Am I being weird about this?

[feuervogel]

My sister is pregnant. I want to crochet her (baby) a blanket.

I emailed my mom to ask if that's something she'd like, and mom replies that I should email sis a picture of the pattern and let her decide if she wants it and pick a color.

Isn't that the opposite of a gift? I'd planned to go to the store and pick out a pattern from a book and some yarn, or get yarn that has a pattern on the label. I want to make something very neutral gendered: no pink or blue, no patterns (hearts or flowers). I saw a book of afghan crochet (the kind of crochet that's like single-hook knitting) baby blankets, and I liked one of the patterns in it.

Honestly, now I don't even want to bother.

Anyway, internets, am I wrong for being upset that I should let a gift be dictated?

Comments

[twistedchick]

Yes -- they're acting very controlling. Rather like some of my own relatives, who notably do not have baby blankets from me while some of my friends do. You don't have to accept or buy into what they want. This isn't about them. It's about you wanting to give something of yourself.

If you want to make a blanket, find a pattern you like and a color or colors you think will work, and let it be what you want it to be. And then give it to whoever you want to give it to.

[feuervogel]

Thanks! My sister asked my mom to make 3 afghans (one for the baby and 2 for her boyfriend's kids from his previous marriage) and they discussed patterns and such. But this isn't the same thing, you know? She's due in like February, and at the pace I crochet, I can have it done by then (and hopefully launder the cat hair out of it -_- )

[twistedchick]

You do what you want -- and it will be beautiful.

I still have bits and pieces of the knitted things my older cousin made for me when I was born -- fairly simple acrylic sweater and bonnet and mitts, in a light yellow. The baby blanket did not survive; it was loved to pieces.

[groovesinorbit]

Hey, cool to see you over here. :)