Knitting for others is so rewarding, watching faces light up in joy at getting something handmade, unique and made with thought and love. The patterns available now are every bit as good as the clothes you can buy in Designer stores, and the quality of yarn is improving constantly as is colour choice and fibre content. My own experience is that my handknits have long outlasted bought stuff and I have happily passed from one child to another without any mental scarring whatsoever, so I know I have had far better value for money out of stuff I've made.

And don't ever let anyone tell you that people don't want handknits, they are very much in demand!