Knitting in Today's Society

Episode 3: The Knittee

Most knitters knit largely for other people. Sure we'll make ourselves a pair of socks or a scarf now and then. We may even invest time in a lace project but the majority of knitters give away their projects. Recipients can vary in their appreciation of the knitted gift. Let's examine them now.

A) The Oh-You-Shouldn't-Have

The OYSHs often don't care for handmade items. They may view them as tacky or low brow. If you have to knit for a OYSH, I recommend nothing more taxing than a dishcloth. And they probably won't even appreciate that.

B) The Child Model

CMs are usually the children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren of knitters. We knit for them until such time that they become embarrassed by their hand knits. This occurs at an earlier age for girls. Socks are a possible exception.

The reason CMs get a lot of hand knits is that they are irresistible. Case in point.

Moving on.

C) The I'm-Allergic-to-Wool/Wool-is-too-Hot

IStW/WitHs are difficult. They seem to some up with every excuse in the book not to wear your hand knits.

My husband is a WitH. This year I plan on outsmarting him. My plan will be revealed in the fullness of time. Let's just say that investigating alternate fibres may be a way of inducing the IStW/WitH to appreciate your handiwork.

D) The Have-Nots

HN are too abundant. They are lost lambs without anyone to knit for them. Knitters find ways of giving to HNs in their communities or around the world. HNs are the most appreciative knittees. Imagine you have a scary home or no home at all. You're sick or alone. One day, a scarf, a hat, a bear arrives just for you. Someone spent hours knitting on this special piece. They've knit in love for someone they don't even know. It just fills you up inside that you, whatever dwarf you are, have that power.

It's October. You're probably busy whipping up Christmas knits. I know I am. Let me just give you some links and if you're feeling like you'd like your knits to be appreciated, have a gander.

Alzheimer's Society

Knitters without Borders

Mother Bear Project

Red Scarf Project

Zebra Child Protection Centre-Bottom Page 2

Find a Charity Near You

Let me know if there are organizations that you donate to. Let's give a little knitting to some HNs.

Ok. So T. will be back soon to recount her adventures. Be sure to tell her what I great job I did of holding down the blog.

School's Out.

Knitting in Today's Society

Episode 2: The Knitter

It would be simple to say that there are knitters and non-knitters and that is that. However, I think we have already determined that there are a number of different types of non-knitters. It would follow, then, that there are a variety of knitters as well. As long as you are not knitting in a vaccuum, you have the opportunity to study different knitters in their natural habitat, the knitting group or the beloved local yarn store. Watch your fellow knitters carefully. You may learn a great deal from them, even if that if just to avoid their bad habits.

I think that analogies work well for most people so we will look at the various types of knitters as the Seven Dwarfs. Work with me, here. I think I'm getting somewhere.

Bashful- These knitters are sensitive about their knitting. They may even be self conscious about the fact that they knit. They often knit only in the seclusion of their own homes. A Bashful knitter would never KIP. Denial is common. Thankfully there are support groups who can draw Bashful knitters into the light.

Doc- Docs think they know a lot about knitting and are not afraid to share their knowledge with the knitters around them. Unfortunately, not all Docs are actually the experts they believe themselves to be. If you find an expert Doc, stay in contact with them. They are excellent resources and are delighted to share their expertise with anyone who will listen. And even some who won't.

Dopey- Dopey knitters try their best but are plagued with bad luck. They drop stitches, add stitches, twist stitches. I am happy to report that most Dopey knitters don't care about what their projects look like. They enjoy the process of knitting and would gladly frog a sweater to have the pleasure of knitting it again. Dopey knitters can progress in skill and become Happy knitters. The difference is in the finished product.

Grumpy- Oh, dear. I think we all know a Grumpy knitter or two. Perhaps you find yourself doing a little Grumpy knitting on occassion. I find myself grumping when I'm almost done a project, especially one that hasn't lived up to my high expectations, and I just want to be done. I'm annoyed with the knitting and seaming (Does anyone actually like finishing?) and I probably end up making a mistake of royal proportions just so that I can be done. Patience is a virtue and unfortunately, not a dwarf.

Happy- Ah, to be a Happy knitter all the time! I just love the Happy Knitter. They love whatever they're doing with whatever yarn they have and always turn out beautiful, perfect knitting. And if they weren't so nice about it, you'd probably hate them.

Sleepy-I confess to sometimes sliding into Sleepy knitting. You know, you've had a long day and you're nice and comfy on the couch. Your loved one of choice has poured you a nice hot toddy/glass of red wine/hot apple cider and you're drifting and knitting. Now, there's nothing wrong with letting your knitting sooth you into a state of semi-consciousness but be ware of the mistakes which can ensue. Be ware! Be ware!

Sneezy-Allergies are a bitch, no?

Everyone can find themselves being one or another of these Knitting Dwarfs at any time. Acceptance is the first step to recovery so feel free to tap your fellow knitter on the shoulder and say something like "Hey, T! Stop you're Grumping! It's time to be Happy cause we're meeting Bashful and Doc at the SnB for some kipping. Good thing it isn't Sneezy season!"

Everyone has their favorite Dwarf. This one is mine.

Join me next time for an insightful look into the people we knit for , or as I like to call them, Knittees. Time for recess!

Knitting in Today's Society: A Three Part Series OR J. Takes Over BaadMedicine for a Few Days While T. is Away

Since I seem to have some freedom of expression while my partner is off vacationing, (I know where she is. Do you?) I have decided to wax philosophical on knitting. Those of you who know me will perhaps be surprised that I am taking the time to be deep and introspective. I am nothing if not unpredictable.


Episode 1: The Outsiders


There are people among us who don't knit. (You would never know it by the number of people in or on the waitlist for Ravelry.) These people seem normal and yet they harbor a dark secret. A secret they will give anything to keep from the world. They don't knit. They may have tried to knit as children and forgotten how, they may not be able to distinguish the difference between crochet and knitting, they probably have never known the glory of the hand-knitted sock. Let us look closely at these outsiders.


A) The Never Knitter


The NK can often be found in urban areas. They are often seen wearing man-made fibres such as polyesters and nylon. The NK thinks that knitting is something that is only done by ladies over 70, having never known ladies over 70. NKs may hold the opinion that knitting is a waste of time, is old-fashioned, a craft that is only holding women back.


If you ever encounter a NK, proceed with caution. NKs are often hostile towards crafty types and can misunderstand the ways of the master knitter. One may have to defend the craft and art of knitting by explaining the nuances and subtleties of the knit and the purl. NKs sometimes need to be convinced that young, trendy and sexy women such as you and I (insert men if you're a guy. I don't discriminate.) are knitters and are proud of it. I have knitted more than one thong in my day. That is enough information to blow the tighty whities off of most NKs.


B) The Wanna-Knitters



These people would like to knit but are afraid to try. Perhaps they don't think they can do it. Or maybe they think it is too complicated. (Really, WKs, it's 2 different stitches and you can get away with only one if you really want. Look at Elizabeth Zimmerman! Some of her most famous patterns consist of only knit stitches: Tomten, Baby Surprise Jacket, even her Baby Leggings are mostly knit with a little ribbing for your pleasure. I digress.)

I was once a WK. I could crochet competantly with the one hook. The thought of two needles (and then 4 or 5) caused shaking and generalized agitation. It took some time and a patient teacher to make me realize that I, too, could knit. And knit well.

My Baba is a very accomplished at cross stitch and crochet but she used to tell me she was too old to learn to knit. Then one day, at the age of 80, she let slip that she had been practising her cabling and it really wasn't that hard.

WKs eventually will turn into knitters given opportunity and motivation. It is your job as a knitter to provide them with such. Just remember that once upon a time, you were a WK, too.

C) The Why-Don't-You-Knit-For-Me-ers

These are perhaps the most annoying species of non-knitters. The WDYKFMers will pester you to make them a hat, a pair of socks, a sweater for their dog. I wonder if the WDYKFMers realize the number of stitches in a pair of men's socks is greater than the number of stitches in the average sweater.

WDYKFMers tend not to be appreciative of the effort invested into a knitted object. I prefer to offer these outsiders knitting lessons. It's that whole give them a fish, eat for a day, teach them to knit, they'll have the best socks ever argument. They will rarely take you up on it but perhaps they will leave you alone.

Good work, class. When next we meet, we will study the knitter and the many roles that the knitter can assume. Dismissed.

So long, farewell, Auf widersehen...

There's a happy sort of clanging

From the clock in the hall

And the bells in the steeple too,

And up in the nurs'ry an absurd little boy

Is popping out to say "coocoo".

Gladfully they tell us,

And firmly they compel us

To say goodbye to you.

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, good night,

I can't wait to go and leave this pretty sight.

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, adieu,

Adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu and yieu.

I'm gone for a week. Mama needs a new pair of shoes...

Can you guess where I'm going???

Plodding along...

Week 2 of No New Cast-ons....applause please...thank you, thank you

This is a great feat given that my first Hill Country Yarns shipment arrived. They are destined to be Christmas socks to boost up that tally (I'm not even trying to approach J's 8.5 -- I'll be happy with a solid 5). Pictures of those will follow when they get started...

As I work through my current projects, I notice that I have made some progress. Amazing what you can complete when you actually focus on a few things at a time (rather than ELEVEN things at a time...and yes that number is correct; 11 UFOs).

My Tomten....

This was originally meant to be for my new niece/nephew, then I thought my baby boy but now I'm thinking maybe my big boy. What do you think???

My Hanami....

It's looking good, and I'm keeping up.

This Christmas gift which can not be spoken of....

So I'm making progress and as Oliver Wendell Holmes said:

“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”

I'm moving forward baby, I am.