Like many in the knitting community, I fear I was a bit optimistic about my Christmas gift list this year. Back in August and September as I was pouring over patterns and fondling new yarns, it seemed like a really good idea to make 2 sweaters, numerous scarves, mittens, and a full size afghan, for Christmas gifts for my loved ones. 15 days before Christmas I’m beginning to wonder if I need my head examined! I’m about 1/2 way through that list at the moment. 4 of these projects are completed and 4 are still on my needles. My fingers and wrists are cramping up, requiring copious amounts of heat, Arnica salve and, when the going really gets tough, good ol’ ibuprofen, to keep me knitting. If I get everything completed by the 25th, I’ve promised my hands I’ll give them a rest for the full month of January— no knitting.

Really… I will.

Despite my fretting at this point, I know I’ll have each and every one of these projects wrapped and under the tree by Christmas morning. I’ll lay in a good supply of chick flicks and Irish Cream to keep me awake for a few nights of late night knitting. The anticipation of my loved ones reactions when they open their gifts will keep me going as well. You see, I’m very lucky. The friends and family that I knit for really appreciate handmade things and understand the thought and care that I’ve put into each of their gifts. They realize that as my needles click away I’m thinking of them, recalling fond memories of times together and infusing their knitted item with my wishes for good things in their lives.

The rewards are there for me as well, as all knitters will verify. I was so pleased when my daughter showed me a picture of herself, wearing the Clementine shawl which I’d made for her last summer, while out for a night out with her friends. And when she and her boyfriend picked me up from the airport on a recent trip to Vancouver, he was wearing the hat I’d made him 4 years ago, before they left home. My 18 year old son still wraps himself up in the afghan I made him, to watch a movie or sit at the computer in our cold basement. You’re never too old for a ‘blankie’.

The point is, as knitters we love what we do, we love to do it for other people, and we love it when they love it too!

Posted in knitting