The original:

The copies:

:::dance of joy::::

You know how you have those projects that hang over your head - taunting you - that you've learned to absolutely hate?

Well, take one of those projects, and multiply it by three - and add in that it is a commisssioned affair. What you end up with is my angst these last few months.

The projects were (notice the past tense!) Christmas stockings. A good friend's grandmother used to make these stockings for all the children, and then their spouses, and then their children. Although there was some variation in the colors due to different yarn choices, the stockings were all the same. This fine lady passed away a few years ago, and since her passing, several new grandchildren (and a new spouse!) were included into the family.

My job? To make stockings for them based on one of the originals.

I tried my darndest to infuse these stockings with the same amount of love an affection that the original knitter obviously did, but I learned a few things.

1) I hate colorwork.
2) I hate colorwork.
3) I hate colorwork.

I had done some smaller projects - but these three stockings each measure appx. 2 ft in length, and in some sections, the colorwork is a-plenty.

I also learned that I really don't like knitting on commission. Part of it, I'm sure, was having a deadline. In my life, I have so many deadlines that adding one to my hobby was not the best of ideas.

Anyway, I'm free!! (Pics to come)