My Singular Christmas Knitting Project
There is a strange paradox about the holidays and knitting. We want to show our love for someone special by devoting hours and hours of our time, pouring the best of our skill and imagination into crafting a thoughtful gift, giving consideration to both color and fiber content as well as size and style taste - at least that's the frame of mind on the business side of the needles.... but it is just as often received with an inverse casuality which can be quite hurtful in it's extreme or at least a serious let-down in most cases. One would think (or hope) that in the holiday spirit of good will at least some attempt at even fake appreciation would be the order of the day, but Alas! Such is often not the case! There have been recipients who not only did not express thanks (fake or otherwise) but in fact expressed dismay at receiving a hand crafted gift (and I don't mean children either!!). Or worse yet, someone close to you who knows your passion for your craft and even gives you yarn as a gift, who says, "NO knitted gifts, please!". I am not only referring to my own knit-gifting experiences but those of many other bloggers and group members who have expressed the same chagrin. I have often thought about the 'relationship sweater curse' and I think it could also be broadly applied to other fiber media. And I don't believe it only applies to dating relationships!! The strangest part is that these thoughtless receivers seem to be somewhat oblivious to the hurt they engender and are often even mildly shocked by the response to their overt rejection! They either do not perceive or do not value the gift-of-self encapsulated in that well-intentioned parcel of fibery goodness. Lie if you have to but can't you look at the sentiment behind the gift?? For pete's sake! Knitters have been lieing for years saying they don't mind that their intended doesn't like or want their gift! But isn't it about time a little holiday cheer swung the other way??
Let me be clear, I do NOT advocate giving handmade gifts where you know they will not be well received. That's what Wal-mart gift cards are for! (LOL!!) I am referring to untried relationships that have yet to pass the "love-me-love-my-fiber" test. New friends, new relationships, co-workers, etc.
I may be going out on a limb here but I am coming to believe that the only people who truly appreciate a hand knit, hand crocheted or hand woven gift are other knitters, crocheters or weavers! Now let me qualify that by saying that immediate family members who actually ask for a specific item and then see how much effort goes into creating that item really DO appreciate them! But as for the general acquaintance-ship I would say not! Wal-mart-ism has deadened people as far as the production of fabric-related goods go. What's more, the over-production of shabby toilet tissue covers in 1970's phentex has lowered the perception of hand crafting in general (but that's a topic for another rant).
Not to appear all doom and gloom, I admit that the current renaissance in needle arts is an indication that real hope may be on the horizon! There are more knitters, crocheters and weavers in the US & Canada now than at any other time in recent history. Maybe our taste for anonymously mass-produced crap has finally reached it's peak and we are slowly beginning to mature in our thinking.... maybe.... just maybe....
With all this in mind I have only knit one gift and it was a request. I finished it yesterday and had DD#2 model it.
I used some of my own handspun superwash merino in Deep Sea colorway 3-ply. The color striations are intrinsic to the yarn (except the hot pink). The request was for a hat with ear flaps so I started with a top-down pattern I've knit before and just kind of winged it. It's a little over-the-top but I admit but it's only the 7th hat I've ever made and I'm actually quite pleased with it. It's no problem to post it now since the receiver doesn't read my blog. Gee... the more I look at it, maybe there's another reason why non-crafters don't appreciate handmade.... hmmmm.... (just kidding!!)
Let me be clear, I do NOT advocate giving handmade gifts where you know they will not be well received. That's what Wal-mart gift cards are for! (LOL!!) I am referring to untried relationships that have yet to pass the "love-me-love-my-fiber" test. New friends, new relationships, co-workers, etc.
I may be going out on a limb here but I am coming to believe that the only people who truly appreciate a hand knit, hand crocheted or hand woven gift are other knitters, crocheters or weavers! Now let me qualify that by saying that immediate family members who actually ask for a specific item and then see how much effort goes into creating that item really DO appreciate them! But as for the general acquaintance-ship I would say not! Wal-mart-ism has deadened people as far as the production of fabric-related goods go. What's more, the over-production of shabby toilet tissue covers in 1970's phentex has lowered the perception of hand crafting in general (but that's a topic for another rant).
Not to appear all doom and gloom, I admit that the current renaissance in needle arts is an indication that real hope may be on the horizon! There are more knitters, crocheters and weavers in the US & Canada now than at any other time in recent history. Maybe our taste for anonymously mass-produced crap has finally reached it's peak and we are slowly beginning to mature in our thinking.... maybe.... just maybe....
With all this in mind I have only knit one gift and it was a request. I finished it yesterday and had DD#2 model it.
I used some of my own handspun superwash merino in Deep Sea colorway 3-ply. The color striations are intrinsic to the yarn (except the hot pink). The request was for a hat with ear flaps so I started with a top-down pattern I've knit before and just kind of winged it. It's a little over-the-top but I admit but it's only the 7th hat I've ever made and I'm actually quite pleased with it. It's no problem to post it now since the receiver doesn't read my blog. Gee... the more I look at it, maybe there's another reason why non-crafters don't appreciate handmade.... hmmmm.... (just kidding!!)
I have been toying with making a pair of fingerless gloves with socks yarn, maybe this is the kick in the rear I need. Great idea, and good match too.
I never used to knit for non-knitters, but the last couple of years I've had requests and heavy and hints from that segment of the population. And they've liked the gift, and asked for more. Maybe it's a general "I'm sick of fake and cheap and instant crap, and I'm not gonna take it no more!".
I really love that hat. The smitch of hot pink really ehances the blue, just the right amount of it. And I like the way you've done the flaps etc. Very very nice!
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