Books-ish

January 2025 Recap

January 2025 Recap

Hi pals! Welcome to the blog! Today’s blog post is our first recap of the year! We will be covering everything I read, wrote, recorded, worked on, and finished in January. Last month was a wild one, filled with a few big moments that I am really proud of. I got a promotion at work, I signed a new design with Hobbii, I am now an ambassador for Twice Sheared Sheep (more on that coming soon), and I got a lot done. I know the whole “new year, new me” thing drives most of us bonkers, but my birthday is kind of my reset point and I just get really amped around that time, so I take it and run with it.

What I read

For those of you who are new to my reading habits, I have a tracker where I keep everything I read, request, and get as book mail. You can read more about it here if you want more info and to see how I set up my physical reading journal.

This month was set up to be a really fun month, and it turned out to be exactly that! I got through Fourth Wing, skipped Iron Flame (I ran out of time and regret it immensely), and devoured Onyx Storm. I jumped around to a few others, snagged some ARC’s I was really hyped about, and was reading right up until 11 pm last night.

I may have missed two books out of the plan, but they won’t be forgotten, just moved to another shelf for another day. They were a big heavier of reads, so I knew my mental health could use the break.

All of the reviews are linked below, and if they aren’t, they are coming soon – just waiting on pub days!

What I wrote

I actually wrote a whole bunch last month too! We did a few recaps, tutorials, and I got to announce my ambassadorship with Twice Sheared Sheep!

What I recorded

We did good this month! My goal is to try and post one video a week, or at least as close to it as I can, and we got 4 videos out last month! I work super hard on them, so go check one (or all of them) out if you want! And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube! I am almost at 2,000 subscribers and I am SO excited!

What I worked on

I feel like I was pretty consistent with my January makes last month. I had a few I was almost done with, a few that have been living on their needles for months, and a few new pals to join the mix.

Mohair Sweater

We know her, we love her, we slowly work on her when we want to focus ONLY on this and ignore the rest of everything else, because I have ZERO brain room to think when I am knitting with a single strand of mohair.

Bon-bon scarf

This pattern is actually coming in March/April. I bought 3 sets of bon-bons from Hobbii with my points last order and wanted to turn them into a patchwork scarf of sorts. I am having a blast and only have to sew it all together, so I can’t wait to get this one out to you!

Scribe Pouch

Another one coming soon! A sibling to my crochet Kindle Pouch, this one is a knit Kindle Scribe (or iPad) pouch!

Sock # 2

The second sock to its sibling below, the one that’s actually finished. (More details down there.)

Granny Square Blanket

Oh sweet summer child, I adore you, but I also despise you. I had to frog 4 rows of seaming because I screwed up the pattern and then I just added a quick single crochet seam to the top row so I knew where to attach lol. Okay yes, I seamed row 4 to the top of row 1 instead of the bottom of row 3. We’re gonna be okay, maybe.

What I finished

And finally, what I finished in January. I got my birthday sweater done! I wrapped up a shawl for a sweet friend, and I finished a few other projects!

Birthday Sweater

Ravelry has all the details, but this was my birthday sweater for this year. A scrappy Flax DK holding two strands of scrap yarn together through out, changing one yarn every 2-4 rows, depending on how much I had left in that colorway. I am obsessed with it, and idk how I’m gonna top it for my 35th next year.

Jenny’s Shawl

This one is coming out later on this year. I designed this shawl for my sweet friends new wife, and I am obsessed with how it came out. I will have full details for you on the blog soon.

Sylveon

My first attempt at needle felting on crochet. I think it came out super cute, and the person that ordered it loves it too, so I’m calling that a win!

Sock # 1

The second sock is above, but I made it through the first one so quickly I am not worried about 2. All the details are listed on the Ravelry Project, but the yarn specifically comes from Knitty Knotty Hand Dyed Yarn and she was kind enough to gift me this yarn to test out. It’s her Fancy A** Sock Yarn and I HIGHLY recommend getting some ASAP. My one foot has never been happier.

Tunisian Pouch # 1 & # 2

We finished two pouches this month in preparation for my Tunisian Crochet Kindle Purse pattern release, and I think they are just great.

Alright pals, that’s it for today! I hope you found something you want to read, or make, or maybe even purchase, and if not, we’ve always got the next one! 🙂

Love you pals, stay safe, stay strong, stay here.

Sam

3 comments

  2. What a great month you’ve shared with us! I love the colours in your birthday sweater. And Jenny’s Shawl is stunning! Your blog is making me itch to start my own blog (again) but I really don’t have time to add another big project to my to do list.

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  3. Pingback: February 2025 Wrap Up - Sam Bartley Designs

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