When you knit something for someone else, there is always an element of suspense and surprise. That's what keeps you on your toes as a knitter. Knowing that even though you took measurements six ways from Sunday, and you are perfectly on gauge, that the universe is still a vast and fickle place and weird things happen.
1. Listen to that little voice
I have found that when I have thoughts like, "I think I'm going to run out of yarn" or "This sock heel looks way too big," these thoughts are always - without fail - right. You want to brush it aside, write it off as being just another example of your own internal critic. But how often does that voice turn out to be right?
I don't know how That Voice knows what it does, but it does. Heed it. If you listen soon enough, you will have time to correct your mistakes.
2. Find a willing patsy
Knitting something for a four year-old? Ask around. Got any coworkers or friends with a kid about that size? Ask them to do a reality check for you. Is a scarf considered appropriate for a three year-old, or is it a safety hazard? Will a nine year-old wear a hat with a pompom? What does a teenage boy look for in a pair of socks? Poll some parents.
It's even easier if you're knitting something for an adult. Just find another adult of the same size and ask them to model for you. Offer cupcakes if they seem reluctant. Everyone loves cupcakes. They make good bribes.
3. Decide not to care
Your primary goal in knitting something for someone isn't to provide them with a garment. If that was the case, you could just buy them something at Target. Even if your thing doesn't fit, the important thing is that you knit it and gave it to them out of love. (Just don't expect them to wear it.)
Image courtesy Flickr/incurable_hippie
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