Knitworthy is a term that knitters use when they are deciding if a person is deserving of a knitted gift. Yes, there are ranks too, for example, are they worthy of the special hand-dyed yarn? Are they worthy of the expensive skein? etc. I thought I’d share my Knitworthy story and also chat about a fabulous pattern too.
The Backstory
This story starts back in 2011 like most I was planning to get a jump on Christmas handknits and gifts. I came across Sea Princess by Elana Nodel and I fell in love with those cables. Like now, I needed a little support getting projects off my needles so this was a mini KAL with Lelknits. I had my sister in laws niece in mind and low and behold I did it. Isn’t she beautiful? I made this cardigan for a 3yr old using Drops Alaska and I think this is one of the reasons why this cardigan has stood up so well in the last 6 years!!!
The Pattern – Sea Princess
The pattern itself is incredibly detailed and stretches over twenty odd pages if I remember but it is sized from 6 months to 14 years. Not only that but Elana also documents the pattern using both a DK and a worsted weight and has different charts for both the long and short sleeved version AND different levels of intricate back cables so you can choose those cables to suit your knitting level. In my opinion charging €6.88 for the pattern is under pricing. I can’t imagine the work that went into creating the pattern with so many sizes and options.
I won’t lie, there is a lot going on in this pattern. It is worked from the top down so from the very start you are working those beautiful cables using 3 different charts and working the raglan increases. It is not for the faint of heart or those having to stop mid-row. I knitted this entire garment in under two weeks and I was completely faithful mostly because the pattern demanded it. It was enjoyable and relaxing and I remember there wasn’t an error and there was a huge support group too over on Ravelry here. I was immensely proud of this cardigan when I finished it and I almost wanted to keep it even though I didn’t have children back then. I shook it off, wrapped it up and gave it to my now Sister-in-Law having no idea if I would ever see it again or if she would handwash it.
Knitworthy
Flash forward to 2017 and my SIL was dropping off a box of clothes for my two little girls and she didn’t say a word about what was in there. The box sat in my hall on my to-do list for a few days before I opened it and unwrapped the beautiful handknits I had made for her children. Low and behold Sea Princess was staring right back at me in wonderful condition and the perfect size for my skinny 3-year-old.
I have never been so happy to see a handknit that I have made back in my hands again. It means the world to me that she kept it but also that I can now pass it on to my kids too, after that it will probably be archived if it’s still wearable. My kids are hard on their clothes, the monkeys. So folks, this, in my opinion, is the definition of a Knitworthy person. So it leads me to ask, do you have a Knitworthy story?
Want to support and Blog or Podcast? You can with a coffee!
My gran used to be the only knitter in the family and when I started knitting I inherited her needle collection. The first thing I knitted for my youngest cousin was a dodgy garter stitch scarf using granny’s favourite (bent!) needles and I got a message from her saying she started crying knowing that I made something just for her with granny’s needles. Granny died 28 years ago and I love the fact that I inherited her talent as well as her needles 🙂
Aw this is such a lovely story and what I love about craft. I think of my nana everytime I knit and I’m glad I can knit for my kids too like she did. I love when handcrafted items mean a lot to those who receive them too. Makes the time and effort worth it
Your SIL is terrific; she gets the work that goes in to the craft. I mostly knit for my family. I know a lot of people who really want a hand knit accessory and a few have asked me straight out without even offering to get the supplies. They think because I knit fast, it’s no trouble to me. My sister’s fiancé is the only non-family member I’ve knitted for so far. He makes my sis take their hats with them on trips and he always wears it when it’s cold. It’s sky blue with a giant Pom Pom on it. I think he’s more knitworthy than her!
I think people also assume knitting is cheaper than buying as if by asking they think they are doing you a favour lol at least that’s what I was told when I asked “why should I knit for you” usually if they give me the right answer I’ll knit for then lol.
I also love that he still has the hat, remembers them and still whips them out when it’s cold.
This is a beautiful story. What a wonderful SIL you have. I have a few knitworthy friends, but not sure anyone is that caliber. But I have a friend who asked me to knit something for her first baby. I designed a simple blanket and knit it, washed it, sent it off. He loved it. The request came again for her second and I hunted down the perfect yarns. It is that little girl’s blankie and she does nowhere without it.
Many years ago, my mother made a beautiful, cream coloured arran cardigan for her niece’s first burthday. When my aunt opened the gift that my mother had spent time, skill and effort making, she took one look and said ‘Sure it’ll do her when she’s mucking around the place’ My mother snatched it back off her and told she’d give her something else. Not knitworthy.
Omg that is excellent! Yes definitely not Knitworthy. I know I’m much more guarded about handing out knitted gifts. Fair play for snatching it back, I’m not sure I would have.
Well, I’ll give you a short one. Back in 2011, I knit a stranded colourwork hat for my little brother’s Christmas present (pattern: “We Call Them Pirates”). It’s a pirate-themed hat because lil bro loves history and pirates in particular. I gave it to him and didn’t think much more of it. A few years later, my mum told me a story about doing the washing. She was going through lil bro’s coat because he had a habit of ‘laundering’ money and other things left in his pockets. Lo and behold, from one of his pockets she pulled out the hat I had made him! He loved it so much he made sure to always carry it in his pocket for when he needed it.
(Flash forward to last winter, I met his lovely girlfriend. We got to talking about a day they really needed hats and he mentioned they used the ones I had made him. I mentioned the pirate hat and he acted like he didn’t know about it. I figured this was a serious relationship if that was the case. They got engaged this past March and are getting hitched this October! Perhaps this requires a new term like knit barometer.)
Aw this is wonderful! Maybe the hat was test of wether she was worthy to be his wife 😉 Yes there should be a knit barometer hmmmmm pondering that now.