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IT'S NOT YOUR GRANDMA'S PASTIME
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by
View
March 23 - 29, 2006 |
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It’s a brisk Monday night and most of the businesses on Ottawa
street are already closed. Despite the lack of people on the street,
one store in particular is hopping, Yarnopolis. And it’s packed to
the teeth with knitters.
Owner Letha Burden shuttles chairs across the store, hoping
there’s room enough for everyone. These days, her classes are
more popular than ever with 45 people signed up for this session
alone. “Some are people who have been knitters all their lives,”
she explains, “and others just want to join the trend.”
Trend? You got it. Knitting’s become the favourite pastime of
a host of people who aren’t anywhere near retirement. Today, it’s
not uncommon to see young women and even men working a pair
of needles. Go figure.
“The thing about knitting is that it’s productive,” declares
Yarnopolis manager Penny Dickson. She sees no limit to what can
be done with a ball of yarn and a focused mindset. “You can put
almost anything together. It’s challenging, but there’s also a real
sense of accomplishment when you finish a project.” As if to
reinforce this point, one of the gals puts the final stitch on her
first mitten. She beams, “I’ve always wanted to do that!”
It’s this can do attitude that appeals to younger folks today.
Some see knitting as a return to tradition. Others see it as a
radical strike against behemoth brands and their cookie–cutter
view of humanity. Whatever the reason, most knitters find a way
to make their projects uniquely theirs, be it altering a pattern or
customizing colour palettes. Unlike going to the mall, knitting
allows individual freedom and ability to experiment.
Jennifer Krebsz couldn’t agree more. She runs Sick On Sin,
an online boutique that specializes in handmade merchandise
with an alternative vision. Krebsz, who has a fondness for
amigurumi (Japanese–style crocheted stuffed animals), has been
knitting since she picked up a how–to book a few years ago. She
thinks there’s a natural fit between the big–box backlash and
being crafty.
“It’s been interesting to watch the emergence of the craft
revolution,” she says. “I believe it’s partly due to the social shift of
people wanting to escape the bombardment of mass–marketed
items and mall–based consumerism. Making stuff yourself can be
very rewarding.”
This gratification is echoed amongst members of the
Hamilton Stitch ’n’ Bitch, a group of girls (and a few guys) who
invade the Westdale Second Cup every Sunday to coffee klatsch
and work on crafts. They believe even the most homely or
misshapen items can instill a sense of pride in its creator. “Even if
it’s really ugly, just the fact that ‘I made that’ is cool,” remarks
Cate Robinson.
Ranging in age from 17 to those in their mid–thirties, the
group, which now boasts 50 members, started their gettogethers
last fall as a way to find out about yarn sales, share the latest
patterns and learn new skills from each other.
“The knitting is what gets us here, but that doesn’t
necessarily mean that we knit once we come here,” observes
Yvette Foster. “Some people are crocheting; some people are
tatting (a technique for creating lace). Eventually we all get around
to knitting.”
Robinson sees this variety as a reason for the group’s
success, “We all have different levels of experience. It’s not that
any one person is better than the other, it’s just we all do
different things.”
In fact, the Stitch ’n’ Bitch is such a close–tied group that
many have branched out from their weekly meetings, finding time
for each other even when no yarn is involved. Ironic, considering
most members, well, didn’t know each other before coming out to
a stitch session.
“I think we knit because we can all relate,” suggests Tammie
Tesone. She believes it’s the mutual conquering of knitting’s
intricacies that bond each of the members to each other. “You
drop a stitch; you’ve done something wrong and have to rip out
six rows—we’ve all been there. We can all relate and help each
other. Even if we don’t have anything else in common, we have
knitting in common.”
Those who’ve made the decision to jump into knitting find
its side effects of friendship, focus and relaxation become an end
in themselves. Many involved in the pastime crave the calm they
get when totally absorbed in a project. So much so that knitting
has earned the reputation of being “The New Yoga” a term
knitters embrace or at least understand. For those who spend
their days in front of a computer or stuck in a car, doing
something other than keyboarding or changing radio stations can
be a lifesaver. Many claim working the hands develops little used
muscles and improves motor co–ordination. They see knitting not
just as a hobby, but as therapy.
If you’re looking to experience the meditative value of
knitting or just want to get in on the craze, Yarnopolis’ Burden
recommends starting with an easy project such as a scarf. “With
all the new yarns available, it’s easy to make something that looks
sophisticated,” she notes. Those who are able master the various
stitches can then move on to bigger projects which involve more
meticulous techniques and tools. “Most knitters are anxious to go
on to something else,” she says.
Whether it is passed down from a relative or learned from a
book, knitting has something for everyone. Regardless of skill
level or age, coming together to be crafty and experience
community can positively affect your life—or at least your free
time. Try it, you might find it fun, even addictive. “I’ve started
knitting during class,” divulges Stitch ’n’ Bitch’s Morgan
Rosenberg. “I’m not sure how my professors feel about that!” V
[SARAH VEALE]
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