And while this is a relatively easy knit, there are really very few things out there that can be called "quick knits." Amy took me about 5 hours from cast on to weaving in ends, and I knit quickly. More than once while I was making her (and postponing other projects that I probably should have been working on...) Jim questioned whether or not I should be working so hard on something that I am just going to give away to a six-year-old. A valid question for sure, since my own kids aren't too impressed with what I make and couldn't care less if it was knit by hand or came from the claw machine at the supermarket. Could Amy Angelfish, the result of hours of the careful work of my own hands, become a *gasp* cat toy?!?! His questions got me to thinking about if and when it is "worth it" to make something for someone rather than buy it. Should there be a special criteria for the recipient of what you make when it is being gifted?
I think so. I believe that it is true that "it's the thought that counts," and there is no greater thought put into a gift than when it is actually made for a person. However, there is a big difference between making something for a person and making something for a person. Example: when I first learned to knit and was really finding my groove, I made a scarf for Jim. It was my first "splurge" yarn purchase and was a horizontally constructed, garter stitch stripe piece that was GORGEOUS. Chocolate brown and blue cashmere. I was so proud. And then he opened it and the look on his face melted whatever pride I had in that scarf in about .38 seconds. You see, Jim wears flip flops in 40 degree weather. He wears a light jacket in a snow storm. The man does not do scarves. While I am sure that he was proud of me for finishing a product that was wearable, he was not going to be the guy to wear it. Not everyone wants what I make. Lesson learned.
And then there are the people, bless them, who have no idea what it takes to make something from nothing. They do not see or care to see the difference between homemade and handmade. That high school graduation party you were invited to? Chances are, Prom Queen of the Class of 2012 doesn't care that you handstamped those earrings for her, she wants earrings from Tiffany's, you cheap idiot. This is not Prom Queen's fault, she just doesn't know any better. I don't want to say it's not worth your time and effort to make something for these people, because you love them, too (despite their complete lack of craftiness and appreciation). It is so nice of you to love them and want to show that love with what you make. But you need to value what you make, too, and have the confidence in what you create to know that it should be appreciated and treasured. (And apologies to the class of 2012 or any Prom Queens out there who happen to be crafty: you will be getting all kinds of Etsy-terrific things from me when you invite me to your graduation parties...).
Finally, there are people like little E, who have just enough craftiness to know what kind of effort goes into making something (E and my boys recently constructed an airplane out of tree branches and rocks: the girl has some serious craftiness in her). These people love something MORE because it was made by an artist rather than a machine and is one-of-a-kind in its imperfections. These people cross their fingers and hope you will be so generous to make something for them when their birthdays roll around. When you think of them, you think of what special item you can make just for them. These should be the recipients of your work.
I gave Amy Angelfish to E, and she immediately squeezed her in that awesome smash-it-to-your-face kind of hug kids are so good at. She beamed, and I did too.
So yes, Jim, I should be working so hard on something for a six-year-old. Because I am making it for her.
I love the title of this blog...The Art of Giving. Giving something handmade to a child IS worth it. Think about what is most valuable to them in their world. My daughter treasures her homemade "maps to the mean witches house" more than she treasures a new store bought toy, because she put her own time and effort into that map.Think of your child glowing with pride when they bring you a picture that they've drawn just for you. Maybe it's the grown ups that don't get it. When you take the time to make something by hand for a child, the true gift you give is them is the knowledge and affirmation that they are worthy of your time and love, and to a child, there could be no greater gift. Thanks for showing little E that she is loved and worthy of your time.
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