We’re SO close! You can ALMOST acceptably talk about the holidays without your family, friends and coworkers criticizing you! Obviously, this criticism doesn’t bother me one bit, but YAY YOU! For everyone traveling for Thanksgiving, good luck and I hope you’re safe. Though M and I did make our way over to my parents’ place for Thanksgiving…. they are only a short drive away. Does that mean I packed light? No. Did I only bring one knitting project? Of course not.
When packing to knit in front of the family members you are making gifts for, it is important to plan carefully. After all, it’s no fun if all of your gifts are revealed. I am fortunate that one of the very large projects is a sweater carefully picked out for my father…. to the point where we chose the yarn and did a fitting to ensure that it would fit right and actually be worn. This was a given to be packed. In addition, I laid out all of my empty project bags and my list of items to knit for the holidays. I spent a good hour or so matching some projects to yarn and then putting them in an appropriately-sized project bags.
After packing the essentials in my duffle, I started packing project bags. Aside from the sweater, everything I brought with me is not for M or my parents. Since most people are not insane and do not make presents for almost everyone in their lives, it is most important that the items packed to work on in front of your loved ones do not give away what they are and who they are for. So if your mother asked for a lace shawl in a very specific color, maybe don’t bring that project. Instead bring something in a brown colorway and simple pattern that could be made for any male.
Don’t over think, either. If your family does not consist of crafters, it is most likely they won’t realize, recognize or even pay enough attention to know what you are working on and if it is for them. My biggest advice is to keep it simple. You want to spend the holidays with family, not just near them, tucked in a corner, hunched over a pattern. Find simple gifts to work on that will give you to most output for your time, but won’t take your attention away from the conversation at hand.
Most importantly, make sure to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family, friends, food, parades and football!
a singular knitter 