Tender Little Things
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
Dear One,
At the shop I get to see all the phases of December, pre-holiday knitting and crocheting: from "I had all of that done a month ago" to "I really need to get started". Most of us, I suspect, fall somewhere between the two extremes.
I have a dear friend who had all of her Christmas knitting done before Thanksgiving, because that's when she was actually going to give the hats and sweaters to their happy recipients. But when she arrived at her destination, the hats and sweaters were so admired that she ended up agreeing to make a whole bunch more hats and she's been going 90 miles an hour ever since!
The brilliant part of her plan is the particular hat she keeps knitting:
My friend recently introduced the whole Yarnology staff to the Saratoga Beanie by Aspen Leaf Knits, which knits up quickly in Malabrigo Rasta or any super-bulky yarn you may have on hand.
You'll also need a US13 (or US15) 16" circular needle. My pal says don't even size down for the ribbing---just stay consistently on the one needle.
And there you have it. A useful, beautiful project that only asks for a few functioning brain cells and a couple of hours from you. Like that couple of hours you'll be spending in the car, or on the phone with your insurance company, or on a year-end Zoom meeting, or watching Die Hard with your family for the zillionth time.
And it looks amazing with a fur pom on the top...or not. Depending on the pom tolerance of the wearer.
If your hands and your brain need a good-but-simple knitting project over the next few weeks, I hope the Saratoga Beanie can help you out. I know I love having a back-up gift in the closet...so I can throw it into a gift bag when my son brings an unexpected guest to our gift-exchange. It makes me feel like I have super powers...and it's especially great when it's not dish towels. 😂
And if you're stumped on a gift idea for a fellow maker, check out the Yarnology Great Gifts List for inspiration.
I hope the coming weeks are more relaxing than stressful...more cozy than action-packed. But if they don't shake out that way, remember that you have all sorts of super-powers of your own.
Warmly,
Gaby
