As I wrote a few weeks ago, I'd lost my knitting mojo for a long time, going from someone who always had several projects in progress, not to mention trying experiments for this and that, to someone who lost all interest for months.
Two things happened at once: 
(Source) Overview of the Fiber Arts Community space. A kind of virtual community centre, I guess. Already very sophisticated, the community offers all kinds of facilities and services to knitters and makers. It's open 24/7, so knitters and makers around the globe can pop in or arrange to meet together when it suits them.
This is the landing page with a map of the community space. It was easy to find the Knit Happens space, a bit like Cluedo, only you don't have to wait for a throw of the dice. It took a few seconds to adjust the settings for the technology, but after that, the connection was very stable with no time lags or tinny feedback.
The Knit Happens group takes place on Wednesdays, 1-3pm EST; 6-8pm UTC. You can join the space at any time and you may find 
I thought it was an interesting space that groups might be interested in using. We tried a couple of online chats in Needlework Monday, but it was a challenge, not least because of the technology, this might be a good alternative for makers to get together.
Mystery Blanket Knit Along
I found out about the Knit Along through this video tutorial about making a swatch for the first January block that's been published. As the Knit Along flyer says:
The Berroco Design Team has worked to create a delightful mix of techniques and methods for twenty 12 x 12" squares that come together to create a stunning finished blanket.
Practice outside in, center out, and straight up and down knitting as you work though the collection of squares with their engaging mix of constructions. Throughout the year, you'll work squares featuring texture patterns, lace, cables, slipped stitches, stranded colorwork, intarsia, and finish with a cable and lace combo.
Squares are seamed together during finishing with a border added to frame your masterpiece with the perfect finishing touch.
I was curious and wanting something where I didn't have to think too much. I already had some suitable wool in my stash to get started, and I found the correct needles already in the same storage box. The first blocks are fairly simple (in the case of the second block, deceptively simple) and then through the year, you progress to more advanced techniques and constructions.
(Source) The schema for the blanket with two of the suggested colour schemes using Berroco Vintage.
I'm using Rowan Pebble Island - I already had a selection of colours that I'd bought when they were on offer sometime. There are ten colours in the range, all designed to go with each other, which makes things easy for me. The palette was designed by Erika Knight and has a salt-washed look to them.
(Source) Plateau striped cardigan by Erika Knight using six colours from the Pebble Island range.
I've made swatches for the January blocks, they're drying now and I'll check gauge in a day or two. It's a year long project, I'm not sure if I'm going to get there, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying the prospect of just following along. There's a Ravelry group with tips about which cast on to use, the best seaming methods - all useful to know before you start.
Only eleven days into January and I'm already done with the new year, resolutions and changing the world. I've crossed everything off my to do list and now it has nothing on it. I'm just going to enjoy knitting along at a slow, slow pace.
