To make this short, when I did this list, I was 100% sold on making all my Christmas gifts this year. However, as I grew in craft skill-set, through some recent experiences and encounters I’ve had, it seems that some people I know are just not yarn-worthy. They consider what I do “old women stuff” and are not very appreciative of the time, effort, energy, love and sometimes cost it takes to create a great hand-made gift. Not that anything’s wrong with their choice — they like what they like and I like what I like — no biggie. I know though that I wouldn’t want to give a gift that’s not appreciated especially since many times the effort and cost of a hand-made gift is way more than just purchasing something from a store.
This hysterically funny diagram from Panopticon really helped me asked my own questions to narrow down who’s yarn-worthy and who’s not; go through it, you might find that you either have more yarn-worthy people in your life or … less. 😀
That said, the only hand-made gifts I’ll be making this year is for my co-workers. One of them requested a scarf and all the others will be receiving spa-packages. The children in my life will all be receiving books and since my immediate family live in the Tropics … errrrr … handmade yarny gifts wouldn’t be very practical! 😀
Each spa package will contain face-cloths or face scrubs. After the “Gift That Never Was”, I’ve learned my lesson and got some KnitPicks Dishie to make those items. 😀 I didn’t want to go with traditional Christmas colours, so I chose a more Spring-like palette for the cloths. I got:
KnitPicks Dishie
Linen
Jalapeno
Creme Brulee
Clementine
I rounded up that order with some Cotlin in gorgeous Chartreuse! This with some Wallaby from my stash would make a great combo for a striped sweater that I’ll start after the holidays. This is my inspiration sweater:
I’m not sure why this is a “Goodbye” item! In my opinion, it’s a slept on colour. Look at this gorgeousness then tell me that I’m wrong! 😛
But the sweater’s a side-note, so let’s leave that alone for now. 😀
What’s more important, have you started your Christmas crafting yet?
D'NALI 
Spa packages…awesome idea and I like that you aren’t going with Chrismas colors. I just might steal it, but maybe for another year. I need to start like…now. 🙂
I only craft gifts for those that seem to express interest in what I do. If you’re the type of person that’s going ask me “Isn’t it just cheaper to get a sweater/jewelry/etc at a store?” I’m not going to waste time on creating something for you. Most of my friends/family seem to support my hobbies and look forward to gifts even though it takes me forever to turn them over. Even still sometimes I’m still shy to go all in on crafty Christmas gifts. I do, however, force handmade Christmas cards on everybody.
-Nizzy
Please … feel free to borrow the idea! I’m trying to do almost that goes into the basket! I have to get cracking this weekend!!!!
I’m a slow and perfectionist knitter so you understand my dilema!!!!
You and I are —–><—– when it comes to the handmade gift stuff. I can say the same, most of my family and friends appreciate handmade but my family that I live closest to currently … they don't, so I"m not going to sweat it with them this year.
Honestly, for the gifts that I am making, I'm shy about those too, but I'm going to bite the bullet and do it. The worse thing that could happen is that the effort's not appreciated and all that would mean is that I wouldn't do the same for those recipients next year. I tell you … handmade vs bought can be such a hot topic! 😀
Love the chart! It was a crack up and really does help narrow down just who is fiber worthy. Most of my family is not worthy of any of my handmade efforts. I’ve tried and my gifts were tucked away never to be seen again…so nope. If they specifically ask me for something I will gladly make it for them but only then. Others in my life love my stuff and I’m happy to make all sorts of things for them.
You and I are so —–><—– on this! 😀 I have nothing but love for anyone who's not into handmade. They like what they like and I like what I like. Added to that, I'm so not going to put the time and effort in to have the item tossed out unloved or unappreciated.
I did this list and determined no one but family was yarn worthy and only one friend was cross stitch and sewing worthy lol -__-
My family in my neck of the woods don’t get my love of fiber arts. The ones who do (my immediate family) are 6000 miles away … go figure!!! LOLOL! 😀 I tried to convert those in close proximity to me, but they still haven’t caught on yet. So, I’m going to cut the list down.
Most of my holiday knitting is finished. I started in April. I don’t crochet or knit for everyone, because not everyone is fiber worthy, but most will usually get something hand-crafted even if it’s just homemade soap or a handmade card, to accompany the gift.
That’s a neat diagram, I stumbled upon it earlier this year and posted it on my site too.
At least one of us is ahead of schedule — I started to plan since April as well. With the gifts I am going to make, my goal is to be done by December 15th. *fingers crossed* Almost everything in the packages will be handmade by me so I’ll still meet my goal of having a handmade Christmas. My list of recipients just wouldn’t be as long as initially planned.
Isn’t that diagram hilarious?!!! I wouldn’t ask all the same questions but I get where he’s coming from. 😀
Chartreuse is such a cool word.
I don’t like the bit in the diagram that tells me to buy pressies if the person hasn’t asked for a hand made item. Kind of defeats the purpose of it if they ask for it, imho.
I haven’t had any really bad experiences in giving hand made items to people. Mostly recipients are so overwhelmingly impressed by my amazing skills and grateful. These reactions are a bit like a drug to me, and I want moooorrrreee!!
Lovely yarn p0rn btw, cheers!
LOLOLOL!!!! I do have people who respond like that so I know what you mean. Like my BFF, she sews so she totally gets the handmade effort and my mom … she thinks I’m awesome for doing it.
I agree with you, a worthy recipient may not always ask for a gift. I like the chart, I think it’s funny and although all the conditions don’t apply, I love being able to work out who’s yarn-worthy and who’s not. 😀
Cheers to you too! Can’t wait to see what you have to show off this week in your yarny adventures!
Pretty yarn & colours. 🙂
Thanks lady! 😀 I have about 21 face-cloths to make so I better get started. 😛
Oh wow. With that yarn, those will be some pretty face cloths. 🙂
This is a great diagram and I totally understand where you are coming from. I think spa packages are a great idea. 🙂
I think chartreuse is a color that people either hate or love, though your inspiration sweater is something even I would wear. Good luck for you to get it on a discount none the less.
As for my knitting, I have not started (uh oh) but I have commission knitting to do first, so when that money-making stuff is done I will have to really get a move on. I may have to resort to yarn for some friends if I can’t get everything done.
Keep me posted with your progress.
Gyurl, I hear you — not every colour’s loved by everyone — we like what we like. Maybe you can try that sweater (if the pattern moves you) in a colour combo that you would like.
You and I are so ———–><———— with getting the holiday knitting/crocheting done. I have class and projects for school and work and there just seems never to be enough time. I'm going to make it happen though … it has to because I'm not spending any money on gifts for my co-workers except for the miscellanous supplies. 😀
Good luck with the commissioned knitting. I know you'll do fine. I'll definitely be checking up on you re your progress. 😀