Day 22: Have you ever stricken someone off your to-knit-for list because they didn’t appreciate/take care of your last knitted gift to them?
Ohhh. That’s a tough one but no, not really. There are people I probably won’t make anything else for any time soon, but it’s not because they did something to warrant banishment from the handknit bounty. It’s more because not everyone has a passion for handknits, and that’s okay. I very well might knit something for them at some point, but I would tend to keep them rather more light in the rotation. There’s something very rewarding about knitting for people who are thoroughly knitworthy, so I would tend to knit things for the people like that in my life more often.
The nanny/babysitter who takes care of my daughter falls into that category. She has consistently shown such non-pushy enthusiasm for my knits that I just naturally tend to want to make things for her and her daughter. It helps that her daughter, a real pistol, is about 12 months and ridiculously cute. She’s been the recipient of a number of test knits that I’ve done.
She doesn’t stay still long (at all) so it’s hard to get pics, but she recently modeled my Knight’s Helmet Hat, too.
I while back, I offered her (the mom) a choice of things that I had made. I didn’t know her tastes well enough to choose for her. I had a couple of hats and a scarf on hand. As testimony to her good taste, she looked for about a half a second before choosing one of the loveliest things I’ve made:
That is my Wayfarer Hat test knit by made from madelinetosh Tosh DK. It’s a great pattern by Carol E. Herman. I love the textural symmetry between the cables and the rib, and between the rice stitch on the crown and on the band under the cables. It works well in the Tosh DK. The high twist gives it good stitch definition and the color just defies explanation. It’s so deep and layered. And, it’s soft and silky and just a little bit crisp to the touch. I love it and I wanted it to go to someone who would really appreciate it. I’m so glad it did!
I somehow manage to keep answering different questions than the ones that were asked! My blog, my prerogative, right? In any case, my posts have really helped me to reflect on some of my knitting practices and past projects. This challenge has been a lot of fun so far. What about you? Do you have a No Gifting list? Or do you spread your knitting babies around with abandon and trust that they’ll be loved?
The 30 Day Knitting Challenge is the creation of Meggiewes who blogs at Knitting in Wonderland.
alexand knits 
I love the hat – beautiful colour too! I knit and crochet for my daughter but she might be about to go on my list as she generally refuses to wear any of the things I make for her! (She’s only 2, so can be forgiven I suppose…)
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Thank you 🙂 I knit a lot of stuff for my daughter, who’s three and a half. She’s always super excited when I first give her something I’ve made, but it can definitely be like pulling teeth to get her to actually wear anything!
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I have a gorgeous cardigan that I started for my daughter when she was four and orange was her favorite color but finished when she was five and had moved on to blue. She never wore the thing. I’m hoping for an orange loving niece someday….
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I made a cardigan for my niece for her last birthday. She had also chosen the colour (about a year before). I’ve never seen her wear it. My sister might be being too polite to tell me but maybe this is why!!!
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Kids are super fickle with colors and itchiness. My experience is those are the two killers of kid knits.
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Ha ha I’m learning that!
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I have several people that I’ve crossed off my knitting list and will never make them something again. I don’t think they realized the time, cost and energy that goes into creating a knit or crocheted piece, so never again. A simple “Thank you” would have been nice and appreciated. There are people in my life that LOVE hand knits and beg me to make things for them. Those are the kind that are appreciated with gifts the most 🙂
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Makes perfect sense. I haven’t had anyone quite that bad, but I definitely feel much more drawn to make things for those that have demonstrated knit-worthiness!
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BTW, I forgot to add that she is a super cute model and your nanny definitely has good taste. That hat is GORGEOUS! I adore Madeline Tosh DK and the color is stunning!
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Thanks 🙂
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Baby knits are fast and satisfying because they’re small and so damn cute. I have crossed ppl off of my list. It pissed me off when I took all that time to make something by hand, an infinity scarf or a toy – some were crochet and crochet tires out my hands and wrists that I have to take a few doses of IB over their creation periods – and I get NO acknowledgement whatsoever, not even a freakin’ thank you. Sorry, sore subject w/me. And since turning 40 two years ago, I’m like eff that; I’m too old to put up with that sh*t. No more. I focus on my family and friends who are knit worthy.
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I completely get that. Time is precious and it makes sense that you would want to focus on people who really appreciate your efforts!
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On a positive: Sorry I forgot to type first that I LOVED your Wayfarer beanie. I need to buy Carol’s pattern. The nanny’s baby is adorable and how lucky she is to benefit from your skillz.
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Thank you 🙂 The Wayfarer pattern is awesome–five stars, and I’m a tough critic. It’s really well-written and well-designed.
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That hat is awesome! I’m going to go favorite it right now on Ravelry!
I’m with you, I don’t have a blacklist, but I do have a list of people I really enjoy knitting for. There’s something so heartwarming about giving hand knits to someone who really loves them!
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Yeah, that’s about the most gratifying feeling ever!
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