‘Twas The Night Before Knitmas

’Twas the night before Knitmas, when all through the house
Not a needle was clicking, making sweater nor blouse.

Knitted stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
Made from cotton, alpaca, silk, yak, and mohair.

The yarn skeins were nestled all snug in their bins
(And more yarn in the closet to hide stashers’ sins).

With Mom in her cowl and me in my hat,
We had just settled down with a lap full of cat.

When out in the night, there arose sounds of hoofs.
They clattered and clamored as they bounced off the roofs.

I looked out the window, my eyes opened wide:
A troop of huge sheep stood peering inside.

They pulled a red sleigh, piled high with fine skeins,
And a jolly old Spinner smiled holding the reins.

I knew in a moment he must be St. Fleece,
His Fair Isle cardigan was such a nice piece.

More rapid than knit stitch, to the rooftop they came.
He beamed at his sheep as he called them by name:

“Now, Coopworth! Now, Polwarth! Now, Shetland and Orkney!
On, Lincoln! On, Leicester, Icelandic, and Targhee!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now stash away! Stash away! Stash away, all!”

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from all of us at Interweave!

Poem by Stephen Koenig. Artwork by Janice Tapia. Originally published December 24, 2018, updated December 23, 2022.