I gave up knitting gifts in general years ago. I knit for pleasure. If what I make reminds me of another person, I might give it to them spontaneously.
I’m knitting just two presents this year - knitted fairy lights - requested by my 2 best friends when we met up at my local-ish yarn shop back in September. I’m gifting one set to a friend’s daughter as her Mum died unexpectedly in October. Her Mum was a skilled crocheter and her daughter is a skilled artist.
The woolly decorations will go to a good home and will be greatly appreciated.
My husband has never requested any knits from me, but asked for some house slippers a month or two ago. I promptly bought some DK in favored colors and knit up Laura Nelkin's Larch Slippers. However, I hadn't thought the yarn would go as far as it did, so now he's getting a Musselborough, too!
Same! So I gift then usually to close family members and/or people who also know and can appreciate the time and effort (and love!) that goes into knitting something for someone.
Breaking my rule of no gift knitting this, and am questioning myself - I might have just made an awful mistake with an intarsi-in-the-round oversized hoodie, and I feel my willpower ebbing away
So after asking around for help, I went to the pattern listing to contact the designer and learned that I am not the only person to end up at a point in the pattern where it is impossible to have followed directions and ended up with the correct number of stitches.......
So I'm making a different hoodie and will do my best to adapt it
I only knit Christmas gifts when asked. When I had low funds then I made things for Christmas and would gift the UFO in the project bag and finish it as soon as possible after Christmas. My family gives me grief over this, even though they secretly love that I make them things they asked for.
I’ve knitted socks for my mum. She’s generally quite difficult to buy for, but she is incredibly knitworthy, so that’s what she gets! I’m in the middle of knitting socks for a friend as well, but they’ve taken a back seat while I make a cosy headband for myself.
When you have someone who is appreciative of handknit socks it’s such a pleasure isn’t it. I know I can knit socks for my husband and sons they will always grab them out of my hands.
I don't normally but this year Sistwerp asked me in July if I could knit her a cardigan, and described what she was wanting. After going through a few patterns she saw one she fell in love with so I said if it can be her wear gift this year I'd knit it. I got the yarn in mid-October and have the lower body done (it's knit all together until the armholes and then separated into fronts and back), and finished the right front an hour or so ago. I've told her it may or may not be done on the 25th, but will definitely be done before Old Christmas Day, and she's good with that. I also told her not to expect anything big for a few years lol. I might be willing to knit her some mittens next year, or a hat but that's it size-wise
The weeks around Christmas are the only times I'm not knitting for work. I spend the week after making something for myself (already know what I'm going to do and have done my swatch, so I just have to work out the numbers). I have a hat project in mind for my bald husband that I might do before the holiday. It is trying out a new technique, so not strictly fun knitting.
I have some knitted balls that I did years ago which I always pull out.
Am way too slow at knitting to make any gifts so am crochet all the way. When I first started I made way too many gifts for Christmas but quickly learned who appreciated the time/effort enough to make it worthwhile. Mostly small projects this year. When I have done big ones in the past I learnt to only do one person per year, the people who are worth making for understand that they have to take it in turns.
The few times I've knit projects for gifting have shown me that I am neither disciplined or time aware enough to even attempt this without A LOT of stress. I much prefer to randomly gift things whenever I finish, much more pleasant!
Not this year, except for the dishcloths I hand out like candy.
I only knit for someone else upon request, and then only if I have the time and inclination. For my son, virtually the only person who occasionally requests a hanknit (usually an afghan), I always have the time and inclination. I would knit a mountain for that boy - and now, for that boy's partner; they both live far away from me and the yarn connects us.
This has given me a great idea for a post; thanks for posing the question!
I hate the pressure and making myself crazy making gifts. My larger family group has name drawing (the young adult generation added this year) and we draw early in the year. I have my niece's husband. I make hats/mittens for their kiddos and socks for her. So, I planned ahead and started a Musselburgh for him so he would also have something warm from me. Of course, since I had a TON of time, I only finished it last month. This December is all the advent socks on the needles and the only stress is when I don't get to work on them. No deadlines. Happy Holidays!
I gave up knitting gifts in general years ago. I knit for pleasure. If what I make reminds me of another person, I might give it to them spontaneously.
I’m knitting just two presents this year - knitted fairy lights - requested by my 2 best friends when we met up at my local-ish yarn shop back in September. I’m gifting one set to a friend’s daughter as her Mum died unexpectedly in October. Her Mum was a skilled crocheter and her daughter is a skilled artist.
The woolly decorations will go to a good home and will be greatly appreciated.
Ooh, now there's a nice idea! Woolly fairy lights!
My husband has never requested any knits from me, but asked for some house slippers a month or two ago. I promptly bought some DK in favored colors and knit up Laura Nelkin's Larch Slippers. However, I hadn't thought the yarn would go as far as it did, so now he's getting a Musselborough, too!
That sounds like a perfect plan.
I only knit gifts where I know they will be appreciated.
Same! So I gift then usually to close family members and/or people who also know and can appreciate the time and effort (and love!) that goes into knitting something for someone.
Breaking my rule of no gift knitting this, and am questioning myself - I might have just made an awful mistake with an intarsi-in-the-round oversized hoodie, and I feel my willpower ebbing away
Eeek - that sounds like a real challenge
So after asking around for help, I went to the pattern listing to contact the designer and learned that I am not the only person to end up at a point in the pattern where it is impossible to have followed directions and ended up with the correct number of stitches.......
So I'm making a different hoodie and will do my best to adapt it
I only knit Christmas gifts when asked. When I had low funds then I made things for Christmas and would gift the UFO in the project bag and finish it as soon as possible after Christmas. My family gives me grief over this, even though they secretly love that I make them things they asked for.
I do love the idea of a gift bag I have to say. I tend to randomly knit things during the year as I feel like them - much less pressure that way.
I’ve knitted socks for my mum. She’s generally quite difficult to buy for, but she is incredibly knitworthy, so that’s what she gets! I’m in the middle of knitting socks for a friend as well, but they’ve taken a back seat while I make a cosy headband for myself.
When you have someone who is appreciative of handknit socks it’s such a pleasure isn’t it. I know I can knit socks for my husband and sons they will always grab them out of my hands.
I don't normally but this year Sistwerp asked me in July if I could knit her a cardigan, and described what she was wanting. After going through a few patterns she saw one she fell in love with so I said if it can be her wear gift this year I'd knit it. I got the yarn in mid-October and have the lower body done (it's knit all together until the armholes and then separated into fronts and back), and finished the right front an hour or so ago. I've told her it may or may not be done on the 25th, but will definitely be done before Old Christmas Day, and she's good with that. I also told her not to expect anything big for a few years lol. I might be willing to knit her some mittens next year, or a hat but that's it size-wise
The weeks around Christmas are the only times I'm not knitting for work. I spend the week after making something for myself (already know what I'm going to do and have done my swatch, so I just have to work out the numbers). I have a hat project in mind for my bald husband that I might do before the holiday. It is trying out a new technique, so not strictly fun knitting.
I have some knitted balls that I did years ago which I always pull out.
I’m doing a hat for my similarly follically challenged husband - winters are hard 🤣
I have tons of hair, but when temps go below 40 we all need hats!
Am way too slow at knitting to make any gifts so am crochet all the way. When I first started I made way too many gifts for Christmas but quickly learned who appreciated the time/effort enough to make it worthwhile. Mostly small projects this year. When I have done big ones in the past I learnt to only do one person per year, the people who are worth making for understand that they have to take it in turns.
That’s such a sensible approach - there’s absolutely no point in burning yourself out.
The few times I've knit projects for gifting have shown me that I am neither disciplined or time aware enough to even attempt this without A LOT of stress. I much prefer to randomly gift things whenever I finish, much more pleasant!
Absolutely, it’s supposed to be fun after all.
Not this year, except for the dishcloths I hand out like candy.
I only knit for someone else upon request, and then only if I have the time and inclination. For my son, virtually the only person who occasionally requests a hanknit (usually an afghan), I always have the time and inclination. I would knit a mountain for that boy - and now, for that boy's partner; they both live far away from me and the yarn connects us.
This has given me a great idea for a post; thanks for posing the question!
Aww, I love the idea of knitting a mountain for our loved ones 🧡
I hate the pressure and making myself crazy making gifts. My larger family group has name drawing (the young adult generation added this year) and we draw early in the year. I have my niece's husband. I make hats/mittens for their kiddos and socks for her. So, I planned ahead and started a Musselburgh for him so he would also have something warm from me. Of course, since I had a TON of time, I only finished it last month. This December is all the advent socks on the needles and the only stress is when I don't get to work on them. No deadlines. Happy Holidays!
That sounds very sensible indeed. I love the name drawing approach.
Oh hell no. I made this mistake one year (scarves! How hard could it be?) NEVER AGAIN.
We live and learn (eventually) 🤣
I have so few knit worthy folks in my sphere. Socks for my mom and me are on the needles. Only hers need to be finished.
That sounds delightfully low key
Yes a shawl for a friend’s birthday as well as a baby blanket for the friend’s new grandson!
Oh, that sounds lovely. I always feel I have to welcome a new baby with a blanket too.