Monday, September 11, 2006

Have Yourself a Realistic Little Christmas. . .

Okay I've made a decision. This stressing myself out with Christmas projects in September is ridiculous. The notion that everyone in my life needs handknit gifts is crazy. Realistically my nieces and nephews would rather have toys and electronics than a handknit sweater from Auntie Kate. I'm going to stick to making smaller projects for my mom & dad and my in-laws. I will finish the fair isle hats for the kids, I will probably finish the sweater I already have on the needles for my nephew Joe. That's it.

As for the Samantha sweater, I'm going to give it another try but if I just can't do it with my eyesight, I'll have to pick something simple, top down, in worsted weight yarn. Maybe this.

Lately my knitting has been stressing me out and that's bad. Knitting is supposed to be my stress relief not a whole new source of stress. No one knows what causes Graves disease, but they think stress is a factor. My eye isn't correcting itself like the doctors hoped and I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I'm going start working on eliminating stress from my life and being realistic about this Christmas knitting stuff is a start. Saturday morning when I grabbed my needles and a ball of Sugar 'n Cream and whipped out that dishcloth, knitting was fun. I've been making my knitting a giant to-do list and that has to stop. Nudge me if I turn my knitting into anything but fun, okay?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't have Graves disease, but I do have thyroid problems (hypo). I'm amazed how the thyroid affects the whole body. I hope your eye improves very soon.

renee said...

Good for you! I think that's very sensible. You're right - the kids probably wouldn't appreciate the effort and it isn't worth a toll on your health, that's for sure! I'm sorry that your eyesight hasn't improved - I heartily endorse a spa day to relax!!

Sheepish Annie said...

I find that the things I end up giving as gifts are the ones that I knit up just for snorts 'n giggles. They always seem to come out better. You're right...the holidays shouldn't be about anxiety!

Guinifer said...

I had a girlfriend in high school whose mom had Grave's. I remember so many eye problems, but not much else. Definitely weigh the health issue/stress with the joy of giving handmade gifts. Hopefully stress relief will leave you healthier.

Chris said...

Yay, Kate!!

Mary deB said...

That's what dishcloths are for, this year. Fun knitting and fun gifts.

Kelly said...

Those are cute notebooks. I have given up on the Christmas knitting stuff. At least for this year, well I guess that is not true. I am making my mother a sweater. But I swear she is the only one.