I finally gifted my last handmade present this weekend, and am tickled to share that it was welcomed with delight, immediately donned and worn! I chose to knit the “May I Borrow This Please?” shawl/wrap by Lorraine Waitman, which is available as a free Ravelry download.

I have made 2 or 3 of these as written, but this time, I decided to be a bit of a renegade. I chose a bulky yarn, Sirdar Jewelspun Chunky with Wool, in the color Tidal Pool Topaz. I purchased this yarn at one of our local yarn shops here in Pittsburgh, McWalker Yarns.

I bumped up the size of the needles to align with the bulky yarn, using a set of Prym circulars, size 13, and used just over 1 ball of the Sirdar yarn. This made up so nicely that I think I am going to head back to McWalker Yarns soon and get more yarn and make another one in this size – for me.

Last week, the weather started to look like it was going to warm up sooner than usual, but the cold snap returned with enthusiasm yesterday – just in time to be glad to have an item like this wrapped around us – especially as many of us will be heading out our doors to work tomorrow morning, bundled up to keep out the chill.

The big, round cakes of this yarn feel cozy before the first stitch is knitted or crocheted. The combination of acrylic (80%) and wool (20%) make this warm and practical, and with easy care instructions.

One of the big benefits of making something for someone as a gift is that we get to enjoy ALL of the many benefits of engaging in fiber arts activities, but don’t have to add to our “collection” of things that someday, will have to be dispositioned. I think about this more lately since I am eyeing retirement in a few years, and starting to clear out things in an effort to downsize.

In addition, we know from research in Psychology that gift giving is beneficial to us, in and of itself. Multiple studies have documented that “gift-giving, particularly when the giftee is someone with whom we have a close relationship, activates key reward pathways in our brain” (APA.org).

Add those net benefits to the research on the many benefits of crocheting and knitting, such as those outlined in an article from Henry Ford Health that lists the following benefits that are realized from crocheting and knitting:

• strengthens our brains
  • through repetition of complex stitches and patterns
• helps build new neural pathways that help with memory
  • can reduce the cognitive decline that comes with age
• reduces stress
• lowers blood pressure
• decreases symptoms of depression
• eases chronic pain

Knitting and crocheting are meditative activities, and when we are engaged with them, it helps us focus our minds on the pattern, stitches, etc. This slows our nervous system, and allows for anxiety to be lessened while stress hormones (cortisol) in the body are lowered significantly.

While the BIG gift giving season has concluded, now that we understand the many benefits of fiber arts AND giving, we can chart a path for a happier 2026 by adding even more gift giving to our fiber activities. If you’re anything like me, this means more crocheting, knitting, sewing, fabric & yarn, which sounds, to me, like a great year ahead.

Happy crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting and more in early 2026, and beyond!

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(C) 2026 Fiber Harmony / Stitch ‘n Dish