I have an inability to sit still. It is my curse…..I remember being the bane of my father’s existence when I was a child with my constant fidgeting…sitting through symphony performances with him clutching my leg to make me sit still. In silence, no less.

As an adult, this habit has lingered. I channel it into knitting, embroidery, crewel, sewing, drawing……..lots of things. MP is fairly tolerant of most of it, only occasionally protesting with a quiet ‘could you just sit next to me and watch this movie’ *sigh* Typically the recipient is my nephews, niece or sister. Or Aunt. Or Mom…..or friends. Just not me. I’m too critical.

Now that I am better about documenting what I make and avail myself of digital tools I’m realizing I have some bad habits. Namely, I don’t follow patterns. I’m inspired by them, but I won’t always follow one. Typically I sketch up a schematic and then I freestyle. Which is really a fun, stress-free way of making things. Trouble is, when someone else says “Can you make me one?” ……I’m SOL. I can make one similar, but not the same, and this stresses me out. Because when I make something, it’s very site specific. It’s meant for only one person. The yarn, or fabric or thread is very intentional. I consider if I need it to shrink, or stretch, or give- all of which gets incorporated as I’m making it…….so this year I pledge to 1) hang on to the schematics and 2) try to sort of write down the pattern. Maybe. ‘Cuz who wouldn’t want another one of these?