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August 1, 2006
Gift knitting
Non-knitters are an interesting group. Some of them think the whole playing with sticks and string thing is just wierd so they try to ignore it. My some of them actually seem want to understand .... why? Why all the yarn? What is the motivation for a perfectly intelligent girl to spend so much of her free time looping yarn around needles, writing about it, photographing it, etc.
My friend Steve knew I was knitting a sweater for my husband, and he had read my post complaining about how boring that particular project it was to knit. He asked me why I knit a project - do I pick something I want to have, or do I knit it for the enjoyment of knitting. I'm sure he was asking because it didn't seem like I was enjoying knitting the Cambridge Jacket very much - but he really hit on the ultimate knitting question: project or process?
Margene's entire blog is devoted to celebration of the process, groups have been formed in defense of the more mundane part of the process (stockinette avengers, anyone?), so should any "real" knitter be allowed to gripe that the process is boring? Could I be - gasp! - a project knitter?
Well, the answer is "not usually." I love the challenge of trying new stitches and knitting techniques. I also knit for relaxation, just enjoying the repetition of a long stretch of stockinette. I've even abandoned perfectly good projects simply because I wasn't enjoying knitting them.
When is comes to knitting gifts, though, my enjoyment of the process isn't my first concern. I've been knitting like a maniac for about 2 years. I think my husband's been very patient putting up with all the yarn and knitting books, tools, etc. all over the house - the guy deserves a sweater! I tried to make one last year, but it ended in disaster. This year I am determined to succeed! So, of course I had to pick a pattern that he liked, even if it is a bit boring to knit.
ps - I got up to the armholes so at least I have some decreases to keep me from falling asleep!
Posted by zarah at August 1, 2006 6:40 AM
Comments
You can be a mix of different types of knitters -- process and project. I think that makes it much more fun, just as learning new knitting skills or trying new techniques or patterns can mix things up and keep you challenged and motivated.
Posted by: Susan at August 1, 2006 8:26 AM
I don't think a person has to be just one or the other. I love the process of knitting. Learning new techniques, enjoying what I knit are important. However, I have to want the FO, or know someone who really needs the scarf, or hat, etc.
Posted by: Jennifer at August 1, 2006 8:33 AM
I'm definitely both - it depends on the project and my mood at the moment. And I really only knit things I want to wear (or give to someone that I hope will like whatever it is), so I guess that makes me a project knitter. No shame in that. I love your idea for Fridays. I've been a total bum this summer, so maybe I can still get motivated a little bit.
Posted by: Stephanie at August 1, 2006 12:44 PM
A lot of people I know do not get it either. But then, when I finally convince some of them to give it a try - they are hooked!
Some of my friends have even had to stop knitting so they could finish their phd. They cannot wait for the dissertation to be done to start up again.
I dont know what it is for sure - maybe the tranquility, the relaxation, or the pleasure of actually creating something, but it is not something i can easily give up.
Posted by: Paloma at August 1, 2006 4:00 PM
Man, I wish I could JUST EFFING DO IT!!!
Posted by: Bethany Coffey at August 1, 2006 7:10 PM
I guess I'm more of a project knitter. My tastes tend towards simple, so that usually means lots and lots of stockinette. I like having a boring project so I can zone out and knit while watching television.
But, I have to admit, sometimes I do want a bit of cable, a bit of lace. The finished results can tend towards horrifying, but that's when I look at the knitting as entertainment in and of itself.
Go, Zarah, on that Cambridge Jacket! I've put mine aside for now since my husband is around these days.
But I agree with Paloma. Many times I have knitted to the detriment of my Ph.D.!
Posted by: connie at August 1, 2006 11:08 PM
I guess I'm more of a project knitter. My tastes tend towards simple, so that usually means lots and lots of stockinette. I like having a boring project so I can zone out and knit while watching television.
But, I have to admit, sometimes I do want a bit of cable, a bit of lace. The finished results can tend towards horrifying, but that's when I look at the knitting as entertainment in and of itself.
Go, Zarah, on that Cambridge Jacket! I've put mine aside for now since my husband is around these days.
But I agree with Paloma. Many times I have knitted to the detriment of my Ph.D.!
Posted by: connie at August 1, 2006 11:09 PM
Projects can become tedious but it's mostly our desire to have see the END. We like 'new', like to 'start' and often don't see the journey of each step as the whole of the process. It's human nature.
Posted by: margene at August 2, 2006 12:41 PM
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