By The Way...

This AOL Journaler sent along a link noting the arrival of her Journal devoted to knitting, which of course let me to ask, so how many Knitting Journals are there? Well, as it turns out, there are quite a few. AOL Members apparently love their knitting.

I've always been impressed by knitters because for the life of me I can't figure out how they do it. When Krissy was pregnant, she wanted to do something with her hands, so I went out and got some knitting needles, some yarn and one of those "Knit Yourself Silly" handbooks, and we sat down to learn how to knit. Several hours later we gave up  -- any further attempts were going to end up with someone (probably me) ending up with knitting needles stuck somewhere terribly uncomfortable. I blame the "how-to" booklet, whose pictures weren't exactly clear. Knitting really seems to be one of those things you need to have someone else show you.

Interestingly, I know a lot of people my age and younger who knit. It's not something that you would think today's hip kids would be interested, and maybe the hip kids aren't (I don't see Paris Hilton knitting socks). But enough of the Gen-Xers and Gen-Y folks seem to be into it that it's no longer an unusual hobby.

I like that, personally. When Athena was born, one of my dear friends knitted a baby blanket for her, and it was one of the best gifts we got. And knitting pops up in unexpected places, too. The science fiction online magazine Strange Horizons has been running a fund-rasier this month, and for people who donate $500 or more, in addition to various other thank-you gifts, one of the editors has promised to knit the donator a scarf -- a very personal sign of appreciation. It's a nice, nostalgic touch from a place so involved in the future. Possibly it shows knitting has a real future as well.

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• #4 Comment from spunknit 
  12/6/03 12:44 PM | Permalink

  I was one of the folks who DID learn to knit from a book! While I had prior crocheting experience (also learned from a book!), I managed to teach myself to knit. If you are serious about pursuing knitting, check out local knitting shops or craft stores for classes. It is a very relaxing hobby, it is my passion & my therapy! I also have blog about my knitting experiences, I have to vent it somewhere other than on the family! Thanks for mentioning our almost forgotten craft!
• #3 Comment from susannacornett 
  11/29/03 4:15 PM | Permalink

  Crocheting is easier. I taught my niece, who is 19, how to both crochet and cross stitch. All the needle arts have forms, colors, possibilities that appeal to teens and 20s - my sis in law, who is a wonderful needlewoman at 27, made her 18 year old sister a muffler in the Gryffindor style, from the Harry Potter books. There's even a website with instructions: http://knit.atypically.net/scarves/hogwarts/pattern.shtml. Knitting I can’t do. So I sympathize, John!
  
  
  
• #2 Comment from dicoyta 
  11/28/03 12:50 PM | Permalink

  Its a great way to enjoy your hobby and also help children by going to http://projectlinus.org to donate your work!
• #1 Comment from teresamteto 
  11/28/03 11:02 AM | Permalink

  Knitting and crocheting,too, are wonderful activities because one can sit and relax while carrying on an animated conversation with others and still be produc9ing something useful. There, that is the secret of the pleasure of knitting, And when conversation gets boring, or when one is alone, one can turn their minds to fantasy or problems or dreams of the past or future and be well-occuped while still producing a work of craft.