Did You Offer To Knit Sam a Blanket?
Thoughts on gifting time-expensive knits
Last night I streamed a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. If you haven’t heard, I’m a fan of Outlander. I thought it would be fun to lounge on the couch, knit, and listen to Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas chat about their new movie, among other things.
Welp, friends, it’s that “other things” that caught my ear.
And maybe not in the best way….
Andy led a segment where he grilled Priyanka and Sam about texting and Instagram and all things textual. (His word, not mine.)
I couldn’t tell if Sam’s responses were genuine or just a bit of fun. (I wouldn’t blame him if he fabricated his answers; most of the questions were intrusive, at best.)
But one answer caught my attention. The question was about what types of comments or photos Sam receives in his Instagram DMs (Direct Messages). He replied, somewhat dismissively, that it was mostly women offering to “knit him a duvet or cook him dinner.”
My first thought was, “I guess I should reconsider my plan to DM him an offer to knit him kilt socks.”
But after a bit, I got to thinking. The way he described those ladies’ offers led me to believe that Sam Heughan has absolutely no idea what goes into knitting an entire blanket.
Right now, list out loud—or in your head if you’re in a public space—all of the people in your life for whom you are willing to KNIT A FULL-SIZED BLANKET.
I’ll wait…..
That didn’t take you long, did it?
If you are like me, you will only knit large blankets (aka “duvets”) for people you love. And I mean, really truly madly deeply love. Are you with me???
While we’re on the topic, have you ever had someone offer to buy your hand-knit fingering weight sweater that you are wearing? I have! While it was probably just meant as a compliment—and certainly taken as one—I will share with you what I told them: “You can’t afford this.”
Every stitch that we create is a physical representation of about 3 seconds of the precious time we are given on this earth. Each new stitch is also the next culmination of the innumerable hours we have spent honing our craft.
How do you put a price on that, particularly when it involves THOOUUSSAANNDDSS of stitches?!
Most likely, only knitters and their closest friends and family will ever fully understand what a generous offer is the gift of a knitted blanket.
Don’t worry, though; I won’t hold this against my favorite Scottish revolutionary.
Comment below and tell me how many people you named on your Blanket-Knit-Worthy List!
Have a Knit-Worthy person in your life, but they aren’t BLANKET-Worthy? Check out my very gift-able Fairlea Hat pattern, plus my patterns for socks and a bag!
Slàinte mhath, and happy knitting!
I don’t even think I’m blanket worthy, although I have a few patterns in my Ravelry favorites. But I’m guessing Sam Heughan has a bajillion women offering to do things besides knit or cook for him. 🤭 I would never dare to DM a famous person, myself. I did tag Sam in a FB post once though, wishing my “pretend husband” a happy birthday!
I think my husband is the only one....that way it is still in my care. :) That being said, back when I owned a ceramic shop and taught classes, one of the students knitted me a blanket AND a scarf. This was when I still dreamed of being able to call myself a knitter. Now, the blanket was 3 strands of yarn held together and probably knit on US 15 needles but it is still very special to me.