This year has been like no other. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian bushfires and US West coast wildfires, BLM protests, Beirut explosions, US presidential elections...and much more to add to this list... it has felt like one wild roller coaster ride!
Looking back, 2020 has been quite a year here for me as well. One of my traditions here at Sweet Softies is doing a "year in review" post at each year-end, and I have to say...there were quite a few new happenings here! Let's take a look...
Here are some SWEET SOFTIES highlights:
- I hosted my third ever Creator Challenge, with Piper the Pixie. It was so much fun and I can't believe that a total of 60 pixies were created from around the world during the short time that I ran the challenge! Each pixie was amazingly unique, and you can check out the Creator Challenge Results in more detail.
- I was invited to celebrate AllFreeCrochet's 10th birthday during the month of June, by sharing a free design -- the Summer Flower Fairy!
- I got to run my very first "Craft & Chat", which was also the very first time I ever used Facebook Live! It was so much fun getting to know those of you who tuned in, and I definitely want to plan another in the near future.
- My Tea Rose Spa Set pattern was published in the Quick & Easy Crochet Magazine!
- I was nominated as a Top 10 Indie Designer on LoveCrafts!
- The support that I received on social media continues to blow my mind! My FB page has 14.4k followers, my FB group has 15.3k members, my Youtube Channel has 15k subs, and my Instagram has 5k followers. (At this time last year, my following was 5.2k on FB, 7.8k in my FB group, and 3.3k on Instagram.) Thank you all for liking my work!
On a more personal note, a lot of life changes came about this year too...
- I had a baby girl! I announced my pregnancy to my husband through a ~kind of ridiculous~ but fun scavenger hunt. Shortly after I gave birth, I shared my positive birth story, which details my unmedicated, natural delivery.
- I received an amazingly special gift from my Wonder Woolmen group of fellow crochet bloggers and designers. These sweet girls put worked together to create one stunning present for my baby that will forever be treasured!
- I got happy mail from my long-time crochet penpal, Lee! She made me an amazing gift to celebrate my baby girl!
Thinking about this year in review really takes me back to each of these events that occurred! It's such a humbling experience for me to be able to accomplish these tasks, and I thank all my fellow crocheters and followers for supporting me through this journey!
Before I wrap this up, here's a quick round-up of the crochet designs that I have published this year!
2020 Pattern Round-Up!
Below are the 61 designs that I have created this year, with 57 of them as FREE patterns listed on my blog! There's a good variety of amigurumi, clothing, accessories, home decor, and holiday-related creations.
Last year, I had created 42 new patterns, with 39 of them being free. I just love offering free patterns to share on my blog because I get to see more finished products from my designs! It's always a joy for me to get a tag on Instagram or Facebook of others' projects made using my patterns.
Anyhow, below are the designs I've published for this calendar year! Click on the image below to navigate to the pattern page.
Again, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for liking my work, sticking around, and letting me share my joys in crocheting and creating!
I wish you all a happy, warm, and loving winter holiday and Happy New Year! See you in 2021!
With utmost gratitude,
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