I started this sweater with the full intention of giving it away for Christmas.
As I knit the sleeves and noticed a mistake I wondered if perhaps its imperfection would less endear it to it's recipient. I would fix the mistake with duplicate stitch, and I would still give it away.
When I bound off for the neck, I noticed it was a bit snug and I thought perhaps the recipient would find it restrictive and only wear it when she saw me. I started wondering if she would find the colors garish, and whether it would be a truly appreciated gift.
As I cut the steek I started having the sneaking suspicion that, perhaps, there was nobody else on Earth who understood what time and effort it took to create this sweater.
And now I have another sweater.
Seriously.
Am I the most selfish knitter in the world or what?
Materials: Hobby Lobby I Love this Wool and Patons Classic Wool
Pattern: I used the charts from Fairly Easy Fair Isle, but changed the gauge and yoke decreases. I also worked it in the round with a steek (using this excellent hand-sewn method) instead of knitting the body flat.
Seriously you guys.
Should I be really nice and give it to her after all? I believe she would be good about hand washing (unlike my mother) and the only thing I'm not sure about is the colors. It would probably ft her very well, and I doubt she would be turned off by the little mistakes and bright yellow hand sewn steek on the inside edge. I already have a smaller knitted item for her, though, and I have quite fallen in love with this cardigan. What do you think?
More FO's as usual at Tamis Amis
Keep it! It looks amazing on you. No one would love it like you. Your friend will love the small knitted thing. She'll never miss it!
ReplyDeletei agree that it looks amazing on you! i would keep it! or maybe you can give her the option of having it, if you can trust she'd be honest. but reallllyyy, i would keep it :)
ReplyDeleteohhhh, whoops. i used my husbands acct to write you back! that was me :)
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing selfish (at all!) about your wanting to keep this sweater. It looks perfect on you and, well, you know, we knitters deserve to keep some beauties all to ourselves sometimes. ; )
ReplyDeleteIf you love it, keep it! Who is going to know? We all deserve a little pleasure every now and then.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite certain I am the most selfish knitter in the world as I almost never knit for anyone other than me, so I am certainly not going to talk you out of keeping it! It's amazing!
ReplyDeleteKeep it it is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI would keep it! It's such a beautiful sweater, and you can't be sure that she would *really* appreciate it ;)
ReplyDeleteTotally keep it. It's gorgeous on you and you deserve the fruits of your labours. (I'm not anti-gift, of course, but I don't think I'm generous enough to knit a sweater for another adult... that's just me, though.)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is selfish! Sometimes you just have to hold back something as special as your sweater and give your friend the smaller item! :)
ReplyDeleteKeep it and make them another one in acrylic. No matter what a person says about promising to be good about hand washing it, they will inevitably throw it in a washing machine (not on purpose) and felt it. It looks great on you, you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAnd one more vote from me to keep it :) It does look amazing on you, it fits you just perfectly and you are the one that would really love it and appreciate it. That's not selfish at all!
ReplyDeleteKEEP IT! Seriously though, it's gorgeous and you shouldn't give it away when it looks so stunning on you.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! No way, don't give it away! Keep it! I gave away so many hand made items when I was younger I don't have any myself. I keep them all, or give them to husband and sons now!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Keep it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. I would keep it. This fall I have been pushing myself to do more selfish knitting. I find I spend most of my needle time making for other people and dreaming up loads of x-mas presents. Its time for me and maybe a sweater for my son and daughter. I have finished a shawl and a hooded vest and am working on a cardigan that I have been wanting to make myself for a couple of years. And I have to get over it --it isn't selfish after all who is more deserving and knows how much work goes into it than myself.
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous and suits you perfectly! Keep it :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks too good on you to give away....: )
ReplyDelete