your perspective on gifting hand knit items with the knowledge that once given, you forget about any expectations that go with the gift is good advice. Expectations that they like it, they’ll wear or use it, etc, etc. I’m learned the hard way how to be discerning about people’s knit worthiness. This process included not being acknowledged or even thanked for handknit items by some over the years; even having the grandparents thanks me for baby knits and no word from the parents! It is now my policy to knit only for the few who appreciate and thank me, which includes a mere handful of people. My moment of enlightenment came when a friend told me, “ people don’t appreciate things unless they pay for them”. I have found that those who want, love and appreciate my hand knit items are happy to attend a craft sale and don’t bat an eyelash to pay for the items they buy! The outlet of selling my knitting satisfies my need to have my efforts appreciated and gives me some extra cash, win win!
I totally agree with you, once I gift a hand made item it's no longer mine to care for. I've had a very special quilt used for a beach blanket. That broke my heart that daughter didn't appreciate all the time and expense. But in the end it's an object that won't change how much I love her.
No stress, no worries Jana. ☺️ I am on “sleeve island” so this is perfect catch up time. I remember signing up for a weekend 100 mile event for MS but I got injured training (torn meniscus). 🙄 I did get to stand at a station to tell bikers to watch for the holes. 😂 Good luck on your hiking goal!! And thanks for the tips.
A different perspective but one that I think might offer some value: is it better for an item to be well used and worn from use? Or kept couped up as a museum quality piece? We live in a day and age filled with waste. Our clothes are built to fall apart after a few washes. Our homegoods are built to fail in under 10 years. Everything we are sold commercially is made to be waste in a short span of time. I want to use what I have until it can't even be repaired anymore. If I were in a workshop, knowing I have a good cloth that has the right soak-to-transfer ratio, won't fall apart on me, and was made by someone who cares about me? I'd want to use that cloth in the area I would be using it the most. If that means it's the workshop, then so be it. Were I the maker? Sure, my first instinct would also be to feel hurt. And when I sit with that thought, it's easier to become okay with it because the person is using it in the place it will get the most use. They're using the thing I made for them in a place that matters. That, to me, is what the point of the gift was
So glad the button band has been delayed. I’m still fighting with the body lace section. OMG! Counting, tinking back. So much time wasted so this is a much needed pause! You’re the best! Be safe and have great fun!!
Thanks for showing how yo fix those darn holes so neatly! And, couldn’t agree with you more about gift giving. In her later years, mum would give me items and when I used them (for the intended purpose or not) she would get so upset. Now, I love to see how my gift items get used by others. Sort of broadens my mind!
I agree about handmade items as gifts. I made a scarf for someone and later saw it in her garage sale items! But it's ok, she knew it was given with love. If it didn't serve her in the future, that is ok with me.
No need to apologize in my opinion. You do such an awesome job all year round. As a fellow hiker I appreciate you helping me get through the long winters with your content. Your turn for a breather.💙 Happy hiking!
Oh my goodness I love this tip on closing up the hole that inevitably happens regardless how many stitches you pick up. I definitely tie knots in stress areas 🥴😊 Love your ramblings. Life happens-we knit around it 😂 happy hiking!!!
Love this information.Look forward to seeing your trip! My niece is hiking the pacific trail as I type, I love seeing her progress, it's lovely to be able to enjoy trips vicariously, when I'm not able to go myself! Ah yes, letting go, I love how you put it, the gift did it's job, lovely. I had to learn "Letting-go" when I had a brief career as a landscape gardener, you put so much love into something, only to find they let their chickens in, and were using it as a dust bath!
Happy travels! Still on sleeve #1, so the delay is okay with me. I've developed the same attitude about gifts, out of necessity. No big deal. Stay safe.
I was so interested in your response to the gifted dish cloth. I saw the fb post and certainly felt the maker’s disappointment. It is hard to understand why some people don’t value a hand made item in the same way as the maker does. I agree with you entirely that we release the gift and it’s no longer ours but I did feel that makers disappointment. Have a great trip and enjoy the hiking but most of all, keep safe!
Enjoy your adventure. Please don't get eaten by a bear Or a mountain lion Or anything for that matter. The sweater will still be there when you get back. I'd be interested in your hiking videos. I would love the link to go watch them.
Great point totally agree..you give the gift it’s theirs to do with what they want. Hard sometimes to do..
your perspective on gifting hand knit items with the knowledge that once given, you forget about any expectations that go with the gift is good advice. Expectations that they like it, they’ll wear or use it, etc, etc.
I’m learned the hard way how to be discerning about people’s knit worthiness. This process included not being acknowledged or even thanked for handknit items by some over the years; even having the grandparents thanks me for baby knits and no word from the parents!
It is now my policy to knit only for the few who appreciate and thank me, which includes a mere handful of people. My moment of enlightenment came when a friend told me, “ people don’t appreciate things unless they pay for them”. I have found that those who want, love and appreciate my hand knit items are happy to attend a craft sale and don’t bat an eyelash to pay for the items they buy! The outlet of selling my knitting satisfies my need to have my efforts appreciated and gives me some extra cash, win win!
The emotions around gift knitting have also been insightful re my own receiving behaviour related to gifts of time or things.
Very well said Jana (regarding gifting).
I totally agree with you, once I gift a hand made item it's no longer mine to care for. I've had a very special quilt used for a beach blanket. That broke my heart that daughter didn't appreciate all the time and expense. But in the end it's an object that won't change how much I love her.
No stress, no worries Jana. ☺️ I am on “sleeve island” so this is perfect catch up time. I remember signing up for a weekend 100 mile event for MS but I got injured training (torn meniscus). 🙄 I did get to stand at a station to tell bikers to watch for the holes. 😂 Good luck on your hiking goal!! And thanks for the tips.
A different perspective but one that I think might offer some value: is it better for an item to be well used and worn from use? Or kept couped up as a museum quality piece?
We live in a day and age filled with waste. Our clothes are built to fall apart after a few washes. Our homegoods are built to fail in under 10 years. Everything we are sold commercially is made to be waste in a short span of time.
I want to use what I have until it can't even be repaired anymore. If I were in a workshop, knowing I have a good cloth that has the right soak-to-transfer ratio, won't fall apart on me, and was made by someone who cares about me? I'd want to use that cloth in the area I would be using it the most. If that means it's the workshop, then so be it.
Were I the maker? Sure, my first instinct would also be to feel hurt. And when I sit with that thought, it's easier to become okay with it because the person is using it in the place it will get the most use. They're using the thing I made for them in a place that matters. That, to me, is what the point of the gift was
So glad the button band has been delayed. I’m still fighting with the body lace section. OMG! Counting, tinking back. So much time wasted so this is a much needed pause! You’re the best! Be safe and have great fun!!
You got this!
Love the concept of collaboration.
Thanks for showing how yo fix those darn holes so neatly! And, couldn’t agree with you more about gift giving. In her later years, mum would give me items and when I used them (for the intended purpose or not) she would get so upset. Now, I love to see how my gift items get used by others. Sort of broadens my mind!
I agree about handmade items as gifts. I made a scarf for someone and later saw it in her garage sale items! But it's ok, she knew it was given with love. If it didn't serve her in the future, that is ok with me.
No need to apologize in my opinion. You do such an awesome job all year round. As a fellow hiker I appreciate you helping me get through the long winters with your content. Your turn for a breather.💙
Happy hiking!
I appreciate that!
Oh my goodness I love this tip on closing up the hole that inevitably happens regardless how many stitches you pick up. I definitely tie knots in stress areas 🥴😊
Love your ramblings. Life happens-we knit around it 😂 happy hiking!!!
Love this information.Look forward to seeing your trip! My niece is hiking the pacific trail as I type, I love seeing her progress, it's lovely to be able to enjoy trips vicariously, when I'm not able to go myself! Ah yes, letting go, I love how you put it, the gift did it's job, lovely. I had to learn "Letting-go" when I had a brief career as a landscape gardener, you put so much love into something, only to find they let their chickens in, and were using it as a dust bath!
Oh my yes, my chickens are certainly industrious scratchers!
Totally ok to take your time, enjoy life. No worries waiting for the button band. Have fun on your hike 😊♥️
Thanks so much!
Happy travels! Still on sleeve #1, so the delay is okay with me. I've developed the same attitude about gifts, out of necessity. No big deal. Stay safe.
Have a safe and wonderful time
I was so interested in your response to the gifted dish cloth. I saw the fb post and certainly felt the maker’s disappointment. It is hard to understand why some people don’t value a hand made item in the same way as the maker does. I agree with you entirely that we release the gift and it’s no longer ours but I did feel that makers disappointment. Have a great trip and enjoy the hiking but most of all, keep safe!
No Children Were Harmed In The Making Of This School Vacation 😅
Give Yourself Time Jana ✨
Please Have Fun For The Rest Of Us.
LOL! I was a challenging day, for sure.
No pressure
Enjoy your adventure. Please don't get eaten by a bear Or a mountain lion Or anything for that matter. The sweater will still be there when you get back. I'd be interested in your hiking videos. I would love the link to go watch them.
I'll make sure the link is included in the video description box, but here it is!
ttps://www.youtube.com/@janahikes6307
Thank you. ☺