Rock the halls!

First, a confession that may well alienate anyone reading this: I am a bit of a grinch when it comes to Christmas music. I'm not talking about nativity-themed choral stuff, I love traditional carols to bits. What bugs me is the music they play at work all day long (Ahh, retail...): it's music someone decided was Christmassy but seems to be mostly about snow, Santa or the frustrations of long-distance romance. Having never personally experienced any of those things, I may be the world's biggest cynic but they leave me uninspired.

Being an obsessive mix-tape maker, I decided to make a rocking holiday mix of my own. Now, only two of these songs have any Christmas content whatsoever, and my sister the traditionalist will bemoan the lack of bells and children's voices. But these are my gems, the songs that are constantly making me embarass myself on public transport by grinning like a loon and twitching in time. There's a good deal of giddy, dance-inducing folk music here and a few songs more subtle and spare. But they all inspire that rare unselfconscious pleasure that I associate with the best of the season, that handshake of the human and the divine. And so, at the risk of outstaying my welcome (did I just mention religion? What was I thinking?), how about a little giveaway?

I am turning 26 next Wednesday (is 26 still mid-twenties, or late-twenties? I have no idea), and I feel like celebrating. Whoever would like some lovely sock yarn and a copy of said mix-tape, leave a comment on this post with a suggestion of what I should be when I grow up. Comment as many times as you like between now and Christmas and then I'll make up a package to send to my favourite commenter in the new year.

Rockin' the tree.

Yarn: less than 20g sock-weight yarn.
Needles: set of 4 US size 2/2.75mm DPNs
Gauge: 15st and 20 rows to 2"/5cm

You'll also need a little bit of polyfill stuffing.

Using figure-8, CO 9 st (5st on one needle and 4 on the other).
K all sts, splitting over 3 needles.
Knit one round even.

Increase round: [M1, K1] around.
Work 3 rounds even, then another increase round. (36st)
Work 6 rounds even, then another increase round. (72st)
Work 12 rounds even, then begin decreases.

Decrease round: [K2tog] around.
Work 6 rounds even, then another decrease round. (36st)
Work 3 rounds even, then stuff bauble.
Work another decrease round, then one round even.

Cut yarn and thread through live stitches, pulling to tighten.
Make a loop at top of bauble and secure with yarn end.

Home stretch.

This has been my big Christmas project of 2007, a secret throw rug for the boyfriend. I started knitting in October, fresh from the birthday rush and glowingly optimistic about the worthiness of the handknit gift.

I am still a big believer in the worthiness of the handknit gift, don't get me wrong. I have always loved to give, and pride myself on giving good presents. I think knitting for someone involves so much thought and consideration about the recipient that it can't help but be a great gift--and great for the relationship if all that effort is appreciated.

That said, there are things that I dread about this project. I have done most of the knitting now, and am on the home stretch: only two more sets of chevron repeats, border, blocking, and somewhere in there the weaving in of ends. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger (or so I've heard), and when I finish the weaving-in-ends of this project I will surely be a much stronger person than when I began it.

And when it's all done, it'll seem simple: if he likes it I will be a very happy girl.