Too Much Knitting for a City Apartment
I just moved to a new apartment. A smaller apartment. If you've ever done this you will know the agony of editing all you own. And part of what I own is yarn and hand knit items. Many hand knit items.
I used to give away a fair number of items, but learned early on that most other don't appreciate the crafty items as much as the person who makes them. The fake thank you, they never wear it or some wont even try it on, as if it will burn their skin like acid. Even if you're not related you begin to feel like the elderly aunt who always gives everyone the ugly Christmas sweater with an appliqué reindeer on it.
The knitter sees the fun of a pattern, the feel of the yarn in ones hands, the cheerful color. The recipient sees an unstylish hat they wouldn't be seen dead in. Or they see someone who is too cheap to buy them a gift because they don't realize cashmere is $20 a skein and their scarf used two and half skeins. They certainly don't see the dozens of hours of work.
I haven't cut back on my love for knitting, just the gifting of it. But, now I have a ton of hats, scarves, tank tops, wrist warmers shawls, etc and a small apartment with no room to store all of them.
Most charities who accept knitwear have specific patterns they want you to knit. Patterns that are simple and therefore boring. Many also ask for specific yarn, often acrylic for longer wear and washing.
One of my strategies is to knit socks. Wool socks are often hidden way inside boots or under pants cuffs and people don't seem to mind crazy colors and patterns. And If they don't have standard size feet they are amazed at their pair pair of custom fitted socks.
For for now I'm not sure what to do with all my FOs ( finished objects). And don't say I should wear them. Because to tell you the truth, I won't want to wear a number of them either. But, they sure were fun to make.
I used to give away a fair number of items, but learned early on that most other don't appreciate the crafty items as much as the person who makes them. The fake thank you, they never wear it or some wont even try it on, as if it will burn their skin like acid. Even if you're not related you begin to feel like the elderly aunt who always gives everyone the ugly Christmas sweater with an appliqué reindeer on it.
The knitter sees the fun of a pattern, the feel of the yarn in ones hands, the cheerful color. The recipient sees an unstylish hat they wouldn't be seen dead in. Or they see someone who is too cheap to buy them a gift because they don't realize cashmere is $20 a skein and their scarf used two and half skeins. They certainly don't see the dozens of hours of work.
I haven't cut back on my love for knitting, just the gifting of it. But, now I have a ton of hats, scarves, tank tops, wrist warmers shawls, etc and a small apartment with no room to store all of them.
Most charities who accept knitwear have specific patterns they want you to knit. Patterns that are simple and therefore boring. Many also ask for specific yarn, often acrylic for longer wear and washing.
One of my strategies is to knit socks. Wool socks are often hidden way inside boots or under pants cuffs and people don't seem to mind crazy colors and patterns. And If they don't have standard size feet they are amazed at their pair pair of custom fitted socks.
For for now I'm not sure what to do with all my FOs ( finished objects). And don't say I should wear them. Because to tell you the truth, I won't want to wear a number of them either. But, they sure were fun to make.
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