Monday, December 29, 2014

A Little Late, but Hopefully Not Forgotten

As I wonder where the past few months have gone, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!  And lots of wool, and time to knit in 2015.

As I look for some photos to document that I, indeed, haven't been idle in these past months, I found Yarn Harlot's repeat of how to accept a knitted gift.

Gifts for Knitters, day 24.It’s too late.  If you haven’t got anything by now, the only thing you can do from here is try to please your knitter another way. I give you a rerun.  I wrote this a few years ago, but it’s still darn true.
The Proper Way to Receive a Knitted Gift.1. Open the gift, and immediately say something positive.  (Suggestions are things like “Oh wow!” or “Oh my goodness!)
2. Hold up the item and smile broadly.
3. If you do not know what the item is, DO NOT SAY SO.
We understand that knitting can produce some unusual items, and that the nature of handmade objects can further complicate things.  If, after admiring the item for some time you are still not sure what it is, say something like “This is beautiful. Oh my gosh.  Can you show me how I should wear it? I want to do it justice.”
4.  After admiring and identifying the item, RUB IT ON YOUR FACE, or at the very least, cuddle it against your neck while saying something positive, like “Mmmmmm”.  Knitters love this.  It’s because we’ve been worried that you wouldn’t like it, and knitting is a tactile thing.   Lots of non-knitters find some textiles scratchy or uncomfortable, and we’re worried that will be you.  Making immediate physical contact with the item reassures us.
5. Pronounce the item  the best gift you have ever gotten.  Kiss or hug the knitter, and show the item off to at least one other person over the course of the day.
6. Place item in a place of honour, and continue to admire it at intervals, remarking (see gift re: Respect above) that you can’t believe that a knitter thought you were worth that much time.
DO NOT:
-Comment that it doesn’t fit.  This is not something you discuss today.  Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after. Or in a week.  Not today.  Your knitter has been busting a move for weeks or months for you.  They probably finished a hat at 2am and are a little fragile.  Save it.
-Similarly, do not say it is scratchy, or uncomfortable or not what you wanted.  Despite what some other non-knitters may have you think, knitting is a super expensive gift - and if someone gave you a Ferrari, you wouldn’t pout and tell them you wanted it in blue.
Now go forth and love your knitter.  They’re amazing.
She's amazing and definitely deserves FULL credit (http://www.yarnharlot.ca/2014/12/others-have-peace-thrust-upon-them/) for her amazing insight into the knitter's brain.  
Yes, Day 24 is too late, and I gave up on Day 22 and presented my daughter with the prospect that "someday" she would be given a new/in progress pullover, of the type she might wear next week on a cruise...

Where are those photos?  

1 comment:

  1. Happy New Year. Sorry we didn't get as far as New Mexico on this past trip. Maybe 2015.

    ReplyDelete

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