Wait. What? It’s a few days before Christmas. This may not be the best time to talk about dieting. Maybe we should leave the diet talk until the New Year.
I suppose I could talk to you about Christmases gone by. I do have one picture of me sitting on Santa’s knee and Christmas is on Thursday this year so I could combine it with TBT (Throw Back Thursday).
There is no indication as to when this was taken but I think it was around 1965, give or take a year. Apparently I dressed like I was in some kind of prison program. It was when Santas wore more makeup than a working girl on New Years Eve. Other than that, I think we can all agree I was absolutely adorable. Right?
Or, perhaps I could tell you about what’s happening behind my house. And, with pictures being worth a thousand words, here are a few that should save me several thousand. So when you tally it up, this will be a novella!
In case you missed it, that one shot somewhere in the middle includes Santa and some steel drum players…actually playing the drums for all to hear.
The CP Holiday Train is still one of my favourite Christmas activities but you are probably tired of hearing about it.
Let’s see. There is the weather. Remember last year at this time? Most of the people in my neck of the woods were headed into the Polar Vortex and sitting in cold houses with no electricity.
I get cold just thinking about it. We were lucky. Our power came back on Christmas Eve day. Others? Well, not so much. There were people without power for weeks! Not to mention the homeless people who were out there in that insanely cold weather. Which brings me back to the knitting diet.
It bothered me a lot that I was warm and watching reports of people who were not. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Here’s the thing — yes there is always a thing, isn’t there? Those crazy neighbours with all the lights? They collect food and donations for the food bank from everyone, including the bus tours whose riders come to look at the exhibition. Then there’s the Holiday Train, which goes across the country entertaining families and collecting donations of food and cash for the local community food banks. So, when I tackled my latest weight loss program, I decided to do something that might benefit someone else. Now, my talents are limited but my vices are bountiful. “Where am I going with this,” you ask. Well, probably my biggest vice, addiction, or what ever you want to call it is TV. I am a hard core TV watcher. The only time I watch less TV is when I am making TV…something I haven’t done for a while. See if you can follow along. TV watching is conducive to snacking — snacking on junk food. Popcorn and potato chips are my main companions when I’m indulging in a little binge watching. So what could I possibly do to keep myself occupied while succumbing to my addiction which I have no intention of stopping? Knitting became the answer. It’s impossible to eat chips or popcorn while knitting. Sure, I suppose you could do it, but the wool would become greasy and the popcorn fuzzy. Yech! I’m not a very good knitter but I can knit one, pearl two and I finally learned to cast off. So I knit a scarf! Then, I knit another one. Around scarf five or six, He-Who noticed.
He-Who: What are you doing?
Me: Knitting.
He-Who: Yeah, but what are you knitting and for who?
Me: Scarves. It’s all I know how to do.
He-Who: Who’s going to wear all those scarves?
Me: Cold, homeless people. I’m going to keep knitting until next winter and then give them away to people who might need them.
And thus, my friends, the Knitting Diet© was conceived. My habit of watching way too much TV never waned but I continued to knit through the summer and into the fall. Before too long, the cost of wool became an issue. Well, to be honest it was an issue from the start. But other people chipped in and bought wool for me to work with. I learned to watch for sales and cashed in on the coupons at my local craft store. Here are some of the scarves I made over the past several months.
We packaged them up and a Chaplain friend of ours is seeing that they get to people who will really need them this winter.
The knitting has officially begun for next year.
I know someone is going to ask if the diet worked. Yes! Yes it did. I actually lost about 65 lbs. this year and the knitting definitely contributed to that total. There were other measures taken but I think we can leave that for the New Year.
Merry Christmas Every One
Stay Warm
Kudos to you for such an altruistic and healthy diet. I spend too much time in front of one screen or another, but I’ve yet to find a way to keep the fatty snacks and booze out of my ever chubbier fingers. Happy Holidays!
Thanks 1point. You could make those chubby fingers slim if you take up knitting. We could be stitch buddies. Just a thought.
Have yourself a wonderful Christmas.
What a lovely thing to do! Merry Christmas
Thank you, Polysyllabic Rofundities. The alternative was handcuffs and they chafe. 😉
Have a very Merry Christmas.
Haha….50 Shades of what??
I’m on the stress diet, myself… Fantastic scarves. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Susie, the stress diet for me is more like the “eat it” plan.
Merry Christmas to you as well.
Everyone is one way or the other… 🙂
Awesome of you, Michelle! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Lauren. And Thank You for the lovely Christmas letter. I even saw my name in there. 😉
Michelle, you are incredible! Wow! Look at all those scarves that you knitted. Congrats on losing weight in the process. What an accomplishment on both fronts. I’m so touched. This is such a wonderful act of kindness. I want to start knitting now, Michelle. I would love to join you in this effort.
And those pictures…behind your house, you say? A novella is right. That’s pretty crazy and I bet is pretty festive with the steel drums. And your Santa pic is adorable, prison outfit or not. Ha ha.
Thanks, Amy. It was desperate measures time for me with the weight. Something had to be done and the knitting helped. I’m really not a very good knitter and I am sure there are lots of mistakes in the scarves. Hopefully all the colours camouflage the mistakes. 😉
I would love for you to join me knitting. You could probably teach me a thing or 12.
The light show is pretty amazing and they collect a ton of food and cash for the food bank. It’s fun to find something that you can enjoy and still help out.
Merry Christmas to you, my friend. I don’t have to worry about you staying warm. 😉
I don’t know how to knit, but I’ve always wanted to learn. Yes, we’re not too cold here. It’s just only cool. I think we will have a storm coming our way for Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, Michelle!
What a brilliant idea! Think I can lose 20 by new years?
How fast can you knit? 😉
With my puppy Duncan, it would be knit one, pearl one, grab the scarf from the puppy. So it would probably be great exercise!
Sounds like a win, win for everyone. Even the puppy.
Reblogged this on Amy Reese Writes and commented:
Kudos to Michelle for this act of kindness. Now I want to learn how to knit. I’m so touched by this!
So proud of you, Michelle, on both accounts! Good for you!
Thanks Ker, I appreciate it.
Have a great Christmas.
This is fantastic on all counts! Have you ever tried arm knitting? I discovered it this year, you literally use your arms to knit, no needles, it’s really quick, you can knit a scarf in half an hour, that’s more my style – I like regular knitting too (barely ever do it though), but I’m impatient, I like things to get done quick!
Not only have I never tried it, I have never heard of it. My imagination has me picturing being all tied up with wool so that I would never be able to snack. I like it! I will have to google it.
Thanks for for stopping by Vanessa-Jane and Merry Christmas.
I don’t know if this link will work, but if it does, you’ll see a picture of me wearing the first scarf I arm knitted! https://twitter.com/VanessaJ2011/status/511059329223766016/photo/1
That’s awesome. I watched some videos on-line but they were all for an “eternal knot” scarf. It was pretty cool watching it. I hope it is easier than it looked. I might have to give it a go in the New Year. Thanks for sharing the pic with me.
The method is the same for the eternal knot (or infinity scarf), it’s just the finishing off at the end where you either cast off to make a regular scarf, as I did, or join up the two ends to make the circular one. Anyway, Merry Christmas to you!
Wow, that’s awesome Michelle – you have such a big heart. What a wonderful thing to do for others. Congrats on the weightloss!! Merry Christmas!!
Thank you, Lynn. I appreciate you stopping by. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Absolutely inspiring! My seven-year-old son just learned how to make hats and ear warmers on a circle loom for his siblings for Christmas. (You’d LOVE a circle loom! If you haven’t tried it, do!)
This month his school went to visit a shelter that cares for women and children and creates a huge “holiday toy store” for families in need who pay $2/child for about $50/child worth of gifts of their choosing. It’s amazing. They also give a book and handknit scarves and hats to these kids in need. When he saw the pile of hts his eyes lit up. He now has a goal for next year to contribute to this pile of hats made with love. Seven years old is likely too young to diet, but it’s never too young to give! Thank you for sharing your inspiration. It’s just beautiful!!
Jgroeber, Your son is amazing! You brought a tear to my eye sharing that story. Children can see things so clearly and without judgment or malice but they don’t always You have given me some faith in our future. I hope you will write about what he accomplishes next year. I am so pleased you stopped by. Thank you for your kind words and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I like the blizzard of lights. It’s like Walt Disney upchucked all over those houses. And the knitting is an incredibly selfless act of kindness. I could walk around Manhattan and hand all those out in a fortnight. (How long is a fortnight, I wonder? Ah. Just Googled it. 14 days. It wouldn’t take that long.) I have no similar talent to donate to the needy. A rapier wit and insatiable need for attention won’t keep you warm. Trust me.
Exile, a rapier wit goes a long way with me. You are so right about the upchucked lights but it is for a good cause.
It would take a lot more than me to supply enough scarves to keep you busy handing out scarves for a fortnight (I was going to tell you how long that was but then you looked it up…googled it).
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Have yourself a very Merry Christmas.
Cool 🙂
Merry Christmas Amy
Andro xxx
Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Michelle
What a great idea Michelle! Wow…and you lost 65 lbs. The scarves are beautiful…Merry Christmas to you and He-Who! ~Sherry
Thanks, Sherry. I confess that I do envy you your fitness and all the activity that keeps you that way. The more I do the more I can do so I just have to keep doing more. A wonderful Merry Christmas to you and your family.
How rude of me, I hadn’t realised that this had
been re-blogged to Amy’s Space so please accept
my apology…
Your posting is most excellent Michelle 🙂
Andro x
No worries, I knew what happened. I just couldn’t help myself teasing you about it.
Have a great Christmas.
You little tease you… lol
Have a Happy Holidays
Andro x
Over from Amy’s … and wow … look at those lights! … More importantly, cheers to your spreading kindness through your knitting. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you so much, aFrankAngle.
A very Merry Christmas to You and Yours as well.
🙂 … but Frank is fine, plus it’s easier to type.
Thanks for that. 😉
Wow. Not only did you turn a negative into a positive (clothing donation), but you dealt with a habit in the process.
Let this be an example folks: feeling guilty about being more fortunate won’t help anything; go out there and make donation(s).
You are right, Adamjasonp. Guilt never gets you anywhere. There is always something you can do even if it is just giving time.
Have yourself a Merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by.
Guilt doesn’t necessarily help anyone else either.
You look adorable — despite the prison jumper! And, yes, Santa looks trampy.
So, wait, that display (and the steel drums) is right behind your house? I can’t think of a more quick and effective way to make me Grinchy. (Scratch that: replace the word “Grinchy” with “homicidal.”)
Aw, thank you.
I have to tell you, I just came from the “Festival of Lights” in Niagara Falls and I swear, no exaggeration, the light show behind my house is more spectacular and has better music.
On the Grinch front my husband has been wearing his Grinch hat for days.
Your husband sounds like my kinda guy.
Merry Christmas. Looks like you’re up to your neck in scarves. Ha Ha, er Ho Ho.
Heheheheh…I certainly was, Bumba. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day.
Hi Chelle Just read your new post, think that is really great.
Barb
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:08:17 +0000 To: barbpett@sympatico.ca
I love what you are doing….Madame DeFarge meets Alice in Wonderland. Take us along on your journey from brawny to scrawny …more please. Will there be a book?!?!? You’re making small miracles happen. What a spirit-bouying project, for all of us. Merry Christmas, friend.
Many thanks. I probably will be talking more about dieting in the New Year but there will be no book. We would need a whole library for my dietary tales.
I hope your Christmas was wonderful and that the New Year brings you much joy.
Wow. That was a win-win. You get beautiful handcrafted items, and a new figure! Can’t wait to hear more about it. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Renee. I do think I will have more to say on the whole diet issue. You might wish I kept it to myself in the end. 😉
A very Happy New Year to you as well!
Oh, how I wish one of those gorgeous scarves had been wrapped around me last week. Maybe then my life wouldn’t be all nose-blowing and coughing now.
You’re a good person, Michele! And congratulations on the diet :o)
I’m sorry I didn’t send you a scarf but you can keep the nose-blowing and coughing.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Okay, tried a couple of times to leave a comment but it didn’t work for some reason… trying again. Hope this works.
Mostly just wanted to say that you are an awesome person, Michelle. What you are doing with this knitting diet is wonderful, wish more people would put their time and creative energies into something positive like this. I don’t usually involve my wife in my blogging life, but I’m going to have to share with her the idea of knitting things for people who need them – I can’t knit, but she can. Maybe I should learn, and try to teach the kids.
Hope you have a great holidays – we’re heading to Ottawa shortly, and will be passing your neck of the woods. Love this weird winter – totally different from last year, but that’s Ontario for you.
Thanks, Trent. I’m glad your comment got through this time. I’m going to start getting a big head with all these compliments and I don’t know if there is a diet for that. 😉
I haven’t been to Ottawa in several years. All I remember is that it is so much colder than here. We do run the gambit of weather systems. Always a surprise. Have a wonderful New Year, Trent.
You deserve the compliments, believe me.
I’m in Ottawa now… cold but snowless. I grew up here, I remember snowbanks the size of mini-mountains, but I also remember scaling every single one of them. Seems like my advancing age has not increased my tolerance for the colder climes… but I love this country. And Canada beat Finland today!
I’m with you on the love of Canada. One of my clients has photographers in remote Northern areas of Canada and I am always discovering new things about our country through them. It really is an amazing country.
It worked!
“Prison program”….lol!!! You’re so silly! Yes, you were and ARE adorable! What is with Santa’s very red cheeks? Was he bleeding? Did you try to maul him? 😛 Anyways, those scarves are gorgeous and I think you did a fantastic thing by giving your time to make sure people could stay warm. What a golden heart full of compassion you have! Merry Belated Christmas and a Happy New Year Michelle!
Thank you, Java Girl. Honestly, I didn’t maul him. I am like a little cherub sitting there I would never do such a thing. 😉
Wow, what a great idea, and what fabulous results, both for you and your svelte body, and those who get the scarves. They look great!
Thanks, Peg. As our temperatures dip to the -20s C (-40s with windchill) I am hoping the scarves will do some good.
As for svelte…I’ll just say I have a lot more knitting to do 😉
You’re wonderful, and this idea too! I enjoyed very much reading this post, Michelle 🙂
Thank you, Lily. And thanks for stopping by.
[…] « The Knitting Diet […]
What a marvelous idea. I, too, tend to eat when I watch TV. And I did learn to knit, once upon a time. But nobody in Hawaii needs scarves, so what could I make while lounging in my chair in front of the telly? Any ideas, oh creative one?
That’s a tough one. I can’t imagine needed anything knitted in Hawaii. Perhaps if you used a cotton “wool” instead of polyester blend or real wool. I have a couple of things made from knitted cotton that aren’t for warmth but more for style.
[…] on! This one should be obvious. This post about my obsessive knitting and this post about the Knitting Diet made me an easy target for someone to send me this. Thanks to all of you who sent it to me. I will […]
To knit or knot to knit
That is the question.
Sweater is nobler in the mind
When winter wails
The slings and arrows
Of outrageous temperatures
Or too sleep in a hammock
By Caribbean Blue waves
In sheltered shade
and sea breezes.
Alas, Needle eye say more . 🙂
This is brilliant. I read it during a break in Fort Erie yesterday and I laughed so hard coffee came out my nose. In public. A little embarrassing but it made my day. 😉
This must be the most interesting diet I have ever read about. And it even benefited other people. I am amazed by how many scarves you have been able to produce. Good luck with this year’s production!
Thanks, Otto. With spending so much time indoors because of the extreme temperature I have gotten a pretty good start on this year’s production. 😉