Tradition! Tradition!
I was thinking of turning the blog over to Stuntfather for a bit about liberal feminism vs. social feminism but that will have to wait. Today I want to talk about knitting.
Until quite recently, knitting was laughed at. A granny craft. A useless, girly pursuit. It had no street cred. No cool factor. No buzz. It was relegated to that world of homemaking which the feminist revolution unfortunately slammed the door on. To be a knitter was to be anti-feminist, traditional, girly and homey. It was like the biggest anti-sex toy you can imagine. No one would want to do the nasty with a woman who knit.
I’ve been knitting since I was six and when I would whip out the needles, I got stared at, laughed at or patted on the head. Suddenly boys I loathed wanted to date me and have me make them lasagne. Or bread. Both of which I do, but it doesn’t mean I am going to honor and obey so get thee behind me spawn of the patriarchial satan.
It was a terrible shame that the rise of feminism, so needed, so powerful, had to cast aside traditionally female crafts, roles and jobs in order that women could be taken seriously. So much of what women did, and did well, was suddenly unworthy. What is wonderful is that now women are reclaiming those skills, knitting with pride. Sewing up a skirt or two before heading out to the rodeo. Or wherever.
We don’t need to deplore what we were to become something better. We don’t need to forget where we came from to go on. We deny the whole point of feminism (something many feminists do, unfortunately) to separate ourselves into new and old women. The battles we wage among ourselves delay our liberation. We can be what we want to be: knitters or mechanics or both, mothers at home or at work or both, bakers or bar tendenders, or both. There is no more liberated place to be, no more liberated way to live, done consciously. Done with pride. Feminism should open doors, open ways forward, not slam doors behind us.
Well said! (I could go on and on but why ruin the moment)
exactly.
sooooooooo well said!
Here, here!
For me, this knitting craze was actually a rekindling of something older than feminism (believe it or not). It had to do with crafting.
We live in an age where things are thrusted at us at a million miles per hour, and rarely do we get to succor the quiet, the simple. Knitting was fascinating to me because it is an ‘old’ craft–been around forever, perfectly honed. No amendments needed! And it gave me a chance to do something with my hands–something tactile. Something pervasively productive.
That’s when the feminist thing started to dawn on me, too. Now, I don’t read Simone deBeauvoir as I knit (I have to look at my stitches), but I’m recognizing what I’m doing as something that may just darn well BELONG to women. The clothes that kept families warm long ago were borne of a woman–she’s baked all day, or beat carpets all day, milked cows, buried children, seen her husband’s arm cleaved off by a farming instrument. She clothes and feeds her family. There is nothing ‘girly’ about this–except that it IS GRRly–tough, wonderful, strengthening.
My grandmother crocheted and knit for years–she stopped only a month or so before she died. She was incredibly deft with a hook. Her blankets remember her to me.
Here I am: young, living the ‘alternative’ lifestyle with my fiance, riding motorcycles, learning how to change the oil in my car, and considering a life without having children. And I knit.
I tell you: feminism HAS succeeded in some ways, even if we squabble within our circles. We have a long road ahead of us. But I think I’ll bring my knitting along for the ride.
A friend of mine held a talk for her books on language at a wonderful little shop called The Grove (San Diego). It was a place I’ve never heard of but am willing to explore more of. They hold knitting classes and give the students a chance to sell their crafts. The walls were lined with all kinds of neat art that allows the wandering visitor to take interest in, of all things, yarn.
There should be no reason why anything is ‘off limits’ or ‘wrong’ for anyone. Knitting, or anything else.
Feminism is about choice . . . I totally agree. As a male feminist I’m happy to take up knitting . . . and I’ve taught all my feminist women friends too. We always joke about it .. . the feminist knitters
Here, Here and well-said….
When I learned to knit my dad commented that HE also used to knit. I was shocked….my dad WWII vet knits…but then again my dad also sews and does other crafts too. So….it was kind of a neat connection at least for this daughter….my DAD knows how to knit…..
Well said! I learned to knit when I was 5 or 6 (I turn 39 today), and took that knowledge seriously all my life. I was never a popular kid growing up, and dragging along my knitting and crocheting everywhere certainly didn’t help matters
I put up with eyerolls and comments about grannies and how I’m “too young” to like such a craft. Now, suddenly, everywhere I turn, someone is knitting (i.e. I’m not the only one knitting) and it’s COOL! Didn’t realize I started such trends….
Ariannah in Nova Scotia,
(starting new trends as we speak)
I’ve been thinking of writing about this subject for a few weeks, and here you have done it. Good for you! I’ll bet your sweaters are wonderful too.