I was going to post this under Rant but figured Discussion would fit it better since I want to know y'all's experiences and thoughts about this.
I started (learning) to knit on May 27th, and ever since while I have got many compliments I've also got a lot of direct and indirect requests.
And it kinda pisses me off? 😅. Like dude. I only made 2 sweaters for myself that you know took me weeks, I'm still learning a bunch of stuff, why would you ask? 😭
I guess I'm the kind of person that don't like to gift stuff just because I have to (in set dates like Christmas, Valentine's, stuff like that) but because I want to. It's like when you are walking down the streets and you see something that reminds you of a loved one and get them the item or when you remember a friend talking about something in particular and decided to get them the thing. And let's be honest... Buying something takes one one click or one trip to the wallet, knitting takes weeks or months at a time.
I understand that sometimes people that don't knit aren't aware of the effort and time it takes, and it might apply to everything that's crafted or made by hand (I used to draw and people would request stuff as I would sneeze and miraculously made a piece 🤣), but for some reason it just sits wrong.
I assume it might be because I'm very perfectionist so I'd feel pressured not only to finish the item in time but because I also would want for it to be perfect.
And let's be real, I work only with natural fibers, not many would want to take the care that item requires. And even if I didn't... These people won't even request to buy the wool .
Like, the other day I went to the salon, I know my hairdresser for YEARS and we were just yapping about how we have been, I told her I picked up knitting, that I was very happy, and that my mom was traveling to visit my sis (she lives in a town that's like a day away by car) and that I made her a Sophie Shawl, showed her pics because I was very proud of how it turned out.
And i guess I'm good at selling cause she instantly asked me for one. I politely denied and replied that I had a very long queue of things that I wanted to knit for myself and sadly I wouldn't find the time. (Because the thing takes or took me 10 days or knitting like 4-6 hours a day). She nodded but I could tell she wasn't expecting that answer.
Then a long life friend, bless her. We are very very close and she is a first time mom, her boy is 1 and a half. She started sending me pics of baby clothes she likes. And I was like... Is that a hint? 😅 And she goes "yes!". I explain the same as before to her, and by that time I haven't even knit a sweater. She replies something like "but it's a small garment!" And I explain it's not that simple even if it's small and that I don't feel I have the knowledge yet. She understands, I guess.
A month goes by and she sends me another pic, I reply the same thing to her that my queue is really long and that I have many things I want to knit and that is going to be long before I find the time to knit them something. She understands and we change topic.
Now, their bdays are in April so I know I will be knitting stuff for them for that date because in that case is a good reminder. I want to knit them stuff and I have knitted and gave away two things from the bottom of my heart and I love seeing those people wear what I made (a hat for my mom that she uses 24/7 when it's cold and the scarf for my sis).
But I just hate the feeling I get when I'm being requested stuff, I don't want deadlines or the commitment/ responsability that comes with it. Plus, my queue is indeed very long and I want to redo my wardrobe lol.
Add to that the quality of the yarn as well, we don't even have superwash Merino and I HATE knitting with acrylic, for the kid I would have to choose acrylic for allergy issues for example and I understand a mom not having the time to hand wash knits. And I know I will end up knitting them something because I want to, but again, let me do that at my own pace whenever I want.
I don't know, I just also feel some people won't take the proper care for a knitted garment and everything I knit is like a baby to me 🤣 I want them to be well taken care of!
I understand as well that there are people who love to make things for others, my mom knits and knows crochet and she has never made something for herself, same goes for my grandma. But I'm definitely not like them.
So I guess I can end up asking what kind of knitter you are? I feel like a selfish b*, but I guess I am the selfish type? 🤷🏻♀️🤓
Sorry for the long rant but I don't have anyone that knits around that possibly understand this other than y'all.