WIP Parade January 2026
I will be honest, there is one main reason why I haven’t been posting. Seasonal Depression ruins the things that would be fun or relaxing. It is a state called ahedonia where you aren’t motivated to do the things you love. Its tough to make it through the Winter without doing something enjoyable. It zaps all the fun out of things that would normally relax you.
The good news is that we are getting closer to Spring. There is already more day light hours since we switched the clocks and it is improving my mood. Per the usual, I was motivated to do my WIP Parade for the New Year. I managed to complete a few projects and I’m only at 12 Works in Progress (WIPS). I’m working on a year of only a few new starts. More about that in plans.
Let’s get to it!
WIP Parade January 2026
A Graveyard Wander
This is the project that got me to join The Witchy Stitcher Patreon. I was so dismayed that I missed out on this one. I had major FOMO. Fortunately, this was released publically into her store. I snatched it up right away. It is beautiful and I am enjoying doing this on 40 count one over one. It is very romantic and delicate looking. The colors are spot on!
Alice in Wonderland SAL from Owlforest Embroidery
Massive Alice in Wonderland fan. I’m more into the book. Although, I watched my Disney VHS tape of Alice in Wonderland so much that I wore it out. This is a free pattern from Owlforest Embroidery of a past Stitch Along (SAL). I’ve only seen one stitcher complete this, the Hygge Stitcher on YouTube. It is huge on a 32 count, but so worth it in the end. It is gorgeous.
Cats and Mandalas August
This is a project that I started for my mom to hang on her wall. I’m procrasitainating on this one big time. I’ll admit it. It isn’t my favorite project at the moment. I think that I could finish it in a month with a little work. Hoping to have it done by December of this year.
Dragons: A Field Guide
I love this pattern from Climbing Goat Designs. It is a lovely stitch. These dragons from around the world are appealing. I love learning more about their individual mythologies. I hope to bring this one out more this year.
Floral Dragon Meadow SAL
This SAL broke me free from the idea that I could finish one of these on time. Each section was about 3,000 stitches and that is half my stiching time in a month. I was not happy and it felt like a chore. I didn’t need the stress. So, on the third dragon, I gave up.
I’ve alsmot completed part three now. Doing the meadow elements. I’m going to take my sweet time with this one. It is a fun stitch and I love the Flossy Fox Shop’s 8-bit retro pixalated style. It appeals to my nostalgia. I’m also going to start another one of their patterns. I’ll talk more about that in plans.
Gothic bat
I started this one for Halloween. It is a beautiful geometric design with these extravegant borders around bats. I’m doing it monochromatically in white on a blood red fabric called “Vampire Kiss” from BeStitchMe. It looks amazing. I’m planning on taking this up again on halfway to Halloween.
Opening Gambit
I like the design of Long Dog Samplers, There are so many hidden details that you don’t neccessarily notice until you are stitching them. Hey, there is a design that has a tapir! Most of them don’t appeal to me though on a personal level.
The best match was Opening Gambit which is chess themed. Which is mathematics related. I haven’t gotten as far as I would like. I was trying to make this my strand a day project and the truth is that isn’t for me. I can gurantee one stitchy session in a day. Twice is a little much for me at the moment. I’m hoping to get back to this soon.
Quaker Du Japon
I once stitched a project for my best friend, It was called Osaka Springs and the design is Sally King and sold by Bothy Threads. The only issue is that I waited to do the Backstitch until the end. A big mistake. I couldn’t tell where to lay down the stitches. Lesson learned. Sometimes it is best to do it as you go.
Now, I’m working on this Quaker on 36 count. Very little backstitch and I like the Quaker style. Still Japanese themed. She often goes to Japan over Christmas. This project should bring back good memories. I’m going to work on this again in March and try to get it done by May for her birthday.
Sea Witch
I was working on another Miriabillia pattern called Nightingale inspired by Florence Nightingale. It is huge and mostly white, off-white,gray, and dark gray. Not that much fun although there are some large blocks of color that are nice to stitch. I saw that the Nora Corbett pixies are much smaller.
I chose a design that doesn’t have any speciality threads. Straight up DMC and beads. I’m doing it on the called for fabric. The Catkin and Lillie Patreon is doing some themed months. And they are doing Fancy Lady Feburary. So, I’ll probably pick up this project again next month.
The Stitchers Book Club
This is a SAL that made the rounds last year. I fell in love with it and made the purchase. I was never going to be able to catch up with it though and gave up shortly after purchase.
I am savouring this one. It is simply a joy. Every new scene reveals one of my faovrite authors. It brings back great memorieso of reading their books. I was particuarly happy that there is a Alice in Wonderland reference. And also nods to Jules Verne, Mary Shelly, and Agatha Christie.
Tea Reading frog
This is a project that I started to form some memories with my mom. She has had two strokes and I’m her full time care taker. I work on this piece as I’m hanging out with her. I will always remember working on it while spending time with her.
Wibbly Wobbly Timey wimey
I got this pattern for the Weeping Angel at the top of the pattern. I love the design of the wings. There are a lot of great elements in this one. Including some motifs representing Rose, the Daleks, and the Cybermen. I haven’t touched this one in awhile and want to complete the Angel this year.
Two False Starts
These were going to be WIPs but I’ve tossed them aside for now. I thought that I would mention them as they might be future projects that I go back to. Maybe you can help me decide if I continue with either one or both.
Out of This World
The first is this the Out of this World Subscrption Box from Catapillar Cross Stitch. I started this one because it is an Emma Congdon design. The planetary theme is one that I like. Also, it is only cross stitches. Making it easier to complete. Lastly, it is small and fits in a hoop. So, good when I want a break from more difficult patterns.
I am not including it in Current WIPs because I started it merely to try it out. But, I also don’t want to UFO it either. So it is in a state of superposition. Neither WIP or not a WIP. This is how far that I’ve gotten.
Bone Garden
This is a Flossy Fox Shop design. It is a garden with the sekeltal remains of dragons. It is a cute pixalated style design. It was orignially a Patreon pattern but is now availablefor purchase in their store.
I like it but the issue is the fabric is too dark to see the holes. The frustration is real. I’m thinking of doing a restart on some dark green aida. It would be much eaiser to see what I’m doing. I think the design pops on this color of green. Sadly, this colorway is no longer offered by the dyer. A replacement is neccesary.
Do you have WIPs that are on the fence? I hope that I’m not alone in this.
Plans for 2026
Thank you if you made it this far. WIP Parades tend to be long. I know that many of my favorite Flosstubers had hour long videos for theirs. I’m hoping reading helps things go a little faster! That is one advantage to having a blog. It is more scannable and easier to find what you are looking for.
One big change for me this year is that I’m not tracking statistics. It was ruining my experience of stitching. I know that people enjoy them. I’m sorry that I have no numbers to share with you.
This is what I know about my own stitching. I do about two hundred stitchs per stitch session. A session for me is an hour to two hours maxium. I get tired after that and need a break. Sometimes, I will do a second session but not frequently. I typically average about 6,000 stitches in a month. Not as much as other stitchers but it works for me and I know my limits.
I do have some planned stitching this year.
- I will work on my Fancy Lady in Feburary and Mira May.
- I’m going to work on the gifts for my mom and best friend starting in March.
- I’m saving Gothic Bat for Halfway to Halloween and Halloween stitching.
- I’ll make some ornaments for my bro for Christmas.
- And I will have a new start for my birthday in Feburary
Otherwise, I am working on vibes. I know there are bits that I want to complete on some projects. For example, finishing the weeping angel. Currently working on finishing the Alice Tumbling Through the Rabbit Hole on my Alice in Wonderland SAL. I want to complete another dragon on my Dragons: A Field Guide. That is what I’m itching to do right now.
What are your plans for the New Year?