Some days, knitting is nothing but comfort. It is the soft click of needles. It includes the steady rhythm of stitches. It brings the quiet joy of watching something grow beneath our hands.
And some days… it teaches us patience.
Lately, I’ve been sitting with a sock project that hasn’t quite gone the way I imagined. The yarn is lovely, the pattern is beautiful — but together they’re asking more of me than I expected. There have been pauses. Frogged rows. A few deep sighs. And more than once, I’ve had to remind myself that not every project is meant to be easy.
At the same time, I’ve been finding comfort in working on my Northerly Blanket — a slower, gentler make that feels like wrapping myself in quiet winter evenings. It’s become my place of rest, the project I reach for when I need my hands to remember calm again.
These moments have reminded me that even “imperfect” projects have something to offer. They teach us new skills, stretch our patience, and gently invite us to grow. Every stitch — even the ones we redo — still carries learning, intention, and care.
So if you’re working on something that feels tricky right now, take heart. You’re not behind. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re simply learning — and that, too, is beautiful.
As the season grows quieter, I hope you’ll stay safe, stay cozy, and keep making with grace. Let your projects meet you where you are, and trust that every stitch still matters.
There’s something grounding about oatmeal cookies. Maybe it’s the way oats soften as they bake. Or it could be how the kitchen fills with that warm cinnamon-butter scent. It feels like home before the cookies even leave the oven.
These baked oatmeal drop cookies are the kind you make on an ordinary afternoon. There is no mixer drama, and no fancy steps involved. Just a bowl, a spoon, and a little pause in the day. They have a soft center. The edges are lightly crisp. They are just right with a mug of tea or coffee beside you.
This is the recipe I reach for when I want something gentle and familiar. It is the kind of baking that feels like a deep breath.
Why I Love These Cookies
They’re simple and forgiving
Made with pantry staples
Soft and comforting, not overly sweet
Easy to adapt with what you have on hand
These aren’t bakery cookies. They’re home cookies. And that’s exactly the point.
Baked Oatmeal Drop Cookies
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
¾ cup all-purpose flour (whole wheat works beautifully too)
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2–3 tablespoons milk (only if the dough feels dry)
Optional add-ins (choose what feels right):
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup chocolate chips
¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until soft and blended.
Beat in the egg and vanilla.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined. Add milk if needed for a soft, scoopable dough.
Drop spoonfuls (about 1½ tablespoons) onto the prepared baking sheet.
Freeze for 10 minutes (optional)
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are just set.
Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
A Few Gentle Baking Notes
For softer cookies: lean closer to 10 minutes. (I like them soft so yes, 10 minutes)
For a heartier cookie: use whole wheat flour and an extra spoonful of oats.
For crisp edges: lightly flatten the dough before baking.
Cozy Variations to Try
Maple Oatmeal Cookies: swap half the brown sugar for maple syrup.
Apple Cinnamon: add ½ cup finely diced apple and a pinch more cinnamon.
Breakfast-style Cookies: reduce sugar to ⅓ cup and use nuts + dried fruit.
A Small Kitchen Blessing
May your oven warm the room, may your cookies cool just enough, and may you remember — even ordinary days can be sweet.
If you bake these, I’d love to hear how you made them your own. Share a cup of tea, a quiet moment, and a cookie or two. 💛
Welcome, friends. I’m Granny Doll from DollCanCreate, living the 100 Mile Life and leaning deeply into slow, creative living. Today is Vlogmas Day 20 — and yes, this is the second time I’ve written (and recorded) this. Technology happens. We take a breath. And we begin again.
After a busy day of being out and doing the work that I do, I knew I needed to decompress. I needed to put my feet up and rest my body. Letting my spirit catch up was also necessary. So today looks like this:
A fireplace warming the room. Christmas lights flicking on quietly by timer. A candle that smells like cookies (yes, really). A soft, calm pause in the middle of December’s rush.
And because it’s Vlogmas — or as I like to call it, Spindlemas — there’s also knitting.
On the Needles: Familiar Comfort
I’m still working on this lovely Shropshire fibre on my favourite spindle. I’ve officially cast on the second fingerless mitten. These are one of my go-to patterns — cozy, familiar, and comforting.
They feature:
A beautiful cabled pattern along the hand
A simple knit section above
A 3×1 rib at the cuff
As soon as I finished the first mitten, I cast on the second — just like socks. Momentum matters when you’re knitting and when you’re tired.
I’ll link the pattern below if you’re interested — it’s one I return to again and again.
Looking Ahead: The 12 Days of Christmas Cast-On
Today I’ll also be casting on something new as part of my 12 Days of Christmas Cast-On. Most likely, I will choose socks. I have so many new sock patterns waiting patiently.
I’m working with a gorgeous peacock blue hand-dyed sock yarn, and there are also:
Two pairs of slippers waiting to be made
Socks currently on the needles (I’ll show those next time)
There’s a lot on the plate — but the kind of “a lot” that feels joyful, not heavy.
Real Life in the Middle of Advent
Beyond the knitting, life is humming along:
Christmas cards are ready for worship tomorrow
Baking and gift-wrapping are still to come
Rest is firmly on the to-do list (and yes, it counts)
I also have a couple of extra worship services coming up — but I’m prepared. The planning is done. I’m ready to show up fully, without scrambling.
Advent, after all, is about preparation — of our homes, our hearts, and our lives. But it’s also the season of darkness, especially here in winter.
Solstice Reflections & Small Celebrations
Tomorrow, December 21st — the winter solstice — is also Nick’s and my wedding anniversary. Twenty years married.
We celebrated early with a late lunch/early supper because tomorrow will be full — but the moment mattered. And during the solstice, I think that’s especially important: finding something to celebrate in the midst of it all.
Whether it’s:
Family gatherings
Candlelight
Remembering loved ones who are no longer with us
All of it matters. All of it is holy.
A Gentle Reminder for Today
It may be cold. It may be dark. It may be windy, rainy, snowy — all at once.
Your house may not be perfect. But your heart is.
And whatever is held in your heart today is enough.
So for now, and for today, I wish you warmth, rest, and gentleness with yourself. Vlogmas is almost over — but we’re not quite done yet. The 12 Days of Christmas Cast-On are just around the corner, and there’s still more to share.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for walking this slow, creative, faith-filled path with me.
There’s something about spindle spinning that always feels like coming home.
In the middle of December, the days are short. The calendar is full, and the world seems a little louder than usual. I find myself reaching for my spindle. Not because I have to. But because I want to. It reminds me to slow down, to breathe, and to let my hands do something quiet and good.
If you’re new to spindle spinning, you are doing better than you think. Even if you’ve tried it once or twice and felt unsure, know this right from the start. You’re doing better than you think.
Beginning Where You Are
One of the first things I share in today’s video is how I make a leader. Sometimes I use a bit of pre-spun yarn. Sometimes I make one right from the fiber itself. Both ways are just fine. There’s no rule book here—only gentle guidance and curiosity.
Spindle spinning isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning how the fiber responds, how the twist travels, and how your hands naturally move. Every spindle has its own rhythm, and every spinner does too.
Wrapping, Spinning, and Letting Go
I also show how I wrap the fiber around the spindle to get started. This simple step can feel intimidating at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature. A wrap, a twist, a pause. Over and over again.
In the video, I’m using one of my favorite 3D-printed spindle—this one doesn’t even have a hook! And yes, that can feel a bit tricky at first. But with a secure wrap and a little patience, it spins beautifully. It’s a good reminder that tools don’t have to be fancy or traditional to be useful. They just have to work for you.
An Invitation to Experiment
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s permission.
Permission to experiment. Permission to try different methods. Permission to set the spindle down and come back later.
Spinning has been part of human life for thousands of years. No two people have ever done it exactly the same way. Your spinning doesn’t need to look like mine—or anyone else’s—to be right.
A Quiet Practice for Busy Seasons
During Advent and Vlogmas, spindle spinning has become a small daily ritual for me. Just a few minutes at a time. A way to ground myself, to pray without words, and to remember that slow things still matter.
If you’re spinning along with me this season, I’m so glad you’re here. And if you’re just watching and learning, that’s just as lovely.
🧶 May your fiber be forgiving, your spindle steady, and your heart at ease.
by Grannie Doll, living the 100-Mile Life one gentle stitch at a time
Life gets loud, doesn’t it? The news hums. The to-do list grows. The phone pings. Suddenly, the whole day feels like it’s rushing past with no place to sit and breathe. But inside all that noise are tiny pockets of stillness. These are the soft places we create with our own hands.
For me, those quiet places almost always begin with wool.
Fibre arts aren’t just hobbies. They’re anchors. They’re soft rebellions against the rush. They’re the ways we gather ourselves back up when the world has scattered us thin.
🧶 Spinning: Stillness in Motion
There’s something almost holy about the whir of a spindle or wheel. Drafting fibre is like drafting breath — long, slow, intentional. As twist travels down the strand, my mind unwinds alongside it.
Spinning teaches me to come back to the present moment, one gentle pull at a time. It gives my busy thoughts a place to rest and my heart a place to settle. It doesn’t demand anything fancy or perfect. It just invites me to show up.
🧵 Knitting: Rhythm for a Restless Mind
Knitting is patterned peace. Stitch after stitch, the world slows. Even on the heaviest days, a few rows remind me that I’m still here. I’m still breathing. I’m still creating warmth in cold seasons.
Sometimes I knit complex patterns when my brain needs a puzzle. Other days, I return to the comfort of garter or stockinette. These are the simple rhythms that ground me. They help when chaos tries to take over.
🧺 The Fibre Basket: A Soft Sanctuary
Maybe it’s the colours. Maybe it’s the textures. Maybe it’s the connection to local farms and shepherds and the land itself. But opening my wool basket feels like opening a tiny sanctuary.
These fibres are dyed with food colouring and carded by hand. They are gathered from neighbours or small mills. They remind me that peace is found close to home. It is found in simple things. It is found in simple moments.
✨ 5 Ways to Find Peace in the Chaos with Fibre Arts
1. Slow Your Breathing With Repetitive Motion
Let the steady rhythm of knitting or spinning calm your nervous system. Hands first, heart follows.
2. Choose Colours That Soothe Your Spirit
Reach for rose, lilac, lavender, soft blues — the colours that whisper calm into your bones.
3. Keep a “Comfort Project” Ready
A simple, soft, no-pressure project can steady you on overwhelming days.
4. Create a Tiny Craft Sanctuary
A chair, a basket of wool, a candle. Let this small space become your quiet refuge.
5. Make Your Craft a Prayer or Meditation
Each draft and stitch can be a release. They can be a blessing. They can also be a grounding moment — a way to return to yourself.
🌸 Peace Not Perfection
Projects tangle. Yarn breaks. Needles go missing. Chaos creeps back into life and into our making. But somehow, the soft work keeps holding us.
Every imperfect skein reminds me: peace isn’t perfection. It’s the gentle choosing of calm, again and again, even when the day feels frayed.
🌼 A Cozy Ritual for the Hard Days
When life feels too loud, I make a little ritual of it:
A cup of tea. A soft lamp. My spindle or needles. A kitten who may or may not cooperate. And the colour that settles my heart fastest — usually lilac or rose.
In those moments, peace doesn’t arrive with trumpets. It arrives quietly, like wool slipping through fingers.
💬 Invitation to You
If the world feels overwhelming today, pick up something soft. Let your hands lead your spirit toward stillness. We’ll knit ourselves back together — one peaceful row at a time.
From my cozy chair to yours…
May your stitches be steady, your wool be soft, and your heart find a pocket of peace today.
Welcome back, dear friends, to another day of Vlogmas/Spindlemas! Today’s little adventure was all about choices… so many choices. If you’ve ever stood in front of your fiber stash and thought, “Well now, which woolly friend is calling my name today?” — oh goodness, I was right there with you.
Vlogmas Day 12 had me pulling out fibers like a kid digging through a treasure box. Every one of them whispered something different, and honestly? I just wanted to spin them all.
A Burst of Sunshine: The Yellow BFL Blend
First up was the happiest little braid of sunshine you’ve ever seen — a golden yellow Bluefaced Leicester blend. And here’s the fun part: it gets its gorgeous colour from gold food dye. Yes… food dye. Who knew something from the baking cupboard turns fiber into pure sunshine? This one feels lively and warm in the hands. The kind of spin that instantly lifts your mood.
Soft and Steady: The White-Gray Shetland
Next came a fiber that feels like home for me — a gentle white-gray Shetland I had carded and hand-batted. There’s something about Shetland that always feels right. Dependable. Cozy. Honest. This particular batch is destined for mittens, and I’m already imagining how soft and sturdy they’ll be once knit up. Truly a joy to spin.
A Luxurious Treat: Merino–Cashmere Blend
And then… a little luxury. A merino-cashmere blend that practically purrs when you touch it. I’m planning to spin just a bit of it. It’s not for a big project. I want to do it simply for the pleasure of changing pace. Like dessert spinning. Rich, decadent, and exactly what you need when your creative spirit wants to wander.
A Surprise Helper: The Kitten Cameo
And because no Vlogmas day in my house is finished without a little mischief, the kitten made an appearance. She hopped into the frame, ready to supervise, critique, or steal fiber — still not sure which. (I didn’t leave that in the video lol) But goodness, moments like that add such sweetness to the work. Life with wool and whiskers just feels right.
Closing Thoughts
Some days spinning is about a plan. Other days — like today — it’s about delight, surprise, colour, texture, and following whatever fiber feels like joy.
If you’re spinning along with me this Spindlemas, I hope today you choose something joyful. Let it be something that makes your heart do a little happy dance.
Thanks for coming by, dear friends. See you tomorrow for Vlogmas Day 13 — and may your fiber choices be just the right kind of overwhelming.
Advent always asks something of us, doesn’t it? It’s a season of preparation, of tending our spirits, of giving and sharing. A season where the heart gets stretched just a little wider — even when our calendars feel like they’re bursting.
Here in my little corner, it’s also Vlogmas and Spindlemas, which means I’ve been spinning every single day. Last time I chatted with you, I was working on that delicious red Shetland. I still can’t get the camera to capture it nicely. And yes, I can’t believe I said “y’all.” But here we are. I now have two sweet little cops of that red, and it’s sitting happily beside me.
But yesterday, I didn’t dig into my usual basket. To be honest, I know it won’t carry me all the way through December. Instead, I reached for something special. A bit of colour. A bit of chaos. A bit of joy.
I save tiny tufts of everything I spin throughout the year in a little jar. On Distaff Day in January, I card them all together into what I call my mystery batt.. That was the mystery I was spinning yesterday. It is a mix of fibres that probably shouldn’t work together. Somehow, they do. Perfect mitten yarn, I think. And I spun it on my tiny drop spindle, the one that feels like a friend.
Sock Knitting, Christmas Colours… and When Things Don’t Go as Planned
And then there are the socks. I’m knitting the Crazy Sock Lady’s Heel Toe Do-Si-Do pattern, marking each 12-row repeat. I’m on the final repeat now — foot nearly done, toe up next.
This yarn was supposed to be Christmas red, but it came out more pink-with-a-dash-of-green than holiday festive. You know how it goes… sometimes the dye pot has other plans.
So what do we do when things don’t turn out the way we pictured?
Do we fuss? Do we stomp our feet? Or do we pick up the needles and make something lovely anyway?
These socks not be Christmas socks — but the ones on my feet definitely are. My West Yorkshire Spinners Grinch Socks, knit last year, still make me grin. Warm, cozy, a little mischievous — everything December should be.
Grandsons, Slippers, and the Joy of Making
I also found out today that both my grandsons want slippers. One is a Kobe Bryant superfan — all basketball, all the time. The other is a Buffalo Bills devotee — blue and red.
So guess who’s knitting slippers? Granny is. I can make a pair in a day or two once I get these socks off the needles. And honestly? I love that they asked. There’s something special about knitters being capable of wrapping love around the feet of the ones they adore.
Advent, Expectations, and Embracing the Slow
We’re ten days into Advent now — nearly halfway — and I wonder if you’re feeling the tug too. The rush to “get there.” The impatience for the holiday to arrive already. Or maybe the wish for everything to slow down just a little.
But wishing won’t change the calendar. Christmas will come, and Christmas will go. The solstice will arrive — the longest night — and winter will settle itself in.
So what if… just for a moment… we leaned into the slowness?
What if we allowed ourselves to prepare gently, instead of scrambling for perfection?
What if the blessing is actually hidden inside the quiet?
These are big questions, I know. But maybe you’re feeling them too — the pressure of family, gifts, budgets, expectations. The worry that you won’t get it all done.
Let me offer you this little truth:
It is not necessary to run yourself ragged. It is not necessary to give beyond your limits. What is necessary is love — for your neighbour, for your family, and for yourself.
Smile at someone today. Give yourself grace. Let the cookies stay unbaked if that’s what your body needs. Let the gifts be simple. Let the joy be quiet.
Tonight I thought about filming a behind-the-scenes video for DollCanCreate and my 100 Mile Journey. Instead, I’m here with you — in the quiet. I’m grateful for warmth, for family, and for friends. I appreciate the little electric fireplace humming beside me. I’m thankful for the simple gift of being able to turn on the oven and make supper.
A Question for You, My Friend
On this 10th day of Vlogmas:
What are you doing for yourself? What can you let go of? And what might you gently pick up to bring joy into your life?
Hold those questions close as you settle into the evening.
And remember:
You are special. You are blessed. You are loved.
This is Grannie Doll, living the 100 Mile Life one day at a time. Happy Advent. God bless. Until next time. ✨
So welcome, dear friends. Day Seven of Vlogmas is here. Today I’m settling into my comfy rocking chair. I have that beautiful red wool you may have seen me pull from my basket. I’m working with my Dealgan—well, trying to. (Scottish Spindle) The camera didn’t want to cooperate, and the spindle certainly lived up to its name: drop spindle.
But that’s part of the charm, isn’t it? A bit of laughter, a bit of wool, and a whole lot of grace.
I picked up this spindle years ago at a fiber festival in Almonte, Ontario. I don’t use it often, but every once in a while it calls to me. Something about switching up tools brings a new rhythm to my hands and a freshness to the craft.
Today, I’m spinning a hand-dyed Shetland. I wish I could remember the dyer, but Shetland itself is one of my favourites—soft, lively, and full of character. I wind the leader through the cross at the bottom. Then, I bring it back up to the top. I give it a half-hitch and let the spindle go again.
This is my quiet joy on Day Seven.
Yesterday’s spin was different: a soft Barbie-pink Merino, a little two-ply that turned out beautifully. It will join the other colours in my blanket jar—my slow-growing rainbow of December.
What Are You Spinning? What Are You Creating?
I would love to know. Are you spinning along for Vlogmas? Knitting something soft and comforting? Trying a new craft that keeps your hands and heart grounded?
Leave a comment below and let me know what’s on your needles, hooks, or spindle this week.
Spinning as a Practice of Hope
At church this weekend, I spoke about hope. I reflected on Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones. Those bones rose to life when God breathed upon them.
I keep thinking about how our craft mirrors that story.
Every time we spin a rolag, knit a row, or weave a few inches, we are quietly hoping:
hoping the yarn will be strong,
hoping the project will come together,
hoping we are learning even when we make mistakes,
hoping that the small work of our hands somehow leads to beauty.
Our craft is a form of hope. A hope for the future. A hope that even tired hands can create something meaningful.
And all the while, we sit in our cozy corners. Rocking chairs comfort us, with cats nearby and tea cooling on the side table. We think about the future in gentle, manageable ways.
Because out there, in the world of news headlines and endless commentary, it can feel like everything is coming undone. Some days, it is hard. Grief is real. December can stir up memories we weren’t expecting, or emotions we thought we’d tucked away.
So I return to what grounds me:
“Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, whatever is of good report…”
These are the things I choose to think on. These are the things we craft toward.
And one of those lovely things is you. Thank you for being here with me.
If You’re Enjoying These Vlogmas Moments…
Please don’t forget to:
Like the video
Subscribe to the channel
Share with a friend who needs a little December calm
I’m aiming for a video every single day for Vlogmas—my goal and my little offering of joy this Advent season.
We’ve just entered Week Two of Advent, and next week we move into Joy. How wonderful is that?
From My Home to Yours
Hi, I’m Granny Doll—also known as Doll from DollCanCreate, living the 100 Mile Life and enjoying every moment I can. I’m creating whether I’m in my rocking chair spinning wool with my kitty beside me. I’m creating while stirring a pot in the kitchen. I’m also creating when I write quietly on my blog. And I believe with all my heart that you can create too.
So tell me:
What are you working on right now?
Are you still deep in holiday gift-making?
Or are you turning toward something just for you? (A little self-care crafting never hurt anyone!)
Let’s talk about what our hands and hearts are connected to this Advent season.
For now, dear ones, this is Granny Doll signing off. I care for you. I’m thinking of you. And I pray God blesses you with peace, comfort, and creativity.
Welcome back, dear friends. It’s Grannie Doll here. I’m settling in with a cup of something warm. I’m living my 100-Mile Life one peaceful, wool-filled moment at a time.
This week, as part of Spindlemas, I found myself drawn back to a question many beginning spinners ask:
“How many kinds of spindles are out there—and how many does a spinner really need?”
Well… pull up a chair. Today I’m opening up my own spindle basket. I will share stories from the past twenty-one years of spinning joy. I will talk about learning curves and the quiet magic of handmade tools.
My First Spindle: Where It All Began
Every maker has that one tool that started it all. Mine is a sturdy little drop spindle from 2004. It is hand-painted and well-loved. The paint is now gently wearing away after decades of use.
When I hold it, I remember those early days—fumbling fingers, lumpy yarn, and that unmistakable spark of Oh! I can make this myself.
That spark has carried me a long way.
Black Spruce and Alaskan Memories
Not long after, my husband Nick carved me a lightweight spindle from Black Spruce in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The bark has thinned over time, the wood mellowed, but it still spins fast and true. I can almost hear the quiet of the Alaskan woods every time the whirl turns.
These tools hold memories as much as they hold wool.
Spindle Exchange Surprises
Some treasures arrive by mail.
Years ago, during a spindle exchange, I received a sweet little hand-painted spindle. It was light as air. It was clearly fashioned from a drawer pull. Creative, whimsical, and full of charm.
Another exchange brought me a brightly colored whorl. It still spins beautifully. It is a little chipped from life, but so am I. Aren’t we all?
And yes… tucked among the collection is a tahkli spindle. It has a metal shaft and bead whorl. It is gorgeous and mysterious. It still whispers, “You’ll learn me someday.”
One day, little spindle. One day.
The Spindles I Reach for Most
Like many spinners, I have favourites that become old friends.
My Ashford Pair
A tiny light Ashford that spins like a dragonfly’s wing.
A larger Ashford that once met the wrong end of a dog’s teeth. A little tape, a lot of forgiveness, and she still spins beautifully.
My Beloved Unknown-Maker Spindle
Purchased somewhere near Owen Sound, this dark wooden beauty is my go-to for plying. The tip is finely crafted, the spin steady and long. She feels like poetry in the hand.
The Celtic Spindle
3D-printed, light, with a triskele design that feels rooted in ancient story. It spins like a dream—modern meets myth.
Moose-Mark Spindles
A pair from the Almonte Fiber Festival, each with a tiny moose on the underside. They’re balanced, strong, and perfect for plying.
My New Support Spindle
A recent adventure. Metal tip, beautifully made, still leaving me humble and hopeful. Support spindle spinning is on my “learn this well” list for 2026.
And then… the Turkish Treasure
This one is pure joy.
Made by Helen—whose motto is “Sawdust is my glitter.” Smooth, elegant, satisfying in the hands, and spinning as gracefully as a leaf falling through still air.
What I Spin With These Tools
A spindle is only half the story. The fiber tells the rest.
Right now in my basket:
A golden BFL dyed with Wilton’s food coloring
A soft pink Merino blend from last Distaff Day
A deep botanical-dyed BFL (onion skins + avocado = magic)
My Shetland mittens—white for one pair, and a beautifully varied Shropshire fiber for another
A cheerful pink hand-dyed skein working its way into a Heel Toe Do-Si-Do sock
And yes, sometimes my colors clash with my shirt. That’s part of the charm.
Where Wheel and Spindle Meet
You already know I spin my sweater yarn on the wheel. But what about the mittens, scarves, hats, and the bits that feel more intimate and slow? Those come from the spindle.
There’s something grounding about holding a tool that fits in the palm of your hand. You feel the twist travel through your fingers. You realize you are the engine.
Slow, steady, soulful.
A Peek Behind the Scenes
If you’ve watched my Spindlemas videos, you’ve probably seen:
The lavender vase beside my spindles
The Folgers tub blocking the cat from pressing random printer buttons
My plastic bowl full of tools—scissors, needles, bits and bobs every crafter keeps nearby
This is real life, Grannie-Core at its finest: cozy, functional, imperfect, and full of love.
A Question for You
What is your favourite sheep breed to spin or knit with? Mine, so far, is Shetland—lofty, springy, forgiving, and perfect for the slow-living rhythm I crave.
Tell me yours in the comments so we can start a lively woolly conversation.
A Closing Thought for Advent
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, lighting Advent candles, or simply leaning into the hush of winter…
Let’s prepare our hearts for a world that is gentler, kinder, more hopeful.
Handwork teaches us that small things—twists of fiber, quiet moments, patient stitches—add up to something much bigger than we imagined.
From my home to yours, this is Grannie Doll living the 100-Mile Life.
Like, subscribe, share if this warmed your heart—and remember:
