the magic words

When I was a younger knitter, and just starting to make things that weren't long garter stitch strips or slippers for my grandfather, I dreamed of the day I'd get asked the magic question. "Did you make that?" And I'd get to say yes. Yes, yes, yes. It would feel so good. So solid. An amazing reward.

Now that I knit so damn much, I've sadly become inured to the magic. I get more embarrassed than proud sometimes, admitting that I knitted half the objects on my body. Or feeling like I have to justify my yarn and pattern choices to a Portland audience who all knows what I'm up to. The questions tend to be less like admiring "Did you make that?"s and more like snide "Another fetching?"s.

Then just the other day I was walking downtown with this felted bag in my hand, yarn nearly spilling out of it, and someone asked me a very, very admiring "Did you make that?" There was clear and honest love of the bag, and amazement that maybe I had indeed made it.

And I got to say the magic words.

"No. My friend made it for me."

It turns out these magic words are more delicious to say than any. Because now that I knit so much, I know what it means to make something for someone else. To put your creative energy and all your choices and your hands and time into it.  Thank you Sarah for a gorgeous bag. Everyone who sees it admires it and loves it. And I get to say the magic words.

Comments

[JulieFrick]

What a sweet post! You're right- because getting to say that a friend made it for you means that you not only have thoughtful friends, they're talented, too!

[Carole]

How wonderful to receive something from a friend and then be able to recognize what a true gift it was.

[BethC]

What a great reminder of why we knit for others!

[sarah gilbert]

ohhhhh... *sniff* *snuffle** (damn i shouldn't have been reading blogs on a conference call).

ypu're welcome! but don't forget, *you* did the felting :)

[Heidi]

Hope my comment on your Flickr Fetching pic didn't set you off.

You're right, it really is magic when you understand the love that goes into a handmade gift. Lucky you!

[Siri]

I suspect that only a knitter can fully feel the pride in wearing a hand knitted gift from someone else. I love saying those magic words when someone asks about my Sockapalooza socks, and then, on top of "Nope. Someone else made it for me." I get to add, "Someone in England (or San Francisco, or Pennsylvania.) Someone I've never even met." and then I get to explain the whole Sockapalooza thing to them.
Nice colors, that bag! Sweet post. You said it just right.

[Carol]

Very nice indeed!

[larissa]

Heidi, No! It was someone in person here in Portland that made me write that about the fetching gloves. I actually think it's a wonderful pattern and I'm going to make more.

[joyce]

i love the fetching pattern.
it is a nice feeling when you say you've made it =)

[Oiyi]

Your bag is gorgeous! You have a great friend.

I love the fetching pattern and will make a pair soon.

[LaDonna]

I love making things for my sister because I know *she* knows what it took to make it. The rest of my family says "Gee, thanks." But Sandy absolutely gushes! It makes me feel good to think that she feels the way you described when someone compliments one of the many handknits I've made her.

BTW, just wondering if there was an update on sending in my Meathead (it was one of the chosen ones!). I didn't see any info on it but I might have missed it. Thanks!

[martin]

LaDonna, we're sorry we have been so swamped we haven't gotten it together to do a meathead update. I am going to try to do this tonight and put it up on this blog and/or on http://knitalong.net/testalong/ . Thanks, Martin