Midwinter

Today is Midwinter, the shortest day of the year. Here in the PNW that would mean about eight and a half hours of daylight, if the sun were anywhere to be found. As my second winter here in the PNW, I'm tolerating it quite a bit better than last year. For many months during the summer, I never even saw the night. It as twilight when I went to bed and pre-dawn light when I awoke. Long nights seem like a nice counterpoint to what felt like the unending daylight of the summer. I even find myself complaining about how bright it is when the sun is out, so much am I enjoying the quiet, slow pace of the unyielding rain. It has been a time of rest, peacefulness, and contemplation on the seasons and of the year as a whole. I find the Yuletide season as an excellent marker for each year's changes. What fears and worries plagued me last Christmas? What joys and discoveries awaited me? How did I use the things given to me? How did others use the things given by me? I have tried this year to focus more on gifts that encourage doing, rather than simply owning: a model kit for my dad, a puzzle for my mom, travel gifts for my brother. I think these are the best things to give. Hats and socks that encourage others to go outside in the winter without fear of cold.


As the year is closing, I'm reflecting on my resolutions for this past year and what I want from next year. Some things were a resounding success: I made well over my output goals for 2015, with 22 finished projects so far (and another two I believe I can finish before the year's end). This year was the first time I made garments for myself: a huge undertaking! I'm proud that I finished them, although I'm not very happy overall with the results.  Both my Lewis and Gemini sweaters are ill-fitting and not flattering in the least, as well as both being in colors I don't actually wear. The challenge of knitting from my stash is that I used to buy a lot of colors I have no interest in wearing.  In 2016, I want to focus on only obtaining colors and yarns I love and will wear: neutrals, jewel tones, and rich autumnal colors. I want to make garments that fill a need in my wardrobe. I want to focus on cardigans, shawls, and some of the tees I love. I intend to make some heavier-weight items, but mostly lighter pieces as the everyday climate of west of the Cascades doesn't really require heavy sweaters. I've already started honing my Ravelry queue to be filled with useful projects I want to make.


I want to keep working within the two balls out for every one in as I did this year. It encouraged me to work from my stash and also allowed me to focus my knitting spending on better tools. Next year I want to focus more on supporting designers as well. I'll write out a full list of my resolutions as I think more on what I want my focus to be. For now, I am still working on a Christmas present!