Make 9 challenge 2021

I started seriously thinking about my make 9 challenge for 2021 several months ago (I like to have it finalised at least by the end of January). I started jotting down ideas in a notebook and saving a few things on Instagram. But really the list was getting a bit chaotic and long. So I sought out the origins of the challenge on Home Row Fibre blog, which I was reminded about when reading Jem Weston make 9 challenge. There’s some really helpful tips about how to choose, why they’re important to you, or why not. It definitely got me thinking and I started narrowing my ideas down….but then…. while scrolling my Instagram feed I saw Katie Green Bean had shared their make 2021 challenges as a “sewing edition” & “knitting Edition” and it planted a little seed that grew and grew and now instead of narrowing down I’ve expanded my lists.

I knew full well that I’d be making more than just 9 items this year, regardless of what I put on my list. So opening up my options allowed me to think about what I want to achieve with both my knitting and my sewing this year. I am also much more of a seasonal creator than I thought. Spending so much more time at home over the last year I have become more aware of my creative habits. I much prefer to knit in winter and sew in summer. I think that’s mostly to do with light and wanting to sew in the evening during summer. It also has the advantage of usually being more seasonally appropriate too. That said I always have knitting on the go all year round.

My Knitting Make 9 Challenge for 2021 (including a crochet project)

1. Granny Go Round jumper by Iron Lamb – Sort of a hangover from 2020, I made a very hard, but sensible decision to change a plan. In 2020 I planned to make the Granny Rocks sweater. So I started making it – almost 75% there. But then the designer released a new variation of the crochet jumper, one I preferred much more and I knew the shape would suit me better. I didn’t feel I needed two very similar jumpers in my life so I made the brave decision to rip out the partially complete jumper and use the same yarn to crochet the new one.
   
2. Glenfidich by Annamária Ötvös – this was on 2019 make nine which didn’t get touched (I was overly ambitious that year) so I transferred it onto my make 2020, with the intention of at least starting it. I did my gauge swatch – so I’m all prepared and ready to start this year.
   
3. Tuinn Bheaga Shawl – by Liz Corke – I bought the lovely shawl pattern last Autumn, with the intention of using a skein of lovely red yarn I’ve had in my stash since 2018 (Chromatic yarns in Blood Hunter). This would fill a gap in my wardrobe of a smaller shawl/scarf that I could wear at work and would make a plainer dress or jumper more exciting and keep me warn in a chilly Victorian building.
   
4. Chimneys by Hunter Hammersen – I simply fell in love with these wonderful tiny houses. I generally don’t like to make things that have no function or purpose, I certainly won’t be able to wear them. But aren’t they just wonderfully charming. I do love a miniature project sometimes and I love a tiny house. They’re great for learning/practising techniques too. They’ll nicely use up some odds & sods of sock yarn too and I already have a small idea to potentially make them functional….
   
5. 4 ply jumper – I am keeping this vague for now. I think my knitted wardrobe covers most basic staples, not many missing items. Though all my 4ply jumpers suitable for in between seasons are quite colourful and don’t necessarily go with lots of different items. So I might go down the route of a plain jumper with a simple texture to keep it interesting, having said that, Viewpoint sweater by Dani Sunshine knits has caught my eye. A 4 ply jumper will take me some time, so I’m being kind to myself and this is going down as a project to start in 2021 – maybe ready to wear for spring 2022.
   
6. Socks! – I have incredibly cold hands and feet almost all year round. Despite knitting seriously for about 15 years it’s only in the last few that I started knitting socks – I just thought it wasn’t for me, they seems a little elaborate and how do you guarantee they’ll fit well, won’t they be uncomfortable? All which I attribute to my first sock knitting experience, using a kit which was a gift – it was a terrible kit, I just didn’t know that at the time, knitting on needles too big, all of them in rib with hand wash only yarn (they have since completely disintergrated). However having knitted a few pairs now (with great yarn, needles & pattern). I’ve got the fit pretty good and I love having warmer feet! I want to up my sock game with colour work, pattern or texture. I have the Dither pattern ready to go which I’ll start after my current pair are finished.
   
7. More Socks! Maybe this is cheating adding socks twice, however I want to make several pairs this year, I want to use the sock yarn I’ve been buying over the last few years and and learn a few new techniques too, I’ve also just bought Lanea Vanea sock pattern by Skeindeer Knits I just loved the bold pattern and would definitely tick the colour-work box.
   
8. Head band – I knitted one for my sister in 2019, then knitted myself one last year, however the yarn from my stash had a bit of alpaca in it and although lovely it itched me to distraction, so I gave it to a fellow knitter and I haven’t got around to knitting another for myself…yet!
   
9. Snug Mitts – I always underestimate the size of my hands (they’re very narrow), every single pair of mitts and mittens I’ve made myself are too big. So I’m going to knit a pair of snug fitted mitts that I can wear at work and while typing that aren’t going to flap about and get in the way, I’m thinking along the lines of these Vernazza mitts (though I may change my mind). One thing I do know, by the end of 2021 I will have very warm paws all round!
   

My Sewing Make 9 Challenge for 2021

1. Bottle green skirt – I made myself a dark red self drafted a-line corduroy skirt with pockets. It is simple, and to date my most successful and most worn handmade item of clothing. I bought some fine cord fabric, years ago, in a gorgeous green with the intention of making another and not yet got around to it.
   
2. Knickers – I made my first pair of knickers last year (Lulu Knickers by Dhurata Davies) from t-shirt off cuts. They’re really comfy, though still room for improvement, so I want to make more. I only plan to use off cuts of fabric, it’ll be good to further build my confident with new (to me) techniques. I’m also trying not to buy new items if I could make them myself.
   
3. Mending / needs attention pile – this is going in here. Is not terribly exciting, however is easy to ignore. Some of this items are things I’ve decided to part with and just need a little mending before going to charity (the odd hem in needs of few stitches fixing). One or two things that I love but need adjustments to make them fit better. The pile is currently growing rather than shrinking. If I tackle even just an item a month it’ll get the momentum going – so it’s on the list so it’ll not be ignored further!
   
4. Shirt/blouse – One of the reasons I started sewing garments more seriously is because I love shirts and shirt-dresses. But off the peg does not fit my shape (narrow shoulders, wide hips and short torso) and I want a shirt that fits me properly!!! I have been building my confidence with this and I have a short list of option in my note book. However one design I have seen Nightingale & Dolittle make several times and always catches my eye is the Butterick 6563 pattern.
   
5. Bean Bag Bed for Chip – Chip (my geriatric cat) commandeered a bean bag I made for myself many years ago – it’s well and truly her’s now. It has seen better days now, I’m hoping I can can rescue this one and also make her a new one so she always has one to use, I’d had the beans ready and waiting for months. I’m also planning on creating this only using oddment from my scrap box and the odd small stash piece.
   
6. Storage baskets – I’ve been meaning to make some for ages (both small and large), I haven’t settled on the material or method yet, this will be the year to make it/them.
   
7. Pyjamas – I’ve not owned a matching set of Pyjamas since I was a child, mainly as I’m such different sizes top & bottom I haven’t been able to buy any. Out of my 5 circulating pairs of pyjama bottoms 2 have massive holes where the waist band has worn out and they’re held together by elastic and stitching, so I think I can justify this. I’ll most likely make a set (Butterick 6296 fit the bill here) and also replace my threadbare bottoms.
   
8. Kew dress by Nina Lee– I have worn my Kew dress that was technically a toile a lot already and for my Birthday in July 2019 I bought myself some lovely fabric while on holiday to make the final garment. Another project I’ve not got around to yet, which is daft, I’ve already done the hard work of figuring out if it’ll fit/suit me.
   
9. Raglan sleeve t-shirt – I seem to have a lot of issues with some basic items just not fitting well or I’ve chosen the wrong fabric so I intend to master making a basic raglan t-shirt this year. It’s a shape that suits me and is very wearable with lots of different items (pictured above is a Frankie t-shirt by Tilly & the button, but I may try and find another pattern to try).

Well it’s not called a challenge for nothing, I’ve definitely got my work cut out though I don’t think I’ve being overly ambitious, I think what it’ll do is help me focus on the things I want to make that fill gaps in my wardrobe, piqued me interest and use the materials I have already bought for specific items. I’m currently very excited and feeling (maybe optimistically) confident! Let’s do this 2021!!!!

Thanks for reading
Steph