Selfish knitting?

Are you knitting or crocheting a gift for someone this holiday season?  If so, that's wonderful.  If feels so nice to give someone you love something you've created.  It's a little piece of yourself and your life that you've set aside especially for them.  If you're not knitting or crocheting gifts, that's fine too.  This time of year lots of customers confess with some guilt that they're "a selfish knitter."  I wish there were another term for those of us who knit only for ourselves, because I have found that knitters and crocheters are a most unselfish lot.  In classes and around the table, they are kind and generous, sharing freely with one another - everything from stitch markers to stash.  

I think that whether you knit for yourself or others is more a reflection of where you are in your life than anything else.  It's about finding balance between service and self - between giving and taking.  This time of year there is so much to do, and we women are the ones who do it all.  We make the holidays happen - decorating the tree, baking the cookies, wrapping the presents, stuffing the stockings.  All of this on top of the demands of children, aging parents, jobs, and more.  A little selfish knitting provides a much needed counterpoint to all this.  Sitting down and focusing for a few minutes on yourself is totally okay.  When you spend most of your day doing for others, it's important to balance those actions a bit to prevent resentment from seeping into your mind and your interactions with people you love.  Give yourself permission to engage in a luxurious project that's just for you.  Indulge in those moments and enjoy the feel of the yarn in your hands and the calm centering rhythm of the stitches.  It's not selfishness, but self care. 

I look forward to seeing you in the shop and around the table.  You are always welcome here. 

~Ellen

p.s. Don't forget Jenny's Christmas Stocking class that starts this week - Knit yourself a Christmas stocking and fill it with little luxuries only you know you want - a new lipstick, a fun wrist ruler or one of our new stitch marker necklace.  Tuck in a skein of luxury yarn, a class at Spice Studio, and a Starbucks gift card.  You've earned it :)

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