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Disscussion #1
Hello fellow knitters! I am so excited by the response I've received over the last few days. Thank you so much for participating - sharing your talents and thoughts. The first discussion question is one we've all been asked before: Why do you knit?
I've answered this multiple ways depending on the circumstances: "I like to knit because it relaxes me", "I like making my own clothes", "It gives me something to do while I'm watching television". All of these are true but there is more to it for me. - My grandmother and great-grand mother were knitters. Though I didn't learn from them when I knit I still feel closer to them.
- I am trained as an oil painter but did not really feel like an artist until I started working with crafts like knitting and sewing.
- Knitting has introduced me to so many wonderful people simply because they share the craft and discussing it never gets old.
These are some of the personal reasons why I knit. They are interesting to me and my fellow knitters, but generally when I start to talk about the art/craft conundrum at cocktail parties people's eyes glaze over a little. Why do you knit?
-I knit because I can't live without making things and it is the most portable craft I have found. Sewing takes up a lot of space that I don't have, and you can't run a sewing machine while proctoring exams.
ReplyDelete-I also knit to make connections with real life, flesh and blood, human beings. I am socially awkward and don't enjoy keggers anymore. It's nice to have an excuse to meet up with like-minded people and eat cheese.
I didn't learn to knit until after my Gran died in November of 2000. She was the one who taught me to crochet and I found myself looking for something new. The book The Knitting Goddess leapt out at me on a trip to B&N that winter and would not let me go until I learned to knit. I love the repetitive motion, the choice of colors, the freedom of being able to sculpt a form without having to deal with clay under my nails or the clean up. There's more I'm sure, that just touches the tip of the iceberg. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy do I knit? I don't remember NOT being able to knit. I learned as a preschooler from my mum and gramma. For me, knitting is as natural as breathing. :)
ReplyDeleteI like knitting cause it keeps my hands busy, gives me useful items for myself and my family, it's portable, allows me to be creative and be an artist and designer too.
Knitting helps me earn a living. I love being able to create one-of-a-kind items, play with colours and create textures. It's a great job!
Why I knit has evolved over many years. My maternal Grandmother was my knitting mentor as a child. I am mainly a self-taught knitter but I learned my early basic techniques watching her. I think this is where I learned to be a sort of Continental thrower ~ by watching her knit English and throwing. I did the reverse of what she did. I can remember her telling me, Cathy, you are doing it wrong but your stitches are right. Grandma passed away in 2004 but I still remember her while knitting my projects. She would be amazed at all of the online resources for knitters out there now. I remember her getting the Mary Maxim catalogs. I still have a Holly Hobby afghan she made for me as a child.
ReplyDeleteUp until 2004, I don't think I took my knitting skill seriously. Early in the year my husband and I moved from New York to Ohio and I was feeling pretty much like a shaken up snow globe. Life was turned upside down. I think I turned to knitting, casting on and finishing a sweater jacket, to not only keep the connection with my recently passed Grandmother but also keep busy while becoming acquainted with a new town/state.
These days knitting is a central part of my life. It is my relaxation as well as a social outlet. I love sitting around with knitting friends talking about anything while building stitches.
I cannot remember not doing something artsy. I colored and drawed starting at age 3. I learned to crochet at age 5 and learned to sew at age 8. I used to make Barbie clothes freestyle by crocheting and sewing.
ReplyDeleteI believe that knitting is a natural progression of my "art". I put it in parentheses because I'm still learning but am a little more advanced than just beginner. I learned to knit from my Mom about 6 years ago. We started knitting to not only learn it but also to enhance our craft business.
I also feel that knitting brings people together. Knitting and Crocheting is something that my Mom, Grandmother (maternal) and I all have in common. It's also a great way to socialize with friends and an even better way to express yourself with either the patterns you decide to make or the colors you choose.
There weren't/aren't knitters in my or my husband's families. So knitting has sort of become a distinguishing feature for me. Knitting and wearing my knitted items is something I do that sets me apart from the rest. It's something I excel at. It makes me appear clever and patient, or maybe just eccentric and a little odd. :)
ReplyDeleteApart from that, I agree with all the other commenters. Knitting is soothing and allows me to be creative and results in beautiful and unique wearable clothing. I enjoy knitting with friends at my LYS and poking all around Ravelry with my internet buddies. And knitting helps cope with situations where I have to wait, like doctors' offices.
I had a Scottish grandma (my dad's) who taught me gardening. My Irish grandma (my mum's) taught me the household skills:- cooking, baking, crochet and knitting. The knitting/crocheting scene started before I was 10 (needed to submit a square to get a merit badge [it was a royal blue one]), so mum farmed me out to Grandma Pyle's for the weekend and I came home knitting. That same weekend Grandpa Pyle taught me how to whistle.
ReplyDeleteOver the years I have turned into something of a yarn snob. If the yarn doesn't feel good to my fingers or I don't like the color, I don't use it. I put my skill, time and caring into the article so I want to enjoy myself while doing it. But then again, I am a contradiction!!!!! I don't like the feel of most yarns on my body. Can't stand homemade socks on my feet, don't like the itchiness of tight fitting sweaters and let's not even go there with regards to the smell of wet winter woolens.
I enjoy the portability of knitting. Knitting also creates an opening for many conversations:- airports, waiting rooms, coffee shops, laudromats, etc.
There are certain things that are necessary to have a marathon evening of knitting:- a large comfortable chair, good lighting, a good sound system and a chairside table (to hold a mug of your favorite brew and a small plate/bowl of goodies that can be eaten using one hand). Heaven.
Why do I knit now? Or why did I start knitting?
ReplyDeleteI knit now because it's something portable to do with my hands. It's logical. There's a lot of variation in the process to give the same results, so I can play with different shaping methods.
I knit because it's an easy way to find friends in a new city. Stitch-n-bitch groups are pretty easy to find and a lot more stable than most groups that just sit around and talk.
I learned to knit because my college flatmate needed someone to teach a sweater design class with her. She taught me to knit and I taught her about shaping. At the time, I was in a bit of a craft-crisis, having lost costuming when the theatre season was over and not having the money for beading or beadmaking or any of my other previous crafts. Knitting was cheap! I could expense everything because of the sweater class!
Around the age of 12 my paternal grandmother taught me how to knit. I loved doing crafty things as a child and I used to knit potholders, washcloths, blankets- anything involved a knit and purl stitch cuz that is all my grandma taught me. I continued to knit sporadically throughout my teens and into college but not very much and always in the comfort of my apartment.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started graduate school I met a friend (MOLLY!!) who was always knitting or talking about it and the discussions always left me yearning to grab the needles. I was brave enough to pick it back up and catch on rather quickly. Now I knit because it makes me feel good about myself, like I have accomplished something. It fulfills my desire to be creative, and it is so versatile that I can knit a hat for instant gratification or an afghan for a long arduous project. It is both challenging an relaxing and forces me to continue to learn since I am still learning many techniques and also picking up crochet and teaching myself.
I knit because:
ReplyDeletea)I love the feel of the different fibers in my hands.
b)It is a portable way of keeping my hands busy when my mind needs calming - in times of stress or crisis (like after brain surgery!).
c)I can create something useful and pretty and unique.
d)As a kinesthetic learner I use knitting as a way to keep my hands busy during trainings where I am familiar with the material but need to participate (and stay awake!)and remember the specifics of the training.
e)It is a way to connect with history - knowing that I am doing something that people had to do to keep their family clothed and warm; that the movements of my hands are the same as those that people in many cultures have used to create clothing for their loved ones.
f)Knitting is a comfort - for me as I knit and for the person who receives some knitted gift from me.
I knit to stay sane. I knit because I can’t sit still and this allows me to fidget and be productive and be creative…all at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI started crocheting afghans after I graduated college in 1991. In 1998, I joined a spinning guild and at one of their retreats, they taught me how to knit and I will be forever grateful for that! Of course, I learned how to knit and it wasn’t for another 6 months that I learned how to purl. Yep. True story! I loved it – even took a class on how to make socks at which I also learned intarsia and Fair Isle knitting as well as how to knit a cable. Good stuff all because I made gobs of socks throughout my time in the Peace Corps. Of course, one day during training, I had my drop spindle and fiber out and all of a sudden, a Bulgarian reporter started asking me questions such as: “Do all American women spin their own yarn?!” Uh, no. But they should! It’s fun!
For 4-5 years, all I made were afghans, shawls and socks…mostly socks. It wasn’t until my cousin opened up a yarn shop out in Hoboken that I branched out to other things. Now, I knit socks, scarves, hats, gloves (only fingerless so far!), sweaters, stuffed animals – and bottles, bags, baskets, tablemats, etc – all sorts of fun things! I love it! I love being able to create something – especially when I’m also using my own handspun yarn as I’m doing in a wrap I’ve just started knitting that is knit with both Rowan Felted tweed in purple and my handspun blend of Black merino and silk. So far, it’s coming along rather nicely.
This year though, I want to learn a new skill (lace) and want to keep improving the quality of the things I knit.
So why do I knit? I knit to relax. I knit to be creative. I knit to be productive. I knit for me. I knit for others. I knit because it makes me happy.
My first forray into fiber arts was sewing. My Gram sewed, so I had to sew. Everytime I was at her house, she let me get out her HUGE riduclously heavy old Singer and let me play. I probably did more damage to that thing, but she never cared. I made little pillows all the time. TONS and TONS of pillows. It was the easiest, quickest thing to make with all her scrap fabrics.
ReplyDeleteAt some point she showed me crochet and her teaching was more like, here's how you do it, she helped me make a chain, then she bought me a book with TONS of stitches and was basically like "you're on your own now, kid." But it was good. She bought me yarn and gave me some old hand me down mags and I was on a crocheting binge. I remember once when I was about 8 or 9, our church had a ladies shut in and we all sat around and crocheted all night. I was with all these fabulous old grannies and had the best time. I learned how to make a double sided pot-holder with out a pattern and I new that pattern for years, but now cannot recall it, but it was a blast to make.
Into my teens, I stopped crocheting. Partly because I didn't think I was that good-very uneven stitches and rows and the other half of was because it caused a lot of pain/tension in my right hand. So I gave it up and got into photography.
I always thought knitting was NEAT with the 2 sticks and all, but I was VERY scared of it, too. I just didn't understand the how and the holding of sticks and the yarn seemed like it was everywhere.
Several years back, I was going to have surgery and knew I'd be in bed for a few days. I knew I would need SOMETHING to do, so I bought a learn to knit kit and I did it! My first project was this crazy big hat made with Lion Brand Bulky Thick and Quick. I made it with size 13 needles and it was awesome. I had a huge sense of accomplishment and made several more hats after that.
My craft has definitely progressed and what I love about knitting is the sharing and togetherness of the people I knit with and the friendships that have developed as well as all the learning I've accomplished because of these people. It is so amazing to share in each other's joys as well as the pains of frogging, be it that evil lace or that crazy stranded fair-isle mess... in some way or other we've all been there. We can commiserate and we can celebrate and that is awesome.
I went to my first knitting group "meeting" in 2008 and I can honestly say, had I not continued to meet with these awesome knitters, I know my knitting would not have advanced and I probably still wouldn't be taking it very seriously. In fact I probably wouldn't be knitting every day with the passion that I have for it.
So in a nutshell, my knitting has been a progression, a learning experience, a connection, companionship, and an addiction and that is why I knit.
I learned how to knit two years ago. My friend was visiting and we were looking for something to do, so we bought a little kit and some yarn. I was kind of hesitant because I have so many hobbies it can get a little out of hand sometimes. I pick things up and set them down for long periods, and I didn’t really want to have one more thing that I wanted to be doing but couldn’t find time for. Well. We each started a garter stitch scarf that weekend. She never finished hers, but I haven’t stopped knitting since. Turns out it is one of the most portable and flexible activities there is.
ReplyDeleteI like knitting because it is like writing or art in that it is very simple to learn to do, but impossible to master. A person could never say, “There. Now I have learned everything there is to know about knitting.” The skill set is endless as is the creative possibility. It is also easy to learn new skills and basically risk free. I have learned pretty much everything out of books, even cables and lace and socks--they’re just really not that hard. And if I try something and don’t like it, I can frog it. It’s not like a sewing project--once you’ve cut that fabric, you can’t put it back together again. It would be nice to have a group or a friend or two that could help me, but on the other hand, I like to learn things on my own. I enjoy the process of figuring out how things work, which is central to any knitting endeavor.
I have this theory that because people have not really evolved significantly since we were tribal nomads, we enjoy and benefit physically and psychologically from things that make sense in a hunter/gatherer lifestyle. Walking is my favorite example, but I think for women especially, repetitive handwork similar to mundane tasks like picking berries or weaving baskets is satisfying on a deep level. Not everybody likes it of course, but once a person finds the groove I think it is very soothing.
Then of course there is the transformative aspect of knitting. Making one thing into another is a form of everyday magic. I like being involved in the process of turning animal hair into human clothing. I would like to learn to spin some day too. Producing the things I use is much more satisfying than simply being a consumer. I think we as a culture would be better off if we understood where the items we consume come from. It sheds a whole different light on cost and value. The money we spend is only part of the cost of an item, and when we appreciate how much labor was put into something it has a great deal more value.
I remember my Grandma teaching me to knit when I was eight. I've knitted off-and-on since then. I'm in my thirties now, and knit on a regular basis. I come from a fiber arts family- my grandmothers used to knit and crochet, my dad is a weaver, and my stepmom's a quilter. It seems strange to me NOT to have a project laying around the house somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of being surrounded by fiber people, I am still in many ways a beginner. I just completed my first sweater and am tickled pink!
I love to knit. It's so relaxing, and I feel connected to my grandmothers, who have moved on. In addition- I love the idea of preserving traditional crafts, like knitting, sewing, or weaving, and passing them on.
I also love the idea of using traditional crafts in non-traditional ways. I love funky patterns, and embrace the challenge of using neat, non-animal based fibers. This is important to me as a vegan, although I'm kind of on my own with this one in knitting circles. :)
I taught myself to knit about 5 years ago. My daughter was involved n dance competitions that involved long weekends in poorly lit auditoriums. Reading was difficult even with book lights. In the back of my head knitting seemed interesting so I got a book and some yarn and needles and gave it a try. Everyone who knew me, figured it would be an arts/craft phase and gave it a year tops.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely a process knitter. I knit to pass time at my daughter's sports events now that she is in high school. I knit while I watch tv, it is especially helpful when watching sports as it helps work off stress. i enjoy textural knits such as patterns created by stitches and especially cables. While I love color, colorwork not so much. I get bored easy, so larger projects such as cardigans and jackets take me forever to finish. I love making bags, socks, cowls, fingerless mitts etc.
I also enjoy the fact that I have made several real life knitting friends and get together with them regularly.
My Granma taught me to calm me down... but it ended up having the opposite effect on me. I got so worked up and pissed off that she ended up taking the knitting away and instead gave me a hot glue gun and I spent most of my childhood hot gluing things to other things.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think people get the misconception that everyone knits to make things for other people. Like every knitter is selfless. Well, that's crap. I knit because it makes something. Which I will probably keep for myself. Even if it's funky looking and it pisses me off when I make it.
I learned to knit in school as a young girl, my aunt knitted so it seemed natural enough, but I only knit hit or miss for a few years. Then about 5 1/2 years ago I picked up the needles again after a move to a new area and I have never put them down. I now design, meet with a regular group of knitters and stash for my future!! Its my retirement fund!
ReplyDeleteI learned to knit from my Mom. She was a huge influence, along with both my Grandmother's. When I was around 6 or 7, my Mom and Grandma (her mom) owned a yarn store. I spent many, many hours hanging around. I made long i-cords with those little machines, played with buttons, played with random store stuff, helped cash out customers and watched both my Mom and Gram create sweaters, hats, scarves, etc. I know my Mom tried to teach me knit or crochet around this time and I simply just didn't have the patience. She tried a few more times over the years, but it never stuck.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was about 20, I was going to college in Boston and really sick. I didn't want to withdraw from classes, but I was too sick to go. My insurance wouldn't cover anything so my Dad was in the process of fighting to get me care. I decided I wanted to knit. I believe this came out of pure homesickness. My Mom sent me a good book she'd found and I ventured out to find needles and cheap yarn. I found some wool-ease and attempted to make a scarf. I ended up getting sicker, ignored the knitting and moved home. Once there, my Mom taught me to knit over New Year's Eve. We were stuck in my room while my Dad was putting hardwood floors down in our house (we're all crafty!). I finished a quite ugly purple and black garter ridge scarf and never stopped knitting.
I've always been crafty, even since I was really little--friendship bracelets, cross stitch, collage, painting, sewing, all the way up to studying graphic design in college. The compulsion to create has always been there and I can't turn it off. Sometimes, when there are major life stresses, it either fades away (as with a friend's death a few months ago) or it goes into hyper drive (when major physical illness comes over). For me, I believe, it's calming because I am in control of the situation. I am in control of the correct stitches being made and the overall creation. This piece of knitting does not exist without me. So, when my life is out of control, I still obtain a little. And when my life isn't overly stressful, it's simply something that's fun because it allows me to create kick-ass art.
I knit because I enjoy it, even when the pattern is pissing me off. (Of course, the fact that most of the time it's user error and not pattern error increases the irritation.) But I'm a perfectionist, so I'll keep going until it's right. I do feel less stressed when I'm knitting, despite the swearing. And I usually learn something in the process, which is a nice ego boost.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Stefanie:
ReplyDelete"I knit because I like to make stuff and not feel like I'm just wasting time (ie, when watching a movie). I'm in a band, so when we play a show or the few times we've been on tour, there is a lot of time to fill. I also have commute time on the bus and train that is perfect for portable projects like socks. Moreover, it keeps me sane - I credit my addiction with knitting with being able to finally become un-dependent on antidepressants and better manage depression - I feel so much less crappy when I am making cool things!"
I scrolled quickly past the other comments to make sure my answer was mine own here, so here it is:
ReplyDeleteI love technology, and the way you can do everything faster, and I work in an environment that challenges me with new tecnology frequently. Heck, I learned alot of my knitting skills online!
But, I love teh idea of making it all myself - one long piece of string becoomes a fabric to embrace the wearer. . .whether in a sweater or a sock. . .with the gift of time, and thought. While I knit, I often pray for the eventual recipient of the piece, and I keep that person close to my heart, even if that person is me. My knitting says, "I care about you so much that I want to make something you will love. I could give you a gift certificate, or buy you a knick-knack, but I know (for instance) that you like to wear hats. I will make you the hat-of-all-hats, to keep your body (and your heart) warm."
The other big reason I knit is that it forces me to slow down. To sit and move very little. To slow my thoughts, and replace stress with simple stitches. When I sit down, I either fidget or I fall asleep. If I am knitting, it is less than fidgeting, but more than sleeping. The rhythmic movement of needle and yarn still my soul, and center my thoughts. I can still interact with people, talk and laugh and watch tv. . .all the things I stop doing when I get stressed. So I knit to relax, to celebrate life and to help me enjoy just being.
I knit because ... Initially, I just needed something, anything, to keep my mind quiet. My mom had recently died, and I was spending a lot of time alone in my apartment. I've crocheted since I was a kid, but that wasn't an option at the time - of course, mom had taught me that, and I just couldn't handle the connection there. So I took a knitting class - yarn was familiar, but the method was different enough to make the comfort also a distraction. And it worked. It was enough to send me into a place where I wasn't thinking about how awful everything seemed.
ReplyDeleteOnce that stage of grief was over and I was capable of thinking about what I was doing, I discovered I really liked knitting. I started projects requiring focus and thought, and I appreciated the challenge.
At the same time, I was making the transition from work-and-school to just work, and I needed something that gave me the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that school gave me. I discovered that knitting was just like writing a paper (which I always really enjoyed!) - initial inspiration, research, planning, execution, mistakes, rework and editing in order to define something.
Frogging stopped bothering me when I made that connection. After all, I'd never turn in a paper knowing there were grammatical errors.
I knit because of some internal conflicts over the role of being a professional woman. I have often been told that I will be very successful in my career, but that my personal life (i.e. a clean home, a husband and having kids that aren't serial killers) will suffer. I often struggle internally with trying to prove this comment wrong. I associate knitting with nurturing, "being domestic," and taking care of hearth and home. Providing homemade things for people is the ultimate form of care, akin to cooking.
ReplyDeleteOn a less neurotic note I learned how to knit from a friend of mine. As a performing artist it is interesting to me to delve into other forms of expression. I knit because it's a way to be closer to my friend, picking her brain and sharing small accomplishments (like not messing up).
On behalf of Ingrid:
ReplyDelete"Knitting is about the process for me. I knit because I want to try out new techniques or yarns to see how they knit up. I also do it because it allows me to make things that fit me properly and that I can give to others. Knitting also enables me to think and listen better. I can concentrate properly on podcasts and audiobooks, only if I am knitting. It is also great for stressful times - very calming."
I learned to knit at age 5 and have continued on and off for 53 years. Lately I am more involved with it. I now use my knitting as a social activity as well as a comfort activity. I also quilt but can not take it with me so knitting fills that need for me. It allows me to be creative and productive with results that are practical and beautiful.
ReplyDelete