Discussion #8

This post is a day late but I have a GOOD reason. I sat down to begin yesterday and then I got a phone call Brea. Apparently my campus mailbox (which is actually just a little cubby) was overflowing and taking over the whole copy room. Did I want her to fetch the mail for me? Yes, yes I did.Which brings me to this morning, having a little Christmas in February.These stunners are from Cyndi. She played with the pattern a little (some of them have lacy bits!) and added some vintage-y buttons. These are from Dianna and my research assistant Ronan (she's the grey one at the top of the photo) was completely fascinated with the brown one. She sniffed it all over and then rubbed her face on it. It didn't smell like cat nip...These came from Stephanie. The right one is Red Heart and the left is some left over merino blend. I think they make a funny pair. Finally, this last one was the most interesting to open.Followed by...for wrapping. Then...And when I pulled away the layer of tissue...Sweet cotton flowers from Maria! Thanks so much, ladies! You made my morning.

This weeks question might be another rough one. Hang in there! They get more fun next week.

Do you equate knitting with feminism? Femininity? Both? Why/not?

I do equate knitting with both feminism and femininity. I equate it with feminism because when I am knitting I feel incredibly capable, talented, intelligent, like a yarn rock star. I love to teach knitting, I love to read about other knitters, spend time with other knitters. In my experience, all of those things have brought me closer to women - really strong, talented, gifted women. That celebration of women's talent and ability is incredibly feminist. I equate knitting with femininity because knitting is a traditional women's craft. Yes, some men knit and we love them for it. But historically knitting, like sewing, like child rearing, has been for the women. I think that is wonderful! Why shouldn't we have a craft / art all our own that makes us feel capable and brings us together? Of course, I am able to say this because my fore mothers fought like hell for my right to vote, buy property, live independently, and knit for fun and pleasure. So every few stitches is a little shout out to them. This is MY opinion and I'll admit, I get a little riled up about it. You may not feel this way at all and I think that is awesome too. How do you feel about knitting, feminism, femininity, and the whole business? Please share. And thanks again for your words and thoughts.

Discussion #7

Alright. I am behind on life! Why is this such a common state these days? I guess when I really begin to contemplate the situation, it isn't a new state. My grandmothers and great-grand mothers were both hard working ladies - farming, raising babies, keeping house, cooking (in the case of Adeline for about 15 farmhands three meals a day), making clothes, volunteering time (Ginny did meals on wheels well into her eighties), and trying to maintain relationships with friends, family, and husbands. Wow! I actually feel better now! At least I don't have to cook for 15 seriously hungry guys and then mop up the cow poo they tracked through my kitchen. Kudos, Adeline, you are a champion among women! Now, onto the flowers, the highlight of my week. The gorgeous red flower at the beginning of this post is from Liela, who despite a broken arm managed a lovely flower complete with leaves.
This vibrant cluster is from Grace. The color palette is so dramatic and summery.
And this set is from Joanne. Each came pinned to a description of the yarn and the original project. They remind me of biological samples - like rather than knitting them she went foraging and discovered them. I love the idea of foraging for knitted flowers and plants.
Last week's question seemed to be a bit of a dud and I fear this week's might be too. But here we go!

Do you see knitting as activism or as political? Why/not?

I do and I don't. Knitting has participated in some political actions - war time knitting and charity knitting can both be seen as political. Suffragettes also packed their knitting on protests and embroidered their banners. But I think knitting may have just been along for the ride - a companion or medium through which protest occurred - but not inherently political. Currently, I think there are some artists and activists also using knitting, but is knitting political and activist or just the medium through which activism speaks? Here are some links:

• Ming Yi Sung
• Steal this Sweater
• Red Sweaters
• Hyperbolic crochet coral reef
• knitPro

What do you think? Are there other artists using knitting in this way? Please share them with us. As always I look forward to reading your brilliant comments.

Discussion #6

Happy Tuesday! We've had an honest thaw here in Ohio and it is glorious. I am trying not to get spring fever, but I rode my bike to campus today and the smell of fresh, damp earth...well, I think that did it. Too bad it is only February. Good thing I have some fresh flowers.These are from Heather.and these two are from Eli.Thanks, ladies!

This week's discussion is my favorite one to think about before I go to sleep at night. Yes, my dork is showing.

Do you feel knitting is a craft or an art form? Why?

I actually devote a whole section of my thesis to just this question and never really answer it. Richard Rutt (2003), the author of A History of Hand Knitting says,

“Knitting is best called a craft. It serves life and is relatively ephemeral. It gets worn and wears out. It can be expensive but is almost never precious. Its structure is more limiting than the structures of tapestry and embroidery. Therefore knitting is widely practiced by non-professionals and tends to be a peoples craft. There in lies much of its interest and the fascination of knitting history (p. 25)”

I agree with elements of this analysis of knitting as a craft but I find it limiting. I think knitting can straddle the (/) between art / craft, sometimes with both needles planted firmly on one side or the other. However, that is my contemporary assessment and it comes on the heels of a long history of knitting as a practical, social activity. There are also the sticky issues of gender, class, and culture.

“Etymologically ‘art’ has a Latin root and ‘craft’ an Old English root. Both words mean the same thing: skill. The distinction between ‘artist’ and ‘artesian’ is modern. It was not fixed till the end of the eighteenth century, during which the idea of ‘fine arts’ first emerged, and the cult of ‘artistic inspiration’ was developed” (Rutt, 2003, p. 25).

As the cult of artistic inspiration was on the rise there were forces of gender, class, ethnicity, and religion, at work driving a wedge deeper between art and craft. Art consisted of painting, sculpture, and drawing; was the realm of white, European, upper class, educated, Christian men; and became the dominant researched subject. Craft consisted of weaving, sewing, woodworking, and ceramics; was the realm of lower class, uneducated women and men who may or may not be of color or of different religions; and was unworthy of rigorous research. Rosika Parker (1989) underscores this separation:

“The art/craft hierarchy suggest that art made with thread and art made with paint are intrinsically unequal: That the former is artistically insignificant. But the real differences between the two are in terms of where they are made and who made them” (p. 5, emphasis is author’s).

Currently, there are multiple examples of artists taking up the needles and knitters tapping into the art scene. Even after all my research and reading I still don't have a definitive answer. What do you think? Art? Craft? Both? Neither?

Discussion #5

I am starting to feel like a precious oasis, a reminder and promise of spring, in a state blanketed with snow and ice.There arrived by hand delivery last week from Cath...This little guy came in the mail from Stefanie (I love the pipe-cleaner stamens)...
And I just received an email from Cyndi that these are in the mail! I wish all of you could see how excited I get when I get these brilliant little works of art. I jump up and down in the Art Ed department mail room, do a little happy dance, and show them to everyone in close proximity. They travel with me the rest of the day in my bag, get shown off some more, talked about, and then packed safely away at the end of the day - warm and snug with all the other flowers.


So this week I want to know:

Do you prefer to knit alone or in a group? Why?

I find both have their merits. Knitting alone - and for me this usually means with the TV on or while reading - is the bee's knees. I usually sort of zone out. This is so important to me because I have a mile a minute mind that can hold about four separate trains of thought at a time and none of them productively. Like right now I am thinking about this blog post; my iPod that is on the fritz because I got sweat in it; what I plan to talk about in the class I am co-teaching tonight; whether or not I should make more coffee; and my taxes. Ug. However, knitting seems to siphon away all those other random thoughts, compartmentalize them, and allow me time to work with each one and try to resolve it. There are so few other activities that put me in this state - artmaking, running, hiking. Knitting is by far the most portable and convenient.


Knitting in a group? Laughter also allows me to enter the mind clearing state. Knitting in a group ultimately leads to the kind of laughter that feels like a good ab work out and a good cry. Knitting is the group safe zone and constant from which all the pain and hilarity of life come pouring out. "What do you talk about in knitting group?" "Work, babies, womanhood, sex, movies, books, relationships, fears, goals, food, drugs, politics, religion, bodily functions, family...oh! and knitting, you know, yarn and stuff..."


How do you tap into your knitting mojo? I am so looking forward to more of your wonderful writing.