I was thinking about my knitting this morning, and how I wish I knit more sweaters, but I also love finishing small things, like cowls, hats, and handwarmers. And how I have so much yarn that it embarrasses me (first world problem). I love knitting for others, but not so much on request. I feel too much pressure if someone requests something specific, whereas if I knit something and give it away, they either like it or they don't and it doesn't bother me (as much). As often as not, I don't know who a project is destined for when I start it. One exception is this baby sweater I'm knitting for my cousin to give to a close friend of hers:
I've wanted to try a blue and brown combination for awhile and this was the perfect opportunity. I'm using Spud & Chloe Sweater in skydiver blue and chocolate milk, and while the milk chocolate looks more gray than I wanted, it's still pretty. I bought some wooden buttons for this that I think will look perfect.
As an example of how I decide who gets what, I started the Hitchhiker Shawl while on my visit to Meredith's last week and it wasn't until yesterday that I found out who is supposed to receive it. I was knitting on it at lunch and telling my teammates why it is supposed to have a certain number of teeth, and one of the teachers knew the number immediately. I didn't even know she was a Hitchhiker fan until then, but as soon as I did, I knew the shawl was hers.
What and why do you knit?
Easy answer. I knit to stay sane, since I'm unemployed (and seemingly unemployable!), and I make what either I or some other family member wants to wear. I had a dry spell about 5 years ago when I almost gave up knitting and then I realized that I was just bored with it, so I started making my own designs and it's fun all over again!
ReplyDeleteThat is so fitting to gift the Hitchhiker to her! I have one finished that I haven't given away. Still looking for the right person.
ReplyDeleteThis is very nice! I wish I had the patience to knit... so I just stick to crochet.
ReplyDeleteShari
Love how you wait to see who a project should go to. And I love the reasoning behind the gifting!
ReplyDeleteI knit because it relaxes me. It also keeps my hands busy and I'm not sure what mischief they might get up to otherwise :) And I love how something beautiful always emerges even if it's not exactly as planned.
I knit because it allows me to create something pretty or special or useful. I am not artistic, not musical and couldn't procreate - but I can knit. It relaxes me, it gives me something to do while watching TV or on a road trip with my husband, but mostly, it allows me to create.
ReplyDeleteYour baby sweater is so daring. The colors are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI knit to relax , I knit to create, I knit to give away.