So Many WIPs, So Little Time

If you’re a crafter, you know about constantly having more projects than you can possibly work on. In this post, I’ll share with you all 13 of my current WIPs (works-in-progress) in various stages of completion, from not-yet-started to almost done. My goal for 2025 is to hopefully finish more projects than I add to the list. It will be interesting to do this again at the end of the year and see how I did.

James Webb Space Telescope Stitch-a-long

Status: Slowly but Surely

This was a SAL (stitch-a-long) created by Climbing Goat Designs, which features 18 images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. The SAL was slated to be done in the fall of 2024, but life and other projects got in the way. I’m still plugging away, but this very large cross stitch piece does not travel easy. I mainly work on it at home where I have access to lots of light and magnification, typically stitching while I slowly get through all 17 seasons of Criminal Minds.

Rochester Historic Snowfall

Status: Slowly but Surely

Last winter, I noticed that Rochester had been getting less annual snowfall. When I looked into it, the data seemed to agree. There are lots of crafters out there that do temperature related projects, but I could find nothing to show snowfall variation over the years. Never one to give up, I personally designed this embroidery project to display the area’s snowfall for the past 50 years (ending in spring 2024.) The snowflake sizes and colors correlate to how much snow fell each winter. The white boxes and targets are guides to help me add the snowflakes in their correct spots. I altered my original design from having all the snowflakes be horizontally aligned (within the boxes) to now have them arranged more randomly (centered on the targets.) Like the James Webb SAL project, this is large and not mobile, because lighting from above and behind is crucial to see the holes in the black fabric. I’m still slowly plugging away at this one as well, alternating between this and the JWST cross stitch.

Horseshoe Bend Satin Stitch

Status: Active

This satin stitch embroidery project was designed by Vika. I love her designs and am trying to do all of the ones that I’ve actually been to. I traced the pattern onto calico and this is worked with 2 strands of embroidery floss. You’ll notice a lot of Vika’s kits or designs are also on this WIP list; I’m going to be in a lot of trouble when she starts releasing her National Parks series! This piece is in a 5″ hoop, so it’s much more mobile than some of my other projects. However, since I prefer to use my magnifying glasses for this, I try to only work on it around people that already know I’m a weirdo (or in airports where I don’t care what they think about me.)

Satin Stitch Journal Cover

Status: Actively Hating

This is another satin stitch embroidery design by Vika released in conjunction with Dapper Notes. I did NOT need another project, but I love little notebooks as well as Vika’s designs, so I just couldn’t resist supporting these two small businesses. The journal cover is a very thick fabric which I am struggling to work with. While I want to love this little guy, I think it’s quickly sinking towards the bottom of my priority list. Perhaps it will come in handy when I have some anger to work out and feel like getting stabby.

All Skulls Blanket

Status: Actively Keeping me Warm

This gorgeous mosaic crochet blanket by Sixel Design is nearing completion. I started it approximately 3 years ago. As it grew, the double thickness of the design kept me warm and cozy in the winter, but proved too warm to work on during the warmer months. I still have a little more than two sections to go at the top, which will mirror the design at the bottom. Then, I will have to add an edge to will wrap up all those pesky loose ends along the sides. This has been my go-to project that I bring to my friend Sean’s for role-playing game nights, keeping me warm from the chill in his finished basement.

Super Secret Project

Status: Sneakily Stitching

Often, I’m unable to post a project status because it’s slated to be a gift. Therefore, I can’t tell you what these cute little 2″ hoops are for, but I’ll let you in on the secret once the cat’s out of the bag.

Raven Gloves

Status: Back Burner

The kit for these Ravenlight Gloves by Disyarning Designs was a Christmas present a couple years ago. They are my first foray into Fair Isle knitting, a skill I’m trying to develop for a future project. However, it quickly became apparent that I cannot work on these while doing anything else, as they require my full attention to follow the pattern. I had to start over a several times to even get to this point, and I’ve found another major mistake meaning they need to be restarted AGAIN. While I want to finish and wear these lovely fingerless mitts, I prefer to craft while watching TV or chatting with friends. Since I can’t do that while working on these, I’m not sure when I’ll pick the project back up.

Satin Stitch Projects

Status: Waiting in the Wings

These four designs by Vika are all begging to be next after I finish Horseshoe Bend. The first one is Monument Valley, which still needs to be traced onto calico but otherwise has all the supplies. The black/white mountain one is her 2025 stitch-a-long and I have all the supplies for that one as well, including the printed fabric, which simplifies the process. The ocean sunset design is a kit with everything ready to go. Lastly, is her Gemstone Valley kit that can be made in multiple colorways. I forget which palette I chose, but I know I picked one that reminded me of Tucson sunsets.

Orphaned Knitting Projects

Status: Maybe Someday

These last two projects have been orphaned for at least a decade. I have all the yarn and patterns, but I just haven’t gotten around to them. The slipper socks on the left were an impulse purchase when a long-gone website was having a sale. The pattern can still be purchased here, though. The 26 balls of black and white wool yarn are for a giant brocade tote bag that calls for Fair Isle knitting. That will depend on me first completing the raven mitts to ensure I have my Fair Isle skills down pat before I risk screwing up with over 2,600 yards of yarn. Realistically, I have no idea when I’ll get to these.

Phew!

If you’ve made it this far, pat yourself on the back. You’ve gotten through my long list of WIPs. There’s a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that I’m forgetting one. Or two. But as you can see, there’s plenty to keep me busy. And surely more projects will join the list, especially because I like to make gifts for the holidays.

Leave me a comment and tell me which WIP you’re most excited to see finished, as well as tell me your vote for which of the many projects on deck should become my next WIP!