One of the changes I have made in recent years has been to try to do something positive at times like Lent and New Year. Instead of attempting to give up or cut down on things, I endeavour to learn something new, or set myself tasks that require a bit of effort throughout the year and not just for a couple of weeks after Christmas.
In November 2008 I, with the aid of my mum’s instruction, a stitch book and a couple of You Tube videos, taught myself to knit. Despite being left-handed (and male) I managed to create half a dozen mobile phone covers, a hot water bottle cover and a scarf made from Shetland Wool (the same Shetlands I would shear later in 2009). I joined a knitting circle, but have limited my involvement with them after the snobby, slightly unfriendly atmosphere I found at the monthly meeting. Although I still ask for bits of advice, on the whole there are plenty of other sources I find more ‘user friendly’.
These were, of course, supposed to be for Agnieszka but somewhere in the measuring I made a mess and they don’t fit. But I have some more wool from Woolfest to knit her a nicer pair and I have, for me, some Hebridean / Blue-faced Leicester wool for a pair of welly socks to keep my feet warm.
With only a few weeks left before the end of the year, I will have to find something new to try for 2010, but I am sure I will keep up with the knitting.