When I first started knitting years ago, I started getting busy in October, trying to decide and make all the gifts for my friends and family. Now, I don't do that anymore. I still make and gift things all year long, even charge people for some of them, but holiday season now means much more to me than gifts.

The trade in for buying gifts is that I get to spend more time with my family at shopping malls, putting the kiddo on the carousel, visit the Santa House, and just in general, having a laid back time at home. 

It's December 30 today, and my company has today and Monday off -- which means Kiddo's also out of school until then, so we're going to cook Taiwanese hot pot today, enjoy our last day of 2016 tomorrow, and open the new year's day with holiday buffet. Instead of trying to pull all nighters to finish gift knitting, I took some time off from work and reorganize my stash, clean up my sewing space, worked on a few WIPs... and focused on finishing something for myself for. a change.

Just in time for the Knitmore Girls' #Grinchalong contest - the idea is that knitting/sewing/hobby should always bring joy to you, instead of stress. 

I cast on for this sweater since I had this yarn for a vest for few years now, and I haven't made anything for myself in a long time. It's usually socks for me, or sweaters/vests for Kiddo. This was just 6 days ago, and the process has been very relaxing on my new wooden knitting needles. I'm working on the neckband and armbands right now and it'll all be done soon. :)