Who will you NOT knit for?

[iwouldratherbeknitting]

Since many of us are doing holiday knitting.. it got me to thinking. Knitting someone a gift.. is an investment of time- much less $ spent on the yarn/s.

AND, it seems that those that 'don't knit' (generally) don't really realize the cost or time involved in a knitted gift.
So, have you had an experience in an unappreciated knitted gift and as a result- you decided not to knit for that person again?
I haven't had any 'horrible, rude, etc.' experiences.. however, I did handknit a lovely soft Italian mohair scarf in a lace stitch.. and mailed it off in honor of someone's milestone birthday.
This person doesn't knit- nor does anyone in their immediate famliy- and I'm sure that this is the first hand-knitted gift that they had ever received. I included a ball band of the fiber, told her that I had purchased the yarn when I had lived in Italy, explained that it was 'handknit' and how to care for it. I also wrote a nice card and told her that for 'special' birthdays.. someone deserved something as special as they were. (THIS person is much older than I am.)
I NEVER HEARD ONE WORD.. not a thank you.. not a mention of it. They don't live where I do- so, I wouldn't just run into them to jog their memory or to see them actually wearing it/etc.
I'm not just saying it-- but, it was a lovely scarf.
SO, do you have any stories?

[BillSpace]

Handknit or not, lovely or not, the bottom issue here is rudeness. It is wrong for your friend to not acknowledge your gift.
Or: possibly it never arrived. It is OK to send a follow-up note or e-mail asking if it did arrive. If it did, the person will probably slap her forehead (assuming she's a good person who just forgot to send you the thank-you); if it never arrived, you'll be sad to know you lost the scarf but can keep the friend.

[msmelody]

I refuse to knit for people who treat store bought stuff shabbily. If they are not willing to take care of the things they buy themselves, then how can I be sure they will take care of the things I make for them.

[Sharly]

My policy is that I only knit for people who ask me to. Right now I'm going bonkers making cell phone cozies because people keep seeing them and wanting one. When someone asks, I am so flattered I can't say no. And, because they are anxiously awaiting their gift, I'm assured my knitting to going to someone who appreciates it!

[knitncook]

My grandmother or anyone on that side of the family. The last time I knit something for one of them (my cousin who had a baby and made her matching baby socks and hats that were just OH so cute) all I heard was, "You know it is Granny's job to make those things. Why did you go and take away Granny's special thing?" (My grandmother crochets with RHSS, although before she had arthritis she did fine thread lace crocheting) They equate anything made with yarn to something Granny does and I suppose only Granny can make anything with yarn.

I also hesitate to make things for my mom because she is very critical of my knitting. She will find every flaw I make before she compliments me. :( I also have several friends I would never knit for because they just wouldn't get it. Other friends I *love* to knit for because they totally get it and appreciate it. And then I have my one friend who I just find patterns for because she knits (and spins and weaves) herself.

[sinistral_needler]

My policy is that I only knit for people who ask me to. Right now I'm going bonkers making cell phone cozies because people keep seeing them and wanting one. When someone asks, I am so flattered I can't say no. And, because they are anxiously awaiting their gift, I'm assured my knitting to going to someone who appreciates it!

That is a very good guideline. I wanted to knit something for my brother and asked him if he would like a scarf and pretty much said, "well, that would be nice of you but I would never wear it." Be safe and ask the person first! As much as people love giving a surprise gift, the receivers often don't know how to react!

[Jitendra]

yesterday a guy in class saw me knitting my scarf and asked how much I'd charge for a custom knit job. Then he told me about a scarf his mom had made for his roommate, which had the roommate's nickname stitched into it. The roommate took one look and said "I don't wear scarves." and didn't take it. So rude!

[The.Knitter]

When my beautiful granddaughter was born, I knit her a lace dress. I had never knit lace before and I was so excited when it turned out well. I even knit it in the colour I was TOLD to knit it in when my DD found out I was knitting it. Well I anxiously finished this dress, put on the buttons, strung the ribbon through the waist holes, washed it and sealed it into a baggie. This was to be a Christmas gift (my first for Gramma's precious). The BIG day came and my DD opened the dress package. She seemed receptive but said it was too big and she would take a picture of the baby in it when it fit her. A year later when I was at their house one day, I found the dress, still in it's baggie, the ribbon not even wrinkled. I knew she had never put this on the baby. Soooo I swiped the dress and put it into my tote bag, swiped the baby and took her to Wallie World, where I dressed her in her little dress and had her picture taken in it. I kept some of the pictures the package provided, but gave the rest to my daughter for Mother's Day. She never even hung the pictures up. Do you think she is trying to tell me something?

This same woman (my DD) asked me to knit my granddaughter a "fweater" for her several weeks ago, one that matched the one I made my grandson the same year the baby got her lace dress, which I did. I then made a ribs and ruffles scarf to go with said "fweater". I knit a palindrome scarf for my grandson. I got told the scarfs were too short, but that the baby's was "usable", where the grandson's was not. I think it's time I started thinking about NOT knitting for that family.

My DS had his first child in July. I knit and knit. I made a blanket, a sweater, a hat, and booties. It was a beautiful set. I never even got a phone call thanking me or acknowledging that they received the package. I'll send gift cards from now on.

Both of these adult children of mine grew up knowing about knitting and crafts. They know the time it takes to make these things. They understand because they grew up watching it. The items I've been making don't have mistakes in them, they don't look bad, they fit, they are the colours I am TOLD to knit for the children. What am I doing wrong?

I will NOT be discouraged. I will keep on knitting! I enjoy it and if those people don't want my gifts, someone else surely will!

I think this topic touched off a sore spot. Sorry to vent!

[SnarfyCat]

When my beautiful granddaughter was born, I knit her a lace dress. I had never knit lace before and I was so excited when it turned out well. I even knit it in the colour I was TOLD to knit it in when my DD found out I was knitting it. Well I anxiously finished this dress, put on the buttons, strung the ribbon through the waist holes, washed it and sealed it into a baggie. This was to be a Christmas gift (my first for Gramma's precious). The BIG day came and my DD opened the dress package. She seemed receptive but said it was too big and she would take a picture of the baby in it when it fit her. A year later when I was at their house one day, I found the dress, still in it's baggie, the ribbon not even wrinkled. I knew she had never put this on the baby. Soooo I swiped the dress and put it into my tote bag, swiped the baby and took her to Wallie World, where I dressed her in her little dress and had her picture taken in it. I kept some of the pictures the package provided, but gave the rest to my daughter for Mother's Day. She never even hung the pictures up. Do you think she is trying to tell me something?

This same woman (my DD) asked me to knit my granddaughter a "fweater" for her several weeks ago, one that matched the one I made my grandson the same year the baby got her lace dress, which I did. I then made a ribs and ruffles scarf to go with said "fweater". I knit a palindrome scarf for my grandson. I got told the scarfs were too short, but that the baby's was "usable", where the grandson's was not. I think it's time I started thinking about NOT knitting for that family.

My DS had his first child in July. I knit and knit. I made a blanket, a sweater, a hat, and booties. It was a beautiful set. I never even got a phone call thanking me or acknowledging that they received the package. I'll send gift cards from now on.

Both of these adult children of mine grew up knowing about knitting and crafts. They know the time it takes to make these things. They understand because they grew up watching it. The items I've been making don't have mistakes in them, they don't look bad, they fit, they are the colours I am TOLD to knit for the children. What am I doing wrong?

I will NOT be discouraged. I will keep on knitting! I enjoy it and if those people don't want my gifts, someone else surely will!

I think this topic touched off a sore spot. Sorry to vent!

It is so sad to hear how unappreciated such wonderful gifts are. My grandmother is getting on in years (the one who taught me to knit et do Hardanger embroidery) et has been asking what I want from her when she dies. As hard as it is to think of something like that, the things that I treasure the most are the beautiful garments et artwork that she has created with her skills. I have a couple of pieces that I have had framed et will pass on to my kids so they will learn to appreciate the skill that is rapidly disappearing because store-bought is cheaper et easier. Keep making these amazing gifts, but definitely find someone who will truely appreciate all that you have done for them!!

[janettle]

I tell people that, generally, I don't knit surprise gifts. If I have an idea for a gift someone might like, I show them the pattern and ask if they would like it, and then get them to help me select the yarn and color. Too much of me goes into my knitting to risk an unwanted gift.