ABOUT THIS EPISODE
It's a new year so naturally, there's a lot of chat around about challenges, projects and planning. Today's episode is about knitting challenges. Are you taking part in any for 2021? Don't worry if you aren't; hopefully this episode will still be useful for you, and there is no lack-of-challenge shaming! There are plenty of variations on the theme of challenges, when it comes to knitting. Knitalongs would fall into this bracket, along with projects like Make 9, where you select 9 things to make during the year (not all of which have to be knitted). Dear friend of the podcast Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade Podcast is running the 20 for 2021 challenge. This is more flexible as far as challenges go, and is almost a series of prompts, designed to encourage you to try different things in your knitting, without any pressure. There's a hashtag to go along with it #20for2021 and you can tick off multiple prompts for one project, which means you don't need to do 20 projects to take part. A temperature blanket is another idea for a year long challenge. Louise Tilbrook of Everyday Knitter completed one of these in 2020, and has an ebook available, should you wish to create your own version. Here are my top tips for knitting challenges. 1) Don't feel like you have to do a challenge. It's your knitting. Do what you want. 2) Avoid the FOMO. Don't get swept up with the latest knitting celeb MKAL for a garment or accessory you're never going to wear. this about what you would love to have knitted. Break down what you need to learn or practice in order to be able to do that project. Choose mini projects to help you learn those skills in a more achievable and quick way. Use materials that make you excited and inspired to work with them. 3) Cut yourself some slack. If you don't keep up, so what? It's your hobby and it's the thing you are trying to learn and it should be fun, not an obligation. Enjoy the process. Full shownotes and links at www.shinybees.com/169 Music with kind permission of Adam and the Walter Boys.
