The Feminist Knitter.
Crazycatladymel mentioned in her journal that she had read something recently blasting knitting as anti-feminist. I responded there, but was still a bit irked, so I’m posting here too.
I believe that those who bash knitting as anti-feminist are not examining their position closely enough.
Rejecting domestic crafts because they are traditionally feminine shows an attitude which automatically devalues the work that women have done throughout the ages to keep the household running. By extension, devaluing these crafts because they are feminine exalts masculine work simply because it is masculine.
It is because of the struggle of my feminist forebears that I have the freedom to choose what pastime to engage in, rather than being forced into a one-size-fits-all mold. And if I choose to knit, it is not a rejection of feminist work. In fact, I recognize that I have the freedom to do so because of the work of feminists from my mother back to the suffragists and beyond. It is work I try to continue as I raise my daughter.
Knitting is not less valuable because it has been the province of women. And I am not less feminist because I embrace a traditionally feminine craft. I would encourage those who dismiss domestic pursuits on feminist grounds to re-think the root of their reason for doing so.
You are so right. I think it’s a mistake to think that the only way for women to achieve equality with men is to dismiss all that is associated with women as useless and embrace all that is considered “masculine.” Feminism shouldn’t be about making women the same as men; it ought to be about about giving women the freedom to work, or stay at home, or knit, or play sports, or whatever, if that’s what they want to do.
You are so right. I think it’s a mistake to think that the only way for women to achieve equality with men is to dismiss all that is associated with women as useless and embrace all that is considered “masculine.” Feminism shouldn’t be about making women the same as men; it ought to be about about giving women the freedom to work, or stay at home, or knit, or play sports, or whatever, if that’s what they want to do.
Sing it sista!
Sing it sista!
Actually, if you go back far enough, knitting was a man’s occupation. In the Medieval/middle ages, men knit all the queen’s stockings and the other elaborate things done in that time. Women were not allowed in the knitting guild which got the contracts for these items.
Actually, if you go back far enough, knitting was a man’s occupation. In the Medieval/middle ages, men knit all the queen’s stockings and the other elaborate things done in that time. Women were not allowed in the knitting guild which got the contracts for these items.
Hear,hear!
Hear,hear!
You’re absolutely right, but that goes to the same point, doesn’t it? Men did it and were respected and were paid. Women did the same work, but were not permitted to earn money for it, and had to do it for the good for the household. It definitely wasn’t an exclusively female province then, but it was devalued when done by women.
It’s a good point you make. Knitting could be vocation for men, but only avocation for women.
You’re absolutely right, but that goes to the same point, doesn’t it? Men did it and were respected and were paid. Women did the same work, but were not permitted to earn money for it, and had to do it for the good for the household. It definitely wasn’t an exclusively female province then, but it was devalued when done by women.
It’s a good point you make. Knitting could be vocation for men, but only avocation for women.
Never ever piss off a person who’s good with foot long pointed objects.
Okay that came out much dirtier than I intended.
Never ever piss off a person who’s good with foot long pointed objects.
Okay that came out much dirtier than I intended.
I’m proud to call you my daughter.
Your feminist (and loves to embroider) mom
I’m proud to call you my daughter.
Your feminist (and loves to embroider) mom
I’m amazed at the things that are deemed as threats to feminism or anti-feminist. But Knitting? Last time I checked no one did that with their genitalia, and I’d be a little afraid of someone who did.
I’m all for equality among the sexes. Women have the lion’s share of things in just being who they are in this world, and I’ve had enough female friends to know how unequal the sides are.
But when you get to a point of labeling things such as knitting(a perhaps more feminine seeming aspect that guys did (and do – I used to love knitting blankets, though I preferred crochet) – anytime you start labeling things that are done more now for fun or someone’s passion to do, that’s forcing an issue where it doesn’t belong.
It damages feminism to be this – pardon the pun – knit picky, when there’s so many more real and necessary aspects to focus on.
But what do I know – I’m just a guy, an oppressive objectifier of women. 😉
I’m amazed at the things that are deemed as threats to feminism or anti-feminist. But Knitting? Last time I checked no one did that with their genitalia, and I’d be a little afraid of someone who did.
I’m all for equality among the sexes. Women have the lion’s share of things in just being who they are in this world, and I’ve had enough female friends to know how unequal the sides are.
But when you get to a point of labeling things such as knitting(a perhaps more feminine seeming aspect that guys did (and do – I used to love knitting blankets, though I preferred crochet) – anytime you start labeling things that are done more now for fun or someone’s passion to do, that’s forcing an issue where it doesn’t belong.
It damages feminism to be this – pardon the pun – knit picky, when there’s so many more real and necessary aspects to focus on.
But what do I know – I’m just a guy, an oppressive objectifier of women. 😉
I’ve met a surprising number of guys who crochet, or more often, used to crochet!
And as anti-feminist as it might sound to say, “you know, that could be a good way to meet chicks,” there are worse places to meet women than at a stitch ‘n’ bitch. For instance, Charlotte Yarn is next door to a pub, and they go there weekly after closing and knit and drink. Those are women you want to hang out with, my friend. Totally hammered, waving around sharp objects… it’s just like Simucon come early!
I’ve met a surprising number of guys who crochet, or more often, used to crochet!
And as anti-feminist as it might sound to say, “you know, that could be a good way to meet chicks,” there are worse places to meet women than at a stitch ‘n’ bitch. For instance, Charlotte Yarn is next door to a pub, and they go there weekly after closing and knit and drink. Those are women you want to hang out with, my friend. Totally hammered, waving around sharp objects… it’s just like Simucon come early!
Two things:
I wish you were close enough to stitch and bitch with. I could use a good laugh.
Is it antifeminist to enjoy “womanly” (see my tongue nearly poking through my cheek?) things like knitting for their traditional feel? I love to combine my own independence with an interest in and enjoyment of all kinds of needlework, things that my mother and grandmother taught me to do. That domestic crap ALL women used to do. I take pride in my laundry hanging on the line — it smells good, and I love watching it blow in the breeze and knowing I accomplished something basic and homey. Clean windows can really raise my spirits, but I’m not going to hire someone with external genitalia to come wash them just ’cause I’m a WO-man now.
Heh.
Two things:
I wish you were close enough to stitch and bitch with. I could use a good laugh.
Is it antifeminist to enjoy “womanly” (see my tongue nearly poking through my cheek?) things like knitting for their traditional feel? I love to combine my own independence with an interest in and enjoyment of all kinds of needlework, things that my mother and grandmother taught me to do. That domestic crap ALL women used to do. I take pride in my laundry hanging on the line — it smells good, and I love watching it blow in the breeze and knowing I accomplished something basic and homey. Clean windows can really raise my spirits, but I’m not going to hire someone with external genitalia to come wash them just ’cause I’m a WO-man now.
Heh.
Hi! I posted a while back asking for beginner’s knitting help and you pointed me to knittinghelp.com. So I went to the site and watched the videos a hundred times and I taught myself the basic knit and purl stitches. I’m currently working on a scarf and I wanted to try felting but then I realized that the yarn I bought was acrylic and I read somewhere that you can only felt wool.
So my new question is can you recommend an inexpensive brand or type of yarn to use for a felting? I’ll send you a picture as soon as my first scarf is done. I think I made it too wide!
Hi! I posted a while back asking for beginner’s knitting help and you pointed me to knittinghelp.com. So I went to the site and watched the videos a hundred times and I taught myself the basic knit and purl stitches. I’m currently working on a scarf and I wanted to try felting but then I realized that the yarn I bought was acrylic and I read somewhere that you can only felt wool.
So my new question is can you recommend an inexpensive brand or type of yarn to use for a felting? I’ll send you a picture as soon as my first scarf is done. I think I made it too wide!