Buy or Make?

There was a discussion thread over at Craftster a week or so ago about buying vs. making gifts. I've been thinking about it, because some things I just don't buy since I can make it myself, even though by the time I get around to making it, it might be days, months, years later. (Obviously, if it takes that long, then the question is "do/did I really need that?" but that's a different question.)

So I've been thinking why I go one way or the other. I think it comes down to if I can make it better than the store, I don't buy it.

By 'the store' I mean any for-sale locale - it may be mega-department store or the 3'x8' table at a local craft fair or anything in between.

'Better' is subjective. Quality, color, style, texture, price all are a part of it. Which one ranks higher than another for any given item at any given time, well, that's subjective too.

Price is a hard one - if I make it myself, then materials is the only financial cost I have. I'm not looking to cover expenses or turn a profit on the item, but the seller certainly is. Whether I'm willing to pay the difference between the seller's price and my cost, is hugely subjective!

Clothing - Buy. I don't sew well so even if something I make myself may fit better, the quality certainly won't be. Socks, I make. And buy. I haven't worked this one much, except that the ones I make are warmer and fit better. I just don't have enough to stop buying. Not yet anyway.

Hats/gloves/mittens/scarves - Mostly, I make. Waterproof/resistant gloves/mittens for skiing I buy just because I can't make that kind of thing. The other winter wear, I make because I'll use 100% wool not the 100% acrylic at the store. Or if the store does have 100% wool, if I don't like the design, color, size, texture, etc, then mine is better, to me, even if it's technically better-made than what I can make. It's not often I find something for sale that's in a style, yarn, color, texture, etc that I like enough that I even consider buying. And that's before I check the price!

Sweaters - Buy. The dressy sweaters I wear to work, I just can't make those. I want a cardigan/jacket to have at work when the AC is too high, or the heat isn't high enough. That I'll probably make because I've been looking for one for years and I haven't found one I like. Heavier sweaters, I've got in the works, but considering it's taken at least 3 years so far, I haven't gotten to the point where I won't buy.

Kippot - I've seen some gorgeous crocheted ones. I kind of like the beaded ones, but not enough to consider buying or making one. I've crocheted and sewn 4 that I wear. I haven't been able to bring myself to buy any of the crocheted ones yet for few reasons - some designs I really like but I absolutely HATE the yarn used, it just screams "cheap yarn used!" and I know I can make it myself with much nicer yarn. More likely, I like the design, the yarn is good, but either it's too small (I do like larger-than-usual women's kippot, since it stays on better) or it feels too flimsy. I saw one a few years ago that I really regret not getting, it was crocheted in a purple & white swirly design, about the right size, and at $12 it was a bit pricey, but a little splurge once in a while isn't a bad thing. The reason I didn't buy? Dh. He was there and "that? you can make that, why spend the money?" (Now I know why shop-owners hate it when the dh's come with the wives LOL)

Tallit - I made it because I never found one for sale I liked enough to spend $200 on. The one I finished last year took about $30 of materials and more than 70 hours of work. Financially, I admit it made no sense whatsoever to make it myself since it comes to about $3/hour. On the other hand, it's definitely one of a kind (not my intention, but it worked out that way) and I enjoyed (mostly) working on it. I have another one or two in mind, and I'll probably make those too.

Gifts - It depends on the recipient. I have a baby shower for a relative coming up. It's not a close relative, but I like making baby sweaters. So I'm knitting a sweater. And depending on how much yarn I have left over, I'll make matching booties and maybe a hat. Other gifts, usually buy. I don't have many people who are appreciative of hand-made gifts, so I don't bother.

one item, two perspectives

There's a scene in The Rabbi and Hit Man book where a rabbi (not the one from the title) and a police detective are both looking at the same Torah scroll. The detective, never having seen one before, sees the holiness of the scroll. The rabbi, being familiar with the scroll, just sees the problems with the scroll, that it's corrupted (definitely the wrong word, but I can't think of the right one, and the thesaurus isn't helping.)

But it's the same scroll the two men are looking at together. The only difference is one man has no knowledge (about what they're looking at) and the other does.

I show someone something I've made. I see all the mistakes, the could've-done-better's, the should've-done-better's and I'm disappointed with the finished item. The other person, never having seen it before, maybe someone who doesn't do handwork, just sees the finished work, and doesn't see or know about the mistakes and could've/should've-done-better's, and they're pleased with it.

Same situation - one item, two perspectives one with experience, one without.

So how does something with "experience" (ok, emotional attachment) see something with the fresh eyes of a never-saw-this-before person?

This week

Is finally over. It was hectic at work, probably still will be next week. DH was obsessing over stupid details for the Bat Mitzvah tonight. And the
big moment - my "bat mitzvah" is over. It actually went well, I think. I read the prayers, I didn't make too many mistakes (that I noticed). DH's obsessions are done. I had so many people congratulating me afterwards. DH gave a (almost) tearjerker of a speech. All that's left is the thank-you notes.

Knitting - I'm doing that too. I finished 2 preemie hats in the last week or so. I just cast-on for a side-ways garter cap - this one without the cable. Then I'm going to work on my sweater and decide on the baby patterns I need to make for my sister-in-law and cousin-in-law's daughter. I found out that one baby is a boy, and the other one is a surprise. Maybe I'll do a sweater for the boy. Or an afghan. Or something.



Do you have “issues” with too much profanity or overly explicit (ahem) “romantic” scenes in books? Or do you take them in stride? Have issues like these ever caused you to close a book? Or do you go looking for more exactly like them? (grin)

It depends. A few profanties here & there, I don't mind. Even a character that uses F-this or F-that every few words doesn't bother me - usually. But I don't like a lot of profanity, or if it seems to be out of place, I don't even like a little profanity. "like" is an odd word to use, although I'm not sure what other word would work better (of course, it is 2.30am so my vocabulary is probably not the best right now anyway). It's not that I like profanity, that way I like, say, chocolate. It's just that in books, movies, etc, some level of profanity is commonplace. Acceptable, maybe. That could be it. Up to a point, I don't mind because it's acceptable.

The romance stuff, hmmm. when I was in high school I read lots of Harlequin romance novels. I don't remember how explicit they were 20 years ago, and I haven't read one in ages. I think now I'd rather read the emotional romance, rather than the physical stuff. I think that's why I like "Brokeback Mountain" story. There's the emotional part without getting really explicit for the physical scenes.

Shining a spotlight

"They" say that talking about your fears and worries make them smaller. Don't know if that's true or not, but certainly can't hurt. (nothing knitted or otherwise fibery today)

I'm leading Friday night services for the first time at our temple next week. First time anywhere for that matter. I've been practicing for weeks. It's not long, just about an hour, but about 1/2 of that is in Hebrew. Which isn't a language I'm fluent in. And it's chanted. Which also isn't a strong suit of mine. I'm afraid of making a mistake (but then, the cantor stumbled over a few words during the High Holy Day services last week and he's a professional.)

I'm afraid of what the critics in the congregation will say.
I'm afraid of singing (even if it is 'just' chanting) in front of an audience.
I'm nervous about the negative critiques I'll get (I'm not worried about positive critiques!) Or the negative critiques I'm imagining I'll get.
I'm just really, really, really, nervous about this.

Anything else I was planning to write about, just doesn't seem as big. This is big.

And the worse that can happen?
I walk out of services (won't happen)
Somebody (one or many) tell me I have a lousy singing voice (no kidding)
They point out the stumbles and mistakes I made (no kidding, I noticed them too)
I start crying during the Mourner's Kaddish I'll be saying for relatives that night (um, so? That's why I'm not leading that prayer)

And the best that can happen?
I get through the prayers perfectly (well, that IS the best that could happen)
I realize I have a good singing voice (I can dream, can't I?)
I get (and believe) all good compliments afterwards

And realistically?
I get through the prayers ok, with a few mistakes (that I may or may not notice)
My singing voice isn't the world's greatest, but I can hold a tune (at least long enough for the prayers)
I hear good compliments and people with bad ones talk out of earshot

I know I know the service. I know I can say the prayers. I can even sing them when I follow along with the recording I got from the Rabbi. I know I know this. Now I just have to convince my vocal cords and mouth to work together and prove it.

One of the prayers starts with "Adonai, sh'fatai tif'tach u'fee yagid t'hilateh'cha" (it's actually in Hebrew letters, but I don't know how to show Hebrew here) and translated* is "Lord, open my lips that my mouth may declare Your praise" or in other words, and more bluntly, "Lord, help me say the prayers!" maybe I just need to repeat that phrase a few times.

I'm feeling a bit calmer.

But I'll be glad when next Saturday's here.

*according to Siddur Hadash, (c) 2000

This weekend

I'm driving to Portland Maine for the NETA Spa Weekend. I'm just going up for the day, not the whole weekend. At least not this year. It'll be my first Spa weekend and I'm looking forward to it. Although, by the same token, I'm not exactly sure what to expect. Sit&spin or sit&knit time? yup. Shopping time? yup. I'm planning to try a few more wheels, and maybe get one. Maybe. Talk with friends? yup- if I can find them in the crowds Meet new people? I suppose.

I heard once that to get full benefit of things you need a vertical & horizontal connection. The vertical connection is within yourself. If you're bored silly with whatever, well that's not a good connection. The horizontal connection is between you & other peopel. If there's no connection, there's no connection. If either one is missing, you don't have the full benefit. I heard this initially regarding prayer and the vertical connection is between you & God. Since I don't consider knitting/spinning/etc as a religious/spiritual practice, that's not my 'vertical'

I hope I get/make both a vertical & horizontal connection tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

Mittens and Minyan

(No, they don't have anything in common except alliteration.)

The Mittens-

I've gone through 3 or 4 different possibilities for my Warm Hands mittens and keep frogging. I was planning to just put the yarn and needles away for now and work on something else. Sort of let them simmer on the back burner, so to speak. But, well it's getting COLD here! It's about 38 degrees F now. Earlier today, I found these and since I have (almost) the same yarns - Louets Gem and Noro Silk (ok, so Noro isn't Koigu, it'll do), I'm going to give this pattern a try. I'll use the Noro Silk for the background and a light green Gem for the diagonals and diamonds.

And hopefully, this time, I'll end up with something wearable instead of froggable!

The Minyan -
I was at our temple's evening services not too long ago - minyan otherwise known as Ma'ariv everyplace else. Our services are 70-30 Hebrew/English, more or less. I'm not a good - or fast - Hebrew reader, but I can keep up with the parts recited together out loud (Hebrew or English). But, then there's the amidah which is said silently - Hebrew or English. Depending who's leading the services, I can make it through the Hebrew with shortcuts - I read the first and last 3 blessings in full, but the others I just do the "barach ata...." sentences.

At the service I was at recently, the person leading must've decided to go to speed-reading class. He raced through the other portions, so I figured there'd be less time to read the amidah - just SKIMMING the English I was one of the last ones finished, and that was being just barely finished before he went on.

I don't like feeling so rushed during services. And the services aren't long - 25minutes maybe - that day we finished in about 15. It seems like you're reciting prayer just to get them over with, there's no time to think about it. Maybe my problem is that I can't read the Hebrew well so I can't skim it like I can the English. Every time I go to services that run quick, I feel like I should be able to zip through them. Or that I should be able to read the whole Amidah in Hebrew when services aren't being done at warp-speed.

It's a new year (ok, if you're thinking of the Jewish calendar, the 'new' year is about 2 months old, on the secular calendar, it's about 2 months away), by next year, could I be reading the Amidah in full in Hebrew, in about 5 minutes? That's an interesting challenge. I'll have to time myself and see how long it takes now. Where's my stopwatch?

Sunday morning progress

I finished the beaded shawl tallit Thursday night! Just in time. I hate working to deadlines - the last few weeks working on it haven't been that enjoyable, more pressure to finish x amount than enjoy that what gets done got done. I wore it yesterday during services. I'm not 100% sure what I was expecting, but it was no big deal - no grand spiritual uplisting, nothing special except some compliments - especially when dh said there were 2500 beads on it (I guess I should count them one day and get an accurate number). So now I can be counted to be one of the dozen, or less, women over 20 who wear a tallit at our temple.


I took at look at the Swedish Thora sweater I'm making for my self. I've got more done than I thought. From the top down, I've got the front done to the armholes, and the back about halfway there. Yes, I'm working it flat right now. Yes, it will be seamless. How? Easy, once the back is the same length of the front (next week, 2 weeks, next month?) I'll cast on enough stitches for the 2 underarms, join and continue the body in the round. Pick up the sleeve stitches from the armholes and do the sleeves.

I'm working this sweater using Barbara Walker's Knitting From The Top book - peasant sleeve style. The Thora pattern was written bottom up, but it's more oversized than I want so I'm making it a few inches narrower and working it top down made it easier for me. It's got panels of moss stitch and columns of cables, I just narrowed the moss stitch panels all around to get the width I wanted. At least, in theory, it sounds workable. So I'm going with that until I find it out it won't work.


I'm starting to thread beads to make another crocheted bead rope or 2. Threading the beads takes anywhere from 10 minutes for a random pattern to up to two hours for a specific pattern. Crocheting the rope - about 7 1/2 or 8 inches for a bracelet that fits me comfortably - is about 6 hours. I enjoy making them, but I don't wear them that often.

For dh's snowflake socks, I'm thinking of taking bit&pieces from Nancy Bush's Norwegian and Mamluke socks to get the snowflakes and other designs for his socks. I showed him the designs and he seemed to like them. So that's a good starting point anyway. I'll do them toe up since I don't know how tall to make them and I don't think will be able to decide until the foot's done.

I got 1lb of what looks like Lion Brand Homespun yarn in red and camel for a few scarves for the Red Scarf Project. I have a few pattern ideas in mind - it can't be too textured or complicated because it just won't show in this yarn. I'll probably crochet these because using a large crochet hook gives a nice fabric that's easy to work with but knitting the yarn is hard for me. Maybe I'll try one scarf with size 13 needles or something.

Religious threads

The pulled thread shawl I’m working on is a tallit and I’d really like to have it done in time for Rosh Hashanah services this Saturday. I finished the beading last night – rough guess is over 2500 beads! It’s a good thing I didn’t figure that out first. I’ve never worn a tallit before and I didn’t have a Bat Mitzvah ceremony when I was 12 (or 13). It almost feels like I’m not entitled to use one – like there’s some kind of test I have to pass before wearing one and I haven’t passed the test. Not that I know what the test is. Part of it is related to a feeling that maybe I shouldn’t be wearing one. Most of the women at the synagogue I belong don’t wear a tallit once they’re over high-school/college age. I’m not sure why. At last year’s services I remember seeing maybe a dozen (and that’s probably high) women older than 20 wearing one.

I don’t like standing out. That’s the bigger issue. I go to a knitting group and I’m the only one using double-pointed needles smaller than size US 15 with a plain yarn instead one on the funky eyelash, ribbon, glittery, yarns? I may not go back. I used to go to a spinning group where I was the only one who always showed up with handspindles, no wheel (I don’t own a spinning wheel, never even tried one, but I do have close to 2 dozen handspindles). I don’t go there anymore either. Although that’s not by choice – the group disbanded last year.

So, assuming I finish the tallit by Thursday, will I wear it on Saturday?