A new year, like a new project, can be filled with hope, expectation, and always uncertainty. As in life, we never know if that mistake we made back on the foundation row will come back later to bite. Maybe it will be a small insignificant purl in a sea of knit stitches. Or we might find ourselves unraveling hours of work to start anew, with a better base, a stronger beginning. Our annual Self-Indulgent Knit-a-long, #SIKAL2016 is about beginnings. Taking that special yarn, that special pattern, perhaps something new, perhaps something that has been in stash, and crafting and creating something that brings us happiness. Maybe it is the process, maybe it is the promise of the finished object, but we all craft because on some level, we enjoy the journey. My challenge to you, is to knit that too-precious yarn, take a chance on that pattern you've been stalking, and especially to wear and use your knitted objects and garments. Don't hide your carefully crafted items away, afraid to let them out in the world. Wear them with pride! Use those crafted objects daily! I believe the joy we find in crafting only increases with the use or giving of the object. Whatever the new year brings, we hope your stitches flow flawlessly together, creating the beautiful fabric of your life. Sharlene

What are we wearing? Ease by Alicia Plummer Sharlene's Ease Malabrigo Rios This yarn was originally knit into Sharlene's Red Riding Hood Jacket Traveller Tunic by Joji Locatelli Gayle's Traveling Tunic What are we stalking? Mason Jar Bear Cosy by Patricia Castillo Thursday Special by Elena Nodel Starshower Shawl by Hillary Smith Callis Sharlene's Fresh from the Cauldron yarn Arabella by Ann McCauley Gayle's stashed tosh merino light Spectrum by Joji Locatelli Gayle's tosh lace Lilli Pilli by Ambah O'Brien What are we knitting? Big Old Coat by Joji Locatelli Sharlene's Big Old Coat Times Square by Norah Gaughan Gayle's Times Square Beaverslide Dry Goods 2-ply Gayle is knitting a test knit for Yelena Dasher Adama by Hillary Smith Callis Malabrigo Rios in Teal Feather What have we finished? Koala cup cozy by Alexandra Davidoff Sharlene's Koala cup cozy cup cozy 2 cup cozy 3 cup cozy 4 cup cozy 5 cup cozy 6 Rose City Rollers by Mara Catherine Bryner Nakahi Shawl by Francoise Danoy Longfellow by Michele Wang Gayle's Log Cabin blanket Sport Weight Toe-Up Socks by Wendy Johnson Faerie's Firelight by Jen Sheelen Gayle's Firelight Our annual self-indulgent KAL is happening now! Please use hashtags #SIKAL2016 and #yarniacs for all your social media needs. If you are making a purchase through Craftsy or Amazon, please click through our links on the right side and complete your purchase as usual. This sends a few cents our way to support the podcast and costs you nothing! We appreciate your support.