It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost over! I’m THRILLED that I have finished my knitted beret (gift) and am ALMOST done with the sewn cross body purse for my youngest granddaughter! I may even have time to knit a pair of fingerless gloves for one more gift, but perhaps I shouldn’t get too far ahead of myself – I still have gifts to wrap and a few things to shop for before the big day!
In this post I wanted to share my fiber year in review to catalogue for myself this past year of making, and to remind all my fiber friends that regardless of what it FEELS like, we actually do a LOT throughout the year. I encourage everyone to make a list of all they’ve accomplished in their fiber art(s) of choice as a way to validate the time, talent and effort we put into our creations throughout the year.
Here’s my 2025 fiber arts “pass in review“, beginning with some highlights of my fabric and sewing projects this past year:
My favorite creations were the ones I made as gifts, which include the crayon roll for my youngest granddaughter, and the crochet hook roll (right above in the gallery of photos) for my oldest granddaughter.
As far as my YARN creations throughout 2025, I’ve had a few of those as well. Here are some highlights from that side of the stash:
I chose the featured photo (top of page) as it best reflects my thoughts on the past year, or at least the year since January 21st. In many ways, my sewing, knitting, and crocheting have helped me stay sane in a world that seemed to begin to fall apart around that time.
None of my projects are earth-shattering, or would win any awards. They have, however, been a steady compass in life when things around me got out of hand. Stitch by stitch, in fabric and in yarn, I have persisted through it all and – perhaps more importantly – not lost hope.
Whatever the reason each of us engages in our chosen fiber arts, they are important to our health and overall well-being. I wonder if my grandmother knew this consciously, or just understood it on a deeper level. On my tree this year, I have several of the ornaments she made, from simple stocking shapes in acrylic yarn, to a standalone, starched crochet angel in cotton thread.
Like mine, none of these would win any prizes either (the starched angel quite possibly could!), but they are more precious to me than any high-priced collectible could ever be. I know what it took for her to make them, but more importantly; they remind me of the incredible GIFT she gave me so long ago when she taught me to crochet a chain with yarn.
I don’t think she was intentionally passing on some grand life tool that she knew I would need someday. She was simply trying to keep a busy and curious 10-year old out of her hair in the Summer when she was knee-deep in farm chores.
I think of this when I share things with my grandchildren. I may never know which parts and pieces will follow them into their adult lives; but I know from my own experience that one or two of those may become critical lifelines for them around stability, sanity, and peace of mind.
As we stand in the midst of this season of giving, I am grateful for THIS gift, and work to remain mindful that there are no purchases at the mall or online that can or ever will compare.
(C) 2025 Fiber Harmony / Stitch ‘n Dish
Fiber Harmony (Stitch 'n Dish) 