Hi everybody! And welcome back to another Monday of Readers En-Gauge, where we ask you a question and you leave a clever answer. You never know… you might be the lucky winner of a crafty prize! Last week we asked you to share your tips on how to set aside time for crocheting. There were so many helpful and insightful answers. Be sure to go back and check them out.
One of the joys of being crafty with yarn is that you are capable of making wonderful things. There are so many knit and crochet items that you can create to give as gifts for birthdays and the holidays. Yet there’s one dilemma: You only have so much time and yarn!
So this week, we’re wondering:
How do you decide who to knit or crochet for?
Don’t be shy! Share your comments below and be sure to check back tomorrow. We’ll announce the winner of the giveaway tomorrow on Stitch and Unwind.
- Contest open to US and Canada residents 18+
- One comment/entry per person.
- Contest closes October 22, 2012 at 11:59p CST.
- Please answer the question below in order to be entered.
- Winner will be posted on this blog.
Leave a comment below and be entered for a fun prize!
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Right now I’m not crocheting for anyone in particular. I’m working on some designs I created for afghans. Haven’t decided what to do with them once they are finished. It’s fun to work on something without a deadline looming (like a birthday or shower)…that means I can change the design or even start over if I want.
Well it was easy this summer as my son gave me a new grandson so of course the needles were hot from making so many gifts for him.
I knit for charity in Mexico. Knitting a top down sweater for a little boy today. Also teaching some of my knitting friends how to knit top down … so more sweaters for the needy children here in the Lake Chapala, Mexico area.
I always knit for my friends’ newborn babies, and I do charity knitting for preemies & micro-preemies. Other than that, I only knit for friends or family who have expressed an appreciation for hand-knit things or who have specifically asked for something.
i started so i could make a gift for one of my Best Friend’s baby. and i kept going! 🙂 it’s become a great passion for me and i love seeing the joy on people’s faces when they receive a hand made gift.
I think about the person that I am making the gift for and look through patterns, either through the books that I have or online, till I find something that I haven’t done or something that I think that receiver will like. Also sometimes the yarn is the most important part of my decision which leads to the pattern that I choose.
I craft for ME first and foremost but the recipients might be family, friends, test knits or charity depending on the results and the project and my biggest reward is smiles from both me and them.
I craft for me. It centers me and relaxes me. The finished products ate often given as gifts for friends and family, donated for fundraisers in my community, or sold.
I often craft for me…trying new things just to see if I can do it. Now I am working on items for my new grandchild to be born in March….we know she will need many new things!
I usually knit or crochet for family. Christmas, birthdays, weddings and new babies. I sometimes sneak something in for myself. I’m currently hooked on knitting socks.
opps, wrong question…LOL! i choose who to crochet for by who has the next event for gifts. 😉 i love making blankets with matching hats booties and bag for friend’s baby. and making something special for my children for their birthdays! 🙂
When I know that what I make will be appreciated
I always have someone in mind when I knit something. The order of importance for projects goes: 1) nieces/nephews, 2) Mom, 3) close friends, 4) other family, and 5) paying customers. I rarely knit anything for myself. Only time I do is when someone gives me yarn as a gift 🙂
I knit to relax, too. I’m still working to become good enough at it to give things away.
I knit and crochet for others:
1-For a birthday or other special gifting occasion (new baby, Christmas)
2-As an appreciation gift
3-For someone in need
I wish this was open to UK residents too 🙁
I tend to do some “exploring” of drawers and closets and those who have few, if any, hand knits get gifts from me. I’m “obsessed” with socks at the moment as well as entrelac cowls, so these are the gifts people get from me. I also knit sweaters and charity knit.
I only knit for my husband (he pays for the yarn!) and myself. On occasion I make something for my sister.
I knit for myself nd for family members. Also knit for special gifts for friends and family.
Right now I’m making a copy baby blanket for my BFF grandson. He liked the first one so much they cant wash it! Then my daughter has several projects for me to knit! Usually its who ever ask. I also try to do charity knitting in-between times. If I’m sittin’ I’m knittin’!
Each project is different, usually by request, or if I see a pettern that makes me think of someone in particular.
I am currently working on several hats for my co-workers, my husband, my daughter and her best friend. I also have to finish two more baby blankets. As a knitter with only two hands, I am a busy person. 🙂
I knit Christmas presents for all my friends and their pets!
They become unique gifts and people really appreciate home made items.
Sometimes it depends of what season or holiday is coming up and what gift I want to give. Other times it may be a pattern I find or great yarn I come across. It’s always fun, though.
I decide what i want to make for each individual, then i hunt down a pattern. The pattern decides for me whether its knit or crochet.
Hi, I have a 10 month old grandaughter and a 4 yr. old grandson.
I enjoy making mittens, sweaters, jumpers and blankets for them. I am a new knitter and crocheter so I am sort of slow but do get it done.
I knit/crochet for myself and also a friend. At the moment knitting a triangular shawl to keep me warm this winter….. It can get cold in the Med!!!
I am a great appreciator of surprises. I always try to keep track of mine and my husbands family and also my friends. If i see comments or hear someone is having an off week I like to surprise them with a little something to make them smile. Cmon who doesn’t like a surprise gift for no reason?
ME, usually! Just finished hat & tam sets for my DGDs (two of ’em), and occasionally for charity. If I knit for ***you***, personally, it means you are one very Special Person in my life.
I crochet and knit for just about anyone. If I am considering to make an item for someone that I do not really know, then I may ask in advance if they would appreciate a hand made item or do they have something else in mind. But as a standard, brides and grooms receive a crocheted afghan for their master bed as part of their wedding gift, expecting mothers receive baby blankets with matching bonnets and embelished bibs for their newborns, teachers always appreciate a fancy designed scarf in Decemeber, cheerleaders are thrilled to wear brimmed hats and bouncy scarves (same colors as uniforms) at the fall/winter football games, and the local women’s shelter always accepts hats, scarves and mittens for the residents of the home. I also volunteer at the Performing Arts Association for the School making costumes where I can also use all of my crafty skills. Making things for others brings me joy which encourages me to continue giving to others. It is so rewarding to create something beautiful and fulfilling to share it with others. My twin daughters are consistently encouraging me to make them things which helps me to know what to make as birthday party gifts for their friends:)
Right now with money being tight I am knitting Christmas giftsfor my whole family and making a birthday present for my husband.
I knit for my family. I also do plastic canvas for my youngest granddaughter. Have to have something in my hands while chatting or watching tv.
Family is a given along with the charities I craft for; but if it is someone not in those 2 groups, I have to feel the person will appreciate the time and effort or else they dont get a handmade gift.
Sometimes I’m inspired by a particular yarn that reminds me of a specific person, sometimes it’s a pattern that I know will be “just right” for a special someone. I regularly do simple knitting and crocheting projects for sale, because it’s relaxing to do something simple (for me) that other people want to purchase. Whenever I knit or crochet, it’s also for myself because of the feeling of satisfaction and the relaxation I achieve!
I always knit or crochet gifts for the ones I know will appreciate it.
I craft for only 2 people: myself, and whomever I feel especially fond of on the day I start the project. The last thing I knitted (finished yesterday) was a scarf for a work colleague who has helped me a lot this past year. It’s her birthday and I was thinking about how much she does for others on a daily basis. I should have knit her a whole sweater, but I was pressed for time and the yarn that whispered her name to me was only 3 balls in the stash…
It’s so hard to decide ‘who’ to knit for. I guess it’s more who ‘not’ to knit for. I want to make something for everyone!!
I crochet for loved ones. They appreciate the time, effort and love that goes into my work. I also organized and taught a group of ladies that i work with to crochet and we donate items for the preemies at UCSF.
I make gifts for family and friends and to sell at a local farmers’ market.
I craft mostly for babies. Right now, it’s preemie caps for Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. I’m also working on a little blanket for a baby due in January for a young fellow I worked with until last week. Even if I run out of babies, I can always abandon the items over at the local hospital — release them into the wild, so to speak. 🙂
I usually decide by yarn shopping! I ran across some team spirit yarn the other day and thought of my son in law. Going to make him an afghan with it. Or I will see a pattern and it is something I really want to make and I find pick the perfect person for it then. Or someone will mention something they want and I will find a pattern for it. Several different ways I decide!!!
I’ve learned the hard way to be very particular – unless the recipient is a crafter themself, there is not always the level of appreciation that you expect. Most of my ‘gifts’ are for babies – they dont know the difference yet!
When I find the perfect pattern, that calls a certain someone to mind, that’s how I decide – or if I’m asked…
I knit and crochet for anyone who asks for something. I’ve taken photos of my little grandchildren modeling their hats and blankets I’ve made them and then other family members and friends want something made. Right now I’m making hats & mittens for my cousin’s granddaughter, my sister-in-law’s granddaughters (& matching doll clothes), afghans for Christmas presents and baby hats for charity.
I’ll knit for almost anyone, but especially for friends & family who like and appreciate the items.
I knit and crochet for me. I still call myself a beginner, even though I’ve been knitting for about two years and crocheting much longer. I’m not a perfect knitter and when I make a mistake sometimes I don’t know how to fix it, so it stays. I’d hate to give away something that isn’t perfect, so I keep it all. Plus, good wool is expensive, I can’t afford to give away a sweater that can cost $100 or more, especially if it isn’t perfect! I remember all the sweaters mom made for me- even with measuring, they never did fit right.
I craft for charities.
I knit all the time and now that I am retired I have a little more time. It relaxes me. I like to knit for people who appreciate my work. I will see a color and /or type of yarn or pattern and think this would make a great _____ for ________. And then i make it. I love making prayer shawls, hand warmers, scarves and sweaters just for the fun of it and other reap the benefits.
I decide who to knit for based on what projects I come across. If I see a pattern, I think “That would be perfect for ___!” and start knitting! This works especially well if someone is pregnant or has small children!
I knit and crochet mostly for my grandchildren and myself. It depends on what someone may want and if they will use it.
I used to just knit stuff randomly, as i was learning……then i knit for myself, then i gave a few gifts, now i always have requests!!!! It all keeps me knitting, and i LOVE it!!!
I usually knit for myself unless there is a holiday coming up and I need a gift.
I never make stuff for a specific person. I just make stuff I like to make and when it is done I see the right person to give it to in the item.
I knit chemo caps for patients at a nearby Cancer Treatment Center, slippers, etc for residents of a nearby Veterans Home, shawls for Hospice, and every once in a while I knit something for me.
After undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot on my brain and not being able to focus on any given task yet, I knit and crochet to help me concentrate more. The rewarding part is when I finish the project I am trying to do. It gives me needed exercises to prove to myself that I can do it.
Right now I’m working through the process of growing my short, layered hair out to longer and one length. While the end result should look nice, the middle stages have sent me running to my needles to make lots of hats and headbands to cover the mess!
Often an upcoming event – new baby, wedding, special anniversary will dictate who I’m going to knit or crochet for. Otherwise, I follow my urge to work on certain patterns and then figure out who will receive it in the end.
As others have posted, my projects are first for me since I enjoy doing them…that said, out of 11 projects, four are for me to wear, an afghan for my bed, one for my cat, one for gifting, and four for charity…I love making gifts; but, I also love making things for myself, too…
I knit for friend and family who are having babies. I also knit for young children–my grandchildren. I also like to knit afghans and shawls that I give to my friends and family members. Some I keep for myself.
Whoever asks me to make something is who I crochet for. Whether they pay me for it or not. I love to crochet.
A lot of times I will see a pattern and think “This person would love that!” Other times, like when a friend is expecting, I’ll knit all kinds of baby things. It relly does depend on the situation.
I crochet baby afghans for the Linus Project. They go to needy families for their babies. They are small enough to carry with me in the car, to a dr’s appointment, etc. I started this when I was my mom’s caregiver and sat in dr’s offices for hours on end! Now I want to learn to make hats for Knots of Love for cancer chemo patients.
I craft for myself–the items I make are usually FOR someone else, but I enjoy the art of crafting! Weaving, knitting, crochet, painting…I have the need to create!
I find a project I like and once I begin it the person it belongs to pops into my head. Rather backward I know, but it’s worked for years.
Right now I’m crocheting for family and friends!And soon hope to be for a website possibly!
I primarily crochet for Project Linus. I have also made hats for the children in our local city school and baby hats that were sent to Africa.
I love to crochet for my grandbabies, the new babies from our church as they arrive, and I am very busy crocheting christmas presents right now!!! Busy busy busy!!!
Family and friends. …
I do scarves & dishcloths for whoever!!
I give as presents or thank you gifts for aides, nurses, delivery people, etc.
I love knitting or crocheting and don’t ever keep them for ME!!!! I have also made slippers for kids, grandkids and greatgrands also!! God bless all the crafters for doing for others!! Love to all………..Ruthie
Family and friends
I just crochet things I like and then see who’s name it calls!
mostly my grand children…but I also crochet for friends as well as myself. I like to see people smile and when someone gets something warm,soft and cuddly they usually have a big smile and that makes it all worth while
I knit to relax and I knit for me. I knit projects to improve myself and to give something for others to make them happy which makes me happy.
Easy.. I crochet when my heart urges me to show my love for someone in such a personal, meaningful way. I crochet to give a piece of my heart to someone.
No “clever” answer….just straightforward 🙂 I am a Breast Cancer Survivor, so the cause is dear to my heart. I crochet for cancer. I also make baby hats for preemies & give them to one of our hospitals. Right now I am crocheting scarves for the 2013 Special Olympics. Doing my loved craft for these causes blesses my heart.
I crochet for me for relaxation but also for family because I love giving gifts. My grand children love them.
and to the question of How do I decide who I knit for and who I crochet for thats simple because I mostly crochet so unless they ask for a knitted item I give everyone crocheted. I only have one knitted item on the go and thats a slouchy hat I am making for my step daughter because she requested it.
for Expectant moms ; friends; my child’s teachers; my child; friends ; and others when the need arises
Mostly family but that’s only because they see me more and don’t feel shy about showing me all the stuff I ‘should’ make for them. Strangers usually ask me ‘have you ever make such and such?’
I crocheted a Chemo Hat when I found out that I had to do treatments for Breast Cancer. I have two more treatments, then plan to donate it to somebody else as a symbol of strength and survival. I thank God every day for giving me the strength to continue this fight.
I crochet or knit when I get that urge to for someone special, or for a project that I see. Or sometimes I see some really neat yarn and just have to make something with it. Lots of times I make things for winter and also for children.
The last time I crocheted for someone, I made a stocking stuffer for my grandson. I once crocheted a lapghan for my granmother’s 100th birthday. Most times, I’ll decide to crochet something because I know someone who needs the item and I want to do something special.
Honestly, i have sooo many people who request items for me to make that I never have to choose who or what to make! I have such supportive friends and family!!!
Usually for my grandkids for my assistant at work but lately it’s been for me.
Im new at knitting . Right now I’m knitting scarves for me and my daughter who won’t mind a couple mistakes. But once I get better I will be knitting for everyone
I crochet for family, friends, and myself.
I have crafted for family and friends and charity for years. Now I make sure to craft something for myself now and then. I find that very difficult to do but I need socks! The sock projects are small enough to take anywhere and I knit waiting for appointment, travel, anywhere.
I knit for gifts, for myself & family & also for those in need.
Easy, I crochet and sometimes loom knit for people who show interest in handmade items. Just recently, I started making items to donate to the NICU in honor of my son. That’s how I found my inspiration. And it’s something I can do to give to those who are in need.
When I see something & it is screaming someone’s name. I crochet it for them. I crochet for whoever needs it at the time
When I see something & it is screaming someone’s name. I crochet it for them. I crochet for whoever needs it at the time The sheer enjoyment of it.
I’m knitting scarves for the Special Olympics.
Almost all of my crocheting is for gifts or charity, such as prayer shawls and scarves. I sneak in a few things for myself occasionally.
I would love to Crochet for charities but dont know where to go to find them
I do a lot for family, some for friends, some as I see needs pop up, some to minister to someone special and some as orders. I love to crochet!!
I crochet for whomever. Sometimes for customers, other times for grandkids, holidays, kids, showers, parties. Operation Christmas Child is one of the projects I’m working on as well as the last 3 of 12 grandchildren’s gifts. I jsut desgined my very own Crocheted Christmas train set.
I actually make things (whether knitted or otherwise) for almost everyone. I prefer to make things rather than simply buy things. I feel like the gifts are much more special when they are handmade. I am like BearyAnn – it is more of a matter of who NOT to craft for. 🙂
I am knitting and crocheting for my Great Grandchildren—I have 20 so I am kept very busy–and as many grandchildren—whew—I keep that crochet hook going
I crochet for others for many reasons; birthdays, holidays, and because I came across a pattern that just screamed their name. I like to try new patterns and make things “just because”; they eventually find a home.
i pick a project i like and then decide whom i’ll make them for … now, i’ve picked shawls, and am making them for family and friends around my age [am on #5 and 6].
I mainly craft for myself. I use it to relieve stress and boredom. However, I also use my crafts as gifts, especially for Christmas. I also have an Etsy store under Cropperhopper’s Stuff where I sell my hand crocheted items and shipping is included in the price.
I mostly make items for myself, then expectant mothers, then for my older family. The rest is random gifts or donations.
Heck, I once had 3 friends all expecting within 2 months of each other – so I took my easiest project on a long-overdue vacation with me! Crocheting a baby blanket & cloths by the pool in Cuba – quite possibly the highlight of my twenties!
I craft mostly for family and then myself.
I dont knit “for” people any more. Knitting is my way to unwind, and knitting gifts and commissions stresses me out. I now knit what i want, in the yarn I want, and decide who might like or be able to use it later.
I knit or crochet as many of the patterns send by Free Crochet/Knitting Patterns and many of the items are given to my friends or family members who see them and like them. Knitting or crocheting items makes me happy but the sharing of them is what counts!
I crochet for my grandchildren and family and friends. One time I made a yellow school bus for my grandson and he wanted to know why the wheels did not turn.
I crochet all the time, mostly thread crochet. I give away most everything I make to my close friends and their children.
I knit for my grandson,my mother my children (both grown), I try to knit for myself, doesn’t work, I usually give it to someone cause they like the project,Right now I am knitting a never ending baby blanket for my brand new niece who is early, ( that’s not the name of the blanket, but how I feel about it ) a wingspan shawl for my mother, a duplicate blanket for my 8 month old grandson ,cause he has fallen for the first one and he can’t be without it so we need a backup for wash days. A scarf for my oldest son , and trying to make small Christmas gifts for everyone , I pretty much don’t “choose” the time to knit, I just knit every waking moment that I can!
I knit a lot for charity, but this year I have been knitting a lot of shawls for myself.
I knit or crochet or sew for people I meet who are always giving of themselves without expecting anything in return. And, of course, for new babies, too!
I crochet because it relaxes me. Sometimes I crochet something for someone, sometimes I find someone for what I crochet.
I do a lot of crocheting or knitting for
charity. I just put my love into what project I am doing. I am so blessed. Others have nothing.
I prefer to have a purpose for my crafting, so I really try to do things that I can share with the grandchildren. That way they can be gifts or activities together.
Let’s see, who do I craft for… I have made countless afghans, scarves, shawls, little stuffed critters for a variety of different people. I have made gifts for friends, family and my kid’s classmates. But let’s face it, I craft for ME. It is my way of keeping my sanity in a life full of stress. I have 4 kids and care for my aging parents and in laws. My life if full of things I have to do. My knitting and crocheting is for me. No matter how much stress I have had during the day, I can find comfort in completing a row or even several stitches. So while other people may benefit from my crafting, I really do it for me.
Mostly for family, at least the ones I know will appreciate the time and effort, not to mention the money, spent on making it. I also do some charity knitting.
The gift kind of decides for itself…but usually I look at the calender and see who’s birthday is next…four in January 2013 this year as my niece has a new boy…my first great nephew!!! definitely need to make a sweater and sockies for him…
I have 2 baby grand daughters to knit for, so it’s a no brainer 😉
I knit for ME! I find it relaxing and it keeps me from snacking myself into a size 20. However, it does come in handy when I have blankies for baby showers, dishcloths for stocking stuffers and afghans for wedding gifts. 🙂
I crochet and knit for my Mom first as she needs chemo caps and hats. Then, I definitely crochet and knit doll clothes for my great niece who I just adore!!! And, for my great nieces’ mother and my God Daughter, I crochet or knit matching outfits for the two of them. Scarf’s, hats, mittens; ect.
I knit a lot for friends’ babies and grandchildren. I also knit for friends and family who I know will appreciate the time that goes into the project. Last, but not least, I knit for me, always something I haven’t made before to challenge myself and increase my knowledge.
I crochet and loom knit for others. Mostly my family but I also craft for charity. Right now I am loom knitting and crocheting and sewing for my new great-nephew who is due in Dec. but his shower is Friday! EEK! Gotta get busy!! 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!!
I am knitting hats for everyone for the winter. I esp love to knit baby hats
I knit for my kids, grandkids, and great-grandson, my favorite thing to do.
I don’t really have anyone particular to knit for. I started knitting to keep my hands busy after having a stroke a couple of years ago. It helps keep my mind quite and my hands busy.
Afghans for everybody! Girls get sweaters, wraps. Children also get toys.
I started knitting for my grandchildren. I also have been knitting santa hats for our hospitals Neonatal intensive care unit.
I crochet for my family my daughter’s, niece’s and nephew like it because it’s mad with love. My niece’s and nephew like afghan’s.Cause when there sick and they cover up with a blanket that I made they say it feels like I’m hugging them. Gotta love kid’s and people that appreciate things. 🙂
Admiring the dedication you put into your blog and
in depth information you offer. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Wonderful read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.