Selfish Knitting: What does it mean?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- Where did the term Selfish Knitting come from? Discussing the pressure non knitters put on knitters & the pros and cons of knitting gifts. You don't have to knit presents just because you're a knitter!
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00:00 Intro
01:16 Are people who don't knit the problem?
04:22 The pressure of knitting at Christmas/the holidays
06:25 Brief history of knitting during the war & knitting spies
08:02 Your hobby/craft doesn't need to be monetised
08:20 Why it's ok to not knit gifts
10:08 Advice for knitting gifts
12:37 Final thoughts
You are so right. I have the yarn, the pattern, buttons every thing I need to make the cardigan I've been wanting to make for three years - or more! But because I'm busy making family and charity things it is just sat there in the project bag awaiting me.
I need to be a more selfish crafter! Thank you Naomi for giving me my crafts back! xxJane 🐑🌼
Though I can guarantee if one of my ten grandchildren ask for something it will be on the hook, needles etc the same day! 🤷
This is a good subject, because I have so many WIPs on the go for friends and family, and I feel guilty for wanting to make something nice for myself. Sometimes I overextend myself to the point where it becomes a chore rather than a relaxing hobby.
Yes, I agree with you Naomi, it's a horribel word. Maybe a non - knitter who came up with that word; "Selfish knitter" ? ! Non - knitters and non - sewer's have a "weird" thinking & expectstions about this. They think that we can do the unthinkable with garments or accessories, but they don't have those demandings or thoughts when they're byuing garments & acc out in store's/ boutique's. My heart sinks when I see how sheap one can buy a handmade blankets in a thrift stores. For me a handmade blanket it's a heirloom. Very greatful for your thoughts Naomi, thanky-li-thanks.🐣🦋🐇
Really enjoyed this video. Your humorous approach made me giggle. Had to contain myself because hubby is still sleeping.
As a life long sewist and new knitter I have never heard the world “selfish” attached to my passionate hobbies at least not too my face. You are right, it’s an absolutely ridiculous word. Knitters and sewists need to stop using it themselves.
We need to use our God given talent to experience the joy intended.
Keep up the videos! 😀
I used to feel embarrassed when I was asked 'who are you making that for?' I would never like to say me, but now I say it with pride.
The other thing that gets me is when people say, oh wow that looks amazing, you should make loads and sell them. They get so shocked when I tell them the time it takes to make the item and how much I would have to sell them for.
Well said. Totally agree w you! I never really thought about other crafters/hobbyists making “selfish” bags, buttons, clothes, cabinets, etc etc.
Thanks !
Thank you! So true that it’s only in the knitting community isn’t it!
I don't make stuff for other people very often. And I have a select few people who I would make stuff for as well. Funnily enough, they're all people who craft their selves so know how much time/effort goes into it. I once wore a pair of fingerless gloves I'd crocheted to work and one of my colleagues mentioned how much she liked them, then said 'I'd pay £3 for those!' Yarn cost more than that, and it was commercial yarn! Needless to say, she did not receive any crochet gloves!
Love your video s it helped me learn how to knit
Thank you for making this video and voicing opinions so many others share but don’t like to own up to . Very refreshing.
I have always felt under pressure to make charity knits with yarn I don’t enjoy using for garments that I feel are probably not appropriate for the recipients because it’s expected of me as a crafter.
i think what you said is very true. i knit a bunch of stuff for my nephew but then went back to knitting things for myself. my brother commented to me that I had mentioned making a bunch more stuff for my nephew but hadn't gotten around to it and I thought it was so rude. I've probably already spent a few hundred hours making him things, I should be allowed to spend some time making things for myself as well.
Oh wow, that is really rude. Sorry that happened, especially because it was a family member!
I did some cotton dishcloths for local cafe long time ago there dint used them so I stop knitting for them. I am knitting corner to corner blanket for my daughter in stylecraft batik swirl cake yarn
I never thought of myself as a selfish knitter but lately I've decided to stop knitting for others in self defense. I used to knit for charities & was told I could only use wool yarn for certain items and I've knitted for friends & family and found the items were never worn or were even given away. That is so much more hurtful when you've taken the time to knit a gift than if you just go to a store & buy something. Now I knit for myself & know that what I spend my time & money on will be used and appreciated.
I agree with most of what you said and have more to add. However, i dont feel like writing paragraphs on my tablet at the moment. Let me just say that I make things now for people i like and who I know appreciatre it and will take care of it properly.
There was a slightly shocked silence at a sewing class I attended. I was explaining why I didn’t want to make a back bag which was the proposed project. Thebag wasn’t something I would use Someone said ‘ you could give it to someone’. I explained that I only knitted or sewed for myself hence the silence.
The reason I knit or sew is not just for a hobby but because shop bought clothes just don’t fit. I am very short and quite ancient Modern clothes are either too long or short , jumpers and cardigans go to my knees and are far too expensive. If that
Makes me selfish so be it. I am too
old to worry 🙂
I so agree with everything you said, you've got it in a nutshell !!!
Thank you!!
Before watching this video, I’d never even heard the term ‘selfish knitter’, and I certainly don’t regard myself as one. I sew, knit and crochet and I do sometimes make gifts for others, but it has to be my choice to do that. I hate/dislike intensely people asking me to make them something, because, when I have in the past, it feels like a chore and I rarely enjoy it.
Honestly I don't feel like it's selfish to make things mainly for ourselves.
If it brings you joy to make things for charity, friends, or family then do that.
It can take takes dozens if not hundreds of hours of our free time to make things.
I don't mind making small things for friends or family like hats n stuff but only if people have shown themselves to be "knit worthy" They also need to explicitly express that they want hand made things because most people just don't care enough.
My partner showed so much enthusiasm for a simple stockinette hat that maybe took like 6-12 hours that I'm happy to make him more time intensive items. But he also knows that he's getting something whenever I feel the urge to actually make something especially larger projects.
Some people can knock out a sweater in a month but I'm definitely not one of those people. 😅
I also live in a warmer climate so hand made items don't get used as often here vs a colder climate.
Agree 100%!!
I’m not one of those sweater people either, I find big projects like that too boring 🫢 haha
I knit in public a lot and one of the most common questions is 'are you knitting for charity? so and so charity have some lovely patterns.' It depends on my mood as to whether they get a straight no, or I only knit with wool so not so easy to wash, or the full explanation that all my yarn is hand spun and I source the fleece direct from the farmers and process myself, I design the patterns and will occasionally sell small items but at a realistic price . Selfish ? no, just enjoying a hobby
I had never heard of selfish knitting until I started watching u tube ,I hate the saying xx
Awful saying isn’t it!