Hello and welcome! It’s a pity I can’t literally invite you all round for some mulled wine or tea, nibbles and a chat, but at least we can spend some time together here on my blog.
For me, writing a blog post is like writing Christmas cards – a great way to connect. About the card writing my husband said, ‘that’s quite a job, you’ve taken on.’ Not at all. To me it’s like spending some enjoyable moments with all my friends and relatives, holding them in my thoughts and wishing them well.
Besides many cards, I’ve also slipped a pair of socks in the mail. They were knit from the cuff down to the toe, with a slip stitch pattern on the heels.
The design is Candle Flame by Mona Schmidt and it’s another pair from 52 Weeks of Socks (here on Ravelry). They have small 2-stitch cables in the cuff. The pattern on the leg and foot is basically the same tiny cable, only alternating the purl stitches and the cables every four rows.
I was going to write up a tutorial about different ways to knit 2-stitch cables, to transcend the look-at-what-I’ve-made level by offering something useful, but didn’t get round to it. Together with many other things, I’m moving it to my could-do list for next year.
In the original design, most of the foot is plain stocking stitch. I didn’t like that very much and added a diamond in the same cable stitch pattern. Candle flames to keep a friend’s feet toasty – isn’t that a lovely idea?
Speaking of candle flames, another friend sent us a card with a quote I’d like to requote here:
‘It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.’
Being a therapist, she also gives us some pointers on how to do this, using words like gentleness, self-care, love, joy, sincere attention, connection, hope and humour. Lighting metaphorical candles isn’t always easy and I am grateful to my friend for her message.
I’m taking some time off now, to be with my loved ones, read, go for walks, and knit. Over the next couple of weeks, I’d like to finish the colourwork gifts that didn’t get done in time. They were going to be a surprise anyway and will still be a nice surprise in January, I hope.
I wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season, with plenty of time for the things that make your candle flame burn brighter. Thank you so much for visiting me here and I hope to see you again in the New Year!
What a lovely post! I hope you are able to spend the holiday season with the people you love and I wish you a happy, healthy new year.
Thank you for your kind wishes!
All best to you and yours for a happy, happy season! We are celebrating ours, just my husband, our son, and me, in a new home. There are still boxes everywhere, half-knit projects tucked away here and there, but we are safe and warm and together (and I’ve found the fondue pot!), so all is indeed well.
Thank you for you good wishes. Congratulations on your new home, good luck with all the unpacking, and very happy holidays to you, too. And enjoy your fondue meal!
Thank you for your blog post and those from throughout the year. Your beautiful photography tells of your love of your surroundings, and is an example of, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”
I wish you joy and peace as you spend time with family and friends during the holidays.
Thank you for your kind words and wishes! Bloom where you are planted is a lovely saying and applies to what I aspire to, although I also have my cactus moments 😉
Thank you for your lovely and warm blogpost. Thanks to also bring light, joy and connection.
It’s been a pleasure to write. Enjoy your time off, together with your family!