2024: Knitting and Life Lessons
At the end of the year, over the Christmas break, I had big plans. I planned to be present during the holiday break with insightful newsletters, fun pattern previews, and showcase favorite past patterns.
But then I got the stomach flu (thanks, daycare), and it was all I could do to sit up for two days. Luckily, with the help of Jason and my mother-in-law, we wrapped all of the Christmas presents on Sunday evening, so when I felt sick on Monday morning, I could rest easy knowing the biggest holiday task was already done.
Lessons I learned from the couch
1| It took three adults to take on my workload at home
From cooking, cleaning, child care, and general household maintenance, all of my responsibilities were divided between three other adults. And while I'm so grateful they took all those things on, it was eye-opening to see how much is actually on my plate. And maybe it shouldn't all be on my plate 😅
It was also good for the kids to have someone else be their go-to for a few days. Jackson had to learn to like quesadillas made by Grammy, and Wren had to use words other than "mommy" to get what she wanted.
2| If you don't rest your body, your body will find a way to make you rest
I know I'm not the only mama stressed during the holiday season, nor the only one who is the default parent for the kids, the housework, and the holiday festivities. But next year, I'm taking one major lesson into the holiday season with me - be more intentional about slowing down and enjoying the moment.
I don't have to make all the cookies, and not all the presents need to be wrapped! After all, the kiddos will remember time spent with mama, not how clean or decorated the house was. I loved making cookies with Jackson and Wren this year, so I plan to do much more of that next year and less of the other fluff.
3| You can't pour from an empty cup
I was barely able to eat for four days, and it left me feeling very weak, and I got out of breath easily. I had to be very conscious about where I spent my energy. Snuggles with the kiddos, time spent reading books, a special evening out with the family on Christmas Eve, and a slow walk around the holiday lights on Christmas night. I had little energy left for anything else; I couldn't even find the energy to knit or crochet. I slowly got stronger each day and eventually found my appetite again (being pregnant helped with that!). I was careful not to move too fast, took extra breaks, and drank lots of tea with honey.
4| Knitting is restorative
While I was sick, the thought of concentrating on any kind of pattern seemed too overwhelming. Now that my energy levels have returned, I’m back to finding comfort in my knitting needles again.
Lessons Learned in 2024
Taking a step back to look at the whole of 2024, I noticed a few themes.
Be Present with Your Time
Whatever you're doing - reading, listening to music, playing with your kiddos, or crafting - try to be present. Be mindful of where you are and what you're experiencing. I may be getting more sentimental as I watch my children age, but I'm ever more cognizant of the fact that we get one precious chance at this life and I want to remember each moment. The good and the bad. Because it's the little moments that add up to a full life. And every life is worth remembering.
Show Up For Yourself
No one is going to tell you to sit down and take a break. The world is constantly demanding from us, and we need to be strong enough to push back and say "not right now". Trust me. It is hard to say no to everyone and everything to take 10 or 15 minutes out of your day for yourself. But it's the only way to be the truest and healthiest version of yourself.
Know When to Slow Down
Admittedly, I'm still learning to find balance. Clearly my experience with the stomach flu has shown that I could slow down a bit more often, haha. But I did learn to slow down with knitting pattern-making this year. Instead of churning out okay patterns, I invested in educational resources to bring you the best-fitting sweaters possible. You can see the first iteration of that with the Sencillo Pullover & Tee launch this fall.
Your Favorite Knitting Pattern in 2024
Looking back through the patterns released in 2024, your favorite pattern of the year was the Molsa Cardigan. And I’m not surprised.
The Molsa Cardigan is an ultra-cozy, bottom-up, seamed v-neck cardigan featuring an all-over textured rib pattern worked up quickly in an aran weight yarn. The all-over textured stitch pattern is easy to memorize and adds a lot of depth to what would otherwise be a basic cardigan.
Molsa offers many opportunities for customization—hip or thigh length, optional afterthought pockets, and a vertical or horizontal button band—so you’re guaranteed to knit a version that fits perfectly into your wardrobe.
The cardigan is worked flat, back & forth in rows from the hem to the shoulders, with set-in sleeve shaping for the armholes. Comfortable sleeves allow for easy winter layering. Once the cardigan pieces are completed and blocked, stitches are picked up around the front opening to work either a horizontal or attached vertical button band.
The cream hip-length version, as shown, is knit with Knit Picks Simply Wool Aran and the attached vertical buttonband. The grey thigh-length version, as shown, is knit with Quince & Co Osprey with afterthought pockets and the horizontal button band.
Wear Molsa at home snuggled in front of the fire or wear it on a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some hot cocoa mix for a fun afternoon treat with the kiddos. However you wear it, the Molsa Cardigan will be a delightful addition to your everyday handmade wardrobe.
