Do you knit gifts for others? This week, we're asking the age old question: Who is knitworthy enough to deserve your efforts?
As the holidays approach, knitters and crocheters alike are scouring for perfect patterns to make the perfect gift for people they love. Some knitters and crocheters make hats, scarves, or baby blankets year-round for charities. Wherever you live and whoever you are, it's safe to say that someone has asked you to make something for them at some point. So how do you decide if you'll oblige them or not?
There are some potential pitfalls when knitting for others:
1. Will they appreciate the work that went into it?
There are many stories in forums online and in print about people who didn't appreciate the level of skill required to make them something. In every crafty Facebook group, someone has a story about how they agonised over choosing colours, spent weeks working on a gorgeous blanket, just to see it being used to mop up messes a few weeks later at the recipient's home.
A potential fix: only make things for other makers, or people you know appreciate the skill and work that goes into handmade projects.
2. Do they even want something like that?
Sometimes, people just aren't into handmade things. Maybe they like their home to look like the inside of an interior design magazine, and maybe they only wear runway labels, and maybe they find hand knitted garments difficult to wear. They probably don't mean any harm, but they won't use whatever you make them.
A potential fix: ask people if they like handmade things, ask about potential allergies (read more about alpaca vs wool in our other post here), and ask what they might like. For example, someone who doesn't really like hand knitted jumpers might absolutely adore a simple textured blanket, or vice versa.
3. Are you making the wrong things for the wrong places?
Even those who knit and crochet for charities can run into the problems above. Before you cast on, make sure you talk to the charity in question to make sure they still need what they asked for. Some charities that put out calls for handmade things (like penguin sweaters, for example) have fulfilled their goal and any additional donations might be discarded. If knitting for preemie babies or elderly people, talk to the hospital or care home in question to make sure you can adhere to their guidelines.
Some knitters and crocheters choose not to make anybody anything for Christmas, choosing instead to focus on long term projects or charity knits. Some start making things for Christmas in August to make sure everyone in their family receives a beautiful handmade gift on December 25th. There's only one question left to ask yourself: who is knitworthy to you?
Looking for Christmas makes? Check out our Pinterest board!
