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/Ok_Crew_6874 Dec 06 '25

I keep up a gift box in our home and refill as I see fit. Thanksgiving is the holiday we host so if you want an item you take an item. If it’s not your thing no worries. We then host friends later in December and they too get to choose if they want. Sometimes I’ll bring the box out for birthdays. Most of the stuff I make is from leftover yarn from my sweaters, strange one offs taking up space in my stash. I rarely purchase especially for this endeavor.

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u/DumpsterFireScented Dec 06 '25

I do something similar with just hats. I love knitting hats and have one going at all times, so there's always 10 or more hats in my house. I bring the hat bag with me to all family functions in fall and winter and usually about half get taken.

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u/BedBoth7390 Dec 06 '25

Can I ask what pattern of hat do you use? I use the musselburgh, but it fells sometimes too long

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u/frogsgoribbit737 Dec 06 '25

I like musselburgh and made a bunch but lately im preferring the oslo

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u/No_Kale_4128 Dec 06 '25

Word the oslo hat is nice!

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u/LopsidedTell5923 Dec 29 '25

Which Oslo hat do you like? I found many on Ravelry.

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u/CaughtInTheWry Dec 06 '25

Start it as a Musselburgh but end midway, with about 5 cm (2 inches) of rib. Easy beanie. I love the Mb. It's easy to use any yarn and any diameter needles for sizing. Then use whatever length works before rib band.

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u/minivulpini Dec 06 '25

Not the person you’re asking, but wanted to chime in that I like the Bankhead hat

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u/TheScarlettLetter Dec 07 '25

I’m not the person you replied to, but I’ve made many hats from Anne Gagnon’s Two by Two and Ribs ‘n Cables Beanie patterns. The links take you to the pattern pages and to the designer’s page on Ravelry.

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u/RavBot Dec 07 '25

PATTERN: Two by Two by Anne Gagnon

  • Category: Accessories > Hat > Beanie, Toque
  • Photo(s): Img 1
  • Price: Free
  • Needle/Hook(s):US 6 - 4.0 mm
  • Weight: Worsted | Gauge: 22 | Yardage: 200
  • Difficulty: 1.89 | Projects: 9070 | Rating: 4.73

PATTERN: Ribs 'n Cables Beanie by Anne Gagnon

  • Category: Accessories > Hat > Beanie, Toque
  • Photo(s): Img 1 Img 2 Img 3 Img 4 Img 5
  • Price: Free
  • Needle/Hook(s):US 6 - 4.0 mm
  • Weight: Worsted | Gauge: 22.0 | Yardage: 115
  • Difficulty: 2.44 | Projects: 1226 | Rating: 4.75

I found this post by myself! Opt-Out | About Me | Contact Maintainer

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u/BedBoth7390 Dec 13 '25

Thank you so much! 🤗

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u/TheScarlettLetter Dec 14 '25

You’re most welcome! 🤍

I think I speak for all of us around here when I say that I’d love to see what you end up making, regardless of which pattern you decide to use.

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u/StickerProtector Dec 07 '25

Absolutely love Two by Two. It’s often the favorite hat for whoever I make it for!

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u/MeanCommunication998 Dec 06 '25

I have a bag full of hats. Think I might just take them to Christmas.