The kicker is, we’re going backpack only. And not even a big backpack; one that fits under the seat. When my kid booked our flights, he noted that it was an extra few hundred dollars for a carry-on, never mind actual checked luggage (which we never have anyway). So we’re doing it LIGHT.

As a result of this, I wasn’t really planning on bringing knitting. WHAT???? Yes, I won’t have much room and I should use it for clothes, shouldn’t I. But when I told my son, he almost looked panicked and said “You have to”. I thought it was hilarious that this dude (he’s 31) is telling me to being knitting on vacation to Asia. To be fair, he’s bringing his laptop so he can work while we’re away. But a laptop that squeezes nicely into a slim pocket is different than balls of yarn and needles.

When I really think about it though, what would I do on the travel days? The long train rides would probably kill me if I didn’t have knitting. So let’s see what I can squeeze into my pack.

I also did some research into potential yarn shops, thinking I would just pick up some sock yarn over there. They don’t seem to have wool wool there. Lots of acrylic and t-shirt yarn for crochet – seems to be very popular out there. So worse case, I pick up some crochet while I’m there.

The luggage restriction only applies to the flights there. The rest of my flights include a carry-on. So if I pick up a few things along the way…

Stay tuned for a potential update from the “road”.

I wanted to leave a note here to let you know that I’ve started writing over on Substack. I’m still Mimimustknit and I still write about knitting there. But I’ve also started writing about other things.

I decided to start writing there because I love the idea that my “essays” get delivered to your email inbox. How cool is that?!

I find it difficult to keep track of all the people I want to hear from when I have to deliberately go looking for new posts. I LOVE getting the blogs, essays or newsletters delivered right to my email.

If you feel the same, here’s how you can find me. Subscribing to my posts is free. I know there are a lot of paid communities there but mine is free.

I’ll be back soon with an update on my Project Hail Mary jacket.

NOW, I initially planned to knit a cute lacy number but when I failed to specify that I wanted knitting patterns in my search, I was flooded with really beautiful crochet bookmarks.

I know how to crochet. I don’t know that I could read one of those fancy illustration things… what do they call those? I think it’s a chart just like in knitting, only way fancier. (Am I the only one that thinks they’re so pretty?)

I really don’t know what that gnome is doing in there???!!!

So I scrolled and scrolled through project after project. Then stopped dead when I saw this one:

I. AM. SMITTEN! Honestly, how are there no projects??? It’s SO stunning.

These are the “honourable mentions” in my Favourites Bookmark Bundle:

I was 100% going to make that Pikachu bookmark for my son. He was obsessed with Pokemon growing up. Sadly, this pattern isn’t available anymore. Boooooo! Maybe some day I’ll be able to figure it out without a pattern.

Guess what I did Monday during my lunch hour? I went to Michaels and purchased a really tiny crochet hook and some thread. I haven’t actually started this bookmark because I need to practice this new technique: overlay mosaic crochet. Until about four days ago, I had no idea this existed. So, naturally, I have to make something.

Enter the Mosaic Starburst Square by Erin Toews!

Isn’t she so eye-catching? (How do I insert a heart-eyes emoji dammit?)

This is how mine is going:

Honestly, I’m having a hard time putting this down. (How do I insert an eye-rolling emoji?)

Tell me, where do you stand on the knit vs. crochet bookmark?

Mylène

I started my Mimimustknit channel a few years ago. I haven’t been very consistent in posting videos over the years but my first one went up in April of 2019. Since that time, I’ve posted a total of nine videos that would be considered knitting vlogs or a podcast. Most of those have been in the last year. But I’ve also posted many tutorials over the years. I initially used YouTube to post how-to videos that were related to the knitting classes I was teaching here in Cornwall. I wanted people to be able to refer to those videos if they couldn’t finish the project over the three hours in class. The quality isn’t stellar and I should have made each project ONE video with each step instead of 10 videos in one playlist. But we learn as we go – like everything else.

I’m not sure why I wanted to start vlogging. I’m not aiming to earn extra money from my channel, or to become an “influencer” (does anyone else find that term annoying?), nor do I think my life is that interesting that I think people should watch what I’m up to. But if I can inspire a few people to try a new pattern or a new craft, then I’m winning!

Five years ago, I discovered knitting podcases/vlogs. I actually wrote a post about it in February 2017. I don’t think I could account for all the money I’ve spent on patterns and yarn because of knitting podcasts. But I’m also eternally grateful (after getting a grip on my spending) for all the inspiration I got from other knitters who were talking about their projects in their videos. I recently found a lady who purchased equipment to start her own little wool mill at home. Dudes! I’m thinking that a mini-mill might be a retirement gig for me so I’ll keep up with her vlogs and see how it goes for her.

Through my YouTube channel, I met my friend Lorelei. She watched my first ever Vlogmas back in 2019. Through her comments and then Instagram messages, we became friends. Soon enough, we were chatting all the time – almost daily. Then we started exchanging actual letters (who does this anymore). One day, I checked her address in my map app and realized she was only three and a half hours away from me. So I decided I would go visit. We recorded our first vlog together. It was so much fun that when I went back in January of this year and we recorded another one. Her channel is Handmade by Lorelei, if you feel like checking her out too. She does paper-crafting videos, fountain pen and ink videos, some jewelry-making videos. It’s a really fun channel if you’re into that stuff. I get a lot of inspiration from her.

I don’t have a lot of subscribers at this point, 270 I think last I checked. But it’s fun to know that 270 people are interested in watching me talk about my knitting, crochet, spinning, books, life, general MAKING and even some travel.

So I’m off to do something creative now. Might see you soon!