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Emily Wessel

Hi! I’m Emily Wessel, I design fun-to-knit patterns and helpful technique tutorials. I live in Edinburgh, Scotland with my husband and two kids, where I like to run, knit, learn languages, and hang out with friends. I am co-founder and designer at Tin Can Knits - www.tincanknits.com

10 Comments

  1. Kimberly
    December 14, 2022 @ 10:16 am

    Thanks so much for sharing your view on knitting gifts! I am new to knitting, so have only knit small gifts so far (hats, gloves) and feel nervous gifting them. I worry that my expectations of their response will far outweigh the actual response. (I mean, “it took me two days to knit this small hat with this beautiful tweed yarn chosen in a color especially for you…I hope you are as excited to receive it as I was to make it”. Hah!) Luckily, I have a kind and loving family, and they will likely gush with thanks, regardless of whether they realize the hours of work that went into the making of said item. My hope is that if it’s really not for them, that they can pass it on to someone who will love it and enjoy it and wear it until it is no longer wearable. Knit love!

  2. Meredith Coelho
    December 11, 2022 @ 9:14 am

    I fully agree with you. That said, there are some people who love my style and the knits, and I knit for them without any reservations. If I’m new to knitting for someone, I make sure to say, “if this isn’t perfect for you, feel free to pass it on.”

  3. Emma
    December 10, 2022 @ 2:57 am

    I love making gifts for people. This year I’ve made scarves for my mum, mother in law, nan and husband’s nan, stuffed toys for my nephews and socks for my daughter. I never know if people will like them or not, you’re right it’s definitely a risk that they won’t… but I like your thoughts about not setting your own expectations too high, and making sure you enjoy the making process itself.

  4. Capi P
    December 9, 2022 @ 8:35 am

    Thank you for these important words. I must admit having those unrealistic expectations, tacked onto my knitted gifts. Your words, reflect the way I feel, when I’m in the process part of the project. I’m enjoying the feel of the yarns themselves: I won’t ever knit with anything scratchy, it gives me no joy. The colors are always pleasing: ugly yarns can usually be marled to look great!

    My latest projects have been cowls, to give to the aids in my mothers Alzheimer’s unit. I’m blending all sorts of stash leftovers yarns to make a beautiful soft super bulky weight yarn.

    It’s fun!

  5. Holly
    December 9, 2022 @ 4:39 am

    I love this post. My wife often asks why I put myself through making knitted projects to gift, especially as I’m cursing a difficult section, and you’ve given me the why. Thank you. ❤️

  6. Ann Bradley
    December 8, 2022 @ 6:40 pm

    This really spoke to me as I rush to finish the last Christmas knit gift of this season.
    This year (as just a recreational knitter) I have knit 2 knitted adult tops, and 2 “Harry Potter” Weasley initials sweaters for both grandsons, 5 pairs of socks that were test knits, 4 more pairs that weren’t test knits, 5 pairs of fingerless gloves and it still bugs me when nobody responds “appropriately”.So my goal for this gifting season is to “knit them and set them free!
    Thank you
    Grannieannie1

  7. theresa841
    December 8, 2022 @ 4:22 pm

    When I knit a gift I think about all the adventures that recipient might have while wearing the knitted item. And I think about how much I love appreciate or admire them. But in the last five years I have stopped knitting for people who don’t even say thank you. I have to assume that they strongly dislike the items and don’t want any more. So more time to make much needed knitted things for me to wear.

  8. Margaret Cameron
    December 8, 2022 @ 2:40 pm

    I loved reading this article! And it is a very true issue for knitters. The main argument for not knitting for others is that they will never be able to appreciate the work that goes into a hand made article. Nor the cost of good wool. So I very rarely will knit for someone else, A new baby or a new love! However, I do have to admit when I have gifted my knitting to someone I’m willing to knit something for, it has always given me my greatest pleasure!

  9. janpriddyoregon
    December 8, 2022 @ 1:01 pm

    I needed this reminder. Thank you.

  10. Jacquelyn Cressy
    December 8, 2022 @ 12:49 pm

    Absolutely the wisest post! It can be hard to “let go” in the way Emily describes, but it is so very important to do that.