This is the time of year when we all get a little frantic with the to-do lists and last minute knitting projects that HAVE to be done in time. But all that stress inducing activity is about something really special. Of course it means different things to different people, but for me it is about friends and family, and stopping for a moment to appreciate spending time together.
The past few days have been filled with many such moments. At times, I felt like I was in the middle of a Christmas special as I watched all my knitting (and crocheting!) friends enjoy each other's company.
The fun started at Knit at Night with the arrival of Patti, who left Brunswick to attend grad school in Canada. We are fiercely proud of her, but miss her smile and lightning fast needles. It was a special treat to have her back for a few days.
And look -
she was wearing Big Red Couch socks!!
Knit at Night turned into quite a party and there were many projects ready to share.
Notice that little green sock? That is for the adorable Jacob, crafted by his Aunt Sarah, who also made sure he was properly outfitted for their recent Christmas tree expedition.
How adorable!!
The next series of pictures are some of my favorites. Michelle has been knitting up a storm and agreed to a photo shoot.
The fun continued on Saturday. Wendy was home for the holidays!!! We missed you Wendy! Work has taken her to Tennessee, but family and knitting brings her back every few months.
Sarah admitted to being our mystery knitter for the Seascape KAL. She wanted to surprise Patti with evidence that she REALLY CAN knit lace. You see, Sarah had taken Patti's lace class and didn't, umm, well, let's just say there was a homework malfunction.
Then, Sarah suggested to Patti that they knit one of the mystery shawls together. While Patti knit and purled away, Sarah, ah, again, there was an issue of some sort preventing the actual knitting of the project.
But, she redeemed herself with the Seascape! Yay, Sarah!
More surprises were in store that afternoon.
Donna presented us with a special angel to bring good luck to the shop and the group. (Donna, thank you! She is beautiful.)
Michelle treated us to a holiday favorite - ribbon candy!
And she brought decorations for the window.
Michelle hand crafted each one out of vintage glass! I am so honored to have some of her artwork to brighten the shop. Thank you!!
I had a little surprise of my own waiting to present on Saturday. Actually, it has been waiting for months - I just needed the right moment to make a public presentation. You see, I was asked to quietly slip a little gag gift into Scott and Mindy's bag. But, I realized that if I did it quietly, we couldn't all enjoy their reaction. So I gifted it.
Presenting the Traveling Tit, courtesy of our friends from One City Market in Missouri. Seems that Scott's mom got a tad carried away one day when making a knitted knocker and came up with something far larger than expected. It started to make the rounds through the group at OCM as one knitter after another hid it among the belongings of the next caretaker. We were asked to see that Scott and Mindy got it next. They have since passed it along to Patti, who is back on the road. Wonder when and where it will appear next!
Saturday ended with a lovely and lively dinner.
Thank you everyone! I had a wonderful time and feel truly blessed to count such amazing people as friends.
I hope everyone is able to set down those to-do lists for a moment or two and enjoy those rare moments we get to spend with each other.
In that spirit, the shop will be closed Wednesday and Thursday so that we can spend that time with family. We'll be open at noon on Friday and look forward to hearing all the holiday stories!