Christmas Sweater-o-rama | Episode 86 An apology, plus ugly and glorious Xmas sweaters.

[@gleannemarie]

We have a "make it, thrift it, or bake it" theme the last few Christmases with our grown kids. These have been the most fun, least stressful, and most meaningful Christmases we have had.

[@katiecanavan]

I love this theme! I do a small gift exchange with friends and I will propose this for this year!

[@mysocalledhandmadelife]

That is an excellent idea! My grandmother and her friends did a Make it, bake it, or grow it together and they always had a lot of fun with it. I think we are still at a place of getting our kids things they actually need at Christmas, but Id be great with just gifting thru the year for that stuff and making Christmas be a creative, laid back experience. Although, Christmas gift giving has been pretty laid back the last several years. I pick things up throughout the year that makes me think of family or friends and so I'm never rushing at the last minute. But an emphasis on creativity sounds very fun!

[@Gamermom628]

When something feels right, the outcome is spontaneous and lovely. You know in your heart of hearts when you are on the right track. Your people will find you! ❤ To thy own self be true.

[@mysocalledhandmadelife]

Yes! If I wasn't so often plagued with self-doubt that would be much easier. I actually think I doubt myself much less than I once did, but even so I test ideas a little: seeing if it is really what I need to do or if it's my momentary insecurities talking and I should ignore the voice.

[@Gamermom628]

@@mysocalledhandmadelife I totally get that. I think we all have moments like that. That's why it is important to surround yourself with people who understand you. They are like those little bumpers at the bowling alley...ready to gently guide you back to your true path.

[@selfishknitter]

Oh my goodness - the moose sweaters! I didn’t look at them very closely before you started making your version. Legend-ary.

[@pam3744]

Just started watching and had to pause to say I just love those stockings! I remember the year you knit them - and I tried last year and have about half of one finished. Different pattern and yarn. One day, though . . .

[@mysocalledhandmadelife]

Yes, no need to rush it! I also went "off pattern" for the heels and toes so that I could cruise through them on auto-pilot. That made things a bit faster. were you planning to use stash for yours? I mixed old and new so I'd have consistent colors. But they are a handy projects for leftovers.

[@pam3744]

@@mysocalledhandmadelife Yes, I used stash - and now I’m interested in knitting the felted clogs and might have to frog and use some of it.

[@ChristieArcher]

Never stop putting your true self out there. I love you for who you are. And as far as your podcasts/website… do what works for you and forget about the rest. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to educate yourself. That shows a willingness to grow and stretch ourselves. I’ve done the same but in the end, I think we should take the new knowledge and just use what works for us on a personal level. As far as gift knitting I’m keeping it real easy on myself this year. I do have a few worsted Simply Irresistible socks that I made throughout the year and for this month I have a few hats that I hope to get made. If it doesn’t happen though, I’m okay with that. I have my oldest son back home with us and that is the best gift we could receive. His presence makes my home feel complete. So anything else that comes is just icing on the cake, lol.

[@virginiasattler-reimer9554]

Oh sheesh, I knew I was a hack at the whole social media thing, but I didn't realize there were rules/guides etc! Of course there are, never occurred to me to look. It is just not my strong suit. As far as gift knitting goes, I am down to the wire on those dang crochet blankets! I'm getting there, but it is a struggle. These are for my great nephews, the bright orange one and a bright green, you will hear the cheer when I finish.

[@mysocalledhandmadelife]

Hahaha I have thought about your dayglo orange blanket several times!! They better feel loved when they receive them. I love that you don't bother with "best practices" for content creation. I think having an actual product to sell, like patterns or yarn, makes it easier to just do your thing. The products will bring people to you. For a plain old blog, I think it can take something more. And I decided it's not my strong suit either. I refused to go to preschool after a teacher whipped me for getting left on the playground. I never told my parents what happened but I wouldn't go. They jokingly called me a preschool dropout, lol. Now I'm a preschool and monetized site dropout, lol.

[@gleannemarie]

LOL! I have the same need to clarify my comment from the last video... I do enjoy many sites that are monetized, and I support many makers with my dollars. I was speaking solely about the online knit group I'm looking for - I don't want to always be sold to, and when I find a spot that feels safe, with really open and authentic content creators, I do feel a little let down when that spot morphs into something else. And that is probably my own issue. I live a pretty solitary crafting life, especially since we have moved to a remote part of the PNW, and I am always looking for connection. It is so precious to me. I realize I don't have the same goals or concerns that content creators have - many need and want to earn their livings through their craft. I do respect that. I'm looking for a sharing community, not always looking for products. I hope that makes my thoughts clearer... This is always a really good place for conversation, introspection, and a glimpse into other people's outlooks. Thank you, friend.

[@hannabruzi9483]

I enjoy your podcast because you are so authentic in what you share and how you do it, so do whatever feels right and it will be great :) As for the gifts, I usually don't plan to give knits and then change my mind about halfway through the month and then knit like crazy ;) This year is the same but I really enjoy the rush. I am crocheting some ornaments for friends and knitting little gnoms for all the children in the family. Thrift goods are a great option, in my opinion, as long as you know that the recipient will enjoy them. I am always on a hunt for resales and thrift items.

[@Rachel-rv5ff]

Your podcast uniquely provides insights into the knitting world - each one seems like a video memoir (if that makes sense) to me. Your knitting perspective ranging over a couple of decades gives insight into where knitting has come from and where it is now, and since I am newer to knitting you seem something of a living historian on this subculture. I don’t know anyone else who provides this content. Since you enjoy writing I wonder if you have thought about submitting articles for publication on this topic? A long-term goal could be writing a book! Also, that moose sweater is great - and that you made it to fit both you and your husband is really cool.

[@mysocalledhandmadelife]

Hahaha! Living historian isn't quite what I think when I flip through my terrible alternate thumbnails file, lol!! But I do see what you mean. Thinking back over the years and how the knitting community has grown and changed isn't a common topic. It isn't always a discussion in my episodes, but I do think about it consistently. I have thought about writing articles on this topic, but haven't shared any so far. I also have a book I'd like to write, but it has nothing to do with knitting. Ha! But Rachel, that is a good idea and something I've been thinking about since you commented. Thanks for the feedback and good ideas for where to focus my energy.

[@edinacole6382]

regarding your question, our family makes most of our gifts. On occasion, we may thrift parts for the gift we will make, but I dont recall thrifting the entire gift. My (adult) children and I dont really want more stuff anyway. We all prefer small handmade gifts (I am the only knitter/sewer/crocheter in the family).

[@jennenns654]

I am of course knitting for my family for Christmas. They all are knit worthy and have specific things they like. I haven't really done any thrifting for Christmas. Where we live there isn't a vast marketplace for doing that.

[@katiecanavan]

I’m a little behind, so I actually ended up watching this video before your last video, but I understood SO many elements of what you expressed about spending money and therefore feeling like you needed to follow through on monetizing your YT! I think it really feeds into the feeling of “not doing enough” that is also something I struggle with (in almost all aspects of life). The one thing I will say, as someone who has focused on making money from sewing, crafts, knitting and/or patterns in the past, is that it is ok if it ebbs and flows. It is ok to try it out and find that it’s not right for you to make money in this specific way at this specific time. I mean - I have a COLLEGE DEGREE in costume design and pursued it as a career for awhile, and then quit! And that had nothing to do with the internet. But because I love making things and seeing them happily in other people’s homes, I have been revisiting the idea of selling again lately. There are many reasons to try to make money from crafts, and a lot of ways to do it. It’s ok to try a bit and then decide it’s not for you.

[@knitnkitten]

🎄Usually I knit a few things for various people at Christmas but this year I'm donating all my gift knits to a 'free cupboard' by one of the homeless encampments here. The last decade or so I started gifting thrifted, re-gifting, and gifting (appropriate & excellent condition) personally decluttered items (we basically emptied half our home after the kids moved out). Pretty much everyone we know has what they need & want, so Xmas gifts are really about acknowledgement & fun. I deeply believe a true gift includes completely letting go once given. I don't want strings attached - and I wouldn't want anyone to feel that with my gifts. My parents are in their 80's & 90's - they don't want more 'stuff' but they all love chocolate🙂 Hubby & I opt to get a real tree every year instead of buying each other special gifts. Also we maintain the tradition of hanging stockings for each other & our kids so 'Santa' fills those with little treats & (store bought) gifts ie. merino boxers, art supplies, etc. We have fun shopping, wrapping, & late night stuffing the stockings together. This year both our boys and one of our gransons will be away, so we're shipping off their respective stuffed stockings📦

[@knitnkitten]

Re: feeling the pressure to monetize your channel, this book might speak to a few issues (I haven't read it, but looks pretty good - although none dealing with the fundamental 'homemaker is not good enough' societal & internal messaging with which I personally grapple) albeit Canadian focussed: Gigs, Hustles, & Temps by Jason Foster.

[@edinacole6382]

Hmmm, if making some money is a goal, how about spending more time designing knitting patterns instead of growing your channel & blog to monetize it. Selling patterns is not extremely prosperous but perhaps it will become what you are looking for.