‘Twas the night before Christmas and I was still knitting
The family was sleeping and there I was sitting;
The hand knit stockings were hung on the chimney with care
Hope no one noticed the cupboards were bare.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of mittens danced in their heads;
Still dressed in old sweats, yarn in my lap,
I hurried on to finish the last knitted cap.
When out from the closet there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the storage I flew like a flash,
Threw open the door and confronted my stash.
The yarn on the floor was like new-fallen snow,
Better shove it in quick so the husband won’t know.
When what to my bloodshot eyes should appear,
But the Knitting Fairy who said, “Have no fear!”
What a quick little knitter, so lively and fast,
She did the knitting while all I did was cast.
More rapid than eagles her stitches they came,
She knitted, she purled and called the yarn by name:
“On,Trekking! On, Lorna’s! On, Noro! On, Bliss!
On, Regia! On, Opal! Not one skein was missed.
To the top of the stash! Get every last ball!
We can’t give a gift purchased at the mall!”
Her needles how they sparkled! Her stitches just right!
We knitted together all through the night.
Hats, scarves, shawls, socks and a sweater;
My knitting projects had never looked better!
She spoke not a word, head bent over her work,
And knit all the yarn with her magical “circ”.
My projects were done, they were perfectly sized;
Each one an heirloom sure to be prized!
She picked up her needles and gave me a wink,
The fairy dust flew, she was gone in a blink.
But I heard her exclaim as she darted from sight,
“HAPPY KNITTING TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!”
Michelle Hunter
Copyright 2008
