Another example of underappreciated crochet gifts

[mythunderbird]

i agree with sampler lady, my dd works at joanns and they have a super selection of new yarns and she is always bringing me something home to play with:wowdrool :wow drool:wowdrool the other day she brought me some macaroon yarn. is so pretty. like terrycloth with fun fur in it.:wow :wow vicki:woohoo

[LadyyOftheOak]

I must confess that until I started crocheting I was very unappreciative of crocheted gifts. When I was a child my Grandmother would make afghans and mittens and scarves and hats for everyone each Christmas. Way back then I thought it was so cheesy because it was her hobby and she didn't have to "go out of her way" to find us all something nice. ( I was really young please don't hurt me).

 

I am much older now and so is she. My children receive store bought items from her because she can no longer crochet like she used to. I MISS the mittens. I MISS the afghans and all the love and time she put into them. She is the reason I learned to crochet. I want my mittens back, lol.

 

This really reminded me of my grandmother who taught me to do crochet to begin with. I'd give anything to be able to sit with her and watch an old movie, sip cocoa and crochet together again. :)h I really dread the day when I'm old and my fingers will no longer let me do this

[Figmint77]

Now, he doesn't complain so much and when he does make a comment I say that I could always have a more expensive hobby, like video games or drinking!!

 

:rotfl

 

That is soo true! My sweety gets irritated with my yarn stash (because it takes up so much room in the spare closet), but the cost of his hobbies, and the room for them, is considerably more than mine. Maybe I should do what you did.

 

~Tricia

[hamlette2002]

I've been so lucky to have family that appreciates the time and money that goes into the work. When I told my daughter that I was making a scarf for her, she got very excited!

 

As far as knowing the worth of the work, I tallied up the time it would have taken me to make my MIL's mile-a-minute afghan. NOT COUNTING the one panel I had to take all the way back down to the foundation row (I'd accidentally made one cluster too many), and the staggered start it took to get me going, and the time CraftyChristine put in to help me figure out where I was going wrong - 40 total hours! Even pricing my time lower than minimum wage at $5/hour, plus materials, that would have been at LEAST a $225 afghan. As a Christmas gift, though, the "OMG, you MADE this?!? Oh, SHANNON!" was worth it all.

[MidnightandOreo]

I have to confess along with ZingyZoid that I have not always appreciated knitted/crocheted gifts I have received the way they deserved. I just never realized the cost of money and time that went into them-- especially because discount stores sell hats, mittens so cheaply. (I'd also like to plead young and clueless!)

 

I think I've decided to only give away things that are so one-of-a-kind the receiever won't be comparing it to something they've seen at Wal-Mart (I've seem patterns for some crocheted backpacks I think my neices will like) or things that are "personality selected" (my 11-year old nephew who was at the bookstore at midnight to pick up his Harry Potter book as soon as it went on sale would go crazy for a Gryffendor scarf).

[CraftyChristine]

<span style="font-family:comic sans ms; color:purple;">It's very hurtful when people you care about don't realize the time and love (not to mention money!) that you put in to a gift. Anyone can go to a store and pick up a mass produced gift. It takes talent and a lot of hours to crochet something (or knit, or quilt!)

 

A few years ago I made my first full sized quilt for my friends who were getting married. Not two weeks later he asked me "What did you get us again?" and I proceeded to take him in to their spare bedroom and show him the quilt I'd labored over laying on the floor soaked in their cats pee <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/worried.gif" />

 

Some people will never appreciate them...we can only be thankful for the ones that do!</span>

[Guest SamplerLady]

I think often, people who don't make anything don't realize that others do. The assume because they buy everything machine manufactured that everyone else does. They don't value what they buy so they don't value what others buy.

[Yarnmistress]

Handmade gifts are the absolute best to me! Unfortunately , when I was younger I didn't appreciate them as much. When I was about 5 or 6 I remember my grandmother making all our clothes and I hated looking like a little prairie girl with little bloomers under our dresses. I did like the blankets she made us though. It wasn't until I was around 8 that I truly started appreciated all the work my grandmother did. She taught me to crochet and I just remember it being so much fun. I still hated the prairie dresses and bloomers, but I enjoyed spending time with her and creating things.

 

Now I make things for both my girls and while they enjoy some things, they will tell me what isn't "cool". My oldest loves the hats and scarves and shawls, but my youngest hates the hats and shawls. She likes the scarf I made her and the teddy bear I made her. I think my youngest prefers when I sew her stuff with fleece and fabric instead of crocheting her things. My oldest is learning to crochet and she likes the different things she can make.

 

My oldest thinks I am the coolest mom because I can make her clothing and purses and scrunchies and stuffed animals. I learned of this when she showed me an entry she wrote in her school journal. She says all her friends are jealous because I can make her so much stuff. That totally made my day!

 

I did have one gift that was returned to me from a friend because it was crocheted. It broke my heart that she didn't appreciate it. She is a Gucci/Prada girl and I guess the item I made her didn't meet with her standards. Oh well!

[LadyyOftheOak]

I did have one gift that was returned to me from a friend because it was crocheted. It broke my heart that she didn't appreciate it. She is a Gucci/Prada girl and I guess the item I made her didn't meet with her standards. Oh well!

 

That's horrible.. you mean she had the nerve to actually give it back to you? that seems a bit tacky to me..

[buggaboosmommy]

I recently had an "unappreciated" experience. Remember the yellow and white baby layette I made? With the John Deere button? Well, it was for a mother in my daughter's class...her nephew had been very ill and had heart surgery. So, I sent the gift, nicely wrapped with a note home with the child's oldest sibling. That was about 2 1/2 weeks ago! STILL no note, no "hey I loved it", no "what in the world were you thinking". NOTHING. I'm so upset. The oldest sibling said she got it, but that's it! :mad

 

It just shows how ungrateful people can be these days. Some people just don't care.

 

Donna

[deneen]

I have to say I think people are just rude a**holes anymore. I always send thank you cards, call people, etc. My daughter had a birthday party last month, no one from her class RSVP'd and it was at Chuck E. Cheeses, so I needed a count. I ran into a few of the mothers who said "of course so and so is going, meant to call but forgot". One finally called for twins and then never showed, so I got charged for them!!

 

I would call the person you gave it to to make sure they received it--sometimes it takes people a long time to send a thank you card (yes, I know, the phone call is nice, but hey)

 

Put the recipient on the spot---------embarass them cause they should be embarassed!!

[Guest SamplerLady]

Put the recipient on the spot---------embarass them cause they should be embarassed!!

Is that kind of lowering oneself to the standards of the individual one is upset with?

[deneen]

Becky-

 

I don't think you are lowering yourself. I was taught to call or write thank you notes. I think people are so ignorant and rude today. They know better, I know they do. Perhaps they just need to be reminded. I'm not saying call em out on it, just call them and ask if they received the item. They'll be embarassed because they didn't even extend a thank you, whether they liked it or not.

 

Good manners never go out of style!

[ZingyZoid]

Buggaboo I remember that set it was awesome. That button, lol, loved it!:)h

 

I'm wondering though, did you give the set to the child who'd had surgery? It's always nice to get a thank you but maybe his mom's a little preoccupied? I'd give her a while before calling her on it.

[buggaboosmommy]

No, I didn't give the set directly to the mother of the sick child.

 

See, we live in a military community in Germany. The gift was for a family in the United States. The child is the nephew of one of the other moms in my daughter's class...confusing I know. But, I sent it to the mom and I expected at least a "thank you"...didn't expect more than a quick note saying hey, got it..thanks. Nothing fancy. It just upsets me that I put so much work and love in it. I don't know the family, or the child..just thought it would be nice I guess I just got my feelings hurt, you know?

 

Donna

[labcrazyland]

Buggaboo;

 

I am sure she is appreciative, but maybe she just hasnt had the time to come down from all that has gone on! After all it probably has only been a few days since she got it, since it sounds like it was sent initially form Germany? And plus, it is gonna take her some time to get a thank you back over seas.

 

It's always nice to know that something is appreciated, but I personally would consider her circumstances extenuating. I know if something happened like that to either of my boys, I would feel so blessed to know that I had you guys here thinking of me, and hoping you would understand if it took me a little time to get back to you on things!

 

After all, it's the thought that counts, and the fun should be in the giving , not just the recieving (or recieving of thank yous!)

 

I did think it was awfully beautiful, and very thoughtful of you!!!!! I hope she finds the time soon to get back to you, and calm some of your concerns.

 

Kelly

[buggaboosmommy]

I completely understand that the mother of the little boy has her hands full. What I am upset about is the lady I gave it to hasn't said anything about it! As I said, I don't know the mother of the sick little boy...I only know his aunt, whom lives here with me.

 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE giving..I mean my days are spent with the Soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, volunteering! But, I was brought up in the South where thank you's were just something you did without thinking about it! It was a way of life, and this lady..being from the South..I just thought she would have!

 

Oh well....here's to another day of packing...and packing..and packing! This move is nuts!

 

Donna

[labcrazyland]

Gotcha Donna! One WOULD think that at least the aunt could have said something!

 

That's awesome that you spend your time at the hospital!

 

Good luck with the move, I totally feel for you there! That's a pain!

 

Kelly

[viviskins]

Now, he doesn't complain so much and when he does make a comment I say that I could always have a more expensive hobby, like video games or drinking!!

 

I just finished cleaning off my key-board, I had to spew coffee when I read that! SO TRUE, welcome to my life :rollin

[Squarah]

Wow, I guess I'm lucky to have people that appreciate the things I make them. My mom shows off the crochet shrug I made her to everyone she knows! She never stops talking about it. She wore it when she took me to a yarn store while I was visiting, and she was beaming when all the knitters there admired the lacey design. She went on and on to them, "And she's only been crocheting for a month!" Maybe that's just because she's my mom....

[craftconnie1]

I have thirteen sister in laws all of whom now receive soap for Christmas because of rude comments or because of their belief homemade equals cheap gifts. Hubby says I'm too generous and he wouldn't give them anything (and their all his sisters!) When I'm selling at a craft sale and people want to haggle about the price I simply refuse. If they want the article they can pay my price, they can buy it else where, they can make it themselves or they can live without. Ive had people come back after pricing the yarn and buy for everyone on their list !!!!! Some people value you and your time and others don't. Some people deserve your gifts and others don't. I can rant about this forever but I do know there are some that love my work and they make it all worth while!!!!!

[tlisley]

<span style="font-family:comic sans ms; color:purple;">It's very hurtful when people you care about don't realize the time and love (not to mention money!) that you put in to a gift. Anyone can go to a store and pick up a mass produced gift. It takes talent and a lot of hours to crochet something (or knit, or quilt!)

 

A few years ago I made my first full sized quilt for my friends who were getting married. Not two weeks later he asked me "What did you get us again?" and I proceeded to take him in to their spare bedroom and show him the quilt I'd labored over laying on the floor soaked in their cats pee <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/worried.gif" />

 

Some people will never appreciate them...we can only be thankful for the ones that do!</span>

 

I would have died! I actually gasped when I read this! That's so disheartening...

[Carol]

I would have died! I actually gasped when I read this! That's so disheartening...

 

I moaned when I read that, CraftyChristine. I'm not as nice as you are; I think I probably would have ripped it out from under the cats and walked out the door with it! But I'm trying to remember to let karma take care of things like this in my life so I don't have to... And it always does, I might add.

 

We've all experienced this ignorance and lack of appreciation. I have learned to crochet only for those whom I know appreciate it (even when I see a pattern that I think is perfect for someone, I just don't bother, unless I know for a fact they love handmade items).

 

This is why we need to give our stuff to each other!!!

[craftybutterfly]

I agree! When we got together for Christmas, some relatives "hinted" that they would like me to make them some crocheted items but did not outright ask. I think I will offer to make the items but they have to pay for the yarn.

 

When I started requesting "customers" to buy the yarn they want said item made in, I found that I got a lot less "flack" about what I was charging. The only thing I ever charged was for the materials and a small fee to make it. MANY times, I took a "cut" too.

[craftybutterfly]

:)h I really dread the day when I'm old and my fingers will no longer let me do this

 

I know what you mean. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I wonder all the time "how much longer will I be able to do this". It's not a problem right now, and I"m hoping it never becomes a problem. But there that chance....what would i do if i can't crochet??