The Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater

There is folklore amongst knitters regarding the Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater.

The basic premise is that if you knit a sweater for a boyfriend, the relationship will soon come to a demise . . . he might promptly, or soon thereafter, break-up with you. Something about your commitment to making a sweater scares off the typical commitment-phobic male.

Some may argue that the curse does not exist, or that the opposite is true in their case - that the sweater sealed the deal. Others justify the demise of the relationship for reasons other than a hand knit-with-love gift. The Google has all sorts of entertaining links regarding this phenomena, I think there are even several chick-lit novels out there.

something else

The other night, as I put the finishing touches on a headband I've been working on, my thoughts wandered to the men with whom I've been romantically involved over the past eight or ten years (I'm single, it happens. . . ). And I thought about having given hand-knit gifts to several of those who I was in more serious relationships with. Not sweaters, mind you, but hats to at least three, and something else to another.

And then it hit me.

I've been stricken with the Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater.

Except in my case, it's the Curse of Anything Knit for the Boyfriend/romantically involved male friend. It is clearly the only reasonable explanation. I thought I had been careful to avoid the Curse, since I haven't knit a guy a sweater (are you kidding me? A sweater for myself involves ripping it out and changing patterns at least once per sweater. I don't have time for that for myself, let alone anyone else). But it's possible that the Curse has spread beyond a sweater to torment unsuspecting females like me, who think they've got it figured out.

Dang it.

Unless, perhaps, this has been my subconscious way of getting rid of the men who weren't The One. . . because The One will want a sweater from me. Or hat. Or something else cleverly crafted with needles and yarn. Right?

And thus, I shall refrain from knitting for any future boyfriend(s) until it is clear that the Curse has run its course with me.

And I'd while I'm at it, is it too much to ask that this relationship dry spell run its course, too??