So, I am not knitting for Christmas this year. Really and truly. Intentional? Sort of. Usually I start getting fired up for Christmas gift knitting in October. And this year as October progressed and I had no inspirations, no ideas, no fire, I started to think that maybe, maybe I would just not knit Christmas gifts this year.
It seemed weird. It still seems weird. But it also feels okay.
I don’t quite know the reason why Christmas knitting just did not happen this year. I trust it is not because my heart is 3 sizes too small! As is often the case, there are a number of factors, I think.
I have done a lot of baby gift knitting this year. George & I have traveled a lot this fall visiting family (a total of 4 weeks away from home!). Moving George’s Mom to the Memory Center. Missing my Dad. New grand-daughter! In fact, lots going on with my kids and kids-in-law this fall. Doing an epic purging-and-reorganizing of my studio (more on that in a future post — with photos!). I have number of projects going that I would like to complete (and not have to set aside for 2 months while I focus on frenzied Christmas knitting).
And I also know that much as my kids love and cherish their handmade gifts, they are all at that stage of life when they need things — like kitchen utensils, gym shoes, cell phone cases.
So, whatever the reason or reasons, I am knitting projects that are not Christmas gifts this December. I am knitting a poinsettia pin to wear with a green scarf (that I am also knitting) to wear to Holiday gatherings. I am designing & knitting a cowl to donate for the Catholic Woman’s Club fund-raising silent auction next week. I am knitting a hat to contribute to the US Olympic Team (Jimmy Beans Wool is collecting them). I am knitting a dress for Gwen — and Evelyn’s “Yzma” blanket. And I am thinking about knitting myself a pair of Christmassy mitts — just for fun.
So, I am doing some charitable knitting, some family knitting, some festive knitting, some fun knitting.
We will see how it goes. At some point, I may start to really miss Christmas gift knitting. But at the moment I am feeling okay with it. And maybe this year I will be able to do spend the things that I often forgo because of the knitting frenzy. Like helping with the cookie baking, playing carols on the piano. And I might be able to enjoy the process of writing notes in Christmas cards and wrapping gifts and decorating more without the pressure of so much knitting to do.
Right? Well, falalalala!