Knitting

Most people who see us at soap shows know that the older three children knit cotton washcloths to sell. They’ve gotten really good at it. The younger children have been learning, so now Greyden, Fletcher, and Indigo can knit washcloths too.

We were having a really hard time keeping up with paying the children when they sold a washcloth, so we changed things around a bit. Now, the business pays the children when they complete a washcloth, and then the business keeps the money when the washcloth is sold. This way we don’t sell one of their washcloths without paying them.

It also really motivates the children b/c they don’t have to wait to get paid. As a result, they’ve been knitting a lot lately, and getting paid a lot. A couple of times a day somebody will hand Jim a finished washcloth and Jim will hand them a $5 bill.

Well, apparently Hewitt was a bit jealous. Jim told me about what transpired between the two of them today:

Jim: Earlier in the day, Hewitt brought me a wet washcloth that was diagonally knit and clearly old. (Note: the children do not knit diagonal washcloths)

Hewitt: “This is my washcloth. I’m going to put it in the dryer so it’s dry really soon.”

Jim: Since it’s Hewitt’s job to do the laundry, I told him to wait for the next load of laundry and dry the washcloth with that load so he didn’t waste electricity. A few hours later, Hewitt came back.

Hewitt: “Dad, my washcloth is all dry.”

Jim: “OK.”

Hewitt: “So, can I get paid now?”

Jim: “Hewitt, you didn’t make it. We’ve had that washcloth for a long time. Go put it away with the old washcloths.”

Hewitt: “So I can’t get paid for it?”

Jim: “No, Hewitt. You didn’t make it.”

Hewitt: (Screwing up his face and cocking his head): “Are you sure?!”

Jim (laughing): “Yes, I’m sure. Go put it away.”

He’s such a silly boy sometimes. Jade is also jealous. She says she’s going to get knitting needles for her birthday. And the other day I told Fletcher to go outside and play. His response? “But I want to knit!”