I often make crocheted items as gifts but I just have to accept that once the item is given I have no say about what happens to it. The recipient may value it or maybe they won’t. What annoys me is when I’m making something big and beautiful like a blanket and someone says ‘Oh that’s so lovely. (Dog’s name) would love it.’ Err… no. Pup may be lovely but I’m not going to spend a lot of money and hundreds of hours on a doggie blanket.

1:12 love the music! What is it?

In South Africa 🇿🇦 Carolyn Steyn started 67 blankets for Mandela day...communities get together teaching each other to knit and give beautiful warm items to others. Every stitch every block counts. Working in a team through a local library or school is a lovely way to be part of a bigger project, giving to someone who needs something warm.

Thank you so much for such a wonderful video. I am knitting as a gift. I knitted a cardigan for a friend for her birthday last year, she chose the pattern herself and she loves wearing this cardigan. Also for New Year's Eve (where I live we don't celebrate Christmas, we celebrate New Year's Eve) I gave two Sophie scarves and two pairs of socks to close friends. Soon I will start knitting a cardigan for my sister as a gift for her wedding and a sweater for her fiance. It seems like a lot, but I actually wanted and want to make these gifts because I'm leaving to another country soon and I want them to have a physical memory of me

Hello Mark, I am wondering that knitting needles are allowed on the plane. I am always afraid they would take them away because of security, when no nail files are allowed, or other pointy things even when they are not sharp. Did you ever had problems in this case? It might be different travelling national or international.

My thoughts on gift knits are that if the gift is going to be a burden to the person receiving it, then it isn't a gift. I consider myself at this point to be an advanced beginner drifting into beginner/mid-range in my skills. Like many beginners, I bought a ton of worsted weight wool that I mostly didn't end up wanting for projects and so I did a LOT of knitted hats and mitts that mostly became gifts. I was careful to only gift them to people I thought would appreciate them, and that has mostly played out. My farmer brother-in-law loves his wool hat. It ended up being really good practice for me in producing consistent quality knitting; however, as I advance, I knit for gifts less often. Not never never, but less often.

I would like to see you in men pattern sweater.

I tend to discourage people from gifts especially large gifts unless they talk to the person. My cat has gotten so many baby blankets because someone knit one without asking if the mom wanted it. And he loves them, but that was not the intention. When I was a teenager I for 4 handmade “fashion scarves” from my aunts every holiday. And given I lived in Maine and none of them were warm because “fashion”… there was like a 3 week window to wear them. So I never did. I actually started using them as belts in college (don’t tell anyone though, they would probably be upset that I wasn’t being nice enough to them).

Enjoyable episode. In 2024, a good amount of my knitting had been for others. A mock fisherman's rib scarf for my brother and Christmas ball ornaments. I did manage to finally accomplish my Álafosslopi sweater and knit myself felted mittens in the leftover yarn. Carried over from 2024...A prayer shawl for a friend and a the Arne and currently, a Carlos 2024 Christmas stocking for a new baby in the family coming in February. Best wishes for your 2025 projects and look forward to seeing them in your episodes!.

The sweater you are wearing is gorgeous. Is the pattern available? I have made scarves for my whole family, which may not have been worn by everyone, and fingerless mitts for all my coworkers. Since we work outdoors, in all weather, i think most of those have been worn. But i mostly knit for myself. I get cold easily, so I love wool, both as basic garments and accessories. I am currently working on a pair of fingerless mitts in a much finer yarn than i have used previously, to wear when i need greater agility, but still need some warmth. Next will be a cowl, for when my shirt collar isn't sufficient to keep the wind out. I was confused by the term snood, as I use that word to mean a bag shaped hair net, a la Victorian girls. Seeing what you are calling a snood was helpful, as I have seen patterns that i couldn't relate to a hair accessory, and this explains it!

Dont immediately feel sad when you see hand knits in a charity store. Ive been knitting for forty years. I give sweaters ive knit for myself to charity. How many sweaters can i keep? The 1980s are over! Same with blankets, scarves, afghans, etc. i gave the sweaters i made for my own kids, to charity. Im not a museum. The baby clothes my mom saved from my babyhood rotted away, so i decided better to give stuff away.

My pet annoyance is when I’ve knitted an item for a friend who then asks if I can knit same, usually socks, for someone who I’ve never met.

I always ask people first if they would like me to knit something for them, and I assure them that I will not be offended if they say no. I emphasize that while I would be delighted to knit for them, I'd be really annoyed if they said yes to be polite, and then didn't ever use/wear whatever it was I spent time on. I have plenty of things I could knit that aren't for them! If they want something, then I make sure they are actively involved in selecting the pattern and yarn, because I *never* guess correctly what someone would like. (My mom was the only person who I could knit a surprise for and she would genuinely love it, and use it.)

I always ask if anyone wants or would like a hand made item before gifting one. I avoid the heartbreak of my efforts not being appreciated and I know that the recipient is getting something they will enjoy! This also allows me to get up-to-date measumerments and input on washing needs, design & color as well as fiber selection (in case of allergies). If the project is not finished at gift giving time, I wrap and present a sample piece (swatch) with a note. All completed projects come with a card that includes washing directions, a small bag with supply of extra yarn (often hand spun & custom dyed), buttons, beads etc. as well as notes about the yarn, tools and pattern used in case repairs are needed in the future. My friends and family have told me no when they are not interested in an item and Ihave appreciated the honesty. They have also found that my it isn't ready yet swatches make great coasters, wash rags, bookmarks and barbie blankets. We even have a "not really, but I'd like to donate a hat & scarf set to the local shelter" option. My to be donated by others projects still get the note cards and usually come with a packet of soak wash.

I made my mother a wrap at her specifications. Big. Practically a throw blanket. Covered in stem stitches and bobbles. Cotton. I got knitters elbow from it. Took months. She claimed she loved it. I only saw her wear it once. To pick me up from the airport. At midnight. Never again.

I love your channel. I have been knitting hats lately, mostly the patriotic hat by Joy Macdonal. I am planning a drop shoulder sweater for golfing. It's a challenge due to my large size.

My youngest daughter is very knit/crochet worthy, but I know better than to make things in something other than acrylic. She is a very busy single mother and she doesn't want to have to have special care items. I don't make something every year either, so when she gets something it is a special thing. She and her daughter are the only ones I will make things for. No one else has enough thanks and consideration for what I do.

I used to knit gifts and it's true, a lot of them were not used. I've started to ask before and everything changed. This Christmas, I knitted a whole lot of socks and weaved several tea towels. I brought them il a big bag to the family party and asked every person to chose something in the bag, if they wanted. It was a big success. And surprisingly, a lot of those who I thougt would want socks preferred tea towels and vice versa. I will definitively keep this way to gift my craft.

just a random thought here, but I heard somewhere Mr. Rogers always changed into a sweater at the beginning of his show because his Mom used to make cardigans for him, so I guess he just wanted to honor her by wearing them all!

Sadly, my favorite yarn is long discontinued. It’s called Brigantia from the long gone Spirit Trail Fiberworks. It’s a blend of Polearth wool and silk, DK weight. I have stash of it, mostly gotten from Ravelry stashes. I just love it. There are many other yarns I love, but for some reason I just have a special love for this one.

I only gift knit when someone ask if i would make something . I do quit a bit of donation knitting…new born caps, cancer caps, gloves, hats and scarves for local school kids.

I used to gift knit. Now I only knit if someone asks. Too many times I never even got a thank you so Indont do it anymore

I genuinely don’t mean to sound rude but I feel like y’all are picking the wrong people to gift knitted items to, I’ve never had someone be anything other than ecstatic when gifted a knitted garment but maybe it’s the cold climate I live in? Idk, some of y’all need to get better friends I think.

Just found your tube cnt wait to go back 12mths and Binge watch all your vids Thank you for sharing Crochet has been my mental pal all my life since my uncle showed me when i was 8years old i am 53now Fabre art saved me many times too Keep going blessings TEE x

Thank you!!

I gifted a blanket to some relatives for their new cottage. On Christmas Eve they posted a picture on Facebook of the dog sleeping on the blanket. I won’t knit them anything again. It took a lot of yarn and time so I was pretty upset.

Thank you ever so much for actually voicing my thoughts. I crochet. Unfortunately for me I have no clue about knitting. I will try one day.... Thank you for your insights. Such an encouragement to everyone in the this craft ... thank you again Cheerio from Down Under 🌺

I have so many items for myself. Now all I do i charity knitting learning a new fairisle stitch

I'm a gift maker, just because I want to make thing s but not necessarily want the finished object. Also, if buy "gift knitting" we understand "gift for Christmas", that’s not really my thing, I gift my thing when I want the whole year. Of course sometimes and time it to special dates, but not necessarily. It more like "if I want to do something I could give it at this occasion" not "I have this occasion I should do this". Am I making sense ? At the end of 2024, I realized but 2/3 of what I made is not for me. I was surprised, it did not feel like it ! And I still have more projects in mind !

Around 1995 I made myself a pair of socks (from Opal, self striping yarn) A girl I was friends with admired them, and I thought about making her a pair for her birthday.. Until she said "WOW, I bet those are worth about $5. The yarn then was about $10-12 a ball at the time. Gave her a $10 gift certificate instead.

This is such a vibe. A friend told me yesterday that because he's a professional musician, people treat him like their own private jukebox. This runs in parallel to people who create physical things/art in any form, doesn't it? From food to clothing to pottery to knitting. "Make ME a (insert creation here.)" For me, the worst is when people want SOCKS. They look simple, but come on... 20,000 stitches in tiny little fingering weight. I don't love many people THAT much hahaha.

My family crafts. They understand the time put into the project. I don't make anything unless they ask (ex, my niece wanted handkerchiefs with tatted edges for her wedding) or I ask before making (usually its a "thanks but no thanks" response). Most of my knitting is for charity or fundraising.

I love your sweater, its glorious.

From my past experiences about gifting my crafted items: if they don't how knit/crochet they may not receive something made by me because they don't know how much goes time and effort can go into the item I made.

Hi I have just come across your channel and understand everything you have said with regards to knit/crochet gifting. I once knitted two baby blankets for someone I used to work with since she was having her first baby and also knitted an octopus toy as well. I later noticed she was selling them on facebook just a month after the baby was born. To be honest I was not happy with that since it took me a while to do them and since they were a gift as well. If I am doing anything now, it is either for myself or one of my daughters. At Christmas time I will do blankets for the grandkids and my children for christmas eve boxes. I also do one for my dad's neighbour who is 95 for her birthday and christmas and she loves the crochet ones I do. Also love the jumper you are wearing that is on my list to do as well for me. already have the wool just need to decide which colourway.

Quilters; in the same boat…even guilted if they keep or make a quilt for themselves

I do some gift knits but have found there are a very select few who are knit worthy. My son loves and wears knitted sweaters, but he remains one of the few I would put that much time and effort into. I

I am definitely a gift knitter. I am pretty much advanced. I do not knit any surprises except for babies. I always ask the the the recipients opinion and get his/her measures. I always use quality yarn, no acrylic, no nylon! When the gift project is ready, I ask the recipient whether he/she wishes any small changes, corrections, additions, etc. I give recipient the instructions needed for the care of the knitted item. I also knit for charity. Greetings from Turku, Finland.

I learned two months ago how to knit so I could make clothing for myself. I’ve made a couple scarves as practice and gifted those. But for my crochet I mostly do amigurumi. I make what I want to make and if someone loves it they can have it. If not it goes into a box for future gifts or selling

as a knitter and a first time mom, I would discourage anyone from gifting a handmade baby blanket. I decided not to knit a blanket for my child due to the current safety recommendations for children (baby's should not sleep with a blanket or any loose items in their crib for at least a year). and I was gifted no less than a dozen blankets most of which were handmade-- quilted, knit, and crotchet. I only use 1 or 2 for the carseat/stroller and the rest are stored in the dresser. it's a shame they are beautiful but they just aren't practical. A better gift would be diapers or gift cards for a new parent to purchase diapers, baby formula and all the unknown items that babies might need as they grow. Babies grow so fast that any clothing items will likely be worn only a couple of times, if at all.

My dearest people love and admire their gift knits. I only knit things I know they will love, and are in their style. If it's not, I unravel the yarn and work on a different project. It's about getting to know your people. I do you a few family members who don't enjoy knit gifts at all. It was surprising because it was my parents and the niece they raised. They told me they didn't need any more "knit things". I stopped knitting for them. It's weird to me that they wouldn't want these beautiful heirlooms but I'm not them. And honestly, we are not close; not like I am with my close friends and kid. So it kind of makes sense. I don't know if I would want to be wrapped in someone's love that I'm not close to either?

For Christmas 2023, I decided to gift knit and gift weave for 4 people. It put so much pressure on me and I was finishing one of the gifts at 1am on Christmas Day. Never again, so I gave ‘store-bought’ simpler gifts this past Christmas. I don’t mind making occasional gifts but the pressure of a specific date is not for me. I totally love your sweater so much.

I mostly just make what I find fun, then I shop my own stash for gifts that I think people will like. I did make a tote for my sil this year. She's not a home-made person, and I have to admit that I kinda knew she probably wouldn't like it that much. But the things she does like are out of my price range. So I made something I enjoyed crocheting, and it was an accessory that would objectively be of some use (she has a toddler who doesn't need an extra bag), and just let the chips fall as they might. I wasn't there when she got it, and was told she didn't say much about it. And I'm a little bummed just because I was hoping that maybe I'd be pleasantly surprised by her reaction. But at least I made something I was proud of and had fun doing. So I mostly made it for my own enjoyment, which might have been a little selfish. But I made peace with that.

If someone would knit me socks every year ❤❤❤❤ But..... I don't need another scarf or toque.

How do I find patterns for the gifts you show

My granddaughter, who lives near Columbus OH, married a wonderful man last May who is by far the most knitworthy person I have ever made anything for. Four years ago I made him a hat for Christmas & she said he wore it every day. The next year he told her he didn't care what else he got for Christmas as long as he got a hat from me so now he gets both a hat & a scarf. She also is very knitworthy.

I am madly in love with the sweater you are wearing today. And the Sophie Scarf too! I wanted to say that from what I have heard there is superwash and there is superwash. Some of it is treated with a sort of acrylic coating and some of it has had the scales of the fibers chemically softened or removed (not really sure which) And manufacturers are not including information about this in their product descriptions. In other words you can't really depend on it to not felt one of these days. I would much rather do gift work in something like cotton/acrylic. Even so I would caution the recipient to treat it with gentle care. Mostly now I am tired of all of this and just knit for myself!

When I learnt to knit socks, I made a pair for my brother. I could tell by the look on his face that it was unlikely he would wear them so decided I wouldnt make him any more. A couple of weeks later he said 'I wasnt keen on the socks you knitted for me, but as you knitted thern I tried them on and they are so comfy. He only ever wore my handmade socks after that.

I love to knit and crochet. Im not good at it by any stretch of anyone's imagination but i LOVE doing it. Ive had friends and family ask for something specific so i made it for them. I have NEVER seen them use the item they requested. I have seen them using the cheap walmart version of said item so ive decided to never stitch for anyone other than homeless people - hopefully they will appreciate it 🤞. 7:03 7:03

Guggenhein does have smaller scissors and snips