Sprinting Time!
I laughed a little, typing that heading. The last time I did anything that resembled the kind of sprinting that involved actual running was maybe thirtyish years ago on a college softball intramural softball team. Even then, the most dynamic part of that sprinting action was probably the arm movement, trying to get some extra oomph going from somewhere. I do not come from especially speedy people.
Nevertheless, we all know what that feeling of sprinting toward the finish line feels like, at least metaphorically.
Most of the people I’ve spoken with are feeling some stress and anxiety right now with all the extra activity added onto already hectic schedules. While I very much enjoy seeing all the photos on social media of adorable kids in Christmas pageants and holiday programs, I know they represent some tired and intensely stretched folks at this time of year.
It’s a bit ironic, as the natural world is slowing down and going dormant. Some people suggest it might be a good idea for humans to follow that practice as well.
I came across this helpful article on Breath Meditation for stress reduction by Harvard Medicine that I want to share with you. In case alarm bells go off in your head at the word “meditation,” don’t worry. There’s nothing that anyone would find questionable here. The idea is simply to take some time and focus on paying attention to your breathing. Rather than trying to empty your mind or fill it with some particular thought or philosophy, you just focus on your breath. Your brain will do its wacky thing, and that’s okay, because you’re not worried about whatever it wants to play with at the moment. You’re just breathing. It’s supposed to help, especially if you make it a regular habit.
Of course, there’s the well-known stress-reducing benefit of creative work, especially with repetitive motions like knitting, crocheting, and spinning. Did you know that scientists are finding that knitting not only reduces signs of physical and emotional stress, but it preserves cognitive function as we age and even encourages the creation of new neural pathways? Someone needs to start crafting an argument for yarn shop purchases to be covered by HSAs.
Speaking of repetitive motion…
I’m continuing my mission to warm all the ears of my near contacts.
I discovered that I could squeeze out a young child’s size ear warmer out of the remainder of a skein of Rasta if I modified the pattern slightly. I cast on 10 fewer stitches using the backward loop method, worked the pattern as written until it looked like I had about enough to bind off, and then played yarn chicken until I had it off the needles. It’s worked four times so far, though I had one very close call:
I do like making the most of my yarn.
For those newer to knitting and modifying patterns, I used a chart similar to the one found here to compare the size of the ear warmers I was knitting for adults to the sizes recommended for young children. There’s not nearly as much difference as you might guess: our heads are pretty big when we’re young!
Because I knew I was dealing with a fairly stretchy fabric, and the chart I used made me comfortable with losing at least 3 inches of the circumference, AND I knew I wasn’t going to lose quite as much of the circumference in the stitched up twist since the fabric wouldn’t be as wide, casting on 10 fewer stitches seemed about right.
Some of this year’s gift recipients are a little new to my hand knits, so I thought it might be a good idea to put little tags on them with care instructions. Though I’m really fond of the ones that say things like “this took forever” and “you’d better use this!” I went with the simple “hand wash only” with an initial logo. I found them on Etsy, made by ArtiFoxStudios. I love how they turned out.
As I’m working on these, I’m filled with admiration for my fellow crafters who have chosen to focus on a few patterns and make a zillion of them to sell at craft fairs, farmers’ markets, and similar venues. I’m enjoying making these, but I’m looking forward to moving on to other projects after the holiday season is over.
There’s a sweater I started from Rhinebeck yarn that I’m eager to get back to working on, as well as the Clapotis scarf I didn’t complete during the official contest time frame. I’m realizing that I’ve been pinning a lot of fair isle sweaters on Pinterest lately, so who knows where that may lead. There are several designs playing around in my head that I’d like to get charted out, and we’re just a few weeks away from the start of the Beast to Blanket class. It’s all going to be a great deal of fun!
Until then, if you’re sprinting, take time to breathe. May you enjoy the delights of the season, rest when you can, and see the beauty that is around you.
And in case gift giving is one of those things causing you stress at this time of year, let me leave you with some encouraging thoughts by one of my favorite writers about asymmetrical gifts.
Happy knitting!
Kiersten J
