Making Miscellany: 11
November, November
Hello friend,
I’m writing to you, somewhat unusually, in “real time”, this last day of the penultimate month of the year. The wee ones are asleep, the other big person of the house is out, and I’m sat on the couch, which has, this week, slowly attracted more and more balls of wool, moths to the flame of my sudden, and altogether expected, desire to make something for Christmas for everyone I’ve ever loved, plus a heap of homemade decorations besides. This happens every year. And while the urge is as strong and late as ever (though I did, this year, start a list mid November of some Christmas-y things I’d like to make .. before promptly forgetting about it), I think hope experience will help me set more reasonable goals for what I might accomplish between now and the day.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. November did not begin this way! After clearing my needles of birthday gifts and hats for the coming cold, I indulged in cast ons for me this month with somewhat wild abandon. A new pair of socks, in wonderfully Moomin yarn, have gotten intermittent attention, a perfect project for a few stolen rounds at soft play, on the train, etc. Knit in DK weight yarn, with focused attention they’d probably fly off the needles; as it is, I’ve just about finished a leg!
A garter stitch shawl, which I’ve somehow not got a single nice photo, a mini KAL with a crafty friend has also been growing, slowly, slowly.
I spent much of the month happily working on a plain rib hat, another grab it and put it in the bag project. It’s accompanied me to dance classes, on walks, and I got as far as the crown decreases before I admitted to myself that it’s actually too tight. It’s been sitting on the side table ever since, thinking about what it’s done (note to self: rip out and restart [?] before the weekend ends).
Along with the cast ons, I’ve worked steadily on my Calix Cardigan (Ravelry link), finishing the body and, in what felt a very virtuous move, working the button band (my least favorite bit of cardigan knitting). A sleeve is taking shape but again, say it with me now: slowly! (Which is fine and to be expected … this is what happens with many projects on the needles.)
Underneath my Calix, I’ve got a fresh-off-the-sewing-machine Bedrock Tee, part of my efforts to resupply my wardrobe with some much needed basics! This is the second Bedrock Tee I’ve made; my first, while wearable, came out a bit short in the body and sleeves. I was on the fence about spending precious making time sewing plain ol’ long sleeve tops, but now that I’ve got two done, I’m really excited to keep going. For the red-orange version, I also tried out a lettuce hem for the first time and am really pleased to have it in my arsenal of ways to finish a stretchy fabric.
These have gotten me fired up about sewing basics, and while I probably need to bottle up that energy and save it for after Christmas, I’m looking forward to making up a few more (trying out the pattern’s alternate view) and tackling the Dune Sets I’ve been planning for … quite some time. So maybe January will be basics month here!
So there you have it, a month of starting and a month of finishing, all before I embark on a month of holiday making. I’ve made my list, it’s too long, and, as I have the last few years, I’m just going to try to calmly work away at it; what gets done will get done. No late nights, no stress, just enjoying some festive crafting. I’d love to hear about your making plans for December: projects you’d like to finish before 2023 is out? Festive makes or gifts (if December is a celebratory time for you)? If you care to share, drop your plans in the comments or you can also reply to this email!
And with that, I’m going to get a few sleeve rounds in before bed. I’ll leave you with a favorite snapshot from walks this month — because November was also, happily, a month of outdoor adventures!
Happy making!
Katherine
That last photo is wonderful - it must have been a great walk.