Walmart. I was a poor 20-something, not in college, but not remotely established person, and I did most of my clothes shopping at Walmart. I hate shopping, and will only do non-FOOD shopping when I absolutely have to. So some of my tops were wearing out, and I absolutely NEEDED new clothes. So I bought a few sweaters (same composition, one was yellow and one was blue) and I think some jeans, and took my new purchases home. Those sweaters were the absolute epitome of scratchy. And that is what triggered my wanting to learn how to knit.
I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I could make a less scratchy sweater, even if I used the cheapest, scratchiest yarn I could find. So- I set about teaching myself to knit. It took awhile. But I learned. And I love it. It also helps my ADD.
And bizarrely- I haven’t actually knitted a sweater for myself yet.
And it’s been twelve years.
Duck And Cover 
Your post made me laugh! So why haven’t you knitted a sweater yet?
I think it’s just that it keeps getting pushed back in favor of projects for OTHER people. I have several designs I love, and I have the yarn to start one… I just haven’t. I think I will have to put that on my list this year. 1. Complete at least 12 projects this year. 2. Learn colorwork. 3. Do something with cables. And now # 4. Make myself a sweater. š
I understand that! That’s why I’m loving the selfish knitting phase I’m in right now. I struggle with sweaters because I get bored with projects that take so long. I need the instant gratification. But hey, you could do one Fair Isle cabled sweater and cross three things off your list in one go!
You think you love knitting now?? Just wait until you make your first sweater!
Good to know we can thank Walmart for something…