Nineteen more days until Christmas. This is just a little pep talk for people who are stressing about making a gift or not making a gift. If you’ve decided to make a gift and you don’t have time to finish it, what about wrapping a promissory note? “I’m making you something but I will finish it by (future date)” and wrap the partially finished product. Unless you have to mail it off. Don’t stress, the holidays don’t need additional stress. Take time to enjoy the holidays. If you have made something or you still have someone else you need to make something for… Relax. I’ve been there – making things at the last minute and it’s not pleasant. Many worst case scenarios arise: You run out of materials, your gauge is off, or you run into a tangle. Best case: If you finish what you have started, at least you started. Congratulate yourself – you made the effort to give someone a handmade gift. Preserving your peace by not making any gifts is fine too! Enjoy the holidays or make something for yourself at a leisurely pace.

If you forgot to get something for someone and you think you can make something – great! Unsure but still want to try and make something? It’s go time! Don’t stress – make something small. Let’s go back to the promissory note. Write a fun little note “hey, I’m planning on making you *blank* but I ran out of time. I’ll finish it shortly!” Remember – don’t stress yourself. Stress adds pressure, which just makes for mistakes, which creates more stress… relax.

Whether you crochet fast or slow, you are a crocheter. It’s not a race, crocheting is a craft. Whether you use materials from the dollar store, thrifted materials or a handmade hook out of fine wood using qiviut, you are a crocheter. Use what you can afford, use what you like and grow from the experience. Craft, learn and grow!

Don’t stress… Do what you can, breathe!

Happy crocheting!