Okay, so it doesn’t really suck. I actually really like gift knitting. I love when ideas and yarn and pattern just click, and something cool starts emerging from the needles. I love the anticipation of finishing it and sending it off, hoping that the recipient will love it. The thing that sucks about it is that I have a project going right now that I’m really excited about it but I can’t blog about it without spoiling the surprise. I’m bottling up all my thoughts about it so after all is said and done, I can share all the details here.
In the meantime, I’m slogging away at my Clapotis. If I made this again (which I very well might) I would choose a different yarn for sure. The texture and drape of the Plymouth DK Merino Superwash is nice, and I like the color, but it has very low twist to it which makes it kind of splitty. As a result, the yarn in the dropped stitch columns just doesn’t look quite as neat as I would like. But, overall it’s pretty minor, so I think the finished product will be good. The knitting is getting a little boring but it’s at least going pretty quickly.
I haven’t blocked my Drachenfels yet but I’ve been wearing it anyway. Not surprisingly, I love it! I’ve gotten a handful of compliments on it already. The weather just turned a little cooler a few days ago so it’s been perfect for the chilly mornings. I realized that I never finished weaving in the ends of the wifey’s Quicksilver, so I’ve started working on that. I want to get that finished and blocked soon so that she can get some use out of it! I’m about halfway done. It’s super tedious.
Somebody thinks he’s helping:
That one is not usually a lap cat, so that was a nice treat. Shockingly, he only chased the yarn once or twice.
Here’s what I have in mind for my next few projects:
- Passport Mitts for the mama
- Some sort of gift for my FIL. Either a car blanket or an ice pack cozy.
- River District Toque for my SIL
- Some knitted pumpkins for fall decorations
- A few other gift ideas I’m going to keep quiet on for right now (which sucks)
- Hermione’s Everyday Socks for me, yarn TBD (but I’m thinking maybe Berroco Sox)
Fun, right?
alexand knits 
How lovely to knit for a spouse who appreciates it. You have some great holiday knitting planned. I’m jealous you’ll be embarking upon Hermione socks soon! I have dropped over everyone’s for ages. Do be vocal about Berroco sock yarn. I’ve never tried it before.
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Ah, helpful kitties… His look says, “See how cuuuuuute I am when I do all the helping?!”
Can’t wait to see your Passport Mitts. Which yarn have you chosen?
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I’m going to use Classic Elite Inca Alpaca in navy blue. I think it’ll be perfect!
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Secret knitting is the worst! I have the same thing going on so it looks like I’ve done bugger all for a fortnight! Urgh. But then of course you also get the opposite when the date has passed…look at ALL THIS KNITTING I just whipped up this week! 🙂
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Gift knitting is a lot of pressure. And saying goodbye to nice gifts can be bittersweet.
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Yeah…it’s hard. It’s easier if I know the thing will be loved, but sometimes it’s really hard to predict someone’s tastes. I cast off my secret project last night and I’m suddenly having doubts. The sizing isn’t quite what I thought it would be so I’m hoping it will be okay. The magic of blocking, right?
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I definitely enjoy knitting for others, provided that they have been deemed “knit-worthy”. It sucks when you work really hard on a project, and then they don’t appreciate it.
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Definitely true. I always have to gauge whether someone can handle natural fibers/hand washing stuff or not, then adjust accordingly. I tend not to waste time knitting for someone who won’t understand the work and caring that goes into it,
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