put your red on
You know how some people are just good to knit for?
Well, maybe we should address first those people who aren’t. Those people who get a handmade gift and set it aside or stuff it in a drawer; who don’t recognize the love and labor that went into it. Or who grumble that it’s not as good — as perfectly symmetrical or as neatly pressed or as easily washable — as a machine-made store-bought version.
Fuck those people. Never make them anything else, ever again. They do not deserve it.
But then there’s the people who not only (1) recognize what it takes (the expense, the thoughtfulness, the hours of your labor creating hundreds of tiny stitches, or seams, or bits of glued macaroni) to make and share handmade gifts, but also (2) really, really appreciate it. Those are the people you just want to keep giving stuff to.
Do it. They deserve it.
Years ago, my fabulous friend Michelle was so excited when I made her a simple garter-stitch scarf that she blurted out, “Oh my god it looks like you got it at K-Mart!” Which was her hilarious way of saying that she was impressed. Okay, maybe you have to know Michelle to understand how that’s a compliment — she’s kind of a weirdo. But the point is that, since then, I’ve made her a bunch of stuff, and will continue to make her bunches of stuff until she tells me to knock it off. Because she’s just one of those people that it’s a joy to make stuff for.
And so is my brother-in-law, Nate. Two years ago, I made him a colorwork hat with a secret Star Wars-themed lining and, when I gave it to him, I swear to freaking Yoda that he was so jazzed that he teared up a little. And then wore it around the house all day. Seriously, dude? That wins you handknits for LIFE. So the following year, I gave him a photograph for Christmas.
This is hockey legend George Hay, who played Detroit hockey in the 1920s and 30s. He played for the Cougars before they became the Falcons, and the Falcons before they became the Red Wings. And — the important part for me — he and his teammates wore some seriously badass sweaters.
14 months later, I mailed this to Nate in Denver.
pattern: Seamless Hybrid, from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Without Tears
yarn: Louet Riverstone (from Hello Yarn), and Cascade 220
[raveled]
There’s not much I can say about the simplicity or perfectness of Zimmermann’s pattern that hasn’t already been said by Caro or Jared or — in a post that might make you cry — JulieFrick. I just added some stripes and block letters into the mix.
The Wings are headed to Denver soon to play the Avalanche. And Nate will be at the game wearing his sweater, even if, when it shows up at his door tomorrow, it turns out to be 3 sizes too big or too small, or the wool makes him break out in an itchy rash, or Mail Moths from outer space gnawed it to pieces in transit. Because that’s just the kind of dude he is. And why there’s loads of handmade prezzies in his future.
NOTE: Big, big thanks to Julia and Adrian for sharing their dye-setting wisdom — they two formed a thin woolly line between Nate and a blotchy pink sweater.
ANOTHER NOTE: ATTN: NATE! HAND WASH! COLD WATER! LAY FLAT TO DRY!
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Yes! My wonderful friend Beth has won hand-knits for life.
LOVE the sweater. The colors are so crisp!
February 5th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
This is so amazing!!! You rock.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
So I have really admired this sweater since you first put it on Ravelry and have contemplated duplicating (somewhat.. wrong team.. perfect jersey) this feat of knitting generosity for my best friend who is a huge hockey fan. My main qualm has been the bleeding of colour into the beautiful white. Is it possible for you to share the words of wisdom of Adrian and Julia with a soul such as myself :). Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, again, I super love this sweater and I think you are awesome to have made this for your brother in law. Anyways. that’s all I got! Have a good day!
Cheers,
Leah
February 5th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
This sweater is so freaking amazing. I love it!
February 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I sent my sister some Fiddlehead Mittens…didn’t hear anything for a while. Then it was winter and she reports that she wears them all the time. Even though she knits herself I always give all my best knits to her. She understands. She is deserving.
I love throwbacks, and yours is the bomb.
February 5th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I completely agree with buying things for people who do not appreciate hand-made things. It’s not worth my time or the crushing disappointment of knowing the gift isn’t loved.
The Detroit sweater is awesome and I’m sure he’s really happy it isn’t blotchy and pink.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
*close jaw*
Duuuuuuuuuuuude. That’s awesome. Awe-some.
February 5th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
omg the sweater is awesome!
February 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Wow!!! That is an amazing sweater!
February 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
What lucky friends! I wish I had a knitter in my life (or for that matter - people to knit FOR). It’s good to hear from you!
February 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
That sweater ROCKS!!! Amazing! You are an excellent gift-giver.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
aw.
February 5th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I don’t like hockey and I’m not from Detroit, but I would totally rock out in a cardiganized version of this. Nate sounds very deserving!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Beautiful post and beautiful sweater…what a lucky guy!!
February 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Gorgeous and delightfully perfect
February 5th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I’m glad that he deserves it - it is superb! I’ve been pondering the reverse of the boyfriend curse. One of the signs that my husband was a keeper was that he appreciates all hand made goods. People should test out potential significant others to see whether they are on the same page.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Ah yes, I have a friend like this - I knit her the simplest ever pair of wristwarmers and she did not shut up about them for THREE YEARS. She told everyone about them, bragged about them, thanked me a hundred times over - so when she emailed me one day from halfway across the country to tell me (so sorrowfully) that she’d lost one, I had no qualms whatsoever in knitting her another pair.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
God how fucking fantastic–that is the ultimate throwback jersey!!
February 5th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
That sweater is so sweet.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
That.Is.AWESOME!!!!
February 5th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
That is such a beautiful sweater, I am blown away! And congrats on having found such a deserving knit-gift recipient. If only there were more like him.
Oh, and I, too, would appreciate knowing about how to keep the dye from bleeding, if you don’t mind sharing on here at some point.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:32 am
I totally agree about the awesomeness of the seamless hybrid. It’s magic. And yours is even better than awesome.
February 6th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Oh my, that is an incredible sweater, gorgeous and your comments on people who don’t deserve handmade gifts made chuckle out loud.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Beautifully knit sweater. Nate will treasure it!
February 6th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Sweet! I love the retro-y goodness. Nate sounds like a good egg.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:34 am
This renews the thought that I’d like to knit Seamless Hybrids for all the good gift recipients in my life. You kicked ass on this one, Pam. Knocked it outta the ballpark. Or in hockey terms, no-look slammed it five-hole.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:49 am
WOW. That’s amazing!
February 6th, 2009 at 9:02 am
I love that story! And what a completely awesome thing to do for him–I bet he is totally geeked about it!
February 6th, 2009 at 9:33 am
As others have already said, that is awesome!! Incredible sweater, and wonderful story!
February 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
You totally rock
I love those people who love handknits & thankfully I am blessed to have 3, my husband, my cousin & my FIL. THey will get handknits for life. My SIL once let my 6 month old niece teeth on a lace cashmere scarf I had spent 3 months working on, totally ruining it. She is off the list forever.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Man, this sweater is So. Cool.!! Great job - and I’m with you on who deserves handknits.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Fabulous WINGs game sweater! Okay, guess what my next project is going to have to be…?!? My hub has the same pic!
Say, you *do* know about KnitMichigan tomorrow?
http://www.knitmichigan.com/
Maybe see ya there!
Lori in Troy
February 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Beautiful sweater! I need that book… I’d love to see Nate in the sweater, if you can.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I never comment, but being from Michigan myself I would be remiss in not complimenting your beautiful, thoughtful gift. What a lucky brother-in-law, and what an awesome sweater. Go Wings!
February 6th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
even though i am an avs fan this is so. freakin. cool. well done!
February 6th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
The sweater is perfect, Pam. Lucky Nate!
February 6th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Amazing!
February 6th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
seriously awesome sweater!! so what is it you did to prevent the red from running into the white?
February 6th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Wow. That’s an awesome sweater. So awesome it makes me wish I liked sports.
I’m with you about making things for others. When I started getting into knitting and sewing a few years ago, I was so in love with my books and my needles that when my friend would ask what I’d been up to, I’d tell her about my latest project and watch her eyes glaze over. But when I finished something I was really proud of, something that had taken me a long time (and a lot of cursing) to plan and create, then…then it was like, “Let’s go to the fabric store and I’ll pick out some fabric and you can make me a shirt.” Um, I don’t think so. I don’t think she understood the amount of time that I had to put into it. But now she seems genuinely interested in my projects….
February 6th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I’m a Red Wings fan, and an even bigger fan of old fashioned hockey sweaters. I bet my brother and my son would both love a Leafs sweater, I know I would love a Red Wings one! I had better start buttering up my mother so she might agree to knit for us. haha
February 7th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Go REDWINGS! I think the sweater turned out great. I am RED with envy that your BIL gets to wear such a great sweater. May the “wool gods” spare him from any itching or moth attacks.
February 7th, 2009 at 7:05 am
That sweater is the bomb! I don’t even say the bomb.
Man that is gooooooooooooooooood.
cheerio.
February 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Really amazing !! Good job !
February 7th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
you are the coolest ever! love the sweater!!
February 7th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Oh, yes…my husband and my sister-in-law are both on the “good to knit for” list. I will knit them anything their hearts desire. There are a few people on the “never again” list, too, but they shall remain unnamed.
That sweater is totally full of awesome. I love it like crazy. I’m glad it’s going to such a deserving recipient!
February 7th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Amen Sista! My MIL, with whom I do not get along, is so very knit-worthy that our relationship has improved over the years. Knitting heals. And for those who do not appreciate it, bah!
Your sweater is truly amazing. What a thoughtful gift for a deserving guy.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
possibly MOST AMAZING SWEATER EVER! i loves it.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
This sweater is awesome!
Am I reading correctly, did it take you 14 months? I ask because I have been working on a throwback Bruins sweater for the boy (who since then has become “the fiance”) since September, and I’m still not done! I was supposed to have it done before the season started.. now I’m hoping to have it done before the season ends!
February 7th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I’m looking at this again and wondering how you did the block letters…. intarsia in the round? Duplicate stitch? However you did it, it looks amazing
February 8th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
That sweater is so cool, Pam!
And you are so sweet.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
dude, you are so awesome to make this for Nate, and it’s really amazing. I love having people to knit for who really appreciate it - my twin sis has been getting sweaters from me since I first started knitting, and even though she’s gotten some real stinkers, she loves them all.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
yay - so glad to see it finished! that sweater really is made of awesome. may the wings decimate the aves in its wooly presence.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I am happy to report that his amazing new RW sweater fits perfectly! It’s the only thing that has put a smile on his face in the past day and a half… on account of the icky crud he picked up on ski trip. I’m sure he’ll feel like getting up off the couch soon to thank you himself. But until then, know that through the hacking cough, achy joints, stuffy head, and runny nose, you got a big smile.
February 10th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I agree with never knitting for those that don’t appreciate it. I get the Kmart comment - - something that looks professional. My boyfriend is the most fun person for me to knit for because he gets ecstatic about socks and mittens. He says the socks feel like they are massaging his feet.
That is a killer sweater. I have yet to experience the perfection of that pattern, but I will. Someday. When the other 1000 things in my queue ease up.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
You are one cool. ass. sister-in-law.
February 11th, 2009 at 6:25 am
O-M-G
That is so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(and yes, you do have to be careful who you knit for for sure!)
February 11th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Wow! So much love in this post. I totally agree with you.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Holy cow.. that sweater is frakkin AWESOME. And yes, those are definitely the types you ALWAYS want to make stuff for. So do tell, the block letters.. intarsia? Was it hard? I’m scared of it.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Pam,
Thank you so much!!! I have not worn it out in public yet, but it already has a following out here in Avalanche country. I showed this site to my friend Tony and he’s passed it along to our other Red Wings fans in Denver. All are very impressed and awfully jealous. To get a genuine emotion out of Tony is a rarity, but he stared at your photos like someone lamenting that fact that they didn’t have someone in their life as thoughtful and talented enough to make them such an awesome gift.
We already have our tickets for the next Wings game out here and I can’t wait to walk into the Pepsi Center wearing your sweater. It is EXTREMELY WARM!!! which is a good thing because I don’t want to cover it up with a jacket.
Thanks again, you totally rock!
Nate
February 15th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
HOLY SHIT. That sweater is really amazing, and from me, that’s saying a lot. I’ve been toying around with the idea of making my dad a similar sweater, except modeled after the BLACKHAWKS jerseys.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
That hockey sweater is totally great. What a thoughtful gift—but also, it’s a great sweater; your knitting looks so perfect. (I can never get my knitting—or the “fit”–so nice.)
March 4th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
BF #1 - No handknit, handmade item. Ever. BF #2 - Unlimited handknits for life. Period. (Yes “best” implies “singular” - but I have two. Don’t judge.)
March 5th, 2009 at 1:14 am
I sat next to that sweater at the Avalanche game in the U of M/ Red Wings cheering section. Grew up with hockey in Detroit. Would pay for a copy if you are willing. Email me please!
charles
March 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Thank you. I just had my self esteem stomped on by some parents who have a sweet little girl I really wanted to knit for.