For those of us who make many of our Christmas gifts, the holiday season has been upon us for a while. It means sewing frenzies, late night "project nights" with my girlfriend, and many, many hours of stitching...trying to make sure that every gift gets finished. Then, when it's all over, and the gifts are wrapped and given with love...a part of me is given too.
It's a magical time. And I believe there's a little magic sewn into every treasured gift...Sure...it's a lot of work...but it makes my heart sing...
That being said, there's always a little angst on my part. I guess it's because a handmade gift is not returnable -- I never am certain if the receiver really likes it or not. Unless it's like last year, when I embellished a pair of jeans for my niece, and she wore them every day for two months, only taking them off when her Mom made her so she could wash them. Today, I have finalized my list, no more waffling...my production plan is set.
In a time when so many of us are furnishing our lives with objects that are manufactured, I think it's the original gift...the unusual and the unique...that allows us to give expression to our individuality. It is the best way I know how to pour out my love. I can't do it in the kitchen, Lord knows, but I can do it with my needles.
I just finished up my first pair of fingerless gloves. I say first pair because I intend to make many more of these little gems-- Well...as many as my fingers will knit...in just over a month. I found that these knit up very quickly AND they are a dream to wear. You can find the pattern here on Knitty. Next pair, I intend to knit on smaller needles for my more petite friends. The yarn I used is Debbie Bliss' Cashmerino Aran and it's as comfy and cozy as it gets!!
I'm trying to keep the house a little cooler to save money on electricity and these little gloves are keeping me warm while leaving my fingers free to work...I haven't wanted to take them off!
And, just when I was drinking my tea and writing my list for the day, I looked outside to see big beautiful snowflakes falling from the sky...our first snow of the season.
God sent the perfect prop to show you my new woolen mitts.
I wonder what you're making?? I promise to share if you will...
Friday, November 21, 2008
A Handmade Holiday
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15 comments:
Funny that you posted this today. Yesterday at work I was thinking that what I need is fingerless gloves. Its not really cold in my office, but occasionally I get a chill. I don't knit, but I am thinking that I will cut the fingers from a pair of those little stretchy gloves and embellish them. I'm on a mission now!
Well thanks alot! My hubby came in the computer room to see what I was doing. He saw your fingerless gloves and said Thats EXACTLY what I need for hunting! Now it looks like I will be making a pair in camo! Orange too probably! He is so excited about it! Had to share!
OK, this is getting really weird. Just today I said to my office mate, I really need to learn how to make those fingerless gloves. I swear, I'm not making this up!
Pretty, pretty colors in your knitting...and I so understand your love of giving the handmade gift.
The second to the last picture of your post just blew me away. I can see such detail in every snowflake! that is some good photography, Susan!
Oh! And great Christmas header, too!
I would knit some for my mom, but I don't knit. I am crocheting a scarf for my daughter....have frogged it twice now, sheesh. Directions don't seem to be as easy to read as they were in the 1960's! Dating myself here? You betcha, and loving every minute of it!
Hmmm....now you've got me thinking about fingerless gloves. I've about an inch to go on a hat and lots of other stuff in the works. Don't you just love that Debbie Bliss yarn? What's the multi-colored knit background for your gloves....looks very cool!
There's a bit of love in every stitch, isn't there?
I made one pair for my daughter, more for "decoration" than for warmth. I loved knitting them. And as I always have cold hands in my office, I'm knitting one pair for me right now. And they maybe followed by several other pairs. They are so quick and fun to knit!
I have to say I saw these gloves on another blog I went to from your blog and loved them. I love, love your purple ones. I don't know how to knit but I am thinking of trying to work a trade with a knitter now that you showed a picture and the pattern location.
I too love making gifts for people. You however are so lucky to have all those nieces to make things.
As always, you are an inspiration.
Maureen in MD
That purple looks gorgeous with your skin tone... sounds like you've found a gift that will be a real hit for Christmas. Have a fun weekend!
I've knit these gloves for my sister and her daughters. The more you make the faster they go. I've developed a pattern for a more "masculine" version without the cables. Using the same needle size/ yarn size and gauge, you cast on 40 stitches (5 less than for Fetching) and knit 4 , purl 1 in the round up to the thumb hole, which you do the same way as in Fetching. I add about an inch of k2 p2 ribbing at the top, then cast off and do the thumb. I've made 3 pairs of these, all of which I've already given away. The men I know have all requested these in black.
I am just glad I live where I don't have to wear gloves! I paid my dues with cold winters 7 years in Chicago. Once I hit the streets of Houston, I knew I would never leave.
I've also given up the anxiety of making gifts for everyone too. Some years there was more anxiety than love in the present so when I had a chance to dodge the (what became an) obligation, I dropped it like a hot potato. Everyone has been just as happy! (Although sometime during each year my son gets a new quilt--but never at Christmas.)
The gloves are perfect! Perfect fit and perfect color!
I'm making giant Florentine biscuits for everyone. You know - with almonds, nuts and cherries, and the back dipped in chocolate?
I thought giant ones would be more fun than a couple of smaller ones.
Don't you just love those Fetching gloves?! I've made a pair for both my sister and myself and have another pair I want to make soon!
As for what I'm making for Christmas, some crazy quilted ornaments for the family and each family will get a set of fabric shopping bags. And a box of homemade Christmas cookies if I'm back on my feet enough to make them before they need to be mailed!
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