This is a Stitch-a-Long (SAL) for fun, not a contest. Everyone stitches at a different pace, on different sized projects, with different goals and concepts of accomplishment, so a standard set of one-size-fits-all rules simply won’t work. So whether you’re a one-at-a-time stitcher or an insane rotationer like me, gather up the UFOs and WIPs on which you’d love to make good progress (or finish) and join us!
What will be happening in 2024?
Posting Schedule: WIPocalypse will be running for its 13th year in 2024! We will have a kick-off post on Sunday, January 7th, and then the check-ins will go back to their normal schedule for the remainder of the year on the final Sunday of the month. The final check-in for the year will be on Sunday, December 29th.
One Month Challenge: In March, June, and October, there will be an optional “one month challenge.” Take one of your WIPs, and do a minimum of one stitch per day, every day for that month. This challenge is inspired by a 100 Day HAED Challenge via Facebook that Melissa did in 2018. It worked amazingly well to make great progress. It’s simple, takes only a few minutes, and will help push along that project you keep avoiding or just need a little extra focus to move forward.
Olympics Stitching: The Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris starting July 26th and ending August 11th. We have three events you can participate in during the Olympics:
- Rotation Relay – rotate through as many projects as you can during the Olympics (for those who like to work on a bunch of different pieces)
- Endurance Race – stick to ONE piece for the Olympics, and see how far you can push that one piece toward finishing (for those one at a time stitchers, or anyone else who wants to do some serious focusing on a particular piece)
- Celebrate the Nations – stitch only in the colors of the Olympic rings on your WIP pieces, OR… your nation’s flag, OR… on some sort of piece that is reflective of where you live, eg. Americana pieces for US residents.
Question of the Month: For several years, there were various bloggers who had incarnations of the “Stitcher Blogger Questions.” Since 2015, we provide a monthly question to get to know our fellow stitchers. As always – this is optional. If you prefer to just share your progress, that’s just fine. 🙂 If you want to go further and suggest some additional topics to me, please do! Every question received will be used, and the person who suggests it will get a linkback credit.
Facebook: The WIPocalypse has a Facebook group! We want you to share your blog posts as you always have, of course, but community over on Facebook is now a huge thing, and it’s long past time we started a group there for those interested who no longer (or never did) have a blog. All are welcome! (and yes, that includes those who prefer to crochet, knit, quilt, etc. The more the merrier!)
Here are the “rules” for the 2024 WIPocalypse:
1) To sign up, simply blog about your WIPs and add your post about your WIP projects to the most recent check-in post here at measi(dot)net or create a post in our Facebook group. There will be no yearly sign-up registration for 2024. Jump in whenever you find us!
2) Whenever you join us, make a list of the projects on which you wish to make progress. Add to and adjust this list throughout the year as you desire. There are no restrictions regarding new starts for this SAL. If you feel the desire to start a piece in 2024, add it to your list! The list is recommended so you can set goals for yourself (and celebrate your accomplishments – and let us celebrate with you).
3) On the final Sunday of every month (or thereabouts), post your progress photos to your site – even if your progress was slower than you hoped. Label that post with “WIPocalypse” to make it easy for readers to find – whether in the title, or however you categorize or tag entries. If you skip a month, just jump back in when your life and schedule allows.
4) Once you’ve posted, come over to my blog and find the check-in post and comment that you’ve updated. There will be an auto-link provided so you can add your entry, which will be open for three weeks after the entry is initially posted. The comment section is open for 30 days, so there’s more than plenty of time each month. If, for some reason, you cannot add your post – either add it to the comments or send me an email. There is no such thing as a “late” post. Post when you can. Stress-free here, folks!
5) Anything that you use for other group or blog challenges counts here for the WIPocalypse. Double-dipping is not only welcome, it’s encouraged! 🙂
Posting dates and Topics for 2024:
January 7 – Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!
January 28 – Tell us about the oldest WIP you have in your stash.
February 25 – What stitch-a-longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?
March 31 – What colors – and brands – of floss do you love using? Do you have a particular color that you absolutely love?
April 28 – Which designers have you discovered lately?
May 26 – How do you personally distinguish between a Work in Progress (WIP) and an Unfinished Object (UFO)?
June 30 – Half-year recap: How are you doing with your goals so far this year?
July 28 – Which of your current WIPs do you consider your most difficult piece to stitch?
August 25 – Do you belong to any stitching groups or guilds (either in person or virtual)? If so, tell us about them.
September 29 – How did you learn to stitch?
October 27 – How do you organize your WIPs and stash?
November 24 – How do you begin planning for the next year with your stitching? Tell us your process.
December 29 – Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc).
Other Helpful Things...
Sidebar Buttons: You may create a button for yourself from any of your personal WIPs if you choose. If you don’t know how to create a button and would prefer one from your own projects, feel free to email me. I can put together a simple button for you as soon as I have a few free moments.
You’re also welcome to grab the one I use below. Simply download this image to your own image host and link it back to the following URL:
https://www.measi.net
2024 Testing Thread…
If you don’t have experience with InLinkz or want to practice selecting specific photos, feel free to relink to this thread as often as you need to. This link will remain open from November 24, 2023 to the end of November 2024.