An Advent Isn’t Just for Christmas...
Counting Down to *Wicked* with Red Truck Fibre Co
Who says advent calendars are just for Christmas? With the release of the *Wicked* movie just around the corner, I’m embracing the excitement with a special yarn advent from Red Truck Fibre Co, dedicated to the world of Oz! Each day, I’ll unwrap a mini-skein of yarn or a fibre-themed treat, counting down to the movie in true *Wicked* style.
I did a little research on advents as I was writing this week’s blog and discovered that the tradition of advent dates back centuries, with its roots in early Christianity. Originally, "Advent" was a season of preparation for Christmas, observed as early as the 4th century by Christians in Europe. The term itself comes from the Latin word "adventus," meaning "coming" or "arrival," symbolising the anticipation of Christmas. Over time, advent evolved into a daily ritual, and by the 19th century, Germans popularised the concept of marking each day with a small token or treat, leading to the creation of the first printed advent calendars in the early 1900s.
Today, advents are celebrated in creative and non-traditional ways, from themed calendars counting down to special events, to those filled with yarn and fibre, like my *Wicked*-themed countdown from Red Truck Fibre Co. It’s a lovely reminder that advents can add a touch of daily joy to any occasion we’re excited about!
An Advent with a Project in Mind: The Tuula Shawl
To make the most of this yarny goodness, Alan from Red Truck has included a pattern for us to make and the Tuula Shawl by Knit Sisu is a great pattern to show off those minis, starting small in the corner and building out over the next few weeks. As the pattern is recommended by the dyer I’m sure its going to be perfect to let each mini-skein shine in its own way, whether the colours lean towards Elphaba’s iconic greens, Glinda’s soft pastels, or Oz’s mysterious, shadowy shades. Though the specific colours are a mystery, I know they’ll bring hints of *Wicked*'s enchanting world and characters to life stitch by stitch.
Alan has recommended we start with day 14 and count backwards, so whilst a traditional advent would usually start on day 1, I’m embracing Alan’s recommendation and starting on day 14 - and of course *spoiler* its a green!
The Charm of a Non-Holiday Countdown
This advent is a wonderful reminder that the joy of anticipation isn’t reserved for December alone. There’s something truly special about a countdown themed around something you love, making each day a mini-celebration of creativity and inspiration. With this *Wicked*-themed advent, it feels like I’m bringing a bit of magic to my crafting space—an extra touch of adventure and imagination with each package.
Have You Tried a Non-Holiday Advent?
Do you also enjoy a countdown outside of Christmas? I’d love to hear if you’ve ever done an advent for something unexpected, or if you’d like to! What would your theme be? Let’s share ideas for making the magic of advents a year-round joy.
I gave my friend a box of "January Joy" for Christmas a few years ago. 31 bags of treats to brighten the dark days of winter. It included mini skeins, 9inch sock needles, stitch markers etc as well as tea, chocs and other non-kntting things. I also included printouts of some suggested patterns. She loved it and it was great fun to put together
I love the idea of a non-Christmas Advent, but I know myself too well (no impulse control) and if I start looking into them, i'll be opening packages 365 days a year ;-)