Knit and Plenty

Silent Knit.

Silent Knit. Holy Knit.

With my sticks, here I sit.

Precious fiber brings joy to my heart

Stitch by stitch, through God there is art.

Wonderous peace it brings me.

Wonderous peace within me.

Well - that concludes the 24+ days of Holiday Knitmas Tunes. It was fun.

Wishing you a joyous holiday. See you next year.

The Knit Before Christmas

I wrote the following parody of the classic Christmas poem - and have since found out that there are several versions of similar knitting versions floating around the Internet. There is actually a version of this poem for almost every hobby, state and sport. So, here's my original version to add to the Knitosphere:

Twas the Knit before Christmas and all over the room, unfinished projects were everywhere, strewn. The stockings weren't hung; they didn't have toes, and the wrap in my lap needed sixty more rows.

The children's new mittens would never been done. They looked more like wristwarmers sporting thumbs.

Dad's fisherman's knit had a large gaping hole. My sister's striped ski hat could fit a large bowl.

I forgot to put fringe on my mother's new shawl. And my husband's socks lay in a magic loop ball.  The backpack I felted would have to be sewn, since it shrunk in the wash and might fit my phone.

I started to panic, but then I decided, "I'll just give them cash, they'll all be delighted."

But then I remembered I had not a cent. I'd spent it on yarn, leaving not even rent.

Tears welled in my eyes as I put down my needle and curled on my side in a position quite fetal.

Then, out on the lawn, I heard such commotion that I ran with my scissors and dropped every notion.

Away to the window I flew in a flash, knocked over my basket and tripped on my stash. 

The moon on the snow gave me a start, caused it looked like a pompom that had fallen apart.

When what did I see that made me feel loco, but a little old man with a beard of Berroco.

He was dressed all in mohair, or maybe a blend, with a stockinette scarf that just wouldn't end.

His sweater was Fair Isle, he looked like a rogue. The pattern so detailed - it must be from Vogue.

He spoke not a word but went straight for a stocking. Then he grabbed for the purses that all needed blocking.

More rapid then Addi's the projects they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now Capelet - Now Afghan - Now Leggings - Now Rug. On Poncho, On Dickie, on Earmuffs - on Shrug.

To the top of a crewneck, he added a cowl. From a lightweight chenille, he knitted a towel.

I watched in amazement as he dropped and yarned-over to crank out a coat and some booties for Rover. 

From a fingerweight silk he knitted a glove. As he purled all around me, I thought it was love.

He fixed every stitch without one single rip. In the wink of an eye, there was nary a WIP.

I thanked him profusely. He kindly accepted. My last minute elf as hardly expected. 

As he started to leave, I grabbed for a skein. And he turned back around and he said, "You're insane." 

"But my projects are finished, you made them all better," I replied, with a wink, "I'll just start a sweater."

He ran from my sight, on his sleigh off he flew.

Now, Merry Christmas to All. I've got to knitting to do.

Just to wrap things up with a nice Christmas bow, I'll be posting one more - one minute after Midnight - this Christmas morning.

Hark the Handspun

Hark the HandSpun, Alpaca, Tweed,

Glory to my Fiber Need.

Rich Angora makes me swoon

Namaste Needles, Lantern Moon.

Making purses by the dozens

For my sisters, aunts and cousins

Then I'll keep them all for me,

Glory to my Fiber Need.

Let the Knitter Reign

Jenn from KnitnLit sent this version of Joy to The World. Let's hope we're all winding down on our holiday projects!

Joy to the World

The Knits are Done

Let hands receive their rest

Let everyone enjoy their gifts

And let the knitter rest

And let the knitter rest

And let - And let The knitter rest

Joy to the World

The knitter reigns

Let gifts her love declare.

While knits and purls,  sticks and string,

Repeat the sounding joy

repeat the sounding joy

repeat -repeat - the sounding joy.

She rules the world

with sticks and string

And makes the family prove

The glories of the sockiness

and scarves around the necks

and scarves around the necks

and scarves - and scarves

around the necks.< THERE ARE TWO MORE DAYS AND TWO MORE SONGS TO COMPLETE OUR 24 DAYS of KNITMAS Tunes - then we'll be all done for the year! Drop by this crazy weekend.

Those are cash registers - not bells ringing.

"Sleigh Bells Ring - are You Listening?"  Well, check out this Winter Wonderland tune. (Start those bells....)

1. Buying skeins at the Wool Fest

I just might make a new vest.

Or maybe a shawl, I'll just buy it all.

Spending all my money on more yarn.

2. Wait, I see some some Fiesta,

No, I don't want to rest, A

new batch of Lopi is waiting for me.

Spending all my money on more yarn.

Chorus: In the end , my husband will divorce me,

and I'll end up living on the street.

Maybe I should save some for the future

Until then buying yarns a treat!

3. Gonna start five new sweaters

It will make me feel better

Throw me a skein, I must be insane,

Spending all my money on more yarn!

JOY TO THE WOOL!!!

Ok - this one is made to be sung really, really loud (and NO - that is not me in the picture!!!):

1.

Joy to the wool

I made a hat.

It might just fit my head.

But now the problem’s not the size

My forehead's broken out in hives.

When will the itching end? When will the itching end??

Next time I will use a silk- acrylic blend!

2.

Joy to the wool!

I knit a glove

But I forgot the thumb

Instructions I could not abide -

I'll use them just to hitch a ride

The fingers are too tight. I must not be too bright.

Why doesn't anything I knit come out right?

3.

Joy to the wool!

It's clear to see

my knitting is a mess.

So I knit to please myself

and store the projects on a  shelf.

So why should I knit more? Buy yarn until I'm poor?

The joy of knitting's what I do the knitting for.

My nights are getting pretty wooly.

Kirstie bravely has step forward with a fun version she calls OH WOOLY NIGHT,

She calls her blog Vie Vaedri and can be found at http://vaedri.blogspot.com.

Come on and sing along:

Oh, wooly night,

My basket's full of Noro.

This is the night that these gifts must be done.

Knit another row,

My needles gently gleaming.

Sew up the seam; These two sides will be one.

Imagine hands

All toasty Christmas morning,

A squeal of glee;

A heartfelt hug of joy.

Pull... out more yarn.

This mitten isn't finished...

Oh why... did I... think

I could knit so much

so fast.

I know... Next year...

I will be better, more prepared.

But know... next year...

I'll buy gift cards.

Amen, Sister.

THE LYS for XMS

We're in the home stretch - only one week until Christmas. Now we've had lots of great songs - many about how we'll never finish our projects. Certainly, that's something we can all relate to at this time of year! Now here's a song (sung to the tune of It Came Upon a Midnight Clear) about something else you might relate to. Now let me say that the shop owners in my town are all wonderful - but I have traveled around the country and have bumped into a few - um -- well...sing on...

1. I came upon a yarn store where

The owner is a witch

You would think she should be nice

But she is just a *itch.

2.She makes me feel like I am dumb

When help is all I need.

It seems like she would much prefer

If I would simply plead.

3. I went there just the other day

To buy a Christmas gift

And once again, and I don't know why

I left there feeling mift.

3. And yet I keep returning there

I guess I’ll just take my licks

It’s obvious that I have no pride

To get my addictive yarn fix.

Can anyone relate?

Don't Torch that Dial

Here's a most original and unique contribution submitted by Crafting Jen, She chose her personal favorite Christmas song. It's not as familiar to everyone - it's a French carol called "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" ("Un Flambeau, Jeanette, Isabella"). You can hear the original by clicking HERE - but its not as good as Jen's version.

Bring Some Yarn, Jeanette, Isabella

Bring some yarn, Jeanette, Isabella

Bring some yarn, we’ll knit up a scarf.

Winter’s come

and my neck is freezing.

Cast on the needles, start your knitting.

Knit, purl, knit, ‘til you reach the end.

Knit, purl, knit, make it long and warm.

Hurry now, keep knitting along.

Hurry now, my neck is still cold.

Soft the wool, and quick are your needles, I’ll have a scarf for Christmas morning.

Stitch, stitch, bind off the scarf at last, Stitch, stitch, oh! How my neck is warmed!

Now - don't touch that dial - there's a full week of songs coming up to count down the seven days before Christmas - and since it is the season of giving, how about saving up next week for a comment ;-) ?

I'm Done for!!

OK - Virginia from Scribble and Bits is really on the ball this year - and frankly, starting to tick me off.

Besides from the fact that she sent along this picture of her wrapped gifts, she also sent in another really GREAT send up of one of my favorite Holiday songs. She aptly changed the name to:

I'll Be Done For Christmas

I'll be done for Christmas.

You can count on me.

Socks, hats, gloves

Fair Isled with love

In knit gift bags.  You'll see!

Christmas eve will find me

Sewing up the seams.

I'll be done for Christmas

If only in my dreams!

Thanks, Virgina - Keep 'em coming!

Now - don't YOU be intimidated - there's still plenty of time to send in a ballad - So, I hope you'll take a break from all the holiday run-around this weekend to send in a tune.

Happy Chanukah and Happy Shopping.