This year, knitters, take it easier

Certainly there are those few, like family members, who will deserve a hand-knitted scarf or sweater. But I simply must knit that little flower pin for this or that friend. Of course, my neighbor would adore this little hat knitted of angora and wool, and I am sure I could just whip it out while I watch TV this evening.

What are we doing! The holidays are crazy enough without this extra load of speed-knitting.

If I really think about it, several recipients of my hand-knits didn't appear to appreciate them anyway. There was that hand-knit wool sweater for my dad, with intarsia elk and rice stitches throughout. I remember sitting on the sofa for what seemed like a month trying to finish that sweater in a size extra-large tall. I had visions of my Dad wearing it and looking so very handsome. He would be so proud of his daughter who could produce this wonderful work of art.

I actually got to see him wear it once before my mom washed it and dried it in the dryer. It wouldn't have fit your Ken doll.

There was the pink poncho I made for my granddaughter a couple of years ago. I knew ponchos were the rage, and pink was trendy too. She would just adore it. Several months later I found out she was using it for her car seat cover.

See what I mean? All that hard work and expensive yarn are wasted on the wrong people. When was the last time you bought yarn for something you wanted to make for yourself? Putting it into your stash doesn't count either.

This year I propose we knitters and crocheters take the gift list to the local mall and do what most red-blooded Americans do: Buy. Now don't get me wrong. I mean this in the best of ways. Better sit down when you read this; what I am about to suggest is radical indeed.

I want to start a list FOR knitters and crocheters. This list is where you can make gift suggestions for yourself to those family members who have been blessed (and I mean truly blessed) with your labors of love in years past. It's your turn now. Knitters everywhere, get your pencils. Pour yourself a cup of tea and get those yarn catalogs out. I want you to jot down everything you ever wanted, from qiviut yarn to carved mahogany knitting needles. Just to get you started, I have a couple of suggestions.

I just finished reading "Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (Andrews McMeel, $12.95). You may already have read her book "At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much." She has managed to poke fun at those of us who are knitting addicts by revealing her own life as a compulsive knitter in a collection of very funny stories. Included in her "Harlot" memoirs are tales about a green afghan she wants to make for a wedding present, what makes a "stash" and the frantic period of time knitting Christmas gifts that she labels "it." I just loved the whole book, and it's a must-have for your stocking this season.

What could be better than a big, fat gift certificate to your favorite yarn store? Well, let me think. Two gift certificates! You can head right over to your local yarn shop and order yarn for that lovely Kaffee Fassett coat you have always admired. Maybe you would rather have cashmere. Go ahead and pick your pattern.

This year you get to spend time and energy knitting for yourself. What knitter doesn't want to wear one of their very own creations? Now go post that list on your refrigerator.

Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitter, has lived in Alaska for 17 years. A past president of Knitters of the North, she currently designs knitwear patterns for publication. To reach her, e-mail twosticks@adnmail.com.