Handmade knit clothing and gifts

Knitting knowledge has traditionally past on from one generation to another: there always were people who can teach and people who wanted to learn...

Long ago, and I mean LONG AGO, when I was about 5 years old, I saw very closely for the first time in my life, my cousin knitting. For me it seemed nothing but magic! I fall in love with knitting... at first sight literally! And at that moment I've decided that I had to learn how to do it myself. Luckily for me, my cousin (she's 14 years older than me) agreed to teach me. She provided me with my first own pair of needles and tiny ball of wool (about a walnut size). I don't remember how long it took for me to understand the process, but at the end of the day I was proudly show to my parents 10 stitches I've cast on by myself! The funny part was that I was moving these stitches back and forth from left needle to right one (I didn't grasp how to pull the yarn through the stitch to produce another one) and honestly believed that I'm knitting and result will appear soon!!! When my father said that is something wrong with my "knitting" because nothing changed for half an hour or so, and he actually only proved my guesses. But I didn't want to admit aloud that I agree with him, tried few more times, and then bitterly put my "work" away soon after he left the room.

"Never, never, never give up."

And I didn't give up! Shortly after my first attempt to knit, my sister decided she will definitely learn to do it, if even me (5 years younger than her) learn something. Few weeks later, in that moment when I saw my sister knitting for real some competitive sparks born in me!

I was watching her knitting a scarf quietly for a while until I finally understood what I did wrong, I found a "missing key". Boy, I was happy: I tried to knit and it worked!

But my happiness didn't last for long: its gone as soon as last inch of the yarn from that tiny ball my cousin gave me... it was no way my mom would want to buy yarn for 5 year old kid (she probably, thought that moment it will not work out and didn't want to spend money for expensive yarn). After asking my mom about yarn few times, I understood that if I ever got any yarn it won't be in the nearest future. As most kids I did believe in magic, and I wished that someday a fairy will come and bring me a HUGE bag of hanks and balls...Meanwhile, I was using that tiny ball over and over to keep remember what I've learn.

Few years later, not the fairy, but my aunt came from other country to visit us and she brought with her a lot of yarns (she was a professional knitter and didn't stop to knit even while traveling). She saw me being so interesting in the knitting that she decided to assist me with knitting and share her wisdom with me... She taught me how to knit hats, socks, sweaters... I learned many different stitch designs and techniques. She taught me how to design my own things and make my own patterns... Also, she suggested if we can afford to buy yarn, then we can turn any old knitted stuff (not used any more) to yarn and how to work with this kind of thread....Since that time, I've started to knit for myself and my family.

Thanks to all this knowledge I got from my aunt, all clothes (including even first ones) always were not just wearable, but looked nice and unique, luckily for me, and this encourage me even more...

With each piece my skills improved, and soon I was enjoying to produce knitted gifts not only for members of my family, but for my friends too. My mom was so proud of me and my achievements. Even our neighbors started to order something occasionally, despite the fact that I was still a child.

Years passed. I got married, then immigrated with my husband to America ... Very soon after our arrival, I've realized that in America you can buy everything, including a different kind of handmade stuff. It's discouraged me a little to take orders, having so many competitors, but for my child I was still knitting, believing in that what my aunt once told me: a clothes made by loving person will keep you not only warm, but happy, healthy, wealthy!

And after I've received a couple of compliments how nice clothes my child wearing and question where did I bought them, I decided why not to start earn some money from my skills and knowledge, while staying with my kid at home.

Below there are Feedbacks/testimonials about my work when I just started to sell my stuff... You can see new ones from my recent sales visiting my shop on Etsy www.cleverclew.etsy.com

zzoey says:

Perfect in every way!

7/06/2010

* HANDMADE KNIT BABY GIRLS EASTER BOOTIES, sz0-12M

zzoey says:

Excellent transaction!

6/30/2010

* NEW Handmade knit FUNKY Baby BOOTIES sz 0-12M, hand painted wool

zzoey says:

Excellent transaction with very fast delivery--Perfect knitting!

6/13/2010

* Handmade Knit Baby Girls MARY JANE booties

zzoey says:

Perfect transaction with speedy delivery. Love this seller!!

6/10/2010

* Handmade Knit Baby Girls MARY JANE booties

Thank you so much. Suit is beautiful and gorgeous.

4.12.10

Adorable hat. Beautifully made. Thanks

Buyer: idbabybakeshop

Feb-19-10 08:26

NEW Handmade knit Ecru BABY HAT w/flowers sz 0-6M (#130363875324)

I love the outfit it is very cute. Thank you

Buyer: idcindymaclellan2008

Feb-03-10 14:13

Handmade Knit BABY SWEATER,HAT,BOOTIES SET sz0-6mo (#130360436833)

So Cute, Thanks!!!

Buyer: idsuchapoop

Dec-27-09 16:04

NEW Handmade knit Christmas ELF BOOTIES sz 0-12M (#130350401122)

AWESOME SELLER what QUALITY work

Buyer: idladyoha

Dec-27-09 09:16

Handmade Knit BABY SWEATER,HAT,BOOTIES SET sz0-6mo (#130347448047)

Cute outfit! I wish I could knit like this! Thanks!

Buyer: idrealkidsphotographer

Handmade Knit BABY SWEATER,HAT,BOOTIES SET sz0-6mo (#130348904450)

awesome seller,very helpful,does special orders and super fast shipping,thank u

Buyer: idkolmann2006

Dec-18-09 17:49

Handmade Knit BABY SET special order for Carol (#130352314339)

Special ordered these for my 2 & 9yr old, they are FABULOUS! Fit perfect!

Buyer: idjholzwartauto

Dec-14-09 17:57

NEW Handmade knit Christmas ELF HATS special order (#130352455625)

Beautiful, I love it , very well made boutique quality! Buyer: idvpenaloza

Dec-12-09 12:49

Handmade Knit BABY DRESS,SHOES SET sz 3-9mo (#130347689993)

A+ ebay seller! beautiful sweater set! thank u!!!

Buyer: idrenee1816

Handmade Knit BABY SWEATER,HAT,BOOTIES SET sz0-6mo (#130345743768)

Can't get better!!!! AAA+++

Buyer: idmechdesigner1

Nov-28-09 18:04

NEW Handmade knit Christmas ELF BOOTIES sz 0-6M (#130343956056)

Great hat!! Adorable!!! AAA+++

Buyer:

idmechdesigner1

Nov-28-09 18:04

NEW Handmade knit Christmas ELF HAT sz 0-6M (#130343941515)

Autumn Colors

Hand knit Baby girl sweater, hat and booties set

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on June 1st, 2011!

I would like to hear from you... Any suggestions and (or) comments? Do you know how to knit/crochet? Did you try to learn, and was your attempts successful or not? Please let me know...