When knitting for others backfires

We knit for others with the best of intentions.  We knit a pattern that we think they will enjoy wearing, in colors that suit them, and with fibers that we think will be soft or durable- whatever the situation calls for.  But sometimes that unselfish endeavor backfires.  What if you took a bit of a chance and they don't like what you've knit?  What if the colors are too bold or if it turns out they think they are allergic to wool?  What if you end up liking the project so much that the whole time you are knitting it, you are cursing yourself b/c you want to keep it for yourself??

That's the situation I find myself in this morning.  I started new project yesterday afternoon, and continued late (at least for me) into the night.  And this morning I've even picked it up again.  I'm three-quarters done with this sock that I'm knitting for someone else, and all I want to do is keep it for myself.  I think it's that awesome.

Now, I don't know that the person I'm knitting it for will think it's awesome.  I don't know this person very well yet.  But I chose the project based on what I think she will like, and now I adore it too.  I can't share pictures here, because it's supposed to be secret and I don't want her seeing this project or hearing about it.  But here's a glimpse of the first inch.

Not exciting at all, I know.  Just an inch or so of black.  And you know how I feel about knitting black- it's awful on the eyes at night, knitting all those tiny stitches.  I rarely knit dark socks.  But there's lots of black in this sock (along with five other colors) and I don't even mind, it's that awesome.  But I'm not going to keep this project, which I can't even reveal to you til late this summer when it's gifted.  I'm going to give it up to a good home and I might knit myself a pair too!

I'm knitting this sock using Simply Sock Yarn, Solids.  I needed very specific colors, and my yarn line happened to have them all.  And it's been a year or so since I've knit my own yarn line, and I have to admit that it's a fabulous yarn.  None of the balls had knots when winding, no breaks, no snags, no white spots in the super-saturated colors I'm using.  And I forgot how soft and squishy the fiber is when it's knit.  I do get e-mails on a regular basis saying how much you enjoy knitting the yarn- the reasonable price and the large color selection make it very popular.  And I agree with you- it's very, very nice stuff!!

*By the way, the server upgrade has been moved, so I'll post here again when the website is closed for a day or so for the upgrade.

 

Comments

[Linda]

Looks like a good start! What pattern are you using to knit the socks?

[Heatherly]

i love my socks made from your yarn! the stitch definition is awesome!

[Deirdre]

They say (well, my mom used to say) that the best gift to give is the one you want to keep for yourself. Might have been a ploy to make us kids feel better when we had to give away cool gifts, though...

[Bonnie]

You are a delightful person. I think you should DEFINITELY knit yourself a pair as well.

[April]

Keep 'em....they will never know....make them something else :) Good luck with the server upgrade too!

[Sue J]

I agree........keep them! and knit another pair or something else for the person, esp since you don't know if they'll LOVE the socks like they should!

[Kim B.]

Only give them away if your are sure the person will love them. Knit that person something else. There is no reason for the, to go unworn. I'm sure they are gorgeous!