Never Say This to a Knitter, Part II

We drew a lot of attention for our recent story, “Never Say This to a Knitter.”

And we got a  lot of feedback.

Knitters have some strong opinions. In fact, their responses inspired us to create a second list of things we’d rather not hear.

First, let’s address some naysayers. There’s an argument that the opinions are too harsh — that people who say, “what a lovely sweater, you should sell it!” mean well, and crafters should just take it as the compliment it’s meant to be.

Yes, the thought is nice, and we respect people who just thank the admirer, and move on. At the same time, there’s a host of assumptions and stereotypes that accompany many of these compliments that rub us the wrong way — assumptions about the value of handiwork, materials and time — that bare airing out in a public forum.

Plus, for the non-knitters out there, consider that taking heed means you can position yourself so that the next pair of hand-knit socks might be yours.

Related Story on Yahoo Makers: Ditch the Prozac, Take Up Crafting? 

Here’s what they wished people, even with the best of intentions, might consider not saying:

1. "Why would you knit socks when you can buy them so cheaply at Target?" Because it’s not about the process, but about the craft. The relaxation. The feel of the yarn. Do painters suffer through questions about why they paint? Plus, almost any hand-knit sock will last longer than the average generic store brand.

2. "Oh, are you pregnant?" Because of course, if a women does something crafty, she must be nesting. She can’t simply create a thing because she wants to and enjoys it.

3. "My kid could do that." Some children are talented in knitters, and some schools teach knitting. Schools that follow the Waldorf philosophy, for example, use knitting to teach concentration, hand-eye coordination and math to young grade-school classes. But more often the comment belittles what’s on the needles, and isn’t meant as a compliment. Unless your child actually crochets, why even go there?

4. "That looks really boring." So does baseball, if you don’t know what’s going on (note: I love baseball.)

5. "I could never do that." Or, "I just wouldn’t have time to do something like that." As one knitter notes, such comments feel passive-aggressive, like they’re insinuating that the knitter must have oceans of time on their hands or that knitting is a luxury craft.

One of the best take-downs of the idea of knitting as a luxury was penned by blogger, crafter and pattern-designer Huelo Dunn-Estébanez, an expat living in Bulgaria who wrote her own response to our first post.

"I’m convinced that, without [knitting], not only would I be cold, I’d be a less functional, less sane, and much less happy person," she writes. "The feeling I get when I knit is something everyone needs in their lives, not just those who’ve acquired enough capital to pursue an expensive hobby."

Here’s to your version of that knitting calm, wherever you are.

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