I read a discussion on Ravelry a few weeks ago that I have been thinking about a great deal. It was among yarn store owners, and they were discussing what shoppers were looking for after Christmas. It was virtually unanimous. While different owners had different nicknames for the reference, the sentiment was the same.
January is the Month of Me!
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays we all want to do a little something for ourselves, right? And if being crafty is your thing, then you've been crafting like crazy for others, right? And probably thinking to yourself "if I were doing this for me I'd do it this way, but I think so-and-so would like it much better this way..."
Personally, my needles have been flying faster than ever these last few months in order to stock the shop with my own brand of artful goodies (of which very little remains...yay!). And then, of course, came the handmade gift exchange with my ladies. And an unexpected special order.
And my one hand knit gift that I give each year.
Yeah, I know, I hear all about people who knit scarves for everyone they know (and then some) every year. Or coordinating mittens for every member of their nuclear family. Or sweaters with the recipient's initial on the front. Possibly in maroon.
But, goodness! Maybe when the kids are grown and out of the house and we've won the lottery and I have a knitting machine to save myself from the inevitable carpal tunnel surgery... For now, though, I'm good harnessing all of my knitting power into just one gift each year.
This year's recipient was a sleek and stylish young mom, who juggles work and school and family, and who is thin and almost always wears black and still looks good in a ponytail. It was one of those things where I drew her name for the Big Family Gift Exchange the Christmas before and said "oh, I can knit her something cool." Somewhere over the course of the year I looked at the yarn and knew it was for her. And I've been really drawn to seed stitchlately. The arm warmers were the obvious part and someone else said something that made me think of the neck warmer.
I tried on the arm warmers to make sure they would fit okay and they were soooo comfy! I've knit four different pairs of arm warmers altogether now. I've loved them all. I really wish I had a pair for myself...
I didn't try on the neck warmer because it looked so cool and comfy that I was afraid I wouldn't want to give it up! After all, I have knit at least five or six neck warmers altogether now. I've loved them all. Really wish I had one...
Did I mention that January is the Month of Me?
Ok, so it may still be December but I had the yarn and no more gifts to work on! I was in withdrawal! My needles were calling me! I will be very Toasty very soon in a stunning variegated green...
But January is coming, what will I do then? Oh. I have a plan. A plan I have been working on for a long time. Years, really.
Did you ever want something that doesn't exist? Well, I want a hat. That I can wear either with a ponytail or without. With buttons for both ease and style. I have searched for just such a pattern to no avail. Close. But not "it". Come January I will be designing myself said hat and will give you updates along the way. Comments and suggestions all welcome!
And if I don't write again beforehand...Happy January!
