One of my favorite knitting podcasts is the Corner of Craft. Hannah makes cute beaded progress keepers that I have been eyeing for a long time. She has some tutorials on her channel, so I figured I should give bead weaving a shot.
I’m crafty. I was a camp counselor in college, so I have experience weaving pony beads. I have bluprint, so I have access to detailed bead weaving classes. I figured I could tackle weaving progress keepers in an hour or so.
Ha!
Beadweaving is hard! I’m up to about 3 hours of practice, but I have made nothing. Just bead jumbles.
It has been a long time since I’ve tried something and failed. I want to quit. I have gotten in the habit of only doing things in my comfort zone when it comes to crafting. I want to enjoy trying new things, and I want to start seeing failure as part of that process.
I am not going to give up. In 2020 I will learn how to beadweave and make my own progress keepers. It is going to take a lot longer than I thought it would. It is going to be a lot harder than I thought it would. I am going to stick with it.
Wish me luck.
Are you trying any new crafts in 2020?
mildlygranola 
I’ve seen some of Hannah’s stitch markers on hers and other episodes, very tiny and pretty but no idea how she does them and now I’m going to add to my watch later list a video on how it is done. New crafts for me…well I am determined to get to grips with a crochet pattern (I’ve bought a Minion pattern and yarn for it already). I keep seeing blankets made with little zoom looms and I am trying to resist buying one at the moment and avoid going down a brand new rabbit hole! One day though.
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You inspire me with all of your crafts. I look forward to seeing your crochet Minion. Good luck not buying a zoom loom. I fear I’m close to trying spinning and that will be a big investment.
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If you get too frustrated, it can be better to drop a new skill for awhile. Come back later with a fresh perspective. My new craft for 2020 is going to be watercolor painting – on both paper and fabric.
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Watercolor on fabric sounds fantastic!
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Never give up! Check YouTube for close up tutorials:) I often find just the one that makes things click for me. Good luck!
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Tonight I’m going to try watching the class without beading along and trying beading once I’ve watched the whole thing. Wish me luck!
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You can do it! Good luck:)
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I had not heard of Hannah before – Wow, those are some intricate progress keepers! As Karen says, sometimes it’s just a matter of finding the right video or tutorial, and you will get it. You can do this!
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If nothing else, it will keep me busy learning this year.
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That’s awesome you’re persevering! Every time I try something new I remind myself that this is how my students feel every day!
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That is a good perspective. I need to think about that when I’m throwing a fit about not getting it right.
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Lol I throw those too!
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More difficult knitting is my goal. Currently working on a Celtic know cowl. The pattern is insane but I love the results
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I’ve made a Celtic knot cowl before. It was a lot of work, but it was so pretty it was worth it.
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I have had tatting on my list for years, maybe this will be the new thing!
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I hope you try it. I would like to read about your tatting adventures.
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I think they would definitely be adventures!😂
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Good luck! I can’t wait to see your progress keepers. I don’t think I’ll be trying anything new in 2020, except maybe sheep farming. NBD
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Are you serious about sheep farming? I want to buy your yarn.
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Yes. We are serious. But we have to buy a farm first, and then we have a lot to learn!
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When you are up and running with sheep can I talk you into a blogger retreat at your farm? I’ll sleep in a tent!
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Totally! What a great idea!
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Good luck! The way the year is starting, my crafting is going to stay simple and easy, but I love the idea of pulling other crafts into my knitting hobby. I hope you keep trying a little longer, but I’m also of the opinion that it’s okay to quit something if you’ve given it a good shot and aren’t enjoying it!
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I am going to stick with it. I feel like I need to make at least 4 progress keepers to justify the money I’ve spent on supplies. I do think it will eventually be relaxing. It is a craft where I can only focus on what I’m doing, so I think when I want to ignore life it will be a great hobby.
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