Christmas Knitting

I almost never knit for Christmas. I don't like the pressure of the immutable deadline, and I prefer to consult with the recipient of the gift as it is in progress. The Christmas surprise thing just doesn't work for me. But. Then there is my father.

My father is old, a tad strange, and very very picky. He does not want Christmas gifts because he feels he has enough "crap". He does not want a knitted gift unless it's a sweater. I do not have the time right now to make him another sweater. So the husband decided I should make dear old dad a hat.



Dear old dad has an extremely large head, so I cast on 104 stitches for this baby. My normal charity hats are 80 stitches. The yarn is leftover Patons Decor, so it has a bit of wool for warmth but won't suffer badly if it ends up in the wash. My prediction: he is going to hate it. He will laugh in his "isn't this ridiculous!" kind of way and reiterate that what he really wants is a sweater. It will never again see the light of day. But at least we're giving him something other than the usual case of beer.

Now it looks like I'm in for some hospital knitting. My 9-year-old daughter has to be admitted for tests and I'm sitting here awaiting the announcement that they've found her a bed. I'm thinking preemie hats are the way to go. Perhaps the hospital we'll be visiting will be able to use them. Must remember to inquire.