Saturday, August 4, 2007

Did you knit that?

Yesterday I was out running errands on my lunch break (wearing this) and someone asked…

"Did you knit your little top?"

"Yes, I did."

"It's cute."

I thought about this all day yesterday because it actually bugged me. It bugged me because this lady didn't know I was a knitter so why would she ask if I knit my top? It made me feel like my top looked homemade. I don't want my clothes to look homemade. It brought my knitting confidence down a bit…

I mean, it's one thing when a friend of family member says, "Hey, did you knit that?" — They know you well enough and know you are a knitter and they actually expect you to say, "Yes." (Actually, if someone that knows I'm a knitter asks me if I knit something and I didn't I almost feel like a sell-out but that is a whole other story!).

What I'm getting at here is as a pretty experienced knitter I want someone to stop me in my tracks and say…

"Love that! Where did you get it?"

"Oh thanks, it was a lot of fun to make."

"You mean… you knit that???"

"Yes I did. I love to knit."

"Wow! I thought it like cost a small fortune or something! Very cool!"

I don't think this is this is too much to hope for, do you? I mean, do you hear me knitters??? ;)

13 comments:

peaknits said...

I hear you! :) I often have people comment on my socks and when I volunteer that I made them they look at me like I am crazy - they just don't get it:)

Anna Maria Parry said...

Don't worry, the top is darling. I've been asked that several times in regards to some really expensive sweaters that I bought. Makes me wish I had knit them. The handmade quality of your stuff is a desirable attribute even for clthing companies to acquire.
best. thanks for your visits and sweet comments to my blog :)
xo,AM

Knitserland said...

Like you, I would have been totally insulted by that:( Maybe the person who asked was a knitter too, and they just had a way of knowing it wasn't a store bought, massed produced top. Maybe she recognized the high quality and attention to detail and awesome fit and knew it was made just for you.

Isn't it funny how we knit and sew for enjoyment not looking for praise but, at the end of the day, totally want that praise?

Hopefully she was envious and jealous and just isn't good at expressing herself. Many people I meet don't express themselves clearly:)

Keep knitting and smile knowing she will never be the proud recipiant to one of your handknits!

Lovemook said...

Oh, I get you. At the end of the day the most important thing is that YOU know the top looks awesome, and yes, we want praise, but consider the source. You want praise from people who know what they are talking about.

Galadriel Thompson said...

Yeah, no sweat doll. I get asked that all the time about Isobel's clothes, and they ain't cheap. I don't like the look of most homemade stuff. But I would wear what you make in a heartbeat!
hugs

Anonymous said...

maybe she was asking if you knit it because if you said you didnt, then she may have wanted to go and buy one like it and find out the store name you got it from?

Susan B. Anderson said...

I am sure your top is beautiful. Don't let a comment like that bring you down about your knitting. I have that too where people think I knit everything I wear and then I have to say I bought it at Target or something. That always makes me laugh. People also think I bake everything from scratch to bring to potlucks. Are knitting and baking related? What's that about?
Boy, I had some catching up to do on your blog. Love the Wenlan Chia sweater. That yarn looks delicious. I have been meaning to start something from that book. I didn't know about the errors, so thanks. Your chick is cute and those hats are gorgeous. The Stitch Diva is lucky to have you!

Anonymous said...

Let's go with the theory that she is a knitter herself (perhaps even has a knitting blog)! Yep, I like that theory. :)

hook and needle said...

I totally get what you are saying. With the blankets I've been doing lately, it's actually sort of the opposite... people assume I've bought them, which hurts my feelings - these are not some $15 Carter blankets, yo! Lots of effort went into these! Hopefully she's a knitter herself. The top is too cute.

Knitterella said...

Hey Peeps! Glad I've got some good company here! :)

I do also feel that sometimes you want it to look handmade. Like baby gifts. I often want those to look handmade because they exude so much love!

Thanks for stop'n by!
Jill

tricia said...

I think she asked because it is totally cute and you can't just go out and buy that kind of cuteness so it must have been made.....i'm sure it was a complement!:)

a friend to knit with said...

No, not to the summer tunic! She MUST be a knitter.........I so get you though, I recently had someone ask me what I was sewing as I sat there knitting..........Come on people..........:)

peaknits said...

Wait - seriously, last night I was in bed and it dawned on me - maybe this woman who asked if you knit your top asked because it was so awesome, she was sure it couldn't have been store bought. Maybe she was a knitter and was giving you a compliment rather than how it was perceived? Just had to share that - why I am thinking of these things in bed - totally beyond me. :)