As devoted as they are, even fiber artists need resolutions. Here are some to get started.

Knitters and crocheters are creative people who get very excited about projects. It’s probably not difficult for them to come up with New Year’s resolutions, but here are some to get started.

Develop a Brand New Design

Patterns are wonderful, especially for the beginner knitter or crocheter. Some fiber artists love patterns, and some don’t. For those who do not, designing originals may be more enjoyable.

Sketch out whole-project ideas, or work through repeating patterns; graph paper used to scale is great for this. Start simple and work up from there.

Not a planner? That’s okay—it is completely acceptable to go impromptu. Just grab a pair of needles or a hook and some fabulous yarn and play with it. For those with a lot of experience, whole projects will materialize much faster than expected.

Remember one of the best things about yarn: mistakes can be easily pulled out, and no yarn will go to waste.

Use Some Stash

This writer cringes at the thought, as well. Nonetheless, why not use up some stash, or better yet, try a stash diet for a couple of months? In other words, try not to buy if something at home is available. Try to recycle by knitting or crocheting with non-traditional materials.

Get the Family Involved

Kids stand to benefit much from learning to knit and crochet. Some schools make these crafts part of their curriculum, and for good reasons. Knitting and crochet have been linked to higher math understanding and performance, especially in the area of spatial skills like geometry. Share the needle arts with interested children.

Attend a local family “Knit-Out event.” Search for these locally; many guilds host them. There is almost always a kids’ section at these fun-filled events.

Share the Love of Fiber Arts with Others

Join a local guild. They are a great place to meet other knitters and crocheters, and they host fun events.

Take a sister, cousin, or friend along to a Knit-Out Event or a Guild Conference—they’ll be hooked. Knit-Out’s are a great place to pick up new tips. They usually have row after row of gorgeous yarns, activities, and runway models to show off the latest designs in the fields.

Offer to help someone learn knitting or crocheting. Many people want to learn, but don’t know where to go, or perhaps can’t fit private lessons into their budgets. This is a great way to share the fiber arts and keep them alive, and it is also one way to build a resume to teach.

Read More Knitting and Crochet Articles, Keep Current in the Fields, and Keep Increasing Personal Knowledge

So many new and exciting things are happening right now in these fields. Don’t miss them—internet articles are free, and libraries carry many books and magazines on the subjects. No longer are these crafts for the older crowd. Kids, teens, and twenty-something’s are all joining the craze.

Do it For Charity

So many worthy charities are currently asking for knit or crocheted items. Solo is fine, but groups are even better for charity knitting. It keeps everyone motivated, and it gets the job done quicker, too. A great place to start is the local guild; they usually have ongoing projects just for charity.

Keep Knitting and Crochet Alive

The needle arts are fragile, as modern technology has taken away much of the “need” for them. Of course, the industrial revolution has given most of us better lives, but nothing can replace sitting with a circle of friends and family while weaving the hours away.

Happy New Year to You and Yours, and May Your Days be Filled with the Fiber Arts!