Dec
Off the List.
I made a pair of really nice hand knit slippers. They were the super classy looking Malabrigo Loafers in a very manly maroon and dark gray Berroco Peruvia. I worked diligently to knit them to fit my father in laws extremely large feet. The pattern didn’t go up to his size so I adjusted the needle size and knit them using one of his shoe stretchers as a reference. I cast aside my own knitting projects, for went some knit for hire projects and put off knitting other people gifts because I really wanted to give my father in law something nice and hand made for Christmas this year. They were beautiful, extremely well made and full of love and attention.
They are still sitting in the box I wrapped them in, with the top just slightly ajar next to his chair in the living room. All the other gifts have been at least put away and given some kind of vague nod towards to the person who gave them. My slippers? My lonely gorgeous ‘if you bought them in the store they’re cost you a butt load of cash’ slippers? Left. Abandoned. Like a granny square coaster set in squeaky acrylic pastels. The shame. The horror.
My father in law is off the list. He no longer gets hand made anything from me EVER. Even if he should for some bizarre reason ask for something hand knit he’s out of luck. He has offended me in the worst possible way you can offend a knitter. Not only did he not squeal with joy at my hand knit gift, he completely disregarded it and has offered not a single thank you or indication that he at least appreciates the time I put into them.
OFF THE LIST.
Luckily for the rest of my family who received hand knit items they have responded accordingly. My grandma was wearing her house socks immediately after opening the box, and then the next morning while fixing us Christmas breakfast. My aunt coo-ed over her beaded key chain and earrings and remarked on how professional they looked and she thought I bought them. My mother in law has worn her feather and fan scarf every day since she received it as well. All appropriate ways to appease the knitter in your life. Show some bit of appreciation, that’s all we ask.
Who’s off your list? And why? I want to feel like I’m not the only who got knit wear rejection.
If those loafers are still in that box untouched tomorrow I’m going to put them in the washing machine and “accidentally” felt them until they fit me.
28Dec
Yes, I have someone who is definately off the list next year!! My step-grandmother basically shrugged at my forest canopy shawl!!!
::Chanting::
Felt
Felt
Felt
Felt
28Dec
Chris is *almost* at the point of being off my list…although he reacts fairly appropriately when he receives the item, he then leaves it lying around the house where the cat/dog can eat it/play with it/ pull up stitches. I think it’s just a matter of most non-knitters not realizing just how much time and effort went into their knitted gifts.
But anyway, for your FIL to not even squeal with delight when he opened the package? He’d be off my list too. He obviously doesn’t appreciate a fine handknit
28Dec
I’m with Jessie up there, Felt away. My now EX MIL is off my list, and was from almost the second I met her. I spent 2 months when preggers and on bed-rest knitting her this beautiful PI style shawl. Dyed the yarn myself, picked the pattern myself. Blocked the thing to almost 6 fee across. She called it a DOILY!!! It’s still in the box I gave it to her in, and if my ex lived anywhere near her I’d ask him to recover it for me, or at least for our son. The lad understands knitwear, since I taught his dad to knit and crochet too.
Felt, felt, felt, felt, felt.