Sound Off! Non-Knitters
There are two things that are very often discussed on knitting forums. Some get upset when someone says what they knit looks like it could have been purchased in a store, and others get upset when a non-knitter says "I would love to knit but I don't see how you find the time". I would like to address both of these today and you are more then welcome to "sound off" in the comments about how you feel. We are each entitles to our opinions!
1) People get upset when someone says what they knit looks like it could have been purchased in a store
This upsets a lot of people; however it does not upset me. I take it as the highest compliment because to me it is them saying "wow your craftsmanship is perfect". However, I know that it's actually better then something machine made. The seams are probably stronger and I would bet a large sum of money that my material is far superior. The later point which I often bring up such as "oh and its merino!" or "it's Pima Cotton too!”
However we have to step back for a moment and understand my perspective. I am not someone who likes "hand made gifts". I am extremely picky about the quality and artistry put into something and I want it to be of the highest quality. I am a designer by trade so I am picky about colors, and overall composition. So if I look at a sweater for example that is a v-neck raglan with a cable going down the center of the sweater, and the top half of the sweater is blue and the button half is yellow, well I cringe. I cringe because the beauty of that cable was completely obliterated by the color change in the yarn. Or if a hand dyed yarn with a lot of contrasting color is used with a lace pattern I also sort of think to myself, "why on earth did you do that, you have half hidden all those beautiful lace stitches!". Lace to me belongs on solids or semi solids, same for cables. I am Martha Stewart picky.
I realize my perspective is probably not the norm in knitting which is all about making stuff by hand and being able to be as unique as you please. Don't get me wrong, I do not think "what a piece of crap". Instead I simply thing "Nope, I wouldn't wear that!" and that's about the extent of it, however my feelings about this are strong.
My husband is pretty much the same way, and now he sees me "going over the edge" as I learn to appreciate the craft and art of knitting. So now I will want to make stuff that I could bet your bottom dollar 3 years ago I would have shook my head at.
Now there are some blogs out there devoted to picking on knits, and I have to say there is some wacky and wild stuff out there, but I am not a hater so I myself would never dream of blogging about designs I didn't like. I focus on the happy things in life, so I have no want to waste any moment insulting other peoples designs (Even if I agree, because you know this is fashion. Open up any entertainment magazine and all they do is praise or pick on what people wear and to me knitting is no different).
So where is the line in knitting between fashion, and just simply enjoying it as a craft and exploring different creative avenues?? I think that line is not drawn clearly, but maybe you guys have some insight to add.
So when someone says that to you about your knits (that it looks store bought) just realize for a moment that they don't knit and to them it is a compliment and really you shouldn't let it frustrate you because there are more important things to worry about in life, like if your sleeves are long enough, or what yarn to use for your next sweater.
2) People say "I would love to knit but I don't see how you find the time"
This one is amusing to me, because you have to remember that not everyone has "hobbies" and some people’s hobbies are going out to eat, partying, drinking beer, watching sports or playing sports/exercising. I don't think they realize that when they are doing those things, we are knitting (or we are doing both!). So to me this comments is more ignorant then anything.
If you care about something, you make time for it, simple as that. So when someone says this to me I reply "Do you exercise, like to cook or watch TV?" Chances are they will say yes to one of those, and then I say "Well when you’re doing that I'm knitting!” So the next time someone says this to you, just let it role off because they don't really "get it". It's not worth getting frustrated over!
Comments
Pamela Mulla says;
I used to smock for my daughter when she was little and I would carry it to the kids' music school(lots of down time.)I must say my smocking was impressive...anyway someone looked at my work and said "you obviously have too much time on your hands." I was speechless Chalk comments like that up to craft envy 8~)
Christine says;
Hey Pixie,
I agree. Im totally new to the knitting "sport" and although I have friends who (whether new or old to the sport) get VERY offended by someone asking where they bought their sweater, purse, scarf.. etc... I totally take it far over the highest compliment. It makes me ponder... if they like this.. how would they react to the pattern swimming in my head? Could I be the next Martha Stewart of knitting? Which, BTW, if that title ever pops up, I will be sure to learn everything quickly so that I can compete for the title.
While I am far from designing... I love the idea of blowing peoples thoughts of "norm" out of the water by using simple ideas, thoughts, and colors. Doing simple things rather than greating something utterly ugly and totally unwearable.
Thanks for your humor, insight and advice.
Miss Tonia says;
If someone compares what I have made to something from a store, I listen to the tone they used as whether I take it to be offensive or flattering. If they say it with awe in their voice, then I say thanks with a big grin and leave it that. If they say it with distaste, then I pull one of my "mines better" remarks on them.
As for the "where do you find time" remarks. I always ask them if they watch tv or movies in the evening at home, and tell them that I do too, I just knit while I watch. A few of my friends have been amazed that I'll knit while watching movies and not miss a stitch or moment of the movie.
elizabeth says;
I'm in total agreement about using multicolored yarn in lace patterns or with cables. The pattern is what deserves your attention, not the yarn. I see people doing this with socks all the time. And if they like it, that's great, it's not my thing though. I think that for the amount of effort you put into making something, it's worth considering what the yarn wants to be. I know that sounds hokey, but seriously. You can make something that's pretty with some pretty yarn, or you can make something that's WOW! Sometimes it takes a lot of ripping to figure it out, but I think it's worth it.
kristen says;
I tend to agree with you, Pixie and Christine, that comments such as these probably aren't really meant to be insulting - although the more sensitive among us (I include myself in that category) could certainly interpret them that way. However, if I'm proud enough of something I've made to wear it in public, I know it's of good quality and I'm going to choose to see it as a compliment, whether or not it was intended that way.
Mandy says;
The comment about something I knit looking like something you could find in a store doesn't bother me at all. Usually people are impressed that I can make something that they consider fashionable, and I take that as a compliment. I think you have to keep in mind what kind of picture people who aren't connected to the knitting community sometimes have. Most people haven't been to an actual yarn store, they haven't visted some of our great sites and blogs, and they aren't picking up knitting books at the bookstore. They've probably seen the yarn section of large craft stores that, more often than not, feature fashions that are at least 20 years out of date on heir shelves. When people find out that there are knitting patterns out there that are to their taste and are something they would actually wear, they become a lot more interested in knitting.
My retort to the "too much time on my hands" comment is usually along the lines of stating that it gives me something to do all those times I'm stuck waiting or just sitting around, and then I have something to show for all those usually wasted minutes in the day.
Anne says;
I am glad I had you as my SP just as I was getting properly back into knitting - I remember thinking "Oh!" and "How picky" when I first read your questionnaire, but then as I read more of your blog and thought more about it, I totally got what you meant. And now my knitting mantra is "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!!"
And personally I would far far rather someone told me my knitting looked store-bought than said "That looks so handmade" - which I would interpret as meaning wonky and badly finished!
As for finding time - I don't get a great deal of time to knit - but it's amazing what you can achieve in an hour or so every evening in front of the telly once the children are in bed. (And let's just not look too closely at the state of the housework - OK? ;-) )
grace says;
My only sound off is this (because I pretty much agree with you on everything): don't call it a "hobby" because that makes it sound juvenile and something you'd do in middle school. I prefer to refer to knitting as my "avocation." It sounds more impressive and grown up and like I know what I'm doing (yeah right). :-P
pixie says;
Yeah I guess that can be interpreted differently. To me hobby means something I don't have to do, but choose to do and love to do. Like some people do web design as a hobby, even though that are an accountant during the day, and it doesn’t bother me that they label something I did for a career as a hobby.
Donna says;
It just never ceases to amaze me--the things some people get all worked up about. Life's way too short, IMO, to worry if someone thinks they don't have time to knit, thinks what I make looks store bought, equates knitting to something a grandma would do, and on and on. I don't get upset about a lot! :)
Robin says;
Great post - I also get annoyed with the comment about "where do you find the time?" TV especially is something that many people spend crazy amounts of time on and then they wonder why they get nothing else accomplished (rant over.)
I also had one of my co-workers actually say to me "what a waste of time when you can buy sweaters at the store!!" Now that p^&&&&d me off - I didn't tell him his pastime of participating in track events with his sports car was a waste of time.
I do actually like when people say my work is something that looks store-bought (often accompanied by, it would have been really expensive b/c of the great materials you used, etc. as the people who say this to me actually know good quality yarns, etc.)
Heather says;
I don't get upset - I feel sorry for people who don't understand why I do what I do. If there is nothing in their life that compares, then to me, something is missing - they do not have the joy of creating and creativity that I have. Some of my friends are very into cooking, which I find comparable. Some are artists, photographers, spinners (all in addition to their FT job of course). We can understand one another.
And some challenge themselves through physical activity, which, while not the same thing, at least provides a basis of comparison.
I don't have a TV now, which I don't miss - but TV is no excuse for not creating. I feel empty if I while away an hour or two watching Law and Order reruns with nothing to show for it.
Allison says;
The only thing I guess I would add to this is how important it is to show an appreciation for other knitters and their work! As you say you are very picky - and I too am a designer by trade - but I would never neglect to praise someone proud of a completed project, even if it wasn't my thing. I'm sure you wouldn't either - but I think as knitters (and spinners) it is important to encourage those around us that are plying our craft. :)