Week 1 – Does anyone even read blogs anymore?

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2026, and what (I’m sure) we’re all hoping will be a better year. Honestly, shit has sucked pretty bad since 2020, so crossing my fingers and toes that some good things happen in the next 12 months (I wrote this before Trump invaded Venezuela, so I guess that’s not going to happen). 

In 2026, I am starting a weekly blog with a few aims:

• To connect with more crocheters and build a little community of like-minded people who are also using yarn to get through these unprecedented times
• To track what I’m working on and reading
• To update everyone on new patterns or what’s been popular

Introduction – it’s me!

For anyone who doesn’t know me – I’m Monica Fox! I design crochet patterns with my sister. We do this for fun and to help other neurodivergent crafters/beginners learn how to read patterns. My day job is in the insurance industry. I work (and live) in Adelaide, South Australia, with my husband and rescue dog. I love to crochet intricate amigurumi, freehand garments, and design things that make me laugh.

I am chronically ill due to a connective tissue disorder, as well as some fun comorbidities. Due to this, I spend a lot of time at home (and need lots of rest during flares).

I love to read, and I’m trying to spend less time on social media and more time rebuilding my attention span. I detest LLMs and GenAI, and I am disgusted by how it’s being used by scammers to infiltrate creative spaces. Maybe I’ll talk more about this in future blogs. 

So, now that you know me a little, let’s move on to what I’ve been working on this week. 

I am very picky with clothes I wear – they must be black (or dark grey) and comfortable! I only have 1 mesh shirt that I crocheted a few years ago that I actually wear (and it’s only occasionally). 

Before Christmas, I started working on a top-down sweater in Whirlette that I’m hoping I’ll be able to add to my wardrobe. I have trouble regulating my body temperature, so I often wear a light sweater in Summer when the air conditioning is on. 

I’m using Dora Does’ Any Yarn Will Do Sweater pattern and substituting hdc (half double crochet) for esc (extended single crochet).

So far, so good! I split the yoke right before New Year’s Eve, and I’m working on the body. Whirlette is a fingerling weight, so it’s more like working with string than yarn, but the drape is gorgeous. I’m using a 4.5mm hook, and it’s currently taking me 16 minutes per round of the body, so I’ll be working on this for a while…

I’m currently reading The Lives of Christopher Chance by Diana Wynne Jones. I tend to stick to juvenile or YA fantasy lately, as I find the books the least stressful to read before bed. I read a few books by T. Kingfisher last year, so I also have a couple more of hers on hold with my local library / Libby. They’re a bit darker than Diana Wynne Jones. I enjoy her books (she’s the author of the Howl’s Moving Castle series if you aren’t familiar with her), but she was distractingly fatphobic. It’s like reading a book written by an almond mom of the 90s. So, if that is a trigger for you, it might be worth skipping them. 

Before Christmas, I wrote a few patterns using Fiddlesticks Wren cotton. I’ve been having allergic reactions to acrylic/polyester since the middle of 2025, so I’m trying out different cottons. Overall, I would give it a solid 4/5. The colours are beautiful, and the yarn didn’t split. I will need to see how it wears, washes, and pills in the future. 

I ended up making a gorgeous cowl – Rainbow Waves Cowl – as well as a new free pattern (on Ravelry) – Rainbow Elf Hat. I prefer infinity scarves/cowls to a straight scarf, and the Rainbow Waves Cowl is worked in the round (no sewing needed). The pattern includes instructions on how to increase the length and width. The Rainbow Elf Hat is perfect for Christmas or Renaissance Fairs (or just… whenever you want to wear a gnome-like hat)! Click on the pictures to be taken to the patterns on Ravelry. 

I also just finished writing the pattern for The Easiest Washcloth (to go along with our The Easiest Beanie). I used my fave cotton for washcloths – KnitPicks Dishie. This is a worsted-weight cotton, so the clothes work up quickly. The pattern also includes a cheeky little freebie for matching Face Scrubbies.

The most popular pattern in the last week has been the Hair Clip Fidget Bundle! These were so fun to make. The bundle includes 6 patterns for fidgets made with the hair barrettes popular in the late 90s /early 2000s. I ended up keeping the Sock Monkey for myself, and my husband stole the others. My sister has designed some really cute animal ones, so we’re hoping to get those patterns done in the next month or so (keep your eyes peeled). 

So, here’s to the next 12 months. Hopefully, they will be full of creative genius and lots of restful moments.