The Oma Sweater

As I may have mentioned before, my mother-in-law is an incredible knitter. And when the Baby was first born, she called and asked if I would like a sweater knit for him. I said yes, of course, hand spun yarn, hand knit goodness, sign me up! Then, like a good handmade gift giver, she asked me what kind of sweater I would like knitted for him, and I said a cardigan please, and she said what colour, and I said grey please, and she said, what? Really? A grey baby sweater? She mentioned that grey is not really a happy or fun colour and I said but I really like grey, and also, the Baby looks good in grey. Hm, she said. But being a good mother-in-law, and a wise woman, she kindly went ahead and accomodated my whim. She made it well over a year ago I'd say, but knit it in a toddler size so it has been waiting for the day when it would finally fit my little Nugget. It sat carefully folded in tissue in the 'special clothes' drawer, and every now and then I would pull it out to show another knitter who would appreciatively stroke it and say how lovely it was and how good it would look on the Baby someday. 

So, its spring and we wanted to go outside the other day, and it was too warm for a coat, but cool enough that we needed something, and it struck me, this is PERFECT Oma Sweater Weather. So I ran downstairs, retrieved the sweater from its drawer and returned triumphant as I eyeballed the sweater and how it looked like the perfect fit for my toddler-boy. "Look" I said to him excitedly "you can wear the sweater that Oma knit you when we go outside today." I held it up, and reached for his arm to slip it on.

And he said "No."

"No?"

"No."

"Oh now, don't worry, we just need to put this nice warm sweater on before we go outside" I said, reaching for him again. But he twisted away and slipped out of my grasp, and as if to make it perfectly clear that he was not going to wear that sweater he ran to the far end of the dining room, stood with his back to the wall and said quietly, and sweetly, but very clearly "No, no, no, no, no."

 Are you kidding me?  How did this happen? And how did I not see this coming? Honestly, this kids has never refused to wear one single item of clothing before. Sure, hats were an issue for awhile there when he was a really little guy, but we just tied them on so he couldn't pull them off, and then we were fine. But this refusal - this was a first. 

I decided to be calm and not make a big deal about this. I know enough about toddler psychology not to insist, so we put on a hoodie instead and held off on the sweater for another day. And I tried again a couple of days later. "No." I had Daddy try instead. "No." Then I had Grandma try. Still "No." And never a tantrum, or a tear, just his quiet, sweet "No" and then he'd put a lot of distance between him and The Sweater.

Now let me assure you, I examined this from all angles. Was it itchy? Not much, and he always had a long sleeved t-shirt or two on underneath. Maybe it smelled funny? Not really, but I stored it with his daily-use clothes to make sure it took on a 'normal' smell anyways. Was I making too big a deal about it? Possibly, so I attempted to put it on him without talking about it, or making any fuss at all. And still, no luck. 

So I guess what we have here is a classic example of The Knitters Curse. The more time, money, effort and emotional investment you put into something, the less likely the recipient is to actually use or wear it. ESPECIALLY when that person is a small child. The math goes something like this: handspun yarn + made by loving Oma + from her own pattern + for her darling Grandson = Child will never want to wear Sweater. The inverse is also true. If you make a cheap ugly piece of crap for your kid, they will wear it till it falls apart and then ask for another one. This just goes to show that knitting, like life, is unfair. 

But I am patient. And wily. And I love that sweater. And I bided my time. Until another beautiful, but not-so-warm day came along. We put on shoes and a hat, and headed outside. And I did not put a jacket on the Baby, but I did bring along The Sweater. So we got outside, and it was sunny, but just a little brisk. We took a little walk down to the end of the driveway to watch the cars go by. And the wind picked up a bit, and I said to him "Now, you don't want to get cold, better put on your sweater" and quick as a wink, I slipped it onto him and buttoned it up. He took all of a second to look down and register that he was wearing The Sweater and pulled at a button, but then a concrete mixing truck roared by, and he was completely distracted. And that was the end of it! He happily wears The Sweater now, very regularly when we go outside. Though I never put it on him when we are indoors. Maybe it was just too warm. Who knows? And it will probably remain one of the toddler mysteries. But I'm glad he has finally taken to it. It looks great on him, and I can promise you it won't be his last hand knit sweater, so I'm very relieved that he has grown accustomed to it. Its a pleasure to see him wear it. 

Comments

[Diana]

So funny! My youngest daughter has never worn wool. She has from infancy refused to let me dress her in it. It has never touched her skin. Somehow by sight she has always hated wool. And her oldest sister would wear the cutest hand knit pink wool sweater without a problem.

[Leni]

I don't often post a comment on this blog, although I am an avid reader (I wonder why?), but having no skills in the knitting and sewing departments, I am so impressed by Oma's skills! What a talented woman---not only sews and knits, but also weaves the yarn! Wow! And the sweater is beautiful! He looks like such a little man in his sweater and cap. I always think of his maternal great-grandmother when I see him in his hat, for Baby's Grandpa is also fair and a redhead (well--was!) and his Mother always kept him in hats to prevent freckles, which were NOT considered cute in his childhood days.

[Isabelle]

That is a gorgeous sweater! glad to read that the baby is finally wearing it!!

Being a new knitter... I had not heard of the Knitter's Curse... but did experience it with my little one this winter: I knitted her the most perfect little "baby arms" to keep her arms warm in bed (w the sleeveless sleep sack): she just won't wear them... oh well. arms cold as ice in the middle of the night. May be next year? may be they really belong outside and not in the bedroom?

[Hannah]

thumbs up to your wiliness!!! I'm going to have to remember that one. (Beautiful sweater, of course)

[finger thumb]

Thanks for all the lovely comments! I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing the Knitter's Curse, Isa. It was bound to happen. I'm super impressed that you knit her arm warmers though! And I know what you mean, sometimes I check the Baby and his cheeks are so cold. But it doesn't seem to wake him up. Bothers me though! And also, that other babies can hate wool on sight! How funny and perceptive they are.