I have followed Michelle Jasek’s YouTube channel for a while now. I have probably already “griped” about her influence on the blog here at some point. (no. Seriously. I love her.)
I blame Michelle for putting the idea in my head that I could be making a sweater for each holiday — a Halloween sweater — a Christmas sweater — an Easter vest — a Valentine’s Day vest…and a birthday sweater!?!
Halloween sweaters are easy, of course!, for me. Even Christmas sweaters. No stretch at all to think about.
But, to make yourself a birthday sweater every year?
To make a sweater or something for a specific event, holiday, or anniversary of some … something … throughout the year … year after year …
Talk about the intention, the love, the beauty of such projects.
This revelation from Michelle struck me about the time I was pondering creating a piece for magical purposes. What my mother calls casting, calling something in, is what I was thinking of making a particular pullover for. I am casting for a working familiar. I haven’t had one in well over twenty years now and I miss that connection.
I will discuss the magical making at a later date.
Right now, I want to talk about the sweaters I am planning to make … in 2024.
I follow the Wheel of the Year. I will make a sweater (long-sleeves or short-sleeves, yarn thickness and type depending on the time of year—a bulky weight yarn full of alpaca is not a summer sort of yarn I would want to use).
I also want to make sweaters for other holidays as well, like Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Bastille Day, Lunar New Year, that sort of thing. I cannot forget about Mardi Gras.
Then there are more personally specific holidays: my husband’s birthday (I have a pattern by Erin Reiko in mind for this.), my birthday, our anniversary. Things of that nature.
I have a list made somewhere, in my rings binder, of the holidays and event anniversaries I wish to commemorate in and with yarn.
I have already started thinking about what I will make when I have made more than enough sweaters to fill all the drawers and the cabinets of the house. Blankets? Shawls? Hats? Skirts? I am not quite certain yet.
What about you? Do you have plans for makes for specific holidays and/or events?
Let me know in the comments below.
Tabitha Low 