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.

Discussion #4

How is everyone? I hope well. We are still cold and snowy here in Ohio. Midwestern winters, they do drag on. This week I'm curious to know:

Have you participated in knitalongs? Charity knitting? Art knitting? Gift knitting?

This is my second knitalong - first time hostessing. I love to charity knit. I make afghans for the YWCA family center where my sister works as a youth coordinator. Each one is given to a family who is setting up a new home after a period of homelessness. This is also my first art knitting adventure. I have added knitting elements to artworks but never made an artwork of knitting. As for gift knitting? LOVE IT! When I am working on a gift for someone I sort of meditate and think about our relationship and friendship. I try to imbue warm, happy feelings into each gift and I hope they can sense it when they put on the scarf, mittens, socks, hats, or sweaters. I am trying to do a similar thing with this knitalong - concentrating on my research, on the knitting stories I have read and heard, and what the final project could look like. It's exciting...and a little scary. What is your experience with knitalongs, charity knitting, art knitting, and gift knitting? Which is your favorite? Why?

Discussion #3

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! The blooms above are from Cath. She tried to make the flower before I was able to revise the pattern. The results were less than floral prompting her to send me an email titled "Bra Cup?" Apparently the old pattern produced something structurally similar to a Madonna-esque cone bra. Yeesh! This week's question was answered partially by some of you already but maybe you could elaborate a little.

When and from whom did you learn to knit? Do you have a particular story?

I am especially interested because my own story is not very exciting. I worked at a cafe in the main library at the Ohio State University for a year as an undergraduate. We were next to the computer lab and one of the computer lab assistants would knit to kill time. She made mainly scarves and she put the idea in my head. A portable activity with usable results to do during down time at a boring job. Then I saw Debbie Stoller on the Today Show promoting the first Stitch n' Bitch book. I was a budding feminist and I wanted to be her. I went to the Columbus Metropolitan Library and borrowed the book with the best pictures (they didn't have a copy of Stitch n' Bitch), bought some needles and a skein of Red Heart and spent a weekend cursing and fumbling. After many ugly hours, dropped stitches, and sticky needles it clicked! I was knitting! Everywhere! Class, work (by this time I was tending bar at a pool hall. Very Madame Defarge), outside, inside, I couldn't stop. The first project I finished was a wonky scarf for my gram. Of course she loved it. She was a defunked knitter herself who learned from her mother but never developed much love for the craft. She prefered to build doll house furniture. But my efforts reminded her of my great-gram and that made her proud. Who taught you to knit? What do you remember about learning?

Discussion #2

Wow. I have been reading all of your responses from the last post and all of you have told such wonderful stories! Thank you for sharing. I received the first flower today from Mary.Yep, those are adorable little bee buttons. Liela had asked if embellishment is allowed. I replied absolutely. Be creative with materials, buttons, beads, mixing yarns, etc. or you can keep it simple. Here are some I have made.
The brown ones aren't the prettiest but I don't love them any less.People have also asked how many flowers to knit. I will take as many as you care to knit! You can mail them a little at a time or all at once, I just need them by the end of March. Finally, my goal is finish editing the intro to the thesis this week so hopefully I can send it out next week with the announcement email. Now that the house keeping is out of the way, this week's discussion question is:

What is your favorite item to knit and why?

I love to knit afghans. I knit my first one three years ago as a gift to my mom and step dad. It was a very simple pattern with alternating squares of garter, reverse stockinette, stockinette, and seed stitch. I bought a bunch of wild, soft, textured and novelty yarns like Fun Fur, Patons Allure and Divine, Yarn Bee Luscious, and Bernat Bouclé. These are yarns I normally wouldn't knit with but because the afghan was so large, there was a lot of room to play with texture. Then I began really exploring my afghan options and discovered the beautiful Mason Dixon patterns like the log cabin and mitered square afghans. They reminded me of growing up in rural central Pennsylvania seeing all the quilts in Amish country and at the county fairs. In addition, they reminded me of the Gee's Bend quilters that I fell in love with while I was in art school. Over all, because afghans are so big, there is a lot of opportunity to play with pattern, color, and texture. I also usually make them with cheapy acrylic yarn so they aren't too expensive to create. I donate them most of the time, though I do have two I'm working on now that I plan to keep. Aside from afghans, I feel like I need to give a shout out to socks because I recently started knitting them and the variety of yarns and patterns is staggering! Each one is like a little sculpture. What about you guys? Hat's? Mittens? Socks? Sweaters? What's you passion?