I usually am a huge planner and organiser. That’s why I love Ravelry! However, the usual Make Nine Challenge with specific patterns hasn’t worked for me in the past because I change my mind throughout the year and don’t want to knit the chosen patterns anymore. That’s why I decided for a bit of change (what a shock! I usually hate changes!). My Make Nines now include mainly a general wish such as “more knitted socks” or “sew something in corduroy”. This way, my Make Nines will hopefully guide me and remind me of what I need or want in my wardrobe. And another change is that I prepared a Make Nine list not only for knitting, as in the previous years, but also for sewing, as I sew more and more frequently. So it’s more like #MakeEighteen2023, actually! So what am I planning for 2023?

Make Nine for knitting

I knit like 30 projects a year, so 9 projects don’t seem like that much. We’ll see how I’ll manage to knit these! There is one particular yarn I want to try, two specific patterns, and the rest of the little squared windows are filled with general wishes to add to my wardrobe.

More knitted socks → I started wearing hand-knitted socks this winter, and I love it! My feet are always cold. So I need to knit more socks, both in standard and ankle height. I enjoy knitting plain socks with afterthought heel construction the most, but I also have 52 Weeks of Socks, and I am definitely planning to knit some designs.

Huge grey shawl → My wardrobe is full of grey sweaters (and I need more colours), but I realised I have no grey shawl! Also, most of my shawls are rather small, and I wear them in autumn or spring, but I need more big shawls for winter to stay warm. I actually chose the pattern I wanted to use. It’s Stairway by Susanne Sommer, and I already got yarn for it as a Christmas gift.

Very oversized pullover → Recently, I have preferred wearing big clothes, as I don’t want to be seen. Does it make sense? I have several oversized sweaters, but no really really really oversized sweater whose huge positive ease would actually work the way I want. I haven’t chosen any pattern yet, but it must be cozy, fluffy, and very huge.

Tussah Tweed → Tussah Tweed is a 100% cruelty-free silk yarn from BC Garn that I have wanted to use for a long time. I would like to fulfil this dream for some summer knits this year.

Knitted t-shirt → I have never knitted a t-shirt. Well, I have. I knitted one that I have never worn because it just doesn’t fit, and I knitted one sleeveless top, but I don’t wear sleeveless tops at all; I just wanted to try knitting one. I am not sure that the knitted t-shirt will be a good fit for me, but I want to try it as well as the top. We’ll see which one I’ll choose!

Cropped pullover to wear with dress or skirt → I have one cropped cardigan and I love it. Currently, I am knitting one cropped pullover already. But still, I need more to wear my sewed dresses and skirts more!

Long cardigan → I love the look of a long cardigan, and, as I said, I don’t want to be seen. The long cardigan is perfect for hiding and wrapping up. I don’t know which design I’ll choose, but I like many!

Mohair sweater → Oh, I know exactly which pattern I’ll use for this one! Lento by Jonna Hietala. And I already know what yarns I want to use. The sweater should be brown, and I want to use Isager Highland Wool in colourway Soil together with Biches et Bûches Le Petit Silk & Mohair in colourway Dark brown.

Anything Harry Potter related → I am still a potterhead and a proud Ravenclaw! I can’t believe I have never knitted anything related to Harry Potter. I am thinking of a Weasley Sweater (using Flax pattern by Tincanknits) or maybe a house scarf?

Make Nine for sewing

I sew much less than I knit, as I need more time and concentration. Finishing these nine ideas will be much harder than finishing the knitting plans. However, these are well-thought wishes that I would really love to have.

Green checkered Hinterland dress → Well, this is very specific. But I love Hinterland Dress, and I need more, and I need specifically, among others, these green checkered one!

More Field bags → Another specific? Well, the Field bag is just my favourite thing to sew. No wonder I will definitely sew more. But I have always used lightweight fabric. I would like to use some heavier canvas as well.

Leggings → So far, I have always bought leggings, whether it was fast-fashion or some local brand. I would like to sew them myself. I especially want to sew leggings for a workout, using fabric with no or minimum synthetic fibres. I’ll probably use this free Peg Legs pattern by Patterns for Pirates.

Striped t-shirts → Who wouldn’t like t-shirts? And who wouldn’t like stripes? I want more striped t-shirts in my wardrobe, both with short and long sleeves.

Corduroy → I have always loved corduroy. Even back then when I was little and it was very hard to buy corduroy pants. I just hated denim. I still love corduroy and would like to use this fabric for something. I don’t know what it will be yet. But I’ll definitely use a deadstock fabric from Textile Mountain.

Leftovers → I know how to use non-stretchy fabric leftovers. I could sew some Field bag or skirt or dress or a quilted blanket. However, I have to figure out how to use jersey leftovers. Any tips?

Jeans → I have been losing weight, and I need new jeans again and again. I want to sew my own, that would really fit. The pants I buy are either huge at my waist or tight at my hips. I could sew perfectly-fitted jeans myself, right? I want to use Dawn pattern by Megan Nielsen.

T-shirts → I never have enough t-shirts! They either stretch out, or they are too big from losing weight. So when I need new ones, I would like to make them by myself, using organic cotton. I haven’t found the perfect pattern yet, but I have been trying this free Basic InstincT by Secondo Piano.

Long shirt → Last year, I bought myself a long flannel shirt, and I really love it. However, I couldn’t find another similar shirt, so I want to try and sew it myself! For Christmas 2022, I sewed one flannel shirt for my husband, so I have some basic experience, and this is a perfect way how to improve my skills. I am thinking of alternating the pattern I bought for my husband’s shirt, Jensen by Wardobe by Me.