Here it is, December 23. Two more knitting or crocheting days until Christmas. Maybe one depending on when you were planning to wrap the gift.

This is where gift bags come in handy. By tossing the finished project in a gift bag with some tissue paper you can squeeze out a few more minutes of stitching time!

Unlike many knitters and crocheters I always approach the holiday season without plans to make gifts. I tell myself the holidays have enough stress without adding deadline knitting to the mix.

You won’t be surprised to hear that something always sucks me into the gift knitting frenzy. Often without me even realizing it until it’s too late!

This year it was the prospect of knitting the Madelena Scarf from Louisa Harding’s Simonetta book using the yarn of the same name. I started around Thanksgiving, but it turns out a lace scarf takes me longer to knit than I anticipated!

On the plus side, although my mom knows I’m making this scarf for her I didn’t specifically say it was a Christmas present. Always hedge your bets, that’s what I say.

I take comfort in the fact that I’m not the only knitter who fell short of her goals. It happens to the best of us.

The thing to remember is that this isn’t the first time, and it probably won’t be the last, that we’ve presented our loved ones with an unfinished gift and an IOU. They would probably be more surprised if they didn’t find a pair of needles it at least one gift this year.

Don't worry about the second sock until you finish the first!

But even though this situation is expected, and hopefully understood, sometimes an explanation is in order.

To help you out, I’ve written this letter that you can print out and include in any unfinished gifts. Simply copy and paste the text into a Word document, then replace the text in brackets [like this] with the appropriate information. For instance you’ll change “My Dearest [insert loved ones name]” to “My Dearest Mom.”

Please Accept This Unfinished Gift

My Dearest [insert loved ones name]:

Enclosed please find the [scarf/hat/socks/gloves/sweater] I’ve been making for you. The yarn and project were carefully selected with you in mind.

It isn’t finished because my ambition outstripped my [knitting/crocheting] time.

Please know that I’ve spent many evenings of late, thinking of you fondly, as I worked on this project. There is love in every stitch.

I know you are disappointed that you won’t get to start using it right away. Believe me so am I! There is nothing that makes a [knitter/crocheter] as happy as seeing the [scarf/hat/socks/gloves/sweater] they made put to good use.

Now that you’ve admired your present, please return it to me so I can get back to work. I can’t tell you when it will be done, but I promise it will be soon. Definitely before next [insert gift giving occasion]!

All my love,

[your name here]

—

Happy holidays!

And remember, as the saying goes, it’s the thought that counts.