Resetting the Needlework Rotation for 2026

New Years Day is the annual resetting of the Needlework rotation.  I am going to continue to use my standard four slot rotation for the basis of my 2026 plans.   The SAL / extra slot will remain open for the moment, and the travel project (which is occasionally filled with needlework) will continue to have charity knitting in it.   I intend to cast on a Musselburgh Hat later today with my Christmas gift yarn.

So, what are the needlework plans?

Pictorial:  "Mead Dragon", art by Stanley Morrison, charted by Paine Free Crafts continues in this slot. (Current stats are in the December month end post from yesterday - here.)  My best guess estimate on this is around three months of work remaining.  I had originally estimated a 3/1/2027 finish date, but steady work has shaved over nine months off that initial schedule.   I will continue with the 100 stitches a day goal for January and then make "Full Coverage February" into a monogamous push to see how much I can actually accomplish in 28 days.  

Not Counted Thread:  The vintage German Needlepoint "Old Farmhouse" will be in this slot.  I don't have a goal or estimated end date for this one yet.   Ten hours of work in the sky area got me to about 1/8th complete more or less, but it was block stitching and there's a ton of confetti in the part of the piece with trees / bushes.  And the buildings will be fiddley.  I'm pretty sure that pace will slow right down when I get into the more complex parts.

Historic or Historic Inspired Sampler: This slot continues to be filled with assorted Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers kits.  I still have 30 of them in the stash, but I also want to work on something besides BBD in this slot - like actual reproductions, and Quakers.  I've been toying with the idea of "every other project" is a BBD LF, alternating with other designers.  This goes into effect with a non-BBD after I finish "And to All a Good Night".  It is at 58% currently, and the goal is to finish it up during "Christmas in July" (if not before).

Modern: One of my perforated paper ornaments is in this slot.  "Garden Santa" is just barely started - about a hundred stitches or just less than 5%, done last night while waiting for the fireworks to stop going off. (Dela was NOT amused.)  I should be able to finish this little ornament in one or two rotations at most.   I think I'm going to do an "every other project" rule in this slot, too.  I plan to alternate between the perforated paper Santas and other modern projects.  I'm going to see how many of the small projects like ornaments, needle rolls and tiny samplers I can manage to get done this year.   

The stash is down to 88 kitted items after I decided I didn't like the fabric that I had pulled for one of the Quakers.   I still want to do the project, but I had compromised on both the fabric and floss; life is too short for that.   So, I put the design back into the 'to be kitted' list, put the fabric and floss back into the stash and will re-consider choices once the queue is whittled down a bit more.