Coming from someone whose mother-in-law returned MANY a gift (home made or not) or hung homemade needlepoint pictures behind a door, etc. etc. I wouldn't waste my time or heart on someone like that. It took me years, but now I basically give my mother-in-law something she specifically asks for. Not much fun, but it saves me a lot of grief.

I for one would LOVE a pair of knitted slippers; size 7 please. :)

I'm sorry, but it seems like you have an agenda. Although it may be true that she's not allergic, you're trying to force your opinion onto your MIL.

I agree with the previous poster, don't waste your time. All you will be is hurt that she won't wear them. Make the slippers for someone who will truly enjoy them. I know that I would, I LOVE my Smart wool socks.

Even if she isn't allergic - her mind-set tells her that she is. Since you "know" that information, and still give her the slippers, it would not be appreciated. Could you felt some other little token gift instead for her - eg coasters, tea cozy etc.

I have several people on my gift list, past and present, that are like this. They always find something wrong with whatever you buy. Doesn't matter what it is. I finally started giving gift cards either generic or to their favorite store. I wonder if they've figured out that only the picky people get gift cards? Kinda takes the fun out of giving but, oh well.

I wouldn't bother making them for her, but I'd whip some up for someone else, who would then be wearing them on Christmas Day and would keep saying over and over how much they loved them. And I'd give MIL a nice pair of store-bought ones, acrylic, the kind that make your feet sweat. ;)

I learned long ago to stop making things for people who didn't appreciate them. In fact, I stopped trying so hard when shopping, also, when it became apparent that my recipient didn't put ANY thought into the gifts that he/she purchased. I decided to try just as much as they did, which turned out to be not at all. (And that was hard, too, to dumb-down my shopping, I wasn't all that successful at it. I'm so glad we don't do gifts any more with any one.)

Good luck, Vickey. I'm a size 7, also. And I know how much that good wool costs, so I say save your money and your time.

She might not "allergic" to wool, but she might not be able to wear it. If I try on....say a sweater, I can tell if it has even 1% wool in it...I mean the rest of it can be 99% cotton, but that little bit of wool itches and pokes at me....I will then look at the label and, sure enough, there is a tiny bit of wool listed. Having said all of this...no, I wouldn't put myself to the grief of making something like that just to be rejected....or could you make her something else in the felted wool (I know it's fun to do) like maybe a tote or something like that? But...if she is as negative as you think she is, I still wouldn't do all that work....I would love to have a felted wool tote :o) See, you're getting all kinds of orders here :o)

I think if you make the slippers for her you'll just be setting yourself up for disappointment, especially since it's not a quick gift, but something that's home made and takes some time.

Sometimes when dealing with someone who is impossible to please I either come right out and ask what they want or just resort to a gift card tucked inside a coffee mug or pair of socks.

I too have had the problem of people not appreciating homemade gifts, so this year they are getting store bought and am still making the homemade ones but sharing them with those who will appreciate it.

So I say a gift card for mil and make the slippers for someone who will enjoy them. Even if she tries them on and never wears them, the effort you put into the gift will be wasted.
Stacie

I say don't make them. From the sounds of it she will never appreciate or wear them.

Is it only your gifts that she doesn't like? If so, then I would make it DH's job to get a gift for his mother, whatever it might be. Then you could say that he picked it out especially for her with love in his heart.

Vickey I think, you should not make her anything for Christmas. Buy something. I wouldn't make myself work for disappointment.

Make yourself some slippers, and sometime when she is over, let her wear them. Then you find out, if she likes them or not, wears them or not, and you can according to that make some for next year.

Moni

Why make someone something they don't want? Why not buy her something she will like, and save your knitting for someone who will really appreciate it?

My immediate thought was that if she did wear the slippers and slipped and fell she would consider it your fault for making something with felt and wool on floors that might be slippery. Trust me, without going into details, I have a SIL from hell who blamed us for everything no matter what.

I'd get her something else like a gift certificate.

If she doesn't appreciate your making her a gift then I'd head to the store and buy her a pair of Dearfoams. How sad!

Vickey, I have a feeling that no matter what gift you give your MIL, she'll find fault with it. I wouldn't go to the trouble to make her slippers. I'd do a gift card and be done with it.

I think you answered your own question with "...save myself the heartache and use the yarn for someone who would for sure like the slippers..."

I love and appreciate homemade gifts; they're my favorites, but I know many, many people who look down their noses at them.

Gifts are suppossed to be given and received from the heart. You know what her reaction will be so at least save your own heart from aching.

Sounds like her gift would be a good project for hubby, maybe with a little input from you but make sure she knows he picked it out, wrapped it, etc.

I had a pair of hand-crocheted slippers long ago. I wore them to pieces. Loved them.

I wouldn't give her anything, period. Go there and start singing Christmas carols. Then read The Christmas Story out loud.

She obviously doesn't know the meaning of Christmas.

make a hat for chemo patient, donate it to the local cancer center in mil's name...:)

One year I knitted my SIL a wool sweater for Christmas, she handed it back to me the same day and said "I can't wear wool, it's too itchy." I hate my in-laws. All of them. Even the dead ones. My husband understands. He says his mother was very cruel to his first wife (I'm Number Two, The Trophy Wife). Haha.

There's no dilemma. She let you know through your DH that she doesn't want felted slippers. So don't make them.

Save your efforts for people who appreciate them! Get your DH to ask her what she does want, and send him shopping for it.

Don't bother with the slippers. Have DH ASK her what she would like for Christmas. Get that and she shouldn't have any reason to complain.

That being said, I was tested for allergies when I was 6 and again at 16 or 17. I really am allergic to wool. I still wear it though. I just don't sleep under wool blankets. I have a cedar chest full of hand knit Irish sweaters knit by my Irish MIL. They don't bother me but it's seldom cold enough for them in Georgia. (Today might be an exception. It's 39 and rainy at 1:00 pm.

Linda

I think you have your answer, Vickey! I agree with Flamingo. Let your DH shop for her, and be sure she knows who made the effort.

Tami

My Mom was hard to buy for, sensory issues and other issues :-).

So, one year I had a brain wave and got her a gift certificate for the hair salon she goes to.

When she opened her gift card she went silent then said, "Oh I hate the way that Carol does my hair now, I was going to stop going to her."

LOL

Can't win, no matter what.

I'd skip the socks, too. As lovely as they sound.

You could try the hair salon gift card thing, but find out first if she is "currently" happy with her stylist! :-)

BJ

Whether she is allergic or not, she had indicated that she does not want them. So, don't make them.

no no no!~ don't make them!
Pick up a pair of dearforms and include the receipt in the box! lol

you are crazy if you make them for her. I, on the other hand wear a SIZE 9
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is trying to tell you she doesn't want handmade wool slippers. Whether she is actually allergic or not is not the issue at all; it doesn't matter. Look at this as opportunity to make something nice for someone else.

I wear an 8. :-) (When you are done with Kat's.)

a lot of people just don't like homemade gifts and only like something store bought so what does she like? go with her idea. IMHO

Okay no more dilema..delima....anyway...no slippers for her. No heartache for me. Her loss!

Thanks to all for the honest opinions.

Vickey-MN

One year I finally got smart. I bought all my in-laws clothing items at an expensive (to me)department store and included the receipts for each purchase when I wrapped the gifts. I got tired of being handed back gifts on Christmas with all sorts of excuses; "I can't wear wool. It scratches"."This isn't my size." "This color doesn't go with the things I already own." (Since when doesn't a woman own black pants or a skirt? The top was very pretty pale lavender.) Some people just can't be pleased. Have your DH shop for anyone on his side of the family.

Can I be your MIL. Sounds good to me, Size 8 please! LOL
Anyway, I have a relative like that. I only give what is on her list, right down to the letter. Now it is money/gift cert only.

Hi Vick,

Have you considered a prepaid funeral?

Well, a down payment on one, any way.

Or is she possibly allergic to death?

ole joyful ... who, at 80, hsan't prepaid his ... but should, soon, for it's soon to be taxed

hahahahahaha
hohohoho
Ed, yolu're bad!
but funny!!!

Vickey, I'm so glad your not wasting your time on her. Most definitely have your dh buy for his mom. Everyone is happy.

I've heard how the new yarns are much nicer to the touch. No more jagged barbs to irritate the skin.

((Vickey)) I am sorry that you are still trying to please someone that will NEVER be pleased. I understand wanting to be the bigger and better person...but I don't think it will happen. You are very special for trying tho! =)

You have MY address...and you KNOW I would be HAPPY and THANKFUL for something homemade! ;) lol

I'm like Maybee - If there's any wool in an item, I'll know it. My mother broke out in huge red welts from wool, fortunately, I'm not that bad. I can wear it - with at least two layers underneath and no bit of wool touching my skin, though I'll still be itching up a storm.

Anyway, she may be impossible to please, but I don't think *this* story shows it. It just shows that she doesn't want wool slippers. Honestly, I'd be put out if I said, "I'm allergic to wool," and someone gave me something made of wool anyway.