January 2026
The Holiday Edition, with some links you'll enjoy
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the January newsletter, and a very warm hello to new subscribers.
It’s a short, relaxed newsletter this month, with hardly any news in it, but I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year, with the hope that 2026 brings you creativity, growth and joy.
We’re in a week of heatwave here; it’s too hot to be outside for long. My family is home, with nothing in particular to do but watch TV, read, and make themselves snacks…somehow every knife, bowl, mug, glass and teaspoon is ending up on the sink before noon.
Mr H is leaving out buckets of water for kangaroos and birds, topped up during the day. And the bromance continues with our backyard kangaroo.
Some things you might enjoy
Armchair traveler that I am these days, I do appreciate it when people go to fashion exhibitions and post photos. Here are some exquisite details from the Paul Poiret exhibition in Paris.
Bangladesh’s new interim government has officially dropped a cache of criminal cases against 48,000 garment workers, who had been arrested during wage protests in 2023.
The pivot has also ushered in a broader swathe of pro-worker legislation, including making it easier for workers to unionise in smaller numbers. Will these changes set a precedent for clothing manufacture globally?
Street photographs from pre-war Poland, showing everyday smart, stylish men and women.
A new study finds that recycled polyester sheds up to 55% more microfibres than virgin polyester, and the particles are nearly 20% smaller.
President of Japanese suit brand SADA surprised online followers by summiting Daigaku-dake peak in Japan in a non-stretch Italian wool suit, to show that a perfectly tailored suit allows full mobility. He’s also climbed Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia in the same attire.
Festive Hand Sewing is a zine by Louisa Owen Sonstroem, featuring a variety of sewing skills for any season. It’s available here.
Tauko magazine issue 18 (theme: pockets) is coming out on the 20th of January, featuring a pattern and article by yours truly. It’s available for pre-order now.
Obituary: Knitting icon Barbara G Walker has died at 95.
On the blog lately
A roundup of the past month’s blog posts from my website, lizhaywood.com.au.
Feel free to subscribe to my blog for weekly posts direct to your inbox, however, if you don’t need more emails in your life, I always do a roundup here.
The last post for 2025, wrapping up the year.
A free pattern for a minimal waste jumpsuit, ideal for those of you in wintery climes. 1. Design inspo. 2. Progress update. 3. Finished!
The blog is currently on annual leave, and will be back around the end of January.
From the blog archives
Three random tips for colour choices. They aren’t typical colour wheel theory-type rules, just some things l’ve found that work. There are more good ideas in the comments, too.
Cheers!
Liz x
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