Creating a new holiday tradition

So many holiday traditions are created by crafters for their families and friends. Every Christmas season, families take out the Christmas stockings for display and eventual stuffing. More stockings are made with each new addition to the family.

I know this, since I have been knitting stockings for a family for at least 25 years. Some years, I don’t knit any, and other years the family has grown with the addition of new babies or by marriage, and I may have a couple to make.

The family Christmas sweater has been a popular project for the designated knitter with plenty of knitting time.

Families decked out in the family Christmas sweater have graced the cover of many a Christmas card. There was a customer one year who knit up about two dozen hats so every family member would have a matching hat for the family holiday photo. So much fun and so much knitting!

A new grandmother I know recently began a really sweet tradition. Rather than purchase a commercial ornament, she knitted the cutest little hat ornament, for her first grandchild, shown in the photo. Brenda is excited that two more babies are expected this coming year. She has wasted no time in creating an ornament for each expected baby.

Brenda also takes the extra effort to personalize each ornament with beaded embellishments. This knitting grandmother is also toying with the idea of a matching baby hat to compliment each ornament. Can you imagine how adorable personalized tiny sweaters or sock ornaments would be?

These knitted or crocheted ornaments would make the perfect gift for any expectant couple, as well as a beautiful keepsake for the child.

Taking this idea even further, ornaments could be made to include every family member, and they would make a wonderful gift. I’m only sad to think that I won’t have time to try out this idea myself this year. Of course, January is the perfect time to start preparing for next year, and what a great new project these ornaments will make for the New Year.

Virginia (Ginger) Balch knits, weaves and spins in all things “fibery” at her shop In Sheep’s Clothing at 10 Water St. Torrington www.in-sheeps-clothing.com or call 860-482-3979/ 860-605-0405.emailinsheepscloth@gmail.com

Ginger Balch / Contributed photo A new grandmother recently began a sweet tradition. Rather than purchase a commercial ornament, she knitted the cutest little hat ornament, for her first grandchild, shown here.