Tag: 2024

Monthly Digest & Wrap Up

Monthly Digest and Wrap Up | February 2024

ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to a wrap up of the shortest month of the year, but with a bonus day thanks to leap year! I had high hope for this month and honestly, I got a lot done with all the stuff life threw at me this month. I will say, I am happy to announce I read another book this month! I am honestly really thrilled with this because I would rather read a book or two a month consistently than not read at all like I did pretty much all year. I also was able to get some projects off my needles, which I am excited to use now.

Books

This month I ended up only finishing one book, but it was a beautiful read. I ended up finishing Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, which is the 3rd book in the series. The series is heart breaking, but beautifully written and just one I cannot get enough of. The bonus is, these books are usually around 200 pages or so and fly by. Even within those few pages a world is built easily and you feel like you fall into the pages of of the books. This most recent read from this series was the exact same way. I am hoping to read the next book in the series very soon. I have to be honest, this is probably the only series I have been keeping up with since reading has gone into a full slump over a year ago. That says a lot about this series in my eyes. It is hard to really summarize this series, it is slice of life where you follow the on goings in a café in Japan. It is not just a regular café, but has a magical realism twist where you can travel through time when insider its walls, but there are rules you must follow. The stories of those who work there and those who are patrons are always well developed and intriguing and at times exacting and totally heart breaking.

Finished Projects

I finished my Christmas Eve cast on the Teddy Clutch! (Website | Ravelry) It is a large clutch that is made using yarn like a teddy bear, so it is super soft and cute. I am excited to finally be able to use it out and about. If you plan on using the recommended yarn for the pattern, I will warn you, if you drop a stitch is is nearly impossible to find it. Thankfully in my opinion it is worth it, but if I made it again I might try a different type of yarn of the same weight for a different look. The instructions were well written and easy to follow, which was wonderful! I really feel like this is a great project for adventurous beginners.

The second item I got off my needles was a really quick little scrappy project, which was called the Mini Crop Puff (Ralvery). It is a tiny little sweater and I was testing out the pattern to see if I wanted to make ornaments for next Christmas with my scrap yarn. It was a really cute and I liked the project for sure. I am not sure if I am going to use it though, the main reason being is I think they are a tad bit too big for our tiny baby tree. I might make them for friends and family though and embroider the initial of their last name. Yes, I am already planning projects! I don’t want to be really behind like previous years.

Adventures

Honestly, this month has been one of a roller coaster let me tell you what. There were some really scary things that happened, but I also had some really awesome things happen as well. I don’t want to get into to much detail about everything, but one really great thing I would like to share is I got engaged this month and I am really, really excited. It is going to be weird introducing him as my fiancé now.

Monthly Stats

  • Knitted Items: 3
  • Crochet Items: 0
  • Garment: 0
  • Accessory: 3
  • Yarn In: 1,170 grams
  • Yarn Out: 1,610 grams
  • Books Read: 1
  • Fiction: 1
  • Non-Fiction: 0
  • Pages Read: 222

Yearly Stats

  • Knitted Items: 5
  • Crochet Items: 0
  • Garment: 1
  • Accessory: 4
  • Yarn In: 2,430 grams
  • Yarn Out: 2,860
  • Yarn Year Total: -440 grams
  • Books Read: 3
  • Fiction: 2
  • Non-Fiction: 1
  • Pages Read: 1,135

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Bullet Journal & Planning

My 2024 Hobby Bullet Journal

ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to another post! Today I am going to me sharing a look inside my 2024 Hobby Bujo, which I have actually used a little bit already in 2023, I ended up running out of room for December in my old one…oops. Either way, I am looking forward to sharing some of the spreads I added to this years bujo. There is going to be some reading spreads, knitting spread, and more!

My first spread is of a 3×3 knitting bingo board. Last year I did a full 5×5 board, but this year I decided to just make it 3×3 to keep it fun, but keep the pressure off. The 9 items I placed on the board are; knit in public, complete a blanket, finish a pair of socks, knit while listening to an audiobook, finish a project for Mom, make a scarf and glove set, finishing a lingering project, knit a cardigan, and frog a project.

Next is a spread is my personal knitting Queue, this is a list of projects I already own yarn of. I decided to list the project name, yarn I plan on using and a pace for a checkmark once I finish it. If you want to see my entire list of my knitting queue you can do so by visiting my Ravelry.

The next section is a pace for me to keep a dynamic list of grams in and out of my stash throughout 2024. I have an area to label the month, a place to write the year, then I can write the grams under either in or out. At the end of the month I will find the total in and out and then an overall net at the end of each month for the year.

Next I doodled a bookshelf and then added the titles of books from my owned TBR. I ended up adding some extra books incase I read books from the library or end up adding more books to my shelves. \

Next is where I start to set up for January 2024. I ended up adding a little calendar to mark this new section of my notebook on the lefthand side and decided to give some fancy font a try. On the right side I ended up adding a space when I can make notes of the projects I finish and books I end up finishing as well throughout the month. I thought this would keep all this information in one handy spot instead of all over the place.

All the other pages are basically me counting and marking my current spot in patterns or little notes of changes I made to the pattern so when I am done I can add these notes to my Ravelry project page. Since these pages have details of paid for patterns I did not feel comfortable taking a picture of those. But, if you want some more details on this I am happy to explain it in a bit more detail.

Anyway, this is a look into my 2024 Hobby Bujo! I hope you found some fun spreads and as always if you have a questions about how these are working for me, feel free to ask!

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Monthly Intent & TBR

Finish it February 2024 & TBR

ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to a bit of a challenge introduction. Finish it February is something I have been hearing a lot around the knitting scene, but I feel like it could really be great for all of my hobbies. Mainly, at least from what I have seen or heard, Finish if February is where you take all your WIPs (works in progress) and try your hardest to finish as many as you can. Now, I am going to be doing this with my knitting and crochet projects, but I am also going to be doing it with my current reads as well. So, since it is the start of February, here are the books I want to finish and the projects I want get of my hooks and needles.

The Books

As of writing this I am in the middle of two books, both of which I want to continue with and have been enjoying. The first is Holly by Stephen King, which I have mentioned in a post earlier this year. This one I have been “reading” for a bit, but I have not been keeping up with it so I might actually restart it since I am not too far along into the story. The second book is The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda, this is a thriller I really am enjoying the over all setting of a lore from what I have read so far. I would really like two finish this book first since it is fresh in my mind and then restart Holly. Realistically, I don’t know if I will be able to finish both these books in February, but I would like to finish one and then make a good dent into the other.

The Projects

So, my WIPs are a bit out of control I am not going to lie. I am activity working on 7 projects, 2 pairs of socks, 1 clutch, 2 sweaters, 1 wrap, and 1 tree skirt. I think I would be thrilled if I finished the Teddy Bear Clutch I am more than halfway done with as well as the socks I am working on as well. One of which is just a plain sock and the other is a test knit I am in the middle of. Following that I would like to prioritize the tree skirt and get that packed up with the Christmas decorations and ready for next year. After that I am not quiet sure which one I would prioritize. Overall, I think I would like to just get my WIP number down and I wont be to mad if I end up casting on something else.

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

Links to my other socials!

For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Monthly Digest & Wrap Up

Monthly Digest & Wrap Up | January 2024

ClassicBhaer2 Comments

Hello and welcome to a little recap of January 2024! I cannot believe that this month is already over, I feel like it flew by and I have no idea how it happened. But, I have to say the year is off to a really great start! I went on a real fun adventure, I finished a few projects, and I even read a few books. I know…I actually read not just one, but multiple books. Did I get my reading mojo back? Time will tell, but let’s get into what has been going on in January!

Instagram January photo dump.

Books

This month I ended up finishing a tome I started all the way back in August of 2023. It took me just over 5 months to finish reading American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. This non-fiction biography of Oppenheimer was mainly started because I wanted to know more about the live of the main character of one of the biggest blockbusters of 2023. It was very informative written in an engaging manner, but it was very long at about 700 pages. I think it mainly took so long because I every time I wanted to read it, I felt like I didn’t have enough time to dedicate to it. When reading it, I would want to sit and read for longer periods of time because there were no real natural stopping points throughout. I ended up giving this book 3 stars, I liked it, but I didn’t love it. It was a middle of the road read, but I am really happy I read it.

The second book I read this month was very different, it was actually a reread of a childhood favorite The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket. I am not sure why, but I really felt the need to reread these books in December and since then I have read the first two books in the series. One thing I noticed was how much I missed when I first read these books as a kid. They really do touch and hint at some tough topics. Regardless of this, it was really fun to see what I could find as an adult and remembering the story and flashbacks to when I first read them. I am planning on continuing my reread of the series throughout the year. I ended up giving this book 4 stars.

Making

This year is off to a great start with my first finished project being a gift knit for my mother. A sweater of all things. I actually started it and finished it in the same month. That has not happened in a long time. I made the Six Little Flowers Cardigan (ravelry) by Uma Murphy in a really pretty purple color. It was fun making a sweater for someone else and their excitement while trying it on throughout the process. I am tempted to make this pattern again in the future because it worked up so quickly while using size us 11 and 17 knitting needles. Plus, it is an easily customizable sweater as well.

The second project I ended up making myself a new pair of gloves. I used the pattern, Gloves No. 1 (website) by My Favourite Things. This is the first time I have completed one of her patterns and I can tell why people are always knitting up their stuff. I really liked the layout of this pattern and how it just got right to the point without trying to look pretty. It was written clearly, gave resources, and didn’t have fluff. I am in love with the neon yellow I ended up using for this pattern, it was called Electric Feels by a Homespun House. Another first for me, I never used their yarn before either and it worked like a dream! I will be ordering more in the future.

Adventures

This month one of the biggest adventures I had was a day trip to NYC to visit some friends with my partner. One of these friends was one from high school we have not seen in years and the other was visiting from Boston to see a show. We ended up going to central park, the MET, some yarn shopping, and out for a lovely dinner. It was great to spend some quality time with friends. It is something I honestly need to do more often. With everything going on, sometimes I forget to make it a priority.

Monthly Stats

  • Knitted Items: 2
  • Crochet Items: 0
  • Garment: 1
  • Accessory: 1
  • Yarn In: 1,260 grams
  • Yarn Out:1,250 grams
  • Yarn Year Total: +10 grams
  • Books Read: 2
  • Fiction: 1
  • Non-Fiction: 1
  • Pages Read: 913

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

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For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.

Let's Talk

What I Want 2024 to Look Like

ClassicBhaer5 Comments

Hello and welcome to another little post from my small part of the internet. Every year I take the time to write up some goals for myself and do my best to stick with them. This past year things have changed in my life, which is why I am not on here as much as I used to be, serious how did I have time to write two posts a week? Anyway, I didn’t want to make goals in the way I usually do, but more so wanted to talk about what I wanted the year to look like for me.

Kindle, two note books, a winter themed project bag, and a clear box sitting on a made bed.

Reading

This year I realized I have not read many books. In total I have read 7 books in all of 2023. If you want to see which books I read, you can see those here in my Year in Books 2023 recap. While this is no where near what I used to read when I was reading more than 100 a year a lot has changed in my life. I think my reading is going to stay reduced as far as I can tell, but I would like to read at least 6 books next year. I say that because I still want to have a little bit of daily reading in my life and that is what I have been doing. I read a few pages when I have the time and brain space to do so. in 2024, I want to keep that up.

Knitting, Crochet, and Crafting

This year I did a lot of making, which I am happy about. I think I did so much because it is easier to knit and crochet while chatting with someone, watching a movie, or just out and about during my spare moments. I ended up making 31 items this year. These include socks, sweaters, cowls, scarfs, shawls, dresses, and other items. I am really proud of the things I created this year and I just want to keep that up as well throughout the year. Finding me time while doing something relaxing is something I have really come to enjoy.

Life in General

I have started going back to yoga a few months ago and I have been really enjoying how it has made me feel. I feel stronger, agile, and overall more relaxed. I really want to keep this up as well, even if it is just once a week. On top of that, I would really like to go on more adventures throughout the year. That could be trying a new place to eat, exploring a few place, or going on a day trip. I just want to experience some new things.

As you can see, my “goals” for this year are really just to continue to do the things that make my happy. I want to read a few pages a day, do some crafting to calm me down, maintain my yoga practice, and just do something new and exciting. Nothing to out there, but I really want to focus on what makes me happy this year and not worry about specific numbers or items. Will I make some mini goals for myself throughout the year, most likely, but I feel like this year I want to go easy on myself.

I really hope you had a wonderful 2023 and that 2024 is even better for you!

Thanks for Reading! ClassicBhaer.com

Links to my other socials!

For the record: everything I’ve written here is entirely my own opinion.These views do not reflect or represent those of my current or past employers.