Christmas in July? Not as Crazy as It Sounds
It may seem a little strange to be talking about Christmas when we are enjoying warm weather, backyard barbecues, and trips to the lake. After all, most of us are thinking about the 4th of July weekend or staying cool rather than bundling up in wool hats and mittens.
But for knitters, crocheters, and other fiber enthusiasts, July is actually the perfect time to start thinking about holiday projects.
One of the biggest advantages of making gifts by hand is that they are personal. A hand-knit hat, a cozy cowl, a pair of warm socks, or a crocheted scarf carries with it something you simply cannot buy in a store. Each stitch represents time, thought, and care for the person receiving it.
Of course, those stitches also take time to make.
Every year I hear from people who have wonderful intentions of making gifts for family and friends, only to find themselves racing against the calendar in November and December. What started as a relaxing hobby suddenly becomes a deadline. Instead of enjoying the process, they are counting days and hoping to finish before the gifts need to be wrapped.
Starting now removes that pressure.
Summer is actually a wonderful season for smaller projects. A hat, pair of mittens, cowl, or socks can easily fit into a project bag and travel along to sporting events, camping trips, or evenings on the deck. Working on a gift a little at a time means you can enjoy the process and have a beautiful finished item ready well before the holiday rush begins.
It is also a great opportunity to take advantage of those quick projects that may have been sitting on your "someday" list. A simple beanie, a cozy cowl, or a pair of socks can make a thoughtful gift without requiring months of work.
Another approach I have heard from many knitters is to keep a "gift drawer" or "gift chest." Throughout the year, they make small projects whenever they have time or simply want something easy on the needles. Hats, cowls, mittens, dishcloths, and even a pair of socks can be tucked away until the right occasion comes along.
Having a collection of handmade items ready can be especially helpful when you suddenly realize someone is knit worthy. Perhaps it is the mail carrier who faithfully delivers packages all year long, the delivery driver who always has a smile, a helpful neighbor, or a friend who has done something kind. Instead of wishing you had time to make something, you already have a handmade gift ready to brighten their day.
Not every project needs a specific recipient in mind when you cast on. Sometimes it is enough to simply enjoy the knitting and trust that the right person will come along when the time is right.
And if you decide you would rather keep the finished project for yourself? Well, there is still plenty of time to start another one!
If you are looking for a project to get started on right away, Esther recently finished a beautiful sample of the Switchback Beanie by Benjamin Matthews Designs using Woolpacka Lite. The finished hat is soft, warm, and has wonderful texture that really shows off the yarn.
A beanie is exactly the kind of project that fits perfectly into a Christmas in July plan. It is small enough to finish in a reasonable amount of time, portable enough to take along on summer adventures, and useful enough that just about everyone can appreciate receiving one as a gift. Whether it ends up under the Christmas tree, tucked into your gift drawer, or staying with you for the winter, the Switchback Beanie is a project worth putting on your needles.
So while Christmas may still feel a long way off, consider this your friendly reminder that a few stitches now can make the holiday season much more enjoyable later. Your future self will thank you when December arrives and those handmade gifts are already finished.
Happy stitching,
Betty Jo