I really struggle to write for a knitting blog when nearly everything I am knitting is a stealth project. It sort of leaves me with nothing to talk about except cooking unless you really want to hear about computer shopping. I didn’t think so.

I’ve been trying out new recipes lately. Most of them are met with a complete lack of enthusiasm on the part of SmallFry, the Finicky. Tonight was a different story. I tried out another recipe from Crockpot365 called Marmalade Curry Chicken. I served it with rice and fresh green beans. I was skeptical about the kids liking it since I discovered it was a bit spicy when I did my taste test. However, Sir Finicky gobbled every single bite and asked for more. (I confess that my first thought was “Did I forget to feed him lunch?”) The whole family absolutely loved it. Thanks for saving dinner, Stephanie.

So you won’t think this has turned into a cooking blog, how about a little knitting-related content. Labor Day is gone so summer is over in the eyes of most people. It’s time to start thinking about that holiday knitting. If you are like me, you don’t have time to knit for everyone on your gift list. You have probably also discovered that not everyone on your gift list is “knit-worthy”. In order to help you narrow down your holiday knitting list, I compiled a helpful rating system for determining if a person on your gift list deserves a hand knitted gift this year.

Criteria for Determining Knit-worthiness

1. Has graciously accepted knitted gifts in the past. +10
2. Is not especially conscientious with their laundry. -10
3. Rolled their eyes when receiving a knitted gift in the past. -25
4. Regards a hand knitted gift as a cheap gift. -100
5. Appreciates the time involved in hand-crafted items, even if they’re not exactly their favorite color. +25
6. Has given you yarn as a gift. +25
7. Has expected you to knit them something from the yarn they gave you as a gift. -35
8. Knows the difference between cheap acrylic and high-quality wool. +25
9. Realizes that a knitter can never have too much yarn or too many needles. +100
10. Has contemptuously said “I don’t have the time for THAT”, when observing your knitting. -45
11. Has ever said, “You should sell that; I bet you could get $50 for it.” in reference to an intricate, beaded lace shawl.-100
12. Has said “It itches” when trying on a hand knit item. -10
13. Has immediately tried on a hand knitted gift. +50
14. Has showed hand knitted gifts to others. +50
15. Has given you a knitting related item that you actually wanted as a gift. +50
16. Is a close relative. +10
17. Has complimented a knitted item you have worn. +25
18. Is an elderly relative. +10
19. Has sold a hand knitted item they received as a gift at a yard sale or donated it to Good Will. -50
20. Has said “You should have done ______ differently” or “You made a mistake here” when seeing a hand knit item. –75

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Scoring
<25 points Totally Unworthy Get this person’s gift at the mall and save your knitting time for someone more worthy.

25-75 points Slightly Unworthy Unless he/she is a close relative, your best friend or has some redeeming quality that can make you forget their knitting-ignorance, you can save yourself the effort on this person too. Don’t knit something too labor intensive, however, because the gift might find its way to the thrift store.

75-100 points Neither worthy nor unworthy Knit at your discretion. They may appreciate it or them may think you were just too cheap to buy them a “real” gift.

100-150 points Mostly Knit-worthy This person’s appreciation for the knits makes them worthy of a hat, gloves or other small project. Use washable yarn though because they will ruin it otherwise.

>150 points Totally Knit-worthy Knit this person a sweater. They will squeal with delight when they open your package and oooooh and aaaaahhhhh over every single stitch. They will cherish anything you knit from the simplest hat to the most complicated Fair Isle sweater. They will hand wash each item and lovingly store in it moth proof storage containers far, far away from the destructive paws of pets or children. They would never consider parting with your beautiful knitting and they will wear your gift proudly, even when it’s too hot for wool.

I hope you find this table helpful in deciding on your holiday knitting.

Disclaimer: This questionnaire has absolutely no scientific value whatsoever and is intended purely for fun.

Finally, some photos. I released a couple of new patterns and a new ebook this week.

Ailish Sock

A sweet, lace cuff ankle sock knit from the cuff down and featuring a wide toe. The pattern contains 5 sizes for infant through adult.
$5.00

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Owen Hat

A simple but fun-to-knit cabled hat in four sizes from infant through adult.
$5.00

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Aragorn’s Traveling Accessories

An ebook collection of multi-sized patterns including Aragorn Hat, Aragorn Fingerless Gloves, Aragorn Scarf and Aragorn Socks.

$12.00

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