With Valentines in the air I felt it appropriate to share my feelings on knitting and love. As you may have noticed, over the years, I rarely knit for me and I love to knit gifts! Knitted gifts are completely impractical in many ways, they are usually more expensive than purchasing a present and they ALWAYS take more time. But I can’t resist. It makes me so happy to wrap the people I love in something I have hand knit!
appreciative recipients of hand knits
Two of my favourite people to knit for are Emmy and my Mum. My mum is often the recipient of hand knit gifts and I think this may be a response to all the things she made for me when I was little. I know she will appreciate the things I make for her, and I see her wearing her knits all the time.
Emmy appreciates a knitted gift on all levels. As an avid knitter, she knows exactly how much work goes into a project, loves all things yarn, and the best part? She is almost always chilly and therefore almost always clad from head to toe in knits!
I have expounded before on how much I enjoy knitting for babies on the way. As I create a blanket, hat, or a sweater I dream about the people these wee ones will become. There is something about knitting, stitch by stitch, that allows for that kind of contemplation. I have knit two hats for friends during their labours. Knitting is a great way to keep nerves in check and pass the time as well while waiting for a baby to arrive! I managed to finish both hats before the babies arrived! I’m a fast knitter and first babies come a little slower.
hand knits for the babes
I also knit a lot for my kids. I had no idea I would enjoy knitting for them this much! I love being able to take Hunter, Jones, and Bodhi outside in the cold clad in hand knits. They have hats and cowls, sweaters and mittens, so they will be warm no matter what else the day brings. I wash their knits by hand and lay them flat to dry and know that wherever they go they have a little piece of mummy with them.
Flax Light
Peanut
Honeycomb Mitts
Gramps
Gather Cowl
Malt and Barley
Snowflake
Bumble and Peanut
Bumble and Playdate
Urban Hiker
Caribou
I Heart Rainbows
Rye Socks
Tall Dark & Handsome
Old Growth Cardigan
Playdate
Lush
Jones
So, what do you knit for love? Do you set aside a box of gift knits to choose from or do you knit with someone specific in mind?
More love inspired knits by TCK:
February 14, 2016 @ 12:47 pm
I just love knitting for my two children! I love to knit sweaters too, so my wee ones have a pretty good wardrobe of cozy sweaters. My mama has contributed to the collection too, and she has made most of their hats and all their mittens. Currently I am working on a few sweaters for myself because I need a style update!
I do have a wee stash of knits set aside, just in case. I have a few little projects in mind to add to the stash too.
February 13, 2016 @ 9:53 pm
What yarn was used for the gather cowl? My son saw it and wants it
February 22, 2016 @ 2:51 pm
I used Rainbow Heirloom Sweater in Auld Lange Syne
February 13, 2016 @ 10:08 am
I love this post!!! Thanks!!!
February 11, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
This year, I am knitting from my stash and trying new stitches and techniques. Most of the things that are not my own style will be packaged away as a Christmas gift. Since I have a large family, my goal is to have a gift for everyone by the time Christmas rolls around!
February 11, 2016 @ 1:02 pm
Fantastic work! How do you knit so fast without making mistakes? Is it just lots of practice or just what you have always been able to do?
February 11, 2016 @ 7:27 pm
I make a LOT of mistakes (especially the faster I knit!), I’m just getting really good at ripping and fixing. ;-)
February 11, 2016 @ 9:02 am
All are incredibly lovely ! Beautiful models too 😊
February 11, 2016 @ 8:08 am
Oh my goodness, such pretty children! (And the knits are awesome too ;)
February 11, 2016 @ 7:40 am
Thank you for the beautiful designs that you continie to offer and for the great tutorials.
February 11, 2016 @ 6:30 am
I always love seeing your finished knits, but what strikes me today, besides those wonderful colours, is that we can almost watch the kids grow up through their photos. Charming, colourful and sweet. In a word…awwwww!
February 11, 2016 @ 6:27 am
I do both! I’m trying to knit for myself right now as I gave away almost everything I knit last year to friends and family. Then I want to get started on Christmas gifts for this year and make sure I knit something each month instead of waiting until November to start.
February 11, 2016 @ 6:26 am
I love your work, your patterns, and your philosophy!