Possibly the most meaningful thing (to me) I have ever knit.

A few years ago when I was knitting stockings for my family I chose something 'fancy'. Something that was a bit of a challenge and really love the results. I opted not to make one for myself. I continue to hang the same stocking that has been hung on a mantle for the past 30-something years. It was made by my Nana, as was everyone's in my family (and extended family, and pets). It's simple, made with inexpensive yarn and felt. It isn't 'fancy' and it is christmas. 

I was and is important to me to make sure the tradition of handmade things continues for my family. I think that would have made my grandparents proud. The moment I found out that had a little niece or nephew on the way, I wanted to make sure I would be able to continue this tradition for them and their parents (whether they use the stocking or not isn't the point). I know what receiving this gift for my children would have meant for me. I hope it means the same for them. 

I remember my Nana always having her double-pointed needles on the go with some tinsel-laced yarn working on a stocking whilst chatting. I don't have my Nana to ask how exactly she made each stocking but I do have her tools, some of her needles are still in their original sleeves with their original price tag of a whopping .45¢

Attempting to reverse engineer my stocking wasn't necessarily difficult but it was daunting. I put a lot of pressure on myself to make it perfect, like Nana's. I counted and measured and swatched over and over until I was as close as I could get. I literally counted the stitches in a round and counted rows. And swatched some more, and finally committed to the needles and cast on. I have never checked and rechecked my work as often. 

I had this stocking finished months before I knew the baby's name. I had never attempted to embroider before! I don't have the best penmanship to begin with but I am really happy with how this turned out. 

I think I did my Nana's work justice and she'd be really happy to see her legacy continue. Each stitch was knit the same way, on the same needles as the originals. I'm really proud of this simple stocking for my much-loved niece. 

FO from another place sweater for Great Northern KAL

How the heck did I finish a sweater in 10 days?! This is unheard of for me. I worked on this relentless because I'm a crazy person and had this nagging voice in my head saying "you are not going to finish, pick up the pace! You can't make a sweater in 6 weeks." Take that voice of unreason! In true me form I said "oh yeah, I'll show you!" Because I'm a stubborn child. And here we are.

It felt really good to take some time and do something for me. Yes, I knit regularly, but it's always for someone else, which I love to do but doing something that's purely selfish feels pretty darn good sometimes. Almost like a vacation. I definitely skirted my responsibilities and knit while the kids did quiet things breaking my own rules.Tough cookies children!

I really enjoyed every part of this sweater, the directions were simple and straightforward. I had to bug Someone for the third page update. I feel really bad for being a pain whilst they were sick. Sorry lady!

I used a around 850-900 yards, I frankensteined one skein around all the color work and collar. That one skein was both significantly darker and lights than the others. Had I known that I would have ended up with a whole extra skein I wouldn't have bothered, but I couldn't have possibly known that. I used size 7s for the body and 4s for the ribbing. Some of the ladies in the KAL had problems with their cropped version during blocking, I was extra careful while it was wet to keep it from getting all wonky.

Thanks Scribs for taking pictures and chopping my head off in most of them. I hope you enjoy the awkward poses.