Help!

How do you figure what to make for people? I'm OK with the grand kids but beyond that I'm at a loss. I'd like to make a skirt for my DD and felted slipper for my SIL neither of which of I've ever done. Then I'll make a hat & scarf for my friend. Most of the stuff I've made or picked out before they haven't worn, used, etc. So last year they just got cash.

How do you choose?

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Permalink Reply by Marta on August 19, 2009 at 4:09pm

I do not give knit goods to everybody. I don't even try to do that. I'd never get anything done for myself if I did that. And I'm with Susan. If you get eye rolling, cross that one off your list immediately! hahahaha My sister and niece live in FL. I'm making them little goodies from the KP Spa kit. Some others will get Fetching (adapted) mitts. Most of the guys don't get knit goods. It's more a time issue for me. My daughter will wear almost anything I make--every day--and rave on the tops and jackets like mad. I enjoy making fun things for her and for myself more often now. I make an occasional piece for the granddaughters, especially the littlest one who is a godchild as well. This year I'll be making a 'little something' for almost everyone from the Ornaments KP Kit. I thought little candies for all the kids! Maybe for the adults as well. Everyone I know is obsessed with tree ornaments, so that will take care of the hand goods. I work in a bookstore and get a 'special discount' period just before the holidays so most people get a book or CD or DVD. They send wish lists well ahead..... It's less stressful for me not to plan dozens of knitting gifts. I like to enjoy the holidays myself too!

Permalink Reply by Natalie Olivas on August 19, 2009 at 6:03pm

This brings up the issue for me too. I have 3 nieces, sisters ages 5, 7 and 9, and a nephew who is 10. I don't have kids myself so my idea of what's age appropriate for all of them is kind of hazy. Also, I don't know whether to knit for them at all. One year, I made some cute little hats (I thought they were cute) for the girls and 2 of them didn't even keep them on for the holiday party. I don't think I'll do that again. I guess I should just not knit for them and I guess I'd advise you to do the same. If someone hasn't worn something you've made for them, I would just go ahead and give them cash or a gift card for the iTunes store or something.

Along the same line, I started a pair of socks for my husband last night and asked him a question about the color. His answer sounded dangerously like "it doesn't matter", so I asked for clarification. He then said, "I don't know where I'd wear them anyway." !!!!! :O ???? I then informed him that they're only socks, not a friggin' tiara, so he could wear them to work or anywhere. Men?!@#$!%#!%#@

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on August 19, 2009 at 8:17pm

I think you already said it all! So I am copying you verbatim: Men?!@#$!%#!%#@

Permalink Reply by Natalie Olivas on August 19, 2009 at 10:58pm

LOL. Yes, sometimes they just dumbfound me. They're like some strange tribe I never will understand.

Permalink Reply by AmyL on August 20, 2009 at 7:25am

So are you actually going to knit him the socks? He sounds very lukewarm about it. You could make yourself some socks, or a cool skirt or something instead.

My hubbie, on the other hand, LOVES handknit socks. Poor thing. I've never made him a single sock. I need to learn to make socks. I doubt he'd wear anything colorful, though. They'll have to be plain stockinette in gray, black, or brown... Hm.

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on August 20, 2009 at 8:50am

Amy, you should join the Sock KAL and have all your fellow employees help you do socks! There are some nice cable and argyles (including some single color argyles) that would make them more fun than just plain stockinette socks.

Permalink Reply by BabblingStacey on August 20, 2009 at 11:20am

Ha. My SO loves handknit socks too...but wants the most boring ones imaginable. White. No "fancy" stitches. I finally talked him into different heels & toes, just to make them a bit more interesting for me to knit :)

Also I've switched to using the Stroll Sport. The socks go much quicker that way! :)

Permalink Reply by Natalie Olivas on August 21, 2009 at 4:29pm

Well, yes, I'm going to try it this once. We've been married 14 years and I've been knitting about 2-1/2 years and haven't made him anything to wear, so I'm willing to give it a try. They're plain black with just a little cable going down the side, so they should be plain enough. Maybe I'm setting myself up for a fall but I think once he sees them he'll realize they're just socks and will wear them. If not, it'll still be okay I think. I'll have enjoyed making them anyway and maybe I can steal them (he's got pretty small feet).

Maybe my hubster will end up loving handknit socks too - this will be his first pair.

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on August 21, 2009 at 4:37pm

Is it the Yarn Harlot's Earl Grey? That's the one I'm doing in Stroll Kettle-dyed Soot.

Permalink Reply by Natalie Olivas on August 21, 2009 at 4:41pm

Yes it is! Thanks for pointing me to it - I think it's subtle enough for Mark but also interesting enough for me to knit. I'm still on the ribbing, so have barely started but so far, so good (I've only had to frog once). I think that's the same color I'm using - Kettle dyed and it's black. Or is Soot grey?

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on August 21, 2009 at 7:17pm

Yes, I think it has just a subtle enough change in the color to make it more interesting. The Soot is almost jet black. I hope the cable shows up. I'm only about 10 rows into the cabling. I had to put it aside to finish knitting for the Mr. Foster Halloween contest. Then I have about 4 Christmas stockings to do. After that I'll get back to my DH's socks.

Permalink Reply by Johann Mitchell on August 20, 2009 at 11:11am

The first thing you have to do is really look at the person you're buying/making something for.

What colors do they like and wear? What kinds of things do they like to do? What are their interests? What kinds of clothes do they love so much that they wear them to death?

If they have a special interest, look in a store for people with that interest. The internet makes that much easier to do. You'll probably find just the thing, and it may be something you can make, too.

For instance, when I was a teenager, I sewed, but hadn't learned to knit yet. My aunt gave me some fabric in a color I loved, a pattern for a neat jacket, and knitted cuffs and bottom edge for the jacket in yarn that matched the fabric.

Or: my ex-husband loved to mix drinks. My mom got him a seltzer bottle, which helped him make fabulous drinks. He loved it.

I know a boy who went to the Renaissance festival and got (at his request), a wooden sword and shield. For Christmas, I knitted him a hood (like Robin Hood"s). It added to the toys he already had, but was a functional piece of clothing he could wear under his coat to keep warm in the winter.

Do these people do crafts? Maybe craft supplies would work (if you know enough about their craft and preferences to choose wisely) or, a gift certificate to a yarn or craft store?

You just have to really study the person you're buying or making something for. Once you do that, you'll start picking things they'll love.