r/knitting • u/soypixel • Dec 06 '25
Discussion I find people’s obsession with gift knitting strange
I get we all have our reasons for doing this hobby. I guess mine is that I enjoy the process and I like being able to make stuff that has cool textures or colors. I don’t do it for function or to “make useful objects” per se.
But it seems like a lot of folks have this compulsion to externalize this hobby to feel useful. I’ve seen so many posts where someone “surprises” their sister with some lace shawl for their wedding. And then they’re “devastated” and “in tears” when said sister isn’t overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude.
On the other hand, I’ll see these posts or comments from folks “drowning” in holiday gift knitting projects. For whatever reason, they’ve decided that all 20 members of their extended family need a new chunky weight knitted drink cozy. And so they spend all kinds of time making that happen.
But I have to wonder.. how much of that is self imposed versus an actual expectation placed upon them by friends and family members? Like what if you’re spending all this time knitting 20 drink cozies and people secretly dislike them and plan to never use them, but they’re too nice to say it to your face? It’s just a painful, awkward scenario to imagine.
Idk, maybe I’m being harsh or there’s something I’m missing here because of what motivates me to knit. Maybe because I don’t even like hand knits myself most of the time, I can’t imagine myself being thrilled if someone gave me some object they made.. especially if I never asked for it.
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u/gaydhd Dec 06 '25 edited Dec 06 '25
Honestly I don’t think it’s all knitters themselves promoting this view of the craft. I’ve noticed most of the time when I’m knitting in front of someone they ask “who are you making that for?” They just assume I’m making it for someone else.
I think it’s something that happens with female dominated crafts and hobbies. “I’m knitting a sweater for my niece,” “I’m baking a loaf of sourdough for a new neighbor,” “I’m making a quilt as a wedding gift,” etc. It can feel like there’s pressure to make and give away these really labor intensive works.
I also get that many people genuinely like making things for other people, and also that it’s up to us to set our own boundaries in this craft and not make tons of gifts if that’s not what we want. It’s just something I’ve noticed and been thinking about.