And now is the time for the laying of plans.

I would like to try weaving my own plaid with hand spun yarn from local sheep that we will somehow have managed to convince the Council to run, instead of tractors to keep the grass down on our ovals and parkland. But since I have some study to do, and I would need to learn how to weave first, that will have to wait for another year. This year, the making plans are more modest.

I am going to get to know my new Majacraft Rose and new spinning techniques as I undertake a Certificate in Spinning at the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria.

I am going to keep at my feat of endurance for the Shackelton CAL with FiberTrek, spinning all my old fleeces up using woollen long draw and knitting up some kind of colourwork garment. I stalled after Spinzilla 2015 when realised I really needed to re-scour the Polwarth fleece I had as much of it felt sticky and made carding and spinning difficult. It took me till December to get that done and I have been carding ever since.

I am going to finally come to grips with my fingering weight stash and experiment with Fair Isle to turn the stash in useful garments. This part of my stash has seemed rather impenetrable to me.

The core of it is a collection of Alice Starmore yarns that date back over fifteen years. The rest are Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift and Jamieson and Smith oddments leftover from my own and others projects. There are also a few balls from the Isle of Harris Knitwear Co. bought as souvenirs in the UK. They are all woollen spun, fingering weight, perfect for colourwork.

I will use these wonderful books to guide my adventures. And hopefully something beautiful and useful will emerge.

I am also hoping to keep this delightful vase made by local potter, Riverwife Clay filled with flowers and foliage from our garden and neighbourhood walks all through the year as a reminder of simple pleasures close to hand.  It is a smallish, humble vase with a heavy base and glaze like cream speckled with vanilla seeds. It was my gift to our family at Christmas.

And the thesis of course.

Do tell me of your plans for this year…for January is ever the time of possibility and hopefulness.