Gifts Come In All Forms

It is a supreme delight for knitters to be surrounded by people who accept us and our craft (read: obsession).  But let me tell you, it is indescribable when my loved ones actively spur me on.  It's like the difference between a parent telling their children they sing well, and requesting them to perform "Ave Maria" for the family and friends.  For whatever reason (human nature), no matter how genuine and heartfelt, words alone do not suffice to convince.  This is a truth well-established (and demonstrated in adage) since long before our time.

I've been lucky enough to have actions speaking louder than words all around me lately, concerning my knitting:  

1. Two friends recently commissioned me to knit for them.  The first completed request was a shining success: Debra's mittens were delivered to Friend 1, who beamed at them, then insisted upon paying for them.  And more than just enough cover the price of the yarn.  

This demonstration was considerably poignant for me.  I've had plenty of people request knitted items, and I never charge friends for my work, above and beyond the price of the fiber, and sometimes not even then.  I am not exaggerating when I say that the satisfaction of meeting a desire when "store-bought just didn't cut it" is ... euphoric.  

But often the requests I get from loved ones come with no acknowledgement (likely because of a lack of knowledge) of how much time and work it takes to deliver on those requests.  And that's fine.  I'm 100% okay with knitting being taken for granted.  The craft and my fellow crafters are taken for granted every day.  But the request itself; it acknowledges that someone likes what I do, likes it enough for that someone to want to own something I made.

I probably don't need to tell you it takes me hours to finish a pair of hand-knit mittens.  It's likely choir-preaching to emphasize that the work isn't limited to the act itself, but also the yarn selection, pattern research, gauging, and any number of "false starts"  - knitting a number of rows before deciding it's just not "right" and having to rip it all out and start over.  What can I say, like many in my craft, I'm a perfectionist.

I admit it, I also love compliments and recognition.  But either of those - I know you know what I'm saying here - either compliments or recognition mean so much more when unprompted.  I honestly wouldn't mention the work and time that goes into a project here if this blog weren't nearly anonymous (I've shared the url with a couple friends. Two. Literally 2 friends.).  Like many of my fellow fibre-freaks, anonymity is part of the rush.  Ask a knit-bomber.  We know why the elves helped the shoemaker.  I concur with the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.  If it paid enough to subsist on, I'd want to be the Knitting Faerie (it's so much more fantastical spelled that way).


So you see why being paid - my first item sold - tickled me.  I imagine it's the same feeling parents get when, years later, they're hugged and thanked for that special gift - the Cabbage Patch doll they waited for hours to secure, or the bicycle they scrimped and saved for, the myriad other items for which they went uncredited at the time.

My other requestor insisted on bartering with me for the wrist warmers she wanted.  She said she'd order me some heirloom vegetable seeds in exchange for me designing and knitting her some wrist warmers.  Again, the offer touched me.  I'm not even sure she realizes that what she proposed was extraordinary.


2.  Christmas was another demonstration of love and acceptance for me and my knitting:

My husband and my Mom both contributed to my arsenal of tools, reference materials, and media.  From the left:
- Four skeins of KnitPicks Imagination Hand Painted Sock Yarn, in Ruby Slippers and Munchkin,
- A gorgeous hand-thrown yarn bowl (regrettably I don't have the artist information yet - to be credited!),
- A subscription to Interweave Knits magazine,
- The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancy M. Wiseman
 

(I already wound the hanks of yarn into lovely usable cakes and couldn't resist starting a sock with the Munchkin colorway.  By the way, my still-to-be-named alpaca friend wasn't a Christmas present but he needed to make an appearance)

- A darning egg to maintain my hand-knit sock collection
- A lovely print, Balancing Act, from Sheep Incognito: The Art of Conni Togel

- A KnitPicks Corrie Vest kit

- A new project tote from Vera Bradley (in Very Berry Paisley)

(I got the matching needle case during a post-Christmas sale for $7.50!! Oh, how I love me a good deal!)

 

(The tote has plenty of room for a few small projects like Mel's Wrist Warmers, my nook, and a book I'm reading for book club, as well as convenient inside pockets to hold my nook charger, a small sewing kit, a snack, and a tube of my favorite handcream - L'Occitane en Provence lavender creme a mains.  Yes, you're right - next Christmas I definitely need to ask for a dpn holder.)

- and, Sock Blockers (in large) from KnitPicks

How did two non-knitters know with such precision how to buy such perfect gifts for a seasoned knitter?  Well firstly, they love, care, and listen to me.  And two other reasons.  

Back in the fall, my Mom was so kind as to accompany me on my first trip to the famous Duchess County Sheep & Wool Festival a.k.a. Rhinebeck.  By the way, this trip is definitely worth documenting in my next blog post - remind me to follow up.  She (unbeknownst to me) diligently took mental notes and business cards at each stand where I ooh'd and aah'd the most.  Oh, how I love my Momma!


Secondly, I have been maintaining an active WishList on KnitPicks.  I simply forwarded the wishlist link to my husband, and he chose a few items all on his own!  I love wishlists.  That way, the gifts are still incredibly thoughtful, but also perfectly tailored to my tastes :)


As for the Vera Bradley tote, he knew my favorite pattern and chose the style completely all his own, in a stroke of extraordinary brilliance and thoughtfulness.  When I asked how he knew I would love it, he simply replied that he thought it would be good for carrying projects.  Reader, I struck gold in the husband-department.


Blessed with support and love from friends and family.  I'm a lucky, lucky girl!


Mrs. Pi