How are you making out with your gift knitting for the holidays?
I was fine for a bit, enjoying myself, and then I started to feel the pressure of the big day closing in. I started to make mistakes and then … panic sets in and the enjoyment goes out the window.
I like to knit for my loved ones. I think about them as I knit which I’m sure you do too. That makes knitting a pleasure and the giving extra special.
I did gift knit many Any Gauge Mittens, Top Down.
But I had a much more ambitious plan in mind which … I am now abandoning. I’m Done.
My new plan is to go through the pile of my knitted garments that sit on a shelf, OK, OK, many shelves. Things I knit because they looked like fun or were interesting, with no one particular in mind or maybe even for myself. I’m going to throw all the hats, shawls, mittens and cowls into a large basket and offer them around and say pick anything you like. Enjoy.
Whew. No pressure. I’m looking forward to the holidays now.
How about you? Are you knitting gifts? Is it fun? What are you working on? I’d love to hear about it.
Cheers, Deb
Any Gauge and GAUGE-FREE Patterns by Deb
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Deb Gemmell: Top Down, Gauge Free and more 
I knit a pair of socks for my daughter’s birthday, which was Dec. 6th. I didn’t finish in time, so I sent her a swatch and a picture inside her birthday card. Basically a knitting IOU. I finished on Saturday and the socks go into the mail today. I really like your solution, though. It helps create a purpose for all the little knitting projects I want to try during the coming year.
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I know what that’s like. This year I finished a pair of socks for my sister’s birthday and then never got to deliver them in time. Maybe there’s no winning here. But, wait a minute, eventually they get socks. Win!!
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I started out like you. Last year I had sat with my husband in ICU for 2 weeks and knitted hats. I then put them on a table and said like you, take what you want. This year I made Harry Potter scarves. Four Harry Potters, Ravenclaw and 3 Slytherin. SIL wanted Dallas Cowboy colors instead but the 5′ like Harry Potter’s. I hat stockenette stitch now. Then I made hats. I am learning to make socks!!!!!! Been knitting 54 yrs and just now learning to do the sock thing. So the rush is over and now knitting for me only. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. Linda
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Wow, scarves, now that’s a lot of knitting. Socks will be no problem for you. Knitting just for you sounds wonderful.
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You are absolutely right. Pressure is a killer. I knit because it makes me happy to see the project as it evolves, but sometimes when I start to pressure myself to hurry and finish, I lose all the joy of the process. Have a wonderful holiday season!
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Yes, you are absolutely right. That hurry to finish is not fun. Happy holidays to you too.
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I must admit that I’ve gone to the “shawl drawer “ for gifts in the past. But so have the grandkids! Couple of years ago had a call from grandson— could he choose a scarf for friend who is a girl please? Took him ages before he chose one of my favourites! I love him. This year he chose a cowl for same young woman who still isn’t called a girlfriend!
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What a lovely story and a wonderful grandson. I might be starting the same tradition. Fingers crossed.
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Yeah, the whole thing sounds familiar somehow!! I used to knit for people but gave up. I now knit a whole pile of socks or hats & toss em into the basket. When I need a gift – I bring out the basket. If nothing in the basket will do, they get a bottle of homemade wine. The kids get $20 rolled into a balloon. The have to blow it up & burst it to get the money. Sometimes, if I hate their mothers, I fill the balloon with glitter . . . . .
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I love the balloon idea. Fantastic. I too like to knit hats and socks just for the fun of it. If it ends up as a gift, all the better.
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