Vlogtime: When Even Slow Stitching Is Too Fast

[@cindyrosser2471]

I want to thank you for wishing us solitaries peace in our solitude. Because of COVID I did not drive 350 miles to spend several nights sleeping in a strange bed and mostly sitting in a corner knitting while 6 teen age children were excited about Christmas around me. I love my relatives but I start stressing about visiting them at Christmas soon after Thanksgiving. I've been feeling guilty about feeling so happy and relaxed to just stay home this year. You helped me feel less guilty. Have a happy and healthy New Year.

[@czarinacharters1395]

I think between you and the wonderful Cathy Hay, I have found my safe space. Thank you for your positivity and your you-ness. This has been a very hard year and it's nice to hear from someone in a no nonsense tone that things can get better.

[@knittygirlone3391]

Thank you for sharing. My husband has been going through chemotherapy and it’s been rough. This has been our happiest day since his diagnosis and this has been the cherry on the top to the end of my day. So glad you are vlogging!!❤️

[@toniwhitnell4857]

You’ve been working from both ends of the yarn? 😁

[@candyclouston1412]

Knitting might be the starting point of your vlogging, but I appreciate that it's about how we create and how we live. I enjoy it and get insights that apply to my own creative life, and I don't knit. Thank you for sharing.

[@lesliehatton1493]

Thank you, knitting is my therapy, and I try very hard to knit only for those I love so it doesn't become a burden to me. Knitting relaxes me, and gives me solace and pleasure.

[@beebe7477]

Thank you for a beautiful, thoughtful reflection on precious life. 🙏🏼

[@flangum]

Amen, Franklin! "Doing what you love for a living" is a blessing and a curse. And what I've found is, swatching is PLAYING with yarn. It's so important to have an element of play in our work existence. I think that's what "start-itis" is, too. I want to **play** with my stash! So swatching gives me some time off from finishing projects to connect to my creative brain cells without all the consequences that come from an actual project. It's positive brain chemistry. Also, about "planning" what to vlog versus sitting down and talking. We TEACHERS have no problem talking in an organized way. It comes naturally because we've put in our ten thousand hours so to speak in complete paragraphs, lol! I really enjoyed your tesselation class several years ago and am delighted to find this channel. Blessings! -- Fran Langum

[@kellynickles2178]

I sincerely love that you included the single Christmas and New Year celebration. I'm a Great Grandmother who just found your vlog. My recliner and needles and hooks are my celebration. The Grandies are opening gifts mailed to them and sending pics on Messenger to me. This is Peace. ❤️👵🏻❤️

[@laurasakos3538]

Swatching is creating - creating what you want! People think of it as a chore instead of a mini piece of art in its own stead, that can be unraveled to finish the larger piece of art that is a sweater.

[@cucasanchez6162]

Wow, amazing. I'm knitting while listening to your story. We can knit in peace, that's what we talking about. 🙏🙏

[@cyntheknitter9927]

Not boring at all! I enjoy hearing your thinking and process in the making if your sweater

[@fiberterian]

Thank you Franklin and much peace and rest to you and yours as well.

[@VEE_AGAPE]

Thank you for such beautiful words ❤. I'm so glad I found your channel. Sending you Peace n Love . God bless you 🙏 ❤

[@danagiles3672]

Thank for being you Franklin. You’re so calming for me and such a pleasant human. It’s so appreciated. Much love💙💙💙

[@lupepedraza8497]

What a beautiful memory of you and your mom. Hugs from Vancouver BC. I am a Christmas of one this year because I lost my hubby to cancer but, listening to you made me realize that yes we should be thankful to have the time to what we want and can.

[@rhetter]

That was a lovely vlog - and something I needed to hear today.

[@Betsieczeschin]

I'm impressed by your slow, comfortable swatching. I'm usually so excited to get started once I've chosen yarn and design

[@libertysalem2024]

You are a delight to listen to and watch. Thank you for sharing. I crochet, I can't knit worth a shipoop, but you are very encouraging, intresting, knowledgeable and make knitting more relaxing. Thank you again! Glad you are feeling better!

[@sbutler0305]

Thank you for your comment about the 12 days of Christmas. It reminded me that as a child we put the tree up on Christmas Eve, went to Midnight Mass, opened presents when we got home (my mom's way of insuring she got to sleep in the morning) and took down the tree on Jan 6, or Little Christmas. It was calmer

[@janemarriott3389]

Please, would you explain the background sounds behind your speaking? Thank you for sharing all about your Mother and family at Christmas. So many of us would benefit from spending a good amount of time giving those memories deliberate attention. I’m so glad you give us these visits. Peace, yes, peace.

[@beth7467]

Sounds like someone is working out with a home gym. :)

[@vorvayne5935]

Oh my goodness, I needed this. I didn't manage a peaceful Christmas - some medication side effects left me in a similar spot to you, horribly exhausted with little time to rest - but that's over now, so thank you, thank you for reminding me to rest. I'm not very good at that sometimes. Also, strongly agree about the smaller gauge of older patterns. I like the look and feel much better, and I often feel like it's closer to the gauge the yarn "wants" to be knitted at: it settles easily into a much more even tension than when I knit on larger needles. I knitted a pair of 17th century stockings and was so gloriously in love with the tiny even stitches and warm, *strong* fabric that resulted that I find myself doing maths on everything I knit now to repurpose the same pattern for smaller needles. (if anyone in the comments wants to know how, I basically go up a few sizes of the garment and down a few needle sizes, swatching and calculating to make sure the resulting size will match whatever my "real" size in the pattern would have been.)

[@FleeceTrain]

Oh, Franklin, what a sweet treat to spend these precious WiFi-supported-at-a-restaurant minutes in Mexico crocheting with you. I’ve been in much the same place, workwise, over the past year. I kept going because generally we self-employed folks need to make hay while the sun shines, but I’m really not sure I was getting enough benefit from it. So when half of my clients dropped out from under me in the past week, I gasped at first, tried to remind myself every 3.5 minutes not to panic, then made a conscious decision to settle into a slower pace and even simpler living, with trust in exactly the right thing unfolding over the coming weeks, months, years. Wishing us both peace as we see what the next chapter holds. (a.k.a. Debbie Hoak)

[@rosaprice6222]

I recently discovered your videos and I can't thank you enough for sharing calm, peaceful moments during which we can catch our breath.

[@marthaellensmith7913]

Thank you so much! Your emphasis on peace seems absolutely right to me. BTW: my daughter got a hat with half a crown for Christmas and I refuse to be upset.

[@JillWisemanDesigns]

I did the same thing about 4 years ago - worked myself into exhaustion and spent a month in bed, shaking, sleeping, and crying. Wake up call is RIGHT. I had to make radical changes in my work life, and periodically I still have to remind myself not to get back to that scary place. I’m cheering over here, happy you’re making changes too. 💙

[@linzjan4276]

Thankyou so much for sharing your mums story, my dad was a priest and he and mum had the same if it’s not done it won’t be and it doesn’t matter. My decoration story is of the last of a set of plastic ivory ornaments that dad gave to mum on their first xmas. Peace in families would be a great start

[@thewoolverine4420]

Listening to you talk about your mother had me tearing up. As a mom I am always trying to make memories, knowing someday will be my last Christmas, last holiday, last....anyway, I worked so hard to make handmade gifts this year. A doll for my daughter with a whole little wardrobe of crocheted clothes, a crocheted Baymax (Disney character) for my son, and seeing how you reflect on your mom and the homemade pajamas and the quiet moment by the tree....I can't handle it! My heart is welling up and I just know that I'm doing right by my babies. I hope someday they talk about me the way you talk about your mama. Merry Christmas and happy New Year and please, take care. You are precious and deserve to be taken care of.

[@julianedebus7990]

Thank you for your wonderful words! Have a good start to the new year! Best wishes, Juliane.

[@irieknit]

Thank you, I have only found your channel now. Peace in return, and I hope the balance has endured since needing the recovery rest.

[@thecatmont]

you are simply a lovely person so glad you started these, back watching the ones I missed. xx

[@anncarrigan]

Why thank you. I am alone this Christmas and I am at peace with it . Happy holiday to you.

[@elizabethdelong6431]

I’m happy you are feeling better! Peace and rest to you also!

[@kristinm3729]

Your description of Christmas with your mother is just beautiful. You are so fortunate for that experience and for those wonderful memories. And to be able to let go (even in the face of perfectionism), is something I am striving towards. Hearing stories such as these makes it ever more possible because they help me to recontextualize. Thank you and happy holidays Franklin. Kristin

[@janelithgow7727]

No hand knit sweaters? I'm shocked - a true example of the cobbler going barefoot! Glad you are taking care of yourself.

[@EmergingNow577]

That wasa lovely reminiscence.

[@barbarawest1205]

Franklin, I somehow lost track of you in recent years and had no idea you had started a YT channel. This was the first video on that channel that I watched. I am so glad you took the time to rest and hope you'll continue to do so! Thank you for sharing your memories and for thinking of those of us who are alone this season whether by choice or by Covid. Stay well!

[@ireneb8795]

Thank you for your wise words. I thought of spending Christmas without my family. But now it is important to go to our annual Christmas dinmer, but I probably will take some cross stitch with me (no, I not a knitter anymore and I finally figured out what a 'Swatch' is).

[@jenniferjohnson9335]

I hope you had peace and blessings. We had a quiet Christmas and it was very good.

[@e.kupfer8631]

Glad to hear you're doing better. Some of the best Christmases I had in the '90's where a "Christmas of one"...the peace was wonderful.

[@JeanKnits]

I live alone and my house is full of peace. I spend a lot of time knitting while watching videos, or Knitflixing. ;-)

[@melitacarder]

Love listening to your ruminating on how you want your sweater with cables look. Thickening the number of sts in the cables is a great idea. I convert lots of thicker weights into fingering yarn so that I can wear them in Australia’s climate. A tip on swatching... I add a single garter ridge when trying a different needle size and either do grater bumps or yarn overs to record the needle size in each section of the swatch. So glad you’re feeling better. Take care 💚

[@terryhickman7929]

Thank you so much for this. I am so glad you're more rested and enjoying your knitting and your life again. All my favorite people online are like you, they share part of themselves with us, a vast, far-flung, unruly collection of people with some kind of thing in common, and somehow there is an electronic family. Pats and hugs for Rosalind the Beautiful!

[@bobbiallison1117]

I love what you said here, really love the idea of wishing peace unto others regardless of their circumstance. You put into words the very feeling I have every year during the holidays, and even off and on throughout the year. I tend to do random acts of kindness and I frequently remind myself and others that each and every creature on this earth is simply trying to find their way. God bless you and yours and thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us,

[@jeanietownsend469]

You hold your needles the same way I do and you rock and throw with your left forefinger like I do I love watching you knit I hope you have a very merry Christmas thank you for this podcast

[@lindarockwellwarner4457]

Franklin, I so appreciate your wish for peace! What a year it's been! I had a mom who was NOT a maker and didn't really value making but she was always busy. She never stopped. It was a lesson I learned as a kid ... your worth comes from doing (not being) ... and it's been an unhealthy balance for me for most of my life. As a result I was exhausted, stressed, unhappy and grumpy! I'm still a work in progress but I'm getting better and better! I hope I taught my kids differently, more healthy balance of energy is what really works! Happy New Year and wishing you peace and balance! xo Linda (@QueenBeeKnits)

[@conniegarry4598]

Thanks so much for reminding me of this kind of peace. When I had little children we stopped all Christmas preparations on December 21 and spent the time doing things as a family at a slower speed. We might bake cookies and if the angels were orange striped, that was ok because we were having fun. It was nice to go down that particular memory lane!

[@tereyes5633]

I follow you on Twitter and I'm sooo glad it wasn't COVID. I enjoyed this vlog. 1st time I've come across and look forward to more. I'm a maker mom and i do the exact same thing. I watch the glow of my Christmas tree. Never gets old. You're a great conversationalist!

[@barbarasmith2693]

The discussion of your cable swatch made perfect sense to me. And yes, that cable looked a bit...anemic? Is that an apt word? I have a love/hate relationship with the nasty surprise of a yarn that morphs from limp and thin to fluffy and full bodied after a blocking or first wash. Sometimes it works in your favor, sometimes not so much. Rather a swatch surprise than a finished piece. Loved your wish for peace during the holiday. Your mom sounds like she was a lovely person.

[@soma7940]

It was nice to stumble upon your channel. Your memories of your last Christmas with your mom were so similar to mine and she died of cancer that following year too. I am looking forward to tuning in to more of your knitting chats as I need to be reminded of how the swatch is an enjoyable part of the whole journey. I must comment on the background echo-y dance hall music though.. A bit distracting. Nice peaceful music would have really set the mood perfectly. I'll be back for more...

[@jacklind6566]

I love your vlogs and keep a close eye out for them . I think you are a brilliant teacher and I have learnt so much about knitting and life ( if it is possible to separate the two) listening to you. So I wish you peace in return and a better 2021 for us all.

[@lananeimeth2232]

It's long after Christmas that I'm watching this, but it was so tender and heartfelt. I hope you had a peaceful Christmas!

[@raymondaschwartz8501]

I saved this to watch today (Sunday), and I'm so glad I did! It is lovely to see you looking better; hoping you continue to take care of yourself - you are always worth waiting for! Today I was ready to remember my own mother; even though she's been gone since 1969, I have been really missing her this year; listening to you sharing your mother with us was almost like reminiscing with family; thank you. And also thank you for Dolores' gnome outfit - a quicker and more simple one, but also very satisfying in its details. Wishing all reading this peace, health, and contentment.

[@thizizliz]

Your Mother sounds very wise indeed!

[@PaintpalSue]

So glad to see you up and about, sending best wishes to you for the year ahead!

[@jeannestiffler2837]

Rosamund's sweater is beautiful and I love the color. I just found your Vlog couple days ago and I am really enjoying your knitting and talking

[@MissRebekah1974]

Perhaps the 'new old saying' could be, "Knitting from both ends of the skein." I'm glad you are improving. May you continue to improve until you are all knitted together and whole. Aunt B

[@capgemlib]

Having just joined Patreon I'm running through your back catalog of videos etc. and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this particular vlog because of well you conveyed how much your Christmases and in particular your last with your mother meant to you. It was really quite beautiful and made me feel warm on this very chilly day in VT. I'm looking forward to more.

[@franklinhabit]

Thank you so much for joining our merry band!

[@juliefriedman5929]

Thank you, Franklin. I understand your hope for peace and appreciate your thoughtfulness. Best to you.

[@joannshupe9333]

Thank you so very much for taking the time to help me get my Patreon "situation" fixed, especially since I now know how close to the edge you were at the time. The good Christmas memories are sometimes what keep us going.

[@lenabreijer1311]

I am so glad you are feeling better. My sister and I decided to give up on the dinner. We had left overs and 3 kinds of desserts. I enjoy making pies and crisps. Cookies not so much. The kids are at the opposite sides of the country we did video chats. All of the family is locked down where they are at. I couldn't even send of all the knitting because the lineups at the post office was down right scary. We decided that there was always the Chinese new year.

[@awntie]

good to know you are resting. so grateful to have you as a friend.

[@dragonstar06]

I love you Franklin!

[@meltheredcap6307]

Knitting the skein from both ends? Unravelling your knitting from both ends? I wish you gentle relaxation and recovery time!

[@NammyG834]

Hello Fredrick. I am new to your channel and will definitely be catching up. This blog was wonderful and very insightful. I think you will help many today. Thank you be safe 🤗❤️🇨🇦

[@sdschantz]

Beautiful peace. Beautiful stories. Thank you for a letting us sit and knit with you. And I’m so glad you are feeling better. Peace.

[@taniaanderson4174]

My dad would say "burning a candle at both ends with a blow torch in the middle".

[@suzannefenton1589]

You’re a fabulous speaker and teacher. I’m glad you’re feeling better and did get the rest you needed. Thank you for all you do for your viewers. Also it sounds like your office is above a restaurant, is it. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.

[@cradock38]

Your description of Christmas peace was so evocative. Thank you.

[@lynnnielsen]

Thank you Franklin. Peace to you too.

[@williamgair3230]

First time to see you and I enjoyed it. I just realized something that made this holiday strangely peaceful for me. As awful as it sounds my Chickens & Ducks were attacked by what I assume were Racoons just before the holiday. I lost half of them. However Miss Daisy Duck survived (barely) and moved into my house to be nursed. She is doing just fantastic! :) So "my company" this holiday has been a Duck living in my living room and surprisingly it has not been a pain it has been nice.

[@teddigal]

Your mother was beautiful. I gained much from hearing you talk about taking a step back and resting. It's so important and having peace is as well! Enjoy the new year!

[@vickyleather1147]

Your message was very special. Peace to you. Thank you 🙏

[@laurabuche5191]

Thank you very much for your kind, wise, relaxing words. As one of many healthcare providers, I long for days of rest, knitting and spent with my close family an pets. Peace for all, stay safe

[@heyBrownBerry]

I wonder if you can here me nodding my head vigorously from here as you chat about the reasoning behind your current sweater project?!? YES to all of it!!

[@NanZingrone]

Just what I needed today. Love your vlogs.

[@rimeehan3901]

So much gentle life wisdom and experience in this vlog. Thank you for sharing it with us, Franklin. 🙏💕

[@dparkman491]

Beautiful message. Thank you for being a part of my Christmas Day.

[@karenharper2266]

Bless you, Franklin. I am glad that you are better. Sometimes a rest is as good as a vacation. This was a lovely vlog, and thank you for sharing it.

[@mickyroop8218]

I'm glad you are enjoying your swatching. And it was peaceful just sitting here listening and watching you knit. Thank you.

[@tanstermonster5289]

Thank you. Peace to you.

[@lashandrajohnson849]

What wisdom your family has. Thank you for sharing.

[@francessnider7437]

Thank-you for this insightful vlog. This is my first introduction to you on the ‘net; I’m a new retiree and am just starting to explore “what is out there.” You have a lovely soul, I think. All the very best to you this year, I will definitely see you again. PS- I have come across your humour before😄

[@janetmelcher3716]

Just enjoy the swatching glad to hear you're feeling better.

[@bakuami-g-coda]

Well come back! I enjoyed your talking. I'm knitter, too. I subscribed your channel! Take care!

[@susanday8874]

Wow, Franklin! Thanks for posting this. I listened (and sorta watched) while crocheting knitted squares together for a "Hug Me Later" pillow for my 94 yo mom. On December 23rd, I told her she would be receiving a NewYear's gift. She replied that I should stop working on it immediately and go to bed. She gets me! I did finish the pillow for my son and daughter in law in time for Christmas. I have met you several times in classes that I have taken, but with today's vlog, I feel that you have become my friend. I'm off to join your Patreon group. Stay well, Franklin.

[@EmoryLuceBaldwin]

Thank you Franklin. Best wishes to you, too, for peace, relaxation, love and doing what makes you happy.

[@Crochetloveby_dee]

New subscriber, thanks for sharing the memories of your Mom! Happy holidays may God Bless you!✨✨✨🙏🏼💙💜🎉

[@laurajantek2562]

Since the yarn is small look at some gansey patterns: a source of inspiration and examples of cabling proportions

[@SusanShriverHowell]

So glad that you are taking care of yourself! Don't forget!

[@susannegulde5725]

This is lovely. Thank you.

[@janetdaum7395]

Thank you so much for reminding us to slow down and be peaceful. It is so needed. Even though I haven’t been that busy and do live alone I feel like the collective anxiety of this year as warn us all down. It’s nice to just be able to sit and experience the wonder of life.❣️

[@67bennington]

Loved so many things about this. Thank You.

[@susanroy433]

I didn’t know I needed to hear this today....but it turns out I did. Thank you. Please know that your vlog touches so many of us. ❤️🧶💕👍🏻

[@suehansen4190]

This was absolutely the most peaceful and relaxing video! Thankyou!

[@pamm2230]

Recently saw a creator design a swatch that ended up being part of the project for both those who crochet and knit. It was great to see everyone's reaction from actually DOING a swatch but also how it became part if the project!

[@suzannefenton1589]

Thank you for the memories of your Mama. This year is the last Christmas with my Mama. She’s 85 and her heart is now very bad and is giving out. Our family did individual videos of memories or what she had taught us. She was so blessed by it.

[@cheshirestripes8059]

I'm glad you're feeling better and you were able to get the rest you needed. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Christmas memories and positive message, it was exactly what I needed ❤

[@jennastewart428]

Thank you! Peace

[@k2lar]

Thank you.