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.
The color joins on the Jayne scarf are working out much better now. Every morning I knit another section on the scarf, then work on a hat so I don’t fall too far behind on other orders. I offered this one for $60, because I didn’t want to charge too much without knowing exactly how much yarn and time it would take. Next time, I’ll charge more.
The end is flipped up so you can see it’s stockinette on both sides. Ah, the magic of double-knitting. It’s a great technique for reversible fabrics. In this case, I’m using it because she wanted it to be little v-stitches all the way around, and I a) didn’t want to tie up my circular needle for as long as it would take to knit the scarf, and b) knew that by the time I had knit all those rows on a circular needle, I would have strangled myself with orange yarn from sheer boredom.
Actually, there’s really not much of a reason to post this, since it’s not done and I’ll probably post pics again once it’s done and has fringe attached. However, I’m feeling pretty satisfied with it and what’s the point of a ‘blog if you can’t preen a little?
Side note: I think I want a mannequin/dressform display for showing off scarves. Sadie’s great and all, but she doesn’t exactly scream “class.” Especially since she was used as a dartboard by a bunch of college boys in the 90’s. My husband, ladies and gentlemen.
I have a friend who recently had surgery and is now undergoing chemotherapy. While looking for a gift for her, I found something so perfect that it might as well have had a chorus of angels singing and a heavenly light shining down upon it to signify that this was The Gift.
She wrote today to say she had received the gift, and had been moved to tears. What an incredible sense of satisfaction. This woman is a wonderful, sweet, caring, funny person. I’m glad I was able to brighten her life just a bit, because she’s surely brightened mine.
