Reflecting Back on 2021 and Looking Forward to 2022
The past few years have truly felt like a bit of a whirlwind and have left so many of us here at AYS wondering, 'how is it already 2022?!' In an attempt to slow down time and think about all that we've accomplished as both a team and individuals last year, we wanted to share a few fun highlights from 2021.
Carmen: "Pulling off Talking Stitches in 5 weeks' time, attending Unravel with under a week to prepare, and just generally being so impressed and happy that our team is always up for making stuff happen. It's this can-do attitude that has gotten us through the pandemic and I could not be more proud of what we've accomplished."
Anna: “My personal highlight of 2021 would have to be starting my floristry business, Pip Floral Studio. I've used a lot of the skills I picked up from working at AYS to get it going and so far I'm off to a great start! From an AYS perspective, I really enjoyed seeing our customers' finished projects in person, especially the projects that we assisted with via email, photos and videos earlier in the year.”
Marissa: "Officially joining the AYS team was definitely a personal highlight of 2021. Even though I work remotely from home, it feels so wonderful to be a part of a team again and to spend my days focused on all things knitting!"
Aleks: "The iKnit7 Hilja KAL was the first KAL (knit-a-long) for one of my designs. It was so much fun working with the fab iKnit7 crew to bring together a group of over 300 knitters from around the world to knit my Hilja mitts / wrist warmers pattern. The zoom party was pretty legendary - we shared recipes for cocktails (and mocktails!) and showed off all the amazing mitts from newly addicted Roosimine knitters."
Upon reflecting on 2021, we can't help but get excited for all of the new projects we expect to cast on throughout 2022! Here are a few fibre-related projects and activities we're looking forward to sharing with you as 2022 unfolds.
Sandra: "I am very excited about making a new sweater in our new yarn line by Walcot Yarns as soon as it launches! I'm also very much looking forward to attending the Cocoknits Method Knitting Retreat in Cumbria at the end of January."
Amanda: "This year has started on a high with loads of exciting teaching sessions lined up! What could be better than sharing my love of knitting with others and bringing more knitters into the fab yarny world?! And what's more, while researching different methods for teaching, I've also discovered new knitting techniques." #NeverTooOldToLearn
Kayleigh: I'm most looking forward to starting a number of new sweater projects. Currently in the queue is Joanna Ang's Fairy Bouquet which I plan to make out of Magpie Swanky Sock held double with Magpie Feather. At the beginning of January I cast on Cleo from Amirisu Issue 23 in Brooklyn Tweed Loft. Also, because I'm slightly impatient and don't want to wait around for a sweater to come off the needles, I also cast on Andrea Mowry's The Shift Cowl in Spincycle's Dyed in the Wool in Rosy Maple, Salty Dog, and Leith. I'm happy to say that this WIP is actually almost halfway complete!