I used to love the autumn/winter collections, all chunky knitwear and cosy accessories. But now, when I walk through the shops all I can think is "But I could make that". Never mind the fact that I have plenty of projects on the go at the moment, and I am not an octopus with knitting needles [side note: how cool would that be - 4 projects going simultaneously!]... So I'm not going to be making all of the things I see out there.
But I still can't bring myself to buy them.
If I'm honest, part of it is because I enjoy showing off my finished garments to friends/colleagues/that guy walking his dog/etc... I don't want to be wearing knitwear and have them ask if I made it and have to say no!
Just as an example, I really like this top from Next... There are loads of gorgeous chunky knits in all of the shops, as well as finer gauge items like this, but I just can't buy them.
The high street is ruined I tell you *laughs*
Ha! I love this!!
ReplyDeleteI do this too. Of course the reality is, if I started making one now, it would be finished by the time the weather was getting warmer again!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, although I know that I don't have the skill yet to knit the things I like. But I do look at woolen garments of all sort and thing about the size needles, the weight of yarn, how pleasant it would be to knit that...
ReplyDeleteWhaha I totally know what you mean! Just the other day I saw an amazing collection of chunky cowls in a store and I already had my hand reached out to them when I thought: 'Wait a minute, I recognize that pattern; I could totally make this myself for like half the cost!' :D
ReplyDeletexo,
wink
So true! I feel the same way:)
ReplyDeleteI am going to challenge myself to make a cardigan, hopefully I will get to the end before spring! I do agree that a lot of things I think "I could make that" often followed by, "out of nicer yarn"! :D
ReplyDeleteI totally have the same experience!!
ReplyDelete–Cassandra
Oh gosh, I know what you mean, especially since I started dressmaking as well. It really makes it difficult to go shopping!
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of a knitting octopus, btw. How useful would that be?!
For me it's not even the fact that I could make them; it's the fact that I can tell you bad the quality is. So much of the stuff out there is made with crappy acrylic and really bad construction that I can't seem to make myself spend money on something that I would be ashamed to say I made!
ReplyDeleteOoo, that's a lovely sweater. By the way, the "proper" answer to, "Did you make that?" (if you haven't) is "No, but I could have!" =)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! But then I don't always knit the kind of sensible things that I wear. I need to discipline myself this year. More sensible knitting.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not making a knitted dress!
I do the same thing! I guess many knitters do. But the flip side of the "problem" is that people start asking if everything I wear is something I knitted, lol. And I have to keep saying "no, I didn't make this!"
ReplyDeleteI think the same thing but then I remind myself that no, I'm never going to knit myself a fine gauge argyle sweater for myself. So I just break down and buy it.
ReplyDeleteIt happens too all if us. I have to try not to stare at people while on public transit. It seems unnerving to most people.
ReplyDeleteI had this EXACT conversation with myself today! There were loads of things I really liked and some I would never have the time/patience to knit (fine knit poncho etc) but I still couldn't bring myself to try anything on!!!!)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about crochet items. It's compounded by the fact that crochet has to be done by hand so I always wonder about the fair treatment of the workers behind crochet garments that are sold in big stores. A little different with knit, but I hear ya!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, but if the price is right I'll buy knitwear anyway. I don't have time to knit EVERYTHING I want, and sometimes you just want that cute cardigan made of yarn too fine to knit with, ya know?
ReplyDeleteOK, now I sound defensive. LOL
Yep, I do the same thing. Which is why I hate buying shoes. I really resent the fact that I can't make them.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I wear a store bought sweater someone asks me if I knit it! Sometimes I just say yes to save time, LOL!
ReplyDelete