Bandit Fiber Arts

There’s something wonderfully comforting about having more than one project on the go. Around here at Bandit Fiber Arts, Works in Progress aren’t a sign of distraction — they’re a sign of creative momentum. Each one holds its own mood, its own rhythm, and its own kind of magic. This week, my project basket is carrying two very different companions: a whisper-light lace shawl and a brand-new amigurumi adventure from a book I’ve been itching to dive into.

WIP #1: A Lace Shawl That Feels Like Knitting Air

Lace knitting has its own personality — delicate, dramatic, and always just a little bit mischievous. This shawl has been teaching me patience in the gentlest way possible. The yarn glides through my fingers like a soft breeze, and the stitches open up into little petals and windows that make the whole piece look like it’s breathing.

Right now, I’m somewhere in that mesmerizing middle section — the one where the pattern repeats become familiar enough to feel soothing, but still interesting enough to keep me from drifting off into autopilot. Lace is slow magic, and I’m savoring every row.

Blocking day is going to feel like unveiling a secret.

WIP #2: A Brand-New Amigurumi Book That’s Calling My Name

On the completely opposite end of the fiber spectrum sits my new amigurumi book — bright, cheerful, and full of little characters begging to come to life. There’s something so joyful about amigurumi: the tiny stitches, the quick progress, the moment when a shape starts looking like a *creature*.

Flipping through the pages, I’ve already dog-eared more patterns than I can knit in a month. But that’s part of the fun — choosing which small friend wants to be created first. I’ve settled on one (for now), gathered my yarns, and have a little pile of pastel skeins ready for adventure.

Amigurumi projects always make me smile. Maybe it’s the whimsy, maybe it’s the instant gratification, or maybe it’s just the simple delight of making something that sparks joy.

WIPs: Not Messy, Just Creative

I’ve always believed that a full project basket is a happy project basket. Some days call for the quiet, meditative flow of lacework; others want the playful spirit of amigurumi. Having both at the ready means I can follow my energy instead of forcing it.

And honestly? Watching these two very different projects grow side by side reminds me why I love this craft so much. Yarn can be soft and elegant. Yarn can be silly and sweet. Yarn can be anything — and so can our creativity.

What’s Next?

The lace shawl is inching toward its next chart. The first amigurumi is about to get some stuffing and personality. And, as usual, I’m already wondering what will sneak into the project basket next.

But that’s the beauty of WIPs: they’re little stories in progress.

And I’m excited to keep turning the pages.