18 August 2008

Att sticka

Swedish, verb: to knit

Earlier in the year, I thought that my enthusiasm for knitting would wane with the oncoming summer months, as the weather warmed I'd be less than excited about carrying 'round some knit project, whatever it may be.

Instead, I am spending lots more time knitting. I'm actively trying to win converts to knitting. I have this nutsy-koo-koo idea that I should, between now and the Winter Solstice, be able to make enough dishcloths, scarves, hats, even a shawl or two, to give as holiday presents to friends and co-workers. My family has declared a moratorium on gifting this year; we're going to be together in Florida for a week, and that is present enough. But that does not mean that I'm exempt all together from the insanity that envelops the western world come December, the frenzy of shopping, wrapping, entertaining, running around like a lunatic in a frantic effort to get everything done before December 24.

I feel obliged to mention that although I am an atheist, most of the rest of my friends and family are not, and I would never diminish their joy in this holiday. I'm not one of those nuts who snarls at you when you wish me a "Merry Christmas." I like finding gifts for those I love, year-round. But the Christmas season is the only time in the West that you can give someone an extravagant gift, or do something profoundly nice, and it isn't a big deal. It is almost expected. I bake, hundreds of cookies every year, and give them to people that I want to give gifts to, but don't want to buy anything....like my hairdresser. The paper-delivery person. (If I had one, which I don't.) Volunteers, at my old non-profit job. People that deserve a 'thank you' and would feel uncomfortable accepting something at any other time of the year.

So of course, I have a mental list of the persons that I need to make things for: co-workers...hmmm....counting our interns, volunteer staff, and full-time staffers, that's 14 people. In-laws....7. Friends....some real-world, some inside the computer....at least 15, and I'm sure I'm leaving someone out.....

Holy shit! No wonder I'm spending most of my free time with needles in hand rather than writing. My math skills are poor, but I used a calculator to add all that up, and I count at least 36 things to knit.

Guess I'd better get to the knittin', eh?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

ya know, some of your knittery friends might also appreciate an un-knitted skein or two. I'm just sayin'.

And if you ever want to get together for some frantic knitting, I'm all needles. :D

Lucy Arin said...

Hmm. The problem with an un-knitted skein or two is....wth do you do with just one skein? That purl shawl I want to make requires 540 yards of a bulky and or ribbon style yarn...and I'd like to make it from my existing stash.

If I were to give skeins away, too, they ought to be things like Noro or other I'm-dying-to-knit-with-it-but-won't-buy-it-myself kinds of yarn. Right? Who wants the endless skeins of Canadia that I have? Acrylic, over-manufactured...bleh.

John said...

"But the Christmas season is the only time in the West that you can give someone an extravagant gift, or do something profoundly nice, and it isn't a big deal."

A sad commentary on our society in general and the state of the Christmas season in particular. I love a big celebration, don't get me wrong, but I really enjoy giving (and receiving) extravagance at unexpected moments. It certainly makes the world a more pleasant adventure.

What say we commit to some extravagance this week? I'll post my story if you'll post yours...

Lucy Arin said...

John-
I'm not sure I follow. Tell an extravagant story? Hmm. I could tell stories about some exceedingly stupid things I did when I was a teenager, but I think that's not what you had in mind. :-)

Things that I've done that were extravagantly generous I've done mostly anonymously, because even though I'm quite comfortable being the center of attention (and you'd have never guessed that, eh?) I don't want effusive thanks for something nice I've done, it embarrasses me a tad.

John said...

An extravagant story is always appreciated - go ahead and regale us with one. But alas, no that was not my intention.

Here's the notion that was rattling in my noggin'...Let's do something unexpected and extravagant for someone outside our "normal" circle of influence and then post a brief telling. Certainly not for a "look at me" moment but rather for a "why don't you do the same" moment.

Your anonymous ID on the net should protect you from any effusive thanks. I will have to work a little harder on this one. What say we give this a two week time line. Sufficient to take a look around and do something extravagant for someone.

Whadaya think?

Lucy Arin said...

John-
I like the idea.

I'm not sure I can accomplish it in two weeks' time, but I'll give it a shot. Outside of my regular COI....hmmm.

It will require some thought, indeed.

John said...

Looking forward to this one! I am more than willing to expand the time line if necessary. In fact, now that I really think about this one my ever present optimism may have the best of me.

Let's aim for two weeks and if it's problematic we'll talk :-)!