On Thanksgiving night with the planning, shopping, preparing, serving, enjoying, and cleaning up done, I need to knit.  I need to knit to relax, unwind, and reflect on the holiday and the time with my family.  Time to think about the family and friends that couldn’t be with me today.  I don’t want to knit any of the many projects that are already on the needles.  I don’t want to follow a pattern, count stitches or keep track of what row I’m knitting.

All I really want is to have my hands move in that rhythmic, familiar way and relish the warmth and softness of a bulky yarn.  I want to work with a color that brings my joy and peace.  I go to my abundant stash and select 2 skeins of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in a colorway called Hudson Bay.  My U.S. Size 15 Rosewood needles are ideal for this project and feel comfortable in my hands.  The gauge is 9 stitches to 4 inches on Size 13 needles so I cast on 19 stitches.  On my Size 15 needles that will make the scarf about 9 inches wide.

Then I begin to knit.  Stitch after stitch.  Row after row.  I feel the calming effect come over me.  In a short while, I have a scarf that is about 2 feet long and I’m getting sleepy.  Off for a good night’s rest.

Black Friday is always fun.  I don’t really need anything but off to the store I go.  Too many possibilities to count.  Leftovers for dinner and back to my garter stitch scarf.  I’m still not ready to return to my projects that require me to pay attention to what I’m creating.  While I knit, I keep a paper and pen close by and write down all the ideas for knitting projects that whirl through my head.

The scarf is almost done.  I’ve recovered from the holiday weekend.  When this scarf is done, I’ll put it with my other finished items so that when I find the ideal recipient, it will be ready to gift.  However, the real joy for me is in the process.  The finished scarf is just a benefit.