Diary of a Christmas knitter: 18 days to go!

My Christmas knitting is getting critical. I’ve finished Mum’s cushion at least. It’s sitting, plump and pretty in my wardrobe. Frantically I review my list.

Dad – cabled socks to protect him from blisters on long country walks
Tina – matching angora wrap and blackberry stitch clutch for nights out, now to be in blue rather than the green she said she hates
My brother Gerry – cosy for his beloved iPad
Nanna – hot water bottle cover
Little Alice, the next door neighbour’s three-year-old – a cuddly tiger

Hastily I cross off little Alice and resolve to buy her some sweets instead. The thought of weaving in endless orange and black ends on Christmas Eve makes my blood run cold. I consider crossing Nanna off the list as well – after all, you can buy hot water bottle cosies at Boot’s – but immediately feel like a traitor to the knitting sorority. And besides, I can knit it up in chunky yarn with big needles and it’ll only take a couple of days.

I cast it on hastily and knit a few rows. It was going to be a complicated knit-and-purl pattern inspired by a Scottish fisherman’s gansey, but now it’s going to have to be plain old 2x2 rib. Luckily, in Rowan Little Big Wool, that looks rather good.

I get to about three-quarters of the way through the hot water bottle cover. I’m beginning to feel quite pleased with myself. I’m actually getting stuff done! And that’s when I realise I’m going to run out of the half ball of yarn I’d allotted. To the stash! I scramble through the yarn I have. I’m sure – positive – that I have a quarter ball more, and I’m right. I find it,
only to discover they’re different dye lots. Never mind. I decide to alternate the remaining yarn to do a bit of subtle striping. Thank goodness, I’ve just got enough. I cast off, sew up and breathe a heartfelt sigh of relief.

No time to sit on my laurels, though. I make myself a cup of tea and start Tina’s clutch bag. I’ve only got six rows done when I remember what I’d temporarily forgotten – that blackberry stitch, although undoubtedly beautiful, also makes me want to tear my hair out while I’m knitting it because it’s so fiddly to do. And it takes me ages.

I take a break and cast on for Dad’s socks.

Phew. At least she’s finally making some progress… But how long will that motivation really last? Find out next time!