I only knit presents for a rather small group of people...me, the hubbler, my parents, parents-in-law, sister, god-daughter, close friends and my knitting buddies. Occasionally, I knit things for children of close friends, but not too often, because I don't want to inflict knitwear on them. Sometimes, it's hard to tell if things are accepted graciously out of politeness or if there is a genuine love of hand-made things.
Consider that, many people have no idea how much time it takes to knit something small, like a pair of socks. No idea of the grief to get it right, done in time, not to mention the anxiety of, 'will it fits?' Some people like handmade stuff and some people prefer store bought.... and there is nothing wrong with that.
For my knitting buddies, I try to make more of an effort. Every knitter knows how much time goes into each stitch. These are the Seduction Socks by Ann Budd. I did think halfway through the sock. that maybe I should had selected a less busy yarn to show off the pattern better, but after a sock was done, I was committed to finishing.
The yarn is Araucania Ranco Sock in 304, a mix of blue, browns and yellow. The colour really grew on me. There was some slight pooling but not so bad that I wanted to rip and reknit.
I posted these off and taking the left-over scraps (about 25g) and some Rowan Botany 4 ply, made a second pair in kid size, so that mother and daughter can have almost matching socks.
I was concerned about running out of yarn, so I the child ones are much lighter, because I alternated with 1 row of the ranco and 1 row of botany. The botany is a softer yarn and the child socks worked out softer too.
Your socks are lovely, although I agree a plainer yarn might have shown the pattern better. But it is really hard to resist all the hand dyed yarns, isn't it?
As for knitting for other people, I have found that too many of them don't really appreciate what goes into a hand knit garment so I am very selective when it comes to giving my knitting away.
Posted by: Nadine at January 19, 2008 07:12 PMI think I liked the striped ones even better. :-) Something about blue and brown together... that combo has been speaking to me lately.
Posted by: Beth S. at January 15, 2008 08:21 PMBoth of the socks are lovely. I really appreciate how you made a matching pair for the daughter with just a little difference, and that you managed to use up the whole skein. I also knit for a small group of friends/family. My aunt so loves the socks I make her that I have several pairs in line for her...
larissa
Beautiful socks - what a lovely gift.
My sister-in-law told me she really didn't like babies in knitted garments when she had her last child a few years ago and told me not to bother knitting which made me feel a little flat. Her choice, I suppose. I have generally resisted family knitting since (apart from nearest and dearest). Ironically some of them have started wearing shop-bought hand knit socks lately...
Posted by: Anita at January 15, 2008 12:24 PMThose socks are beautiful, both mother and daughter are very lucky girls. There is so much time and effort invested in a knitted gift that only another knitter can appreciate it.
Posted by: Louise at January 14, 2008 11:21 PMLovely socks. I recently knit a 'friend' a lovely pair of purple Fetchings for her birthday as a surprise (we don't usually give gifts). She ungraciously didn't mention them until I had to ask if she'd received them (via post you never know) and then she said 'Oh yeah, those funny things without fingers, when will I ever wear those?' This response was wrong on so many levels I can barely speak to her now. Maybe how people accept hand made gifts is an acid test of friendship?
Posted by: Serenknitity at January 14, 2008 04:28 PMBeautiful! What lovely and thoughtful gifts.
Posted by: Carol at January 14, 2008 12:58 PMI really like how those socks turned out. Very pretty especially the kid's sock that was mixed with Botany.
Posted by: Wanda at January 14, 2008 06:15 AMThe socks look great & I really like the 2 yarn combination of the child's socks. Such a lovely present.
Posted by: Ann at January 14, 2008 12:59 AMWhat pretty presents. Just don't tell Mum the name of the pattern!
Posted by: Mandella at January 13, 2008 08:04 PMThey are really lovely gifts. I think that it is only worth kniting for those who will truly appreciate the love and care that has gone into every stitch. My non-knitting sister has just asked that I knit a gift for her son's teacher - to be given a flat 'no' from me. I usually offer a few lessons to those who offer to 'commission' me to knit for them.
Posted by: Kirstie at January 13, 2008 07:10 PMWhat lovely gifts! I'm sure they'll be treasured. :)
Posted by: Lynn at January 13, 2008 05:05 PMI knit for few people as well. Nothing worse than giving something that you put your heart in and they don't get it. My grandfather loves when I knit socks for him so he gets lots. lol. Those are beautiful and sure to be appreciated.
Posted by: Jean at January 13, 2008 03:42 PMWow, Polly, those kiddie socks are so beautiful. She'll be a happy girl getting them! And the mom loves her own pair so much, I can tell you ;-)
Posted by: Bettina at January 13, 2008 02:58 PMimpeccabale tastes as always :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at January 13, 2008 01:52 PMBeautiful socks, both of them. I don't knit very much gifts, much less than you, just because people usually don't realize how much work it goes into them. Is it a rosemary bush in the background? It looks huge!
Posted by: Maud at January 13, 2008 01:47 PM