Did you feel the same shift that I did between Saturday and Sunday this past weekend? I don’t just mean the usual overly commercialized shift in the stores as they begin to move on from Halloween and into Thanksgiving and Christmas. No, the shift I felt was distinct and in the air. One day we are trick or treating and it’s a pretty decent autumn evening… the next it’s cold, kinda miserable, and there was even snow. I don’t know if maybe I’m just becoming more aware of the seasons as I get older, or if it’s because I’m working on being a bit more grounded and present in my life, but I don’t remember noticing such a shift in past years. It was like the combo Halloween/Blue Moon gave us one last wave goodbye and we are now watching autumn slowly drift away from the shore.
My quest to make holiday gifts, of course, has put me in a bit of a panic. I had lofty goals to knit ALL the things, and while I am making progress it just doesn’t feel fast enough. It isn’t helped by the fact that I keep coming up with ideas for more gifts to make, despite knowing the time involved and the precious time I even have to spare. So we shall see what I actually come away with, come December.
To date, I have now completed my 2nd handspun hat for a gift (first picture). The yarn was spun a few years ago and with a Michigan football-loving nephew it seemed very fitting. And, bonus, it was knit with stash yarn rather than buying special yarn and adding to the amount of yarn I have. So it’s a win on both fronts.
I’ve also made a ton of progress on the Gramps Cardigan for the kiddo – I joined the sleeves up and worked on the raglan decreases before the weekend, and by Sunday I had finished the body and just have the button band and collar left to finish.
And do you see that sock in progress? Can you believe that’s only about 2 evenings worth of work?! I somehow managed to have two quiet evenings this week to sit and knit and it was glorious. I picked it up because I needed an easy knit to keep occupied during all this election drama – there was no way I could focus on the Gramps Cardigan cabling at a time like this. Anxious knitting apparently results in a lot of progress, however.
I still have at least 1 more hat to knit, a pair of socks, and a Frog and Toad toy set…. but I find myself wanting to add more to that list despite knowing how dangerous that is. After all, the need to cook and clean and, you know, sleep and work isn’t going to magically disappear between now and December unless the whole state quarantines again like earlier this year.
What is on your to-knit list for the holidays? Or are you justifiably selfish knitter and keep it all for yourself?
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