I crocheted this shawl for my friend Sivia using Kid Silk Haze and Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn, with big fat red glass beads. I’m very happy with how it turned out. The pattern is one of my favourites; it’s by Doris Chan, from the 2004 issue of Interweave Crochet. I’ve made it a few times in different yarns, and it always looks wonderful.
If you are a knitter you may be familiar with Sivia’s work, and it will seem redundant to you that I decided to make her a beaded shawl. But I happen to know that she doesn’t really crochet, so I figured that in that way, I could make her something she wouldn’t have made for herself.
Besides, I really enjoy receiving things people have made for me which give me a glimpse into how they see me and what they think of me, and I thought this would be that sort of gift.
And… who appreciates a knitted or crocheted gift more than a knitter or crocheter? They know what’s gone into it! Sivia seemed very surprised and happy, she said no one ever knits her things.
Or am I wrong? If you are a knitter or crocheter, do you think “Oh, I could have just made that for myself” if the gift is not terribly complex or time-consuming? I’d like to know… especially if you are a friend of mine… 
13 Comments
I love it! I think it’s awesome! Everyone can make my stuff…trust me…
Its beautiful! I don’t know any knitter/crocheter that turns down a beautiful hand made gift.
It’s wonderful to receive a thoughtful handmade gift even if it is something you theoretically could have made yourself. Lots of people don’t have (or take) the time to make beautiful things just for themselves. Besides, anybody who knows exactly what goes into a handmade gift and doesn’t appreciate it is an ingrate.
(just want to make clear that I’m not assuming Sivia is among the ingrates, but rather that she is among those who do this for a living and thus have less time to make things just for themselves. I bet she’s going to love it).
are you kidding? who better than a fellow freak to appreciate the work that went into it…and it’s extra special if you’ve done something they don’t usually do or can’t do very well.
it’s gorgeous.
I realized the other day how little I keep of the things I knit (most being gifts) and how nice it would be to receive something knit by someone else….
Absolutely gorgeous shawl by the way.
beautiful!
What a perfect little shawl! I think knitters appreciate the work that goes into handmade gifts – I know I would!
Beeyootiful. And if Sivia says she loves something, she does. That woman is sweetness personified.
It rocks to be knit for or crocheted for by someone else whose talents (and self) you respect and love, no matter how simple the project.
–Lee Ann
It’s beautiful! I think that knitters and crocheters appreciate handmade gifts more because they understand the time that it takes to make something. I always knit gifts for my knitter friends- you can be funky and they appreciate it!
lurvely shawl!
as a knitter, i’d love to receive a knitted or crocheted gift! knowing that someone was thinking of me while making it is really touching
Gifts that are hand made for you just make you feel cared for, and a special. Who’d turn that down?
The shawl really is beautiful.
And I agree– I am touched when someone knits or crochets something for me, even if I could have done it better myself. I taught a friend to knit, and he made me a gigantic scarf with dropped stitches and all sorts of unintentional features– ten years later, I still cherish it.
I found you randomly blog hopping, and I have to ask, where did you get that DRESS FORM?