2025-12-20T15:36:13-05:00

One of Those Days: Spindlemas, Slow Living, and Finding Warmth Where You Are

December 20, 2025December 20, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Have you ever had one of those days?

Well… I’m having one right now.

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.

Take care, friends.
God bless.

— Granny Doll 🧶✨

Too Many Choices? Vlogmas Day 12 — A Spinner’s Delight

December 12, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

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.

Vlogmas + Spindlemas Day 10: Slowing Down Into the Blessing

December 10, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

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. ✨

Vlogmas Day 7 — Spindling Hope Into the Season

December 7, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

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.

Until next time—God bless and happy spinning.

Here’s the video:

Spindlemas Days 3 & 4: A Peek Into My Spindle Basket

December 4, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

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:

If DollCanCreate… maybe you can too.

God bless, dear friends. ♥

Handmade Peace: Slowing Down the Last Weeks of November

November 19, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

By Grannie Doll

Late November has always felt like a hinge in the year. It is that quiet, often-overlooked moment between autumn’s last colours and the gentle hush before Advent. The world is slowing down, even if the stores and schedules insist on doing the opposite. And here, in this pause, I find myself reaching for handmade peace.

Not perfection.
Not productivity.
Just… peace.
Peace crafted slowly. Peace grown stitch by stitch. Peace rediscovered in the things made by loving hands.

The Softening of November

There’s a softness to these late-November days. The last leaves let go. The skies turn a shade of warm grey. My kettle works overtime, and the house seems to lean inward just a little.

This is the season where my Grannie-Core heart feels most at home. There are blankets on chairs and woolen socks on my feet. A candle burns while I tidy up the kitchen after supper. The pace of the world shifts, and I shift with it.

In these two weeks before Advent, I’m not rushing. I’m returning.

Knitting Peace Into the Everyday

Most mornings start the same way. I have a cup of tea. A knitted blanket is wrapped over my knees. I work on a few quiet rows of whatever project is calling my name. Lately it’s been mittens. Warm, sturdy, practical mittens knit from my own DK handspun — a rich brown I spun earlier in the year.

There’s something healing about watching your own wool become something useful.
Something about the rhythm of it — knit, purl, breathe again.

Knitting reminds me that peace doesn’t arrive in grand gestures. It grows in tiny movements. One stitch at a time. One row after the next. A little like faith, a little like prayer.

And this time of year? My knitting slows down my heartbeat in the best possible way.

Spinning as a Path Back to Stillness

While knitting fills my mornings, spinning restores my afternoons. I don’t rush at my wheel or my spindle this time of year. I let the twist build gently. I feel the wool between my fingers. I remember that this is old work — ancient work — sacred work.

Late November spinning always feels like a conversation with my grandmother. She didn’t rush her hands. She didn’t force a rhythm. She understood that handmade things carry more than fibre — they carry memory.

And in that, I find peace.

Sometimes I spin local fawn wool; sometimes I blend colours softly. Sometimes I just sit with the motion, letting the spindle turn until the world slows down beside me.

The 100-Mile Life: Peace on a Plate

Handmade peace for me also happens in the kitchen.

This is the season of root vegetables, local honey, hearty soups, and earthy flavours. Simple, humble, beautiful food from farms not far from my doorstep. A pot of carrots and sweet potatoes simmers on the stove. It feels just as comforting as a wool blanket over my feet.

Living a 100-Mile Life in late November feels grounding. It feels as though I’m part of the land that’s preparing to rest. The meals aren’t complicated. They’re just enough. Enough warmth. Enough nourishment. Enough peace.

There’s a deep comfort in cooking with what’s close to home.

Peace as a Practice

As the nights grow longer and the mornings darker, I find myself leaning into slow routines:

A candle lit before breakfast
A few rows of knitting while the kettle boils
A quiet moment at the window, watching the sky
A simple prayer whispered between tasks
A soft landing into the evening with wool in my hands

Peace isn’t a feeling we stumble into.
It’s a practice.
A rhythm.
A handmade thing.

These last two weeks of November invite us to breathe. They encourage us to make room. We should prepare our hearts for the season of light.

A Gentle Blessing for Your November

If your days feel rushed, may you find one slow moment today.
If you feel pulled in too many directions, may your hands return to something soft and grounding.
And if your heart is carrying heaviness, may a small handmade moment bring you back to peace.

Peace that is steady.
Peace that is quiet.
Peace that is born from the work of your hands.

“May your yarn never tangle,
your stitches stay kind,
and your spirit spin gently toward peace.” Grannie Doll

Knitting Mittens: Warm Hands, Warm Heart

November 15, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Hand-Spun Wool, Slow Hands, and the Gentle Joy of Making

There is something deeply comforting about knitting mittens as the seasons turn colder. Perhaps it’s the way wool slips through your fingers, warm even before it becomes fabric. Or maybe it’s the quiet knowing that soon, these stitches will cradle someone’s hands through winter winds.

For me, mittens are more than a project. They are a story—of wool, of the land, of slow living, and of the heart.

From Fleece to Fingers: The Story Behind the Wool

These mittens began long before I cast on. The wool came from a little farm well within my 100-mile radius. The sheep graze on open fields there, and the shepherd knows them by name.

I brought home a cloud of fawn-coloured fleece. I washed it and carded it. Then, I spun it into DK-weight yarn on my spindle. It was my own quiet rhythm of morning prayer and gentle breathing.

By the time the yarn was ready, it already felt like a blessing.

Hand-Spun Mittens & the Art of Slow Living

In a world that pushes us to rush, knitting mittens is my way of resisting the hurry.

Hand-spun wool takes its time:

Fibre becomes rolags
Rolags become singles
Singles become plied yarn
The yarn becomes something warm enough to hold a life story

There is holiness in those slow steps.
A reminder that God often works in us the same way—layer by layer, twist by twist, shaping us gently.

Warm hands start with slow hands… and so does a warm heart.

Why Hand-Spun Makes the Best Mittens

Hand-spun yarn carries a charm that commercial yarn simply can’t imitate.
It holds:

Loft that traps heat
Natural lanolin that softens the wool and repels moisture
A cozy thickness unique to your spinning
Personality in every slight variation

The resulting mittens feel alive—with warmth built into every fibre.

A Mitten Pattern Journey of My Own

I always start with a simple shape—cuff up or top down, depending on the yarn’s mood. This pair grew softly on my needles, the thumb gusset forming like a gentle hug around the hand.

Some rows held prayer.
Some held worries released.
Some held gratitude.

All held intention.

Knitting with hand-spun is never just after a pattern.
It’s listening.

Colours That Hold Meaning

The palette for these mittens came from nature’s own hand. Soft browns and warm tans are included. There are also gentle shades you only get from sheep who live close to home.

You can add colour work in your own soothing tones:

Lavender for calm
Blues for peace
Rose for compassion

Imagine each row carrying a blessing for the person who will wear them.

The First Snow Test

There is nothing like slipping on a pair of new mittens when the first snowfall blankets the world. The wool is warm, the cuff snug, and the snowflakes melt gently against the fibres.

A cup of hot tea waits indoors.
And in that small moment, everything feels right.

Warm hands, warm heart… and the simple joy of living slowly.

Hand-Spun Mittens as Quiet Ministry

Knitting mittens isn’t just crafting—it’s caring.
A small ministry of warmth.

Someone out there needs a reminder that they’re held.
Maybe it’s a neighbour.
Maybe it’s a grandchild.
Maybe it’s you.

Handmade warmth is one of the oldest love languages we have.

“God, bless these mittens. Bless the hands that made them,
and bless the hands they will warm.”

Living Local, Living Loved

These mittens are part of my 100-Mile Life journey. I choose materials close to home. I support local farms. I honour the land that sustains me.

A life of slow stitches, local wool, and homemade comfort feels like a gentle rebellion against fast living.
And it’s a rebellion I’m happy to join.

A Cozy Call to Action

Tell me in the comments:
What are you knitting to keep warm this season?
Have you ever tried knitting mittens from your own hand-spun?
I’d love to hear your stories.

Until next time,
May your hands stay warm, your heart stay open,
and your stitches lead you into quiet joy.

— Grannie Doll 🧤💗

Socktober Wrap-Up: Two Pairs, Many Lessons

November 6, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

Finishing a pair of hand-knit socks is deeply satisfying. This is especially true when the leaves are falling and the air turns crisp. Socktober was my month of cozy commitment. It was a time where stitches met stories. Every round on the needles felt like an act of calm in motion.

This year, I completed two full pairs of socks. Each had its own rhythm and its own story. These stories were spun through wool and quiet evenings. The first pair became my everyday comfort socks, simple ribbing and soft hues that reminded me of early autumn mornings. The second pair carried more adventure. It featured an afterthought heel construction. There was also a hand dyed yarn that had been waiting patiently in my basket since last spring.

Each pair taught me something — not just about technique, but about time. There’s a rhythm to knitting socks, a steady pulse that mirrors the turning of the season. Socktober wasn’t about speed; it was about settling into slowness, about honouring the process as much as the product.

🍂 On the Needles for November

Now that Socktober has wrapped up, November’s projects are already whispering from my basket. A new pair of woolly socks is underway (because let’s be honest, we never stop at two). There’s also comfort knitting happening. There is a mitten project and a hat. Maybe even a small gift or two as Advent approaches.

This month feels quieter, more reflective — the knitting that pairs well with candlelight and evening tea.

🧶 Reflecting on the Season

Socktober reminded me that small goals can lead to big satisfaction. Two pairs may not sound like much. Still, in a world that moves too fast, finishing something handmade is its own quiet rebellion.

🌧️ From Socktober to November’s Knits

The days are getting shorter as November settles in. I’m finding my knitting shifting too. It moves from the lively energy of Socktober to something softer, slower, and more contemplative. There’s a comfort in the familiar click of needles on a grey afternoon. There is comfort in the quiet promise of projects that will carry me through the colder days ahead. In my latest video, I share what’s now on my needles. It provides a peek into November’s creative rhythm. Each stitch feels like a small act of warmth against the coming winter.

✨ A Season of Making and Meaning

Knitting through October reminded me that creativity doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. Two pairs of socks, a basket of yarn, and the rhythm of the needles were enough. They filled my days with purpose and peace. Every stitch felt like a small act of gratitude. I felt thankful for the wool. I was grateful for the warmth. I appreciated the hands that made it possible.

As November unfolds, I’m leaning into that same spirit. I enjoy slower mornings and mindful making. I am involved in projects that bring both comfort and joy. The darker days are not without light — they simply invite us to create our own.

So whether you finished a single sock or several pairs, take a moment to celebrate what your hands have made. Each stitch tells a story, and together, they weave the quiet beauty of a handmade life.

💬 Join the Conversation

What did Socktober look like for you this year? Did you try new patterns, finish old projects, or discover a favorite yarn? Share your Socktober stories in the comments below — I’d love to hear what’s been on your needles.

Patterns Used

Patterns used: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/torevco-mitts https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-4-0-1

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daisy-socks-5 and the hat I’m finishing up https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/onu-hat

(I have no affiliation from these creators – just love the work)

With warmth and wool,
💗 Doll

Knitting Local, Living Local: Wool Within 100 Miles

October 25, 2025October 25, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

*scroll down for the video

There’s something quietly revolutionary about knitting with yarn that hasn’t traveled farther than you have. So much arrives by truck, plane, or cargo ship. In contrast, the idea of local wool feels like an act of stewardship. It is grown, shorn, spun, and dyed within a hundred miles. It connects our hands to our land.

The Story Behind Local Wool

When I began exploring the 100 Mile Life, I thought mostly about food. Local apples, farm-fresh eggs, and bread from the mill down the road were on my mind. But soon, I found myself tracing another thread—wool. Where did the yarn in my basket come from? Whose sheep had offered their fleece? Was there a mill close enough to spin it into something beautiful?

The answers were closer than I imagined. A small flock of Shetlands grazing in the next township. A local mill humming beside the river. A dyer who uses plants gathered from her own garden. Each step, within that hundred-mile circle, felt like re-discovering the rhythms of home.

Spinning for Socks: From Fleece to Footwear

This season, I’ve been spinning with socks in mind—turning local fleece into sturdy, beautiful yarn that can handle daily wear. There’s a deep satisfaction in transforming raw fiber into something so practical and personal. Each draft of the spindle feels like a prayer, each twist a meditation on patience and purpose.

Sock yarn needs just the right balance of softness and strength. A little Shetland or BFL for durability, a touch of Merino or alpaca for comfort. When you’ve spun and plied the wool yourself, you know its story. You know what farm it came from and which sheep. You also understand how the fiber behaved in your hands. It gives new meaning to “putting your best foot forward.”

Knitting Socks that Stay Close to Home

Knitting socks from local wool is a small act of grace. Each stitch carries warmth from the land beneath your feet, quite literally grounding you in your community. Handspun yarn adds a touch of unpredictability. Those subtle color shifts and texture changes remind me that perfection isn’t the goal. Connection is.

There’s joy in knowing that every step I take in these socks is supported by a circle of care. The shepherd, spinner, knitter, and home soil are all woven together. It’s slow fashion at its most intimate, and every pair becomes a quiet testimony to place, patience, and provision.

Why It Matters

When we knit with local wool, we’re not just making socks or shawls—we’re investing in our neighbors. Every skein carries the story of a shepherd, a spinner, a maker who lives nearby. It reduces transport costs, supports small farms, and encourages sustainable land use.

And there’s another layer of warmth that comes from knitting local. The texture of local fleece often reflects the land itself—soft and sturdy, windswept and rooted. When I hold a skein from a nearby farm, I can almost hear the echo of the fields. I can also hear the hum of the spinning wheel.

Living the 100 Mile Way

Living local isn’t about restriction—it’s about relationship. It means knowing the hands that feed and clothe us. It means buying less, but cherishing more. It’s walking into a farm store and greeting people by name. It’s mending a sweater instead of replacing it.

This autumn, as the nights grow cooler, I’m wrapping myself in that slow, local warmth. My projects for October are built from within that 100 mile circle—simple knits with a story in every stitch.

How to Start Your Own Local Wool Journey

Map your fiber circle. Search for farms, mills, and fiber festivals within 100 miles.
Visit and listen. Talk to shepherds and small producers—they love sharing their process.
Start small. Buy one skein from a local farm and use it in your next project.
Share the story. When someone compliments your hat or shawl, tell them where it came from.

Every local project begins with one conscious choice.

Reflection & Faith

“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.” — Proverbs 31:13

When we live and create within our local circle, we echo a sacred rhythm of gratitude and provision. The earth gives; we receive; and through our craft, we give back beauty.

Now it’s your turn:

What’s growing or grazing within your 100 mile circle? Could your next skein—or your next pair of cozy socks—come from a nearby farm or mill? I’d love to hear about your discoveries. You can share your local wool stories in the comments. Tag me with #100MileWool on Instagram.

You get purchase my new ebook here!

🪡 With gratitude and woolly warmth,
Grannie Doll 🩷
Living the 100 Mile Life, one stitch at a time.

What is Socktober? A Gentle Knitter’s Guide

October 4, 2025/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

There’s a chill in the air on the Hamilton Mountain these days. The leaves are turning. The teacup is warm in my hands. My knitting basket sits beside me like an old friend. October has a way of drawing us inward — toward hearth, toward family, toward the things that keep us warm.

And so, every October, knitters the world over gather together in a gentle, joyful tradition called Socktober.

The Heart of Socktober

Socktober is just what it sounds like: a month dedicated to socks. But it’s more than knitting a cozy pair for yourself. It’s about sharing warmth. It raises awareness of those who need it most. You can find joy in the small, steady rhythm of stitches.

A sock, after all, is humble but essential. It keeps us warm, carries us mile after mile, and reminds us that little things matter. Knitters in every corner of the world pick up their needles each October to create socks. These socks will be worn, gifted, or donated. It’s community, one stitch at a time.

A Gentle Knitter’s Guide

If you’re wondering how to join in, here’s a cozy path you can take:

Pick Your Yarn – Maybe it’s that skein of wool you spun on your spindle this summer. Or perhaps it’s a hand-dyed treasure from a local farm within your 100-mile circle. Choosing local wool supports farmers and mills nearby. It also connects you more deeply to the land that keeps you warm.
Choose a Pattern – From the simplest ribbed sock to the fanciest lace, Socktober welcomes every style. Around here, I lean toward practical, hearty socks. These are the kind you can wear for chores, walks, or when curled up with a book.
Set a Gentle Goal – This isn’t a race. Maybe you’ll finish a pair, maybe only a single sock. That’s perfectly fine. The joy is in the making.
Share the Journey – Share your work on Instagram under #Socktober. You can also share it in a knitting circle. Even sharing with a dear friend who admires your work is great. Sharing keeps the community cozy.

Community and Care

One of the loveliest things about Socktober is the giving. Many knitters donate socks to shelters or gift them to someone who use extra warmth. For me, this ties so sweetly into my 100 Mile Life. I choose to eat local food and support small farms. I can knit socks that serve and support the people nearest to me.

It’s a beautiful reminder that our creativity has purpose: warming both body and heart.

A Spiritual Thread

I can’t help but see socks as a metaphor for our walk of faith. Each tiny stitch seems small on its own, but together they create something whole, useful, and beautiful.

The prophet Zechariah reminds us: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10). Just as socks are knit stitch by stitch, our lives of faith are lived step by step — each act of kindness, each prayer, each handmade gift carrying us along.

A Cozy Invitation

Dear reader, whether you are a seasoned sock knitter or not, I invite you to join me in Socktober. You’ve never cast on a cuff in your life. Knit a sock. Knit a pair. Gift one away. Or simply curl up with a teacup and watch the yarn flow through your fingers.

Here at DollCanCreate, I’ll be sharing my Socktober moments, my cozy local yarns, and the joy of knitting slowly. You’ll share yours too — I’d love to hear your Socktober story.

A Blessing to Close

May your October be filled with warm stitches. Enjoy gentle evenings. Experience the joy of walking in love, one sock at a time. And may every pair of socks remind us that even the simplest things can carry us through the journey.

With gratitude and wool,
Grannie Doll 💕🧶

100 Mile Life/Grandma Core