“Wise man looking in a blade of grass…”

“…Young man looking in the shadows that pass.”

As you know I’ve finished quite a few little bits and pieces for various babies over the past couple of months. Now not all of those things have been given (two are waiting for December birthdays) but the majority have. And the responses I have received in return have been…mixed.

Now I realise this is a bit of a touchy subject. One gives gifts freely, with no expectations on the recipient and no strings attached. I believe this, I honestly do. If someone didn’t like something I had given – even if I made it – I would hope they could quietly re-gift, recycle or (in a pinch) chuck whatever it was. I don’t want to foist unwanted goods onto people and guilt them into keeping them. It really is the thought that counts.

HOWEVER

When someone has spent a considerable number of hours crafting a present for someone, picking the right pattern, the right yarn, the right colours, then painstakingly hand knitting the piece, customising it to fit body shapes and personalities…well…it feels thoroughly rotten to never hear back about it.
To be fair, I am being overly sensitive. I have technically received thanks for all gifts.

HOWEVER

Some thanks were… belated. And some have been more effusive than others.

I really don’t want to be someone that expects grovelling thanks in return for knitted items, but it would be nice if my efforts (read, considerable efforts) were acknowledged. I suppose it’s about respect rather than reverence.

I think the crux of my problem is that some people on my recipient list do not understand the effort and time and love that is involved in hand knitting clothes - even baby clothes. And so they don’t place any value on those items. This breaks my heart a little.

I don’t want to stop knitting for those people. I love those people, this is a way I express that love. But maybe I should lower my expectation levels and knit for them less.

Some people in receipt of my hand knits have used them in gorgeous arty Instagram posts, or have said it’s their favourite outfit for their child. I know it probably doesn’t count, but CB wears his knits to bits!

That is the greatest compliment; use. But when in doubt, thanks and picture of the item in use never goes amiss. 

*Quote from Bob Dylan