “new year” (September) got upended this past fall with the arrival of newest family member, Marigold, aka the Cutest Puppy Ever, so I've been doing a little evaluation and reflection this week instead, now that she is 7 months and gives me a little breathing room. Prize for you (hint: it’s more photos of Marigold) if you can make it to the bottom of this post. And honestly, kudos to us all for making it to the end of 2025 because holy hell was that one ever a doozie.
This morning I was working on getting ready to teach my Patchwork class again next week on Pattern Review, and reviewing my outline and rewatching the video clips reminded me just how much fun it is to teach this one. I first taught it at A Gathering of Stitches in Maine as an all-day workshop, and then changed/adapted it into a shorter Zoom class format on Pattern Review exactly a year ago. This year I’m changing it a little bit, again, so this coming Tuesday (Jan 13th) I’ll be teaching it as the first class in a series of two standalone Patchwork Garment classes. You can see the details and sign up HERE (Part 1) and HERE (Part 2). If you’ve got a bunch of apparel scraps that you want to turn into a patchwork garment, it might be just what you need to get started!
We traveled to Seattle last month for Christmas to visit my family and it was an absolutely lovely way to spend the end of December. The weather was perfect for getting out and exploring, and we went on many hikes, made it downtown one day to do some touristy things, but had a nice amount of chill family time at my parents’ house sprinkled in as well. Some snapshots…
And a few more things I’ve been into and up to the past couple of months. It’s always fun for me to share things I’ve been interested in, being ever mindful of the dark, shorter days, the dark, current state of the world, and hoping I can add my little bit of light and hope to the equation…
sewing: finished my first two makes of 2026 this week, including a coral lace top (below, right) and I can’t wait to you more photos, really excited how it turned out. Another make from end of last year was a pair of cream knit sleep pants (above) that I have to actively work not to wear ALL THE TIME. They are incredibly comfy! More photos of those in this IG post.
puzzling: that amazing interlocking circles puzzle arrived in the mail from Jess in December (sidenote: trading used puzzles with your artist friends is the best!) and the unusual shape and bright colors were so fun to piece together.
reading: my rate of book consumption slowed considerably in the later part of the year, but I did love the dystopic tale of The Memory Police, and Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop provided a relaxing imaginary place to escape into. The Bodyguard was my final read of the year and turned out to be a fun, fast, fluffy read that would make an excellent rom-com movie if it isn’t already.
decorating: the Christmas tree was interesting this year with a puppy. Marigold zoned in on a knitting needle + yarn ball ornament and seemed to derive a great deal of glee from stealing it off of the tree and then playing keep-away with it.
trying: new things, specifically pottery classes with my friend Maria. We took a coil bowl class at the art center last month and we’re signed up for a cups class later this month. My first attempt was a wee bit wonky (pics below) but overall I like it; the aqua color is right up my alley and I think it will be a good fruit bowl. I know you’re thinking it looks fine but trust me when I tell you I am sharing the very best angles and leave it at that.
knitting: I blocked my Pebble Socks and I am wearing them right now. It’s Knitted Sock Season, babyyy! I also blocked a brioche hat so look for a knitted things update soon.
watching - we all enjoyed Knives Out: Wake Up, Dead Man for family movie night (heads up it’s maybe not the most appropriate movie for some younger family members). I enjoyed this piece about the movie on Kristin DuMez’s Substack; turns out Rian Johnson was a youth group kid too (!).
listening: to records on our turntable after Mr Rae made a trip into Detroit with our BIL Ross to go record shopping last month. He returned with a pile of LPs and we’ve enjoyed listening to used ones and finding new ones. A favorite artist has been John Vanderslice.
That’s all for now — Elliot is currently unloading the dishwasher and waaaah only has a couple more days at home before he returns back to college for second semester. It makes me oh-so-happy having him home. He loves hanging out with Goldie and these pics of him brushing her in the sunlight are kinda the best, right?
Gah I just have to share this last one: she hated her Halloween costume, poor thing, but wasn’t she the cutest banana ever?? Caption should read “I HATE YOU ALL” but still. I die.
