For the less prepared among us, the end of the Thanksgiving feasting signals the MAD RUSH toward finishing, or making, the decorations, gifts, and accessories/outfits we have planned for this holiday season.

I’m working on a grey and purple beret, featured photo at the top of this post, and using Size 2 (US) needles. I can tell you that while I’m making progress, I have little time to spare if I am going to finish this (a gift) AND the other things I have at least considered for this year.

NOTE: the pattern is a FREE one from Purl Soho and can be found here.

I don’t know about you, but often when I am making a gift, I begin to really LIKE the pattern and the end result, meaning that at some point, making one for myself gets added to my list. This beret falls squarely into this category, and I am excited to finish my holiday making so I can settle into the New Year with one of these on my knitting needles.

Other things on tap are a pair of either knitted or crocheted slippers for my (so far) youngest granddaughter. I say “so far” because she is anxiously awaiting a little sister, early next year, so I am also working on a new baby blanket (crocheted; simple ripple pattern from Daisy Farm Crafts). I am crocheting in between knitting the beret as I have a few months yet until the baby blanket will be gifted. It gives me a nice break when I’ve been knitting for so long that I need a break.

I’ve made the simple ripple crochet pattern before, and it’s a lovely pattern that is indeed simple, but works up so beautifully!

I did not holiday shop on Black Friday. First of all, I worked that day (healthcare) and enjoyed a post-Thanksgiving dinner with my family. I did run into the local Ulta to pick up some hair texture spray, and the explosion of holiday decorations, bins of red, green and snow-glitter stocking stuffers with holiday music piped over the speaker system was a bit much. It felt especially superficial and celluloid to me this year. How did the season of “Peace on Earth & Goodwill to All” turn into this shopping and spending frenzy? How did the season of GIVING – not shopping and spending, but GIVING – turn into this retail nightmare?

It’s exhausting and disappointing, as I am not sure it will ever stop being this retail shopping/spending free-for-all.

I often wish for a time when all the retail madness falls from favor, and we return (?) to a time when a small, thoughtful – and often hand-made – gift is seen as the ideal gift. I guess I’m not hopeful that we’ll see that anytime soon, but I’ll continue to dream!

I do know that crocheting, knitting and sewing helps ground me this time of year, so in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the comfort and shelter of fabric, yarn, patterns and some time to engage these creative skills.

It’s Sunday night after the Thanksgiving holiday, so back to work for most of us tomorrow morning. In the midst of the usual patterns and rhythms of life week to week as we care for our families, work our jobs, and plan for our family holiday festivities, I wish for us ALL a simpler, more peaceful and heart-centered holiday season.

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(C) 2025 Fiber Harmony/Stitch ‘n Dish