Wow. 2026, it’s hard to believe it’s already here. And yet, it feels like it took forever to get here. What a year 2025 was, but let’s not recap that for now. I work in academia, and that means around the holiday I get to enjoy a bit of a break, and it’s come that time where the days have started running together and time has become fully meaningless.
Normally, my breaks are filled with running around and driving several hours back and forth to visit family and friends that I no longer live near. This break wasn’t too different, though I’ve made myself slow down and enjoy days of doing “nothing.” Nothing for me usually still means crafting in some kind of way, and I really wanted to finish the big blanket project I had started over the summer, so that was my big push the last week of the year. I managed to finish it and I am beyond thrilled with how it turned out! It’s the size of a queen-sized bed, and EXTREMELY cozy. (Freyja agrees too; you can’t see her but she’s the lump in the top-left corner of the blanket!)
I adore Lilla Bjorn’s patterns, as they are filled with intricate designs, fine details, and engaging rounds, and this is not the first blanket I’ve done from her. Hilde’s Flower Blanket is kind of an heirloom project, and by the end, each round was averaging well over 900 stitches, with the last ending on over 970 stitches. Isn’t it just stunning?
For this project, I took advantage of the closing sale from Joann Fabrics (RIP Joann’s) and bought 3 balls of Lion Brand pound of love. Of course, I ran out two-thirds through, and ended up buying two more balls to finish up the project. I only had a few yards left when everything was said and done! This blanket will be a gift for a family member, but I have half a mind to do it again with Sheepjes yarn… but I’m not quite there yet. My wrists are pretty sore still from this project, and I don’t want to overdo it.
I’ve been binging True Blood for the first time too; it’s so bad, I can’t stop watching. I’ve been breaking it up with a rewatch of Schitt’s Creek, which holds up SO well. And the episodes are short, so it’s a nice way to take a quick break without committing an hour of my life to the couch. I’ve also worked on other small projects, and have been working on setting up my 2026 Bullet Journal.
Alas, my break is almost over, and it will be back to work next week. I’ve been sufficiently lazy, and now I’m looking forward to what 2026 will bring. Goals have been made, some achievable and some lofty, and intentions are set for the year.
My mantra the last couple years is the same one I’m taking into this year:
Be curious. Be patient. Be kind.
Happy 2026 folks, and may your year be exactly what you hope it to be.