Here’s how my Knitvent projects are going:
I showed you my scaled-down version of the Hearten Cowl last time:
Here’s my Tidings Shawl:
It’s very different from the prototype,
but I wanted to use only one skein of each color, so I added more stripes. It’s a very cozy worsted weight shawl.
Next came two patterns, the Cheering Cowl and Hat.
Again, using yarn from my stash, I scaled down the cowl considerably to make it cling to my neck, and then made the hat with one fewer repeat of the cable, so it’s not as slouchy.
The next design was socks using the same cable pattern as the cowl and hat.
I was tired of that so I decided to start my annual Brother-In-Law socks instead. So, socks but different socks.
There’s one more pattern to go, coming this Friday. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed not having to decide what to knit next and burrowing through my stash to remember what’s in there and to see what might be nice to use. Not being able to buy much new yarn for the store has freed me from having to figure out what would make a good shop model, and not having classes has also freed up a lot of knitting time.
Speaking of classes, it look like this is not a good time to plan for any. Just a few short weeks ago I was obsessing about Berks having 8.5 COVID cases per 100,000 instead of 8. Now that number has quintupled, so getting a group together is not a good idea right now. At least we have the prospect of an effective vaccine and an end is in sight, even if it still seems very far away.
I know many people are down-hearted about the prospect of a pandemic holiday season, without big gatherings of family and friends and without special events to look forward to. May I just say that, as a recluse-at-heart, this is the kind of holiday season I plan for myself every year, and I invite you to enjoy it as much as I do, just for this one year.
Enjoy being released from traveling to distant relatives, or from hosting those distant relatives. Enjoy not worrying about whether Aunt Biddy will like the new kind of stuffing you’re making, or whether there is enough good china to go around, or whether you should have the dining room painted before your snooty sister-in-law notices that you still have ’80’s ducks marching around the ceiling below the crown molding. And, by all means, make the day special in ways that are meaningful for you. Don’t like turkey and pumpkin pie? Have your favorite meal instead. You don’t have to have the TV tuned to the football game if you’d rather have your favorite music or a great audiobook on instead. If you don’t want to be in the kitchen all day, knit, draw, walk, sew, read, whatever, instead. Just for this one year, make yourself happy instead of feeling like you must please everyone else.
A reminder that we will be open 11 -3 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Thanksgiving week, then closed the entire following week. I will be happily knitting away this Thanksgiving Day, while being very grateful for my family and friends, for Purl, for the store and for you all. And for the Mrs. Smith’s Pumpkin Pie in my freezer.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and I will see you soon!
