The Siren Song of Lace

So, I hear tell (that's one of my acquired southern phrases) that Christmas is coming...the goose is getting fat...and all that.

I feel the pull of *making things* for everybody for Christmas.  I feel guilty if I don't.  Why is that?  Y'all out there, you amazing knitters and crafters you, so many of you spend your time making wonderful and amazing Christmas gifts for those you love. 

Here's the thing (and OH is there a thing).  I am feeling distinctly selfish.  I have a few small projects I will make, neck gators for some of the menfolk in my family, socks for an unnamed relative, and I have dh's sweater cast on, but no more than that.  I do think it's a wonderful and grand idea to make things for people, but y'know...

Crap happens.  Or, more specifically, lace happens.  Beautiful, wonderful, haunting, amazing, lace. 

I had this conversation with my mother Sunday about how I feel BAD about being selfish with my knitting and her reply was so simple and straightforward:  Why? 

Why indeed?  Should I feel guilty?  Those who don't craft spend their idle time watching tv...do they feel guilty?  Why should I feel guilty that I have no actual idle time?  Why should I feel that I need to use my leisure time for someone other than me?

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE to make things for other people, but it's when I start to feel like I HAVE to make things for other people that I run into the brick wall. 

Some knitted gifts will happen.  None, of course, that can be blatantly discussed until after the gift giving season has happened, but first...first...I'm going to answer the siren song of lace.

Y'all remember Anne right?  Wonderful, amazing Anne the lace designer extraordinaire who I test knit the Bee Stole for?  Go over there RIGHT NOW (I'll wait) and she what she is doing.

I am going to test knit THAT.  Are you excited?  Cuz I'm seriously excited.

In the height of the time when I should be buckling down with my Christmas knitting list and getting to it, I am completely selfishly taking time to answer the siren song of lace and I am trying very, very hard not to feel guilty about it.

Comments

[Cheryl, the knitting Jungian]

I figured out a few years ago that I don't really love knitting for other people for Christmas -- it becomes too much of a demand and takes away some of the pleasure for me. So, I stopped doing it. I make socks for lots of people. I am knitting a stole for my best friend -- because I know she will love it and making it gives me pleasure. And I make sweaters now and again for my husband. But otherwise it's all for ME!

[Alicia]

There's always next year, or even other occasions! :) I am trying to complete some things, but I have a feeling I won't finish everything before then. I am all for giving knitted gifts, but maybe not all knitted gifts for Christmas.
How could you turn down Anne? I just started knitting lace, and I can feel the call to make Bee Stole. Yum!

[trek]

Actually, I am right there with you. If I start feeling like I *have* to knit something for someone, the magic is lost and the stress arrives.

[eve]

I'll do it as you do this year. Because if you have to it's no fun anymore!!

Eve

[Heather]

As you well know, lace has never held much interest for me. No, It never caught my eye until now. I have been swayed. I have seen the Hanami stole and I am afraid that I may become a lace addict, as you are. Have you seen this thing?

sigh.....

so pretty....

[dani, the geek]

yeah, the minute i "have" to make something, it's almost guaranteed to be on the ufo pile... someone asked me why i don't make (x) for sale... "because they'd never get done!"

although i've started bringing yarn to birthday parties and telling them it's their present... when i get it done...

8-)

[anne]

but see, you are going to be using that time to do me a favor as well as make yourself something nice! does that help with the guilt??

[Lynn]

Sounds like you have a great mom! Just because you *can* give a handmade gift, doesn't mean you *must*. After all, there are some [benighted] people who don't like or appreciate them.

I'm sure that the people who love you best, if given the choice between a handmade gift and a holiday-spirit-filled you, would choose the latter.