2020 is about to be in our rearview. I know I am not alone when I say as horrible as it was, not everything was bad. When I look back over the year, I found quite a few bright spots. Don’t get me wrong, the bad things were the absolute worst, yet I am determined to go out on a positive note, so let’s look back. You with me?
The year started with everyone’s favorite event, Vogue Knitting Live 2020. It was the 10 year anniversary AND Lolabean Yarn Co’s debut. We have a blast. If this was any indication, 2020 was about to be lit (like the kids say) right? *insert rolled eyes* In case you missed it, here is my review of the event that started my year!
At this point I was set up to be flown out almost every upcoming month. Starting with Stitches West in February. Guys I was paid to walk around meeting and greeting! I am still blown away at the fact that this is all happening to me. You can read all about my experience here. Remember this is where GLO was introduced and the Orange Love Poncho. Wow! that was this year! Wait how could I forget the walking in the fashion show!?
Orange Love Poncho 
Covid 19
I arrived home safely, only to find out the first case of Covid 19 was in that exact area. My family was so worried, thankfully there was no need for worry. At this point everything slowly but surely started being cancelled. It was crazy having to cancel flights and hotel arrangements. It felt like I was cancelling my dreams. In March Covid took my God Father. I still feel that loss every day, but I know he would want me to continue to live…so that is what I did. I found a way to keep going.
2020 Highlights
Even though I thought this year was a lost cause, the following things happened. I had my first published article in Making Stories Issue 3.
Knit Star for Season 5 features me and I can even begin to tell you how that felt! I also can’t tell you how many times Shelley Brander had to convince me to participate. After all was said and done, I did it and I am so very proud of that.
One thing I never thought I would do is host a Knit Along, but I did, for the Orange Love Poncho. The generosity of the sponsors, Ha! I remember when Adella said I should ask for sponsors. Boy oh boy did the community show up and show out for me. The projects blew me away, so many beautiful ponchos.
The Martha Stewart shout out was simply mind blowing. Have you seen the The Best Knitters to Follow on Instagram? Say what!! Yup that was this year too. Did you all read Sistah Knit? Guys this has been a year!
Social Unrest
We can never forget George Floyd and watching his life leave his body at the hands of the police. His murder was the birth of my way of asking for help. Stand in the Gap. The pins, the stickers and the fundraisers (Thank you Birdie Parker and Magpie Fibers)
In a time when we had a pandemic and social unrest, what good could come out of that right? This blog post tell you all about that accomplishment. Did I say it’s been a year yet? Whew, I am typing and smiling hard!!
I am going to end here, but I can’t forget the Madelinetosh Community Love Fund Collection. My point in sharing all of these key points in my year is this…there is always a silver lining even on the darkest cloud.
Happy New Year guys, thanks for being here with me. You all matter to me.
One of the highlights of 2020 was discovering and meeting you at Stitches West! So glad to have had a hug from you, precovid, of course.
Aww thank you! Thanks for the kind words
Wishing you and yours a 2021 filled with health, safety, and comfort. Seeing you has been among the few bright spots for me this year; thank you.
Thanks for being here! I appreciate you taking the time to comment
best wishes for a bright, calm, joyful and healthy 2021!
Enjoy your knitting.
I’ve really appreciated your posts this year.
i too love orange!
waving from up in Canada
Team orange 🙌🏾
My 8 grandchildren call me GG…stands for gorgeous grandma! I love your Oak and Luna necklaces so much, I just ordered them! Happy New Year to me! Thank you GG!
Enjoy! I never take mine off
GG,
Following your blog, Instagram, KnitStars, KnitCollage KAL with all your amazing shades of orange have been a highlight for me during the craziness of 2020. Also, what a wonderful young woman, Shelby is. She has stretched me to read books that would possibly not have made on my radar. I’m looking forward to getting a famous GG hug. You’ve also inspired me to find my color! I hope 2021 is very blessed for you!
Right back atcha! Let’s grab 2021 by the collar and do this thing!
I have really appreciated you this year. The honesty, positive but realistic take, and emphasis on growth that you bring have been an inspiration to me. Thank you GG.
Thank you for being here. I appreciate you!
Me and my bestie Lorna still talk about the highlight of our Stitches West was getting to meet you and have our picture taken with you. We were already fans, but the joy of meeting you in person, and how kind and funny you were to us still is such a thrill. We feel like Stitches West was kind of our last fun thing and then the year went down from there. So thank you for putting one of the best spots in our year. 🙂
You are such a bright light. I’m always so happy to see your posts show up in my feed! I am also in an “orange period”. Orange car, orange coat, hat, mittens, etc.
I hope that soon, we can all pick up dreams that have been put on hold. In the meantime, knitting keeps me grounded.
Blessings in the new year!