Reflection of an amazing year.

So, this post might be a little long, as I have a lot to be grateful and thankful for this year and I want to make sure I make mention of everyone.

The first thing comes as a continuation or spill over from last year. I met some very amazing women who helped me blossom and grow, helping me get out of a major rut I was in. Their inspiration, kindness and their support made me see that I am in fact a pretty awesome person (people have been telling me for years, I just never believed them). I never really believed that before. So, ladies, if you read this, you know who you are, thank you. Knowing you has touched my life in an amazing way, showing me that I CAN do things. I also met another fabulous group of ladies at the start of this year in the continuing quest to better myself and get over my fears and issues. I have remained friends with some of these ladies and while I have seen them grow, I also know I have grown and the main thing they re-enforced was I need to do things for myself that I enjoy, like crochet.

My first crocheted bag

This brings me to the next person. Though before this year we haven't been rather close, my Aunty Wendy has been a massive inspiration and encouragement to me AND the person responsible for me picking up my crochet hook again. So, thank you Aunty. I can't quite remember how it happened but I remember her sending me a video of the most wonderful bobwilson123 and I was delighted that she was an Aussie! Just the way she talked about and taught crochet made me go rummaging for my hook and yarn to give her tutorials a go. Then, like the addict I am, I got hooked (pun intended) and while my son was quite ill and I was unable to move from his side, hooked up my first bag. There was no stopping me from there. Over the last year I have completed many projects, from bags to amigurumi to a blanket for myself! I will admit, a lot of my work have been bobwilson123's designs coz she just seems to have something to suck you in. Thank you. My crochet obsession wouldn't exist without you! I have also managed to not only master reading patterns but to watch right handed tutorials and convert over to left hand craziness and even helped my aunt to start to read  patterns!

My c2c blanket

Through joining a group to help test patterns for the wonderful bobwilson123, I so happen to meet 4 amazing women. It started off in a pattern testing message and we got talking about stuff as girls do. I don't know where I would be without these fine women. They have encouraged me when I doubted myself, distracted me when I needed it, comforted me when I was down and helped me discuss many of my favorite TV shows and movies (and got me sucked into so many more!). Ladies, thank you. I wouldn't have this blog or my own Facebook page without your inspiration and support. They have each touched me with their personality and lives. Where would I be without you??

Of course, I have to make a mention of my family, for without them, I wouldn't be able to support my habit and now obsession. Its my way of relaxing, calming myself and having some "me" time in the middle of our sometimes chaotic life. I also really love doing things for people, so making something for someone plays to that strength.

Mario Mushrooms and Invincibility Star

That has been my crochet journey so far and its only been serious for 1 year. I am sure 2014 will hold new challenges, pleasures and many, many patterns! Oh, and yarn...it better be filled with yarn! I will continue to work through my personal problems, with my friends, yarn and hook to help me through and I know for the first time in my life that I can get there! I know I still have a lot to learn in the art of crochet and there are so many projects I wish to make, trust me, my list is HUGE! I will pick one at a time and take it slow and I will get there. One of my goals next year is to do some original pattern design...I have already created some but writing them out so they make sense to other people takes a bit of work. Another thing I would like to do is tutorials for left handed people, would anyone be interested in that?

Any-who, I hope your 2013 was amazing and 2014 will be just as great, if not better. Happy New Year!!

Katherine

Note: The link for Bobwilson123 is to her webpage, not her YouTube or Facebook page. Patterns for the featured pictures can be found on my Facebook page on the identical image - here.