|
Post by pjaye on Apr 30, 2016 15:20:35 GMT
I've started crocheting again after many years and been really enjoying it and as a result I've joined a few Facebook groups where people show their work. One thing they are saying a lot is who they give their finished items to, I've seen "this is for my co-workers grandbaby" and "this is for my son's girlfriend's parents" (not a joke)Lots of people making baby blankets for babies that aren't theirs. Lots and lots of items being made for other people.
Some of these women do fabulously neat work and have a real eye for colour and some of them not so much...they look more look like their cat got into their stash of neon yarn and made himself a nest.
So it made me wonder, have you ever been given a 'big' handmade item, like a crocheted baby blanket or afghan? did you like it and did you actually use it? Or did it sit in a cupboard somewhere before it was donated to someone else?
I'm curious as to how many of these sorts of unsolicited items are liked or used by their recipients?
|
|
NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
Jun 25, 2014 21:53:42 GMT
|
Post by NoWomanNoCry on Apr 30, 2016 15:29:29 GMT
My Aunie use to crochet things for me all the time when I was growing up and I've kept them all. She had skills so her work wasn't crap but it wasn't always my style, like the doilies she made me. The blanket though is something I used all the time. She also made me a purse but it's not something I would use either. I plan to just keep everything because I could never get rid of anything she's made me. Maybe one day I'll find a place to display things.
|
|
oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
|
Post by oldcrow on Apr 30, 2016 15:30:08 GMT
I have received and really liked whatever it was. I have also received and not liked/used it. I think if the person giving knows your taste you are more likely to be happy with it.
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Apr 30, 2016 15:38:36 GMT
when I had my first child, I was given a beautiful hand-knitted baby blanket in white/blue/pink by my college roommate's mum and a lovely baby quilt by a college classmate - I loved both of them and I was very touched that they thought to make something special for my baby (I was a young, single mum).
My 2nd child was given a lovely hand-crocheted white baby blanket by one of my mum's friends (who also came for her Christening) - again very kind and yes, we used it. She also received a knitted bunny from a co-worker of DH's - it was well-loved.
My little one only received hand-made gifts from my best friend (who also made stuff for the older two) - she knows my tastes and always makes stuff that is loved and treasured.
|
|
|
Post by auntkelly on Apr 30, 2016 15:38:40 GMT
I've been given some homemade gifts that I really loved and used. I've been given others that sat in the closet and were eventually donated or given away, but I'm always touched that someone took the time to actually make something for me. One time a co-workers wife who I hardly knitted a beautiful scarf for me. I really loved it-the colors were perfect for me. It was such a wonderful present because it was so thoughtful and unexpected.
When I was a little girl, my grandmother's housekeeper embroidered a shirt for me, which was all the rage in the 70s. I have kept that shirt for over 40 years. It's hanging in my closet right now. I was just so touched that someone made it for me.
I also have a baby quilt that a distant cousin made for me after my grandmother died. She quilted together squares that my grandmother had made before she passed away. I treasure that quilt and have kept in touch with that distant cousin for years simply because she made me that quilt.
So I would say, yes I do treasure handmade gifts. Having said that, I have given away a lot of homemade things over the years that just weren't my style. I did appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that the gift giver put into the gift, however.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 2:18:23 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 15:41:39 GMT
Most of the time it's not been my thing. I appreciated the gifts, and was always impressed with the skills it took to make them, but they never really got used.
I guess it's a "Know your audience" type of thing.
|
|
|
Post by just PEAchy on Apr 30, 2016 15:43:19 GMT
Most of the handmade items I've received were for my kids when they were babies and I love and treasure them. And, I used them. They are now all stored away, I would never give them away. My grandma and great aunt both have made afghans for me over the years and I love and use those, too.
|
|
|
Post by Baseballmom23 on Apr 30, 2016 15:48:02 GMT
My old neighbor gave us an afghan for christmas, that was 1986 and I still have it draped over a chair in my living room Another neighbor gave us a crocheted blanket for my DS birth, 1992 and it was used and now put away. I do appreciate handmade gifts.
|
|
quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
|
Post by quiltz on Apr 30, 2016 15:55:49 GMT
I do make gifts such as quilts, hardanger embroidery and decorative painted items.
A long time ago at a wedding shower I over heard someone making the comment that "I always cheap out" & make things for gifts rather than purchase something from a store. I am very picky about who I make gifts for after that day. The comments were made by my now former sil.
I have some friends that appreciate the expense of materials, skills required & time to make items and they would be offended if I would purchase a gift rather than make it.
I received a crocheted blanket as a baby gift from an older woman at my church. It was neon pink & green & the perfect size to use in the stroller.
Was it perfect? No, but it was made with so much love & I truly loved & used it very much.
I feel that a little bit of me goes into my quilts, sewing & other hand crafted items so the list of recipients is short.
|
|
|
Post by tara on Apr 30, 2016 15:58:54 GMT
I use the same ones thats's not my taste (which haven't been a lot) just as much as the ones that I love. It reminds me of that person and makes me feel good that they took that much time and effort for me.
|
|
ComplicatedLady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,083
Location: Valley of the Sun
Jul 26, 2014 21:02:07 GMT
|
Post by ComplicatedLady on Apr 30, 2016 15:59:30 GMT
I love receiving handmade gifts. I've gotten all kinds of gifts over the years and I treasure them all. The fact that someone took the time to make something for me or for my baby makes me happy.
I have a difficult time donating handmade gifts. If I never used it or I can't remember who it's from, then it's easier. I have several baby blankets that friends and coworkers made that I can't get rid of. I still look at them and think of friends that I haven't seen in a while.
I'm a sentimentalist and a sucker for handmade gifts.
|
|
|
Post by disneypal on Apr 30, 2016 16:01:57 GMT
Yes I received handmade items...some I liked and some I wasn't as crazy about. A friend of mine made a cross-stitch of a lighthouse sitting on a cliff and I loved it and have it hanging in my house. Another friend made me a granny square afghan (one large granny square). I love that she made it for me but,,,, her favorite color is neon pink - the afghan is neon pink and grey and made with bulky yarn. It totally clashes with my decor and is very holey (she crochets very loosely - I love the thoughtfulness of the gift but I don't use it. I keep it in the top if the closet in the guest room. When she comes to visit, I take it out and put it on the foot of the guest bed. I have made baby blankets (crochet) to give as a gift at a baby shower. I have probably done that about 4 times, They seem appreciative and I have seen them out with the blanket so believe they are used. I made my mom and sister full sized afghans but neither one uses them as far as I can tell. I knitted my mom some dishcloths but she doesn't use them....she says they are too nice
|
|
|
Post by anxiousmom on Apr 30, 2016 16:03:27 GMT
This was one of my big concerns just this week. I have a cousin whose wife is pregnant and the family had a shower for her. I couldn't make it (which I hated-but car problems and a five hour drive don't mix well) and I sent a gift with my mom. I made something similar to below (just different fabrics more suited to her style) and I am worried that she won't like them because they are homemade. and another one with a similar pattern:
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Apr 30, 2016 16:04:19 GMT
I am very careful about who I make homemade gifts for. It's very much a situation where you want to know your audience. I put a lot of time and effort into my crocheted gifts and I want to make sure they are appreciated by the recipient.
|
|
|
Post by JustCallMeMommy on Apr 30, 2016 16:06:17 GMT
My exMIL crocheted several beautiful blankets for Alison. I used them and then I saved them for Alison's children.
My exGMIL did a number of full sized blankets that I wasn't crazy about. The colors just weren't choices I enjoyed. I think she more sent home extras than made them specifically for us. Those went with exH when he moved out.
|
|
|
Post by Patter on Apr 30, 2016 16:06:53 GMT
I have received and really liked whatever it was. I have also received and not liked/used it. I think if the person giving knows your taste you are more likely to be happy with it. Exactly that! I do crochet afghans for people and for babies. I always find out the nursery colors or the likes of the family before making an afghan for someone. The ones I have been given thus far have been WELL appreciated and loved. One family is going on years 2 and 3 of using the afghans I made the babies. As toddlers, the kids are still using them and now they speak of how Miss Patter made them for them.
|
|
|
Post by rst on Apr 30, 2016 16:07:01 GMT
A few months ago I had a thread about giving a quilt to a young couple as a wedding gift -- I'm close to the groom, had never met the bride. The peas were pretty much evenly split for and against giving a home made item to a bride not in one's family or closest circles. As it turned out, the young couple really love the quilt and have told me so repeatedly.
As for being the recipient -- yes, I've been given home made gifts, some I love, some I was very polite about but passed along fairly promptly. That's true of gifts in general. It's not the "handmade" aspect that dictated if I like and keep an item so much as the item itself. I admit to being not very sentimental about objects. However, I do tend to like things that are unique, have a story behind them, or which are a reflection of the person who made them, so I do have some bias toward liking the crafted items over something from World Market or Target.
|
|
|
Post by miominmio on Apr 30, 2016 16:08:29 GMT
Handmade gifts are definitely in the "know your audience" category, which is why I never, ever give a handmade gift unless the recipient at least have hinted that they want it. I knitrer sweaters for my niece and nephews a few years back, but that's only because they really wanted them (and picked the colours themselves). They wore those sweaters until there were holes in them, and then their cat got them for his bed (and he was even happier).
|
|
|
Post by compwalla on Apr 30, 2016 16:09:29 GMT
I have received handmade things and I love them. I have a knitted and lined kitty cat hat that I wear all the time during chemo and around the house when my noggin gets cold. I have received a few quilts from very dear friends that I take with me to infusion. They are treasured possessions. I can't say I've ever received something handmade I hated. Since I sew and quilt myself I know the work and love that goes into each piece.
But I also know not everyone appreciates that. There are people I love that I'd never make a quilt for because they wouldn't get it. If they'd be just as happy with a velour throw from kohls, they get a velour throw from kohls. I've heard of handmade quilts getting used as dog blankets. Um, fuck you if you do that. Such a person is not quilt worthy.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 2:18:23 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 16:12:42 GMT
My friend made me a country mouse for Christmas, her sewing skills are out of this world but it is so not my style. It's in a bag in a drawer and will probably never see daylight (I'm a bitch!).
I have crocheted things with the intention of giving them away as gifts but I always chicken out for fear that they will languish in a drawer unloved somewhere!
|
|
scrappinspidey2
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,511
Location: In the Parlor with the Fly
Mar 18, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
|
Post by scrappinspidey2 on Apr 30, 2016 16:17:56 GMT
My husbands grandmother liked to quilt. She hand quilted/tied all of them. They were the perfect weight and size. Problem was she sucked at colors. sometimes she managed to pull together some very interesting color combos, but most of the time you were left wondering if her eyesight was still intact. That said, we slept with the quilt she made us till my husband passed. The only reason I don't use it now is that it took a beating in the multiple moves and needs some repairs. It doesn't match anything I decorate with. I just appreciate the time that went into it and the fact its perfect weight etc for me. When she passed away, I was given the option to take some quilts she had left behind. I kept a nice blue one but I also took the one she made that had a square from every quilt she had made for family members. Its ugly as sin but I still kept it for the memories and again, its perfect As much as that woman hated me and my MIL, she is the reason I quilt and I enjoy it.
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Apr 30, 2016 16:39:49 GMT
A long time ago at a wedding shower I over heard someone making the comment that "I always cheap out" & make things for gifts rather than purchase something from a store Ouch! That one would hurt especially as much of the time handmade items end up costing more. I can see how that would put you off. I have a knitted and lined kitty cat hat that I wear all the time during chemo I just made a cat hat for someone I know having too! I did second guess myself on that, but it's small and doesn't have to go with anything and if she doesn't wear it at least it doesn't take up much room.
It's great to hear so many of them being used, I have to admit I was a bit sceptical.
I have very specific tastes and I'm happy to have some of my own handmade stuff around, I think I'd struggle a bit with someone else's that I wasn't expecting. My mother was into quilting for awhile and I did ask her to make me one and I love it and I hang it over the end of my bed:
I do change how I fold it and which colours are showing depending on the season. On the other hand I have a friend who quilts and as much as I love her, colours and attention to detail aren't her strong suit, I don't know how I'd handle it if I got a quilt from her. Although I did say to her that it's lucky my mother stopped quilting as I only have room for one and it would be such a waste to have another one that was just kept in a cupboard out of sight
|
|
|
Post by scrapmaven on Apr 30, 2016 16:58:34 GMT
The most treasured gifts I have are homemade. My sil crocheted a gorgeous afghan to match our sofas. She did some baby blankets, too when the kids were infants. Your gift recipients will love your blankets.
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Apr 30, 2016 17:05:11 GMT
Your gift recipients will love your blankets. Actually no, I'm really not thinking of making anything beyond the occasional hat or maybe a scarf for anyone - definitely not a blanket! I was just seeing all those posts from others about them giving blankets etc to people who aren't close family and genuinely curious about how well they were being received. I get making items for family because you are likely to know their taste and what they use, but for a co-worker's grandchild? That stuck me as a little strange if they didn't ask for it specifically. But then again...I might just be the only person who thinks it's strange!
|
|
|
Post by KelleeM on Apr 30, 2016 17:22:43 GMT
My niece knit an afghan for us as a wedding gift. I use it all the time and love it. Dd received 3 crocheted baby blankets and one quilt when she had her baby in January. In almost every picture she takes of the baby you see one of the blankets. She loves them all!
|
|
craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
|
Post by craftykitten on Apr 30, 2016 17:33:37 GMT
I think that because I am a 'crafty' person who makes a lot of stuff - no-one will make anything for me! My sister knits me socks and I LOVE them. I would much rather be given something that is useful rather than just decorative, we don't have space in our house to display things.
I have made a couple of baby blankets that were well received, one I know for sure has been well used. I try to enjoy the process and try not to get too attached to the finished piece. But I would probably be hurt if I discovered it had been used for the dog or given away, so I do try to choose my recipients carefully.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 2:18:23 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 17:37:57 GMT
I have several quilts and two croched throws as well as a few doilies my paternal grandmother made. They are amazing works that are completely hand sewn/stitched.
I also received many hand made items when ds was born.
I cherish them all and keep them clean and in good repair.
|
|
MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
|
Post by MsKnit on Apr 30, 2016 17:39:36 GMT
My mom knits and crochets. I have the blanket she knitted for me as a teen draped over the cedar chest at the foot of my bed.
My son has one that she crocheted for him. She chose colors that would go with his room. He grabs it all the time.
At present, I am having issues with all the baby blankets she gave me for the boy. I did use them and loved them. Now, they are just taking up space. I would like to give them away/donate them. But, I am feeling guilty about it. So the sit in my closet.
I will admit, my grandmother gave me a certain baby blanket. It was something she bought. But, she always bought this one particular one for any baby gift. She loved the delicate pattern so much. I won't give that one away for anything. So, I feel a bit guilty about not keeping the handmade ones from my mom.
My grandmother's blanket choice was so special, I have a brand new one. Well, I've had it for a number of years. But, it is brand new in the package. It's meant for my youngest sister when she has her first child.
As for making things for others...I made a hat for my husband. It was my second knitting project. It turned out well knit wise. But the thing was so long. It pulled clean down over his face and covered his neck. LOL!
My next project was a shawl for my MIL. She loved it. She displays it in the living room. I feel so bad for anyone who has to hear about the 'lovely gift M knitted just for me.'
She recently brought out a blanket she knit years ago. It is draped over the back of her couch. It's beautiful! I'm seriously hoping that I inherit it. What a treasure!
|
|
|
Post by Ramona on Apr 30, 2016 17:44:21 GMT
I love and appreciate a handmade gift. I used to sew, embroider, cross-stitch various gifts. I never learned how to knit or crochet. Now I don't think that far in advance to made things.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 2:18:23 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 18:10:19 GMT
My Aunie use to crochet things for me all the time when I was growing up and I've kept them all. She had skills so her work wasn't crap but it wasn't always my style, like the doilies she made me. The blanket though is something I used all the time. She also made me a purse but it's not something I would use either. I plan to just keep everything because I could never get rid of anything she's made me. Maybe one day I'll find a place to display things. You can join the doilies together into a shawl or small coverlet.
|
|