Saying 'no'

[wood_elf]

Hi all. Knitting etiquette question.

I recently made myself a shawl (see here). It's green and spiky and I love it quite a lot.

Was wearing it today and a person (nice person, want to remain on good terms with this person) also liked it a lot and asked me to knit her one. She was serious about this and offered to buy yarn for it there and then.

I want to say 'no' because I don't want to spend another month knitting the exact same pattern in the same yarn. I don't get as much knitting time as I would like (I mainly knit while commuting), and would rather use the time I have selfishly on projects of my choosing.

This person is very generous and has given me yarngifts in the past (she knits herself, so must understand the time and work involved). I don't want to say 'no' but I really don't want to knit a shawl for her. Any ideas how to proceed while maintaining a good relationship?

There may be an obvious gracious solution I'm overlooking but can be a bit socially clueless at times.

Comments

[twistedchick]

"I'm very sorry, but I don't have time/energy to devote to this right now because of XXX..."

"I'm very sorry, but I have some projects of my own that have to take priority right now..."

[uninvitedcat]

Would it be worth softening the above suggestion by offering the pattern (or a link to the pattern source if it's paid-for) so this nice person can knit it for themself?

[wood_elf]

That is a good point; it's a pay pattern but I could definitely link to it.