Comments on: YarnCraft Episode 17 :: Connect to Others Through Knitting & Crochet

By: Lion Brand Notebook

Lion Brand Notebook — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:41:22 +0000

[...] the experience of knitting and crocheting. In YarnCraft (our 30-minute downloadable audio-show) episode #17, my co-host Liz and I shared ideas for gathering to knit and crochet in a [...]

By: YarnCraft

YarnCraft — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:22:19 +0000

Hi Sally, I think that Liz meant it in good fun, especially since she was saying how she didn’t have any knitting of her own and her hands were lonely watching me knit

Thanks to everyone for their comments! I think it’s always good to hear differing opinions, especially because knitters and crocheters are a diverse group of people who, as Stephanie Pearl-McPhee once said, might not be caught dead together if it were not for the love of yarn.

~Zontee~

By: sallyw

sallyw — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:10:41 +0000

We fibremasters are an opinionated lot (that would account for the gazillion yarn/hook/needle/pattern types to which we lovingly have access)! And I would guess there are many (who will likely not comment) who fit Ms. Weiss’ timeline quite well. It would seem there are currently enough of us practicing our various interpretations of fibre work to fuel the LYS/web-based fibre economy…and that means we continue to have choices.

I found it a bit surprising that, early in the podcast, Liz told Zontee to stop knitting–this in the midst of talking about connecting with/to others through knitting/crochet/etc. An odd place for an obstacle.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:41:24 +0000

I agree with Vicky B “Iggystar”’s comment—WWKIP Day should be re-named to WW-Craft-IP Day, or something similar.

I am primarily a crocheter who also does some other yarn art (weaving on various types of small hand-held looms, spool-knitting, etc), and I would have enjoyed attending a local yarn-related event like this. I used the WWKIP Day website to look up any events being held in our town, and found that one was indeed being held by a LYS. Very unfortunately, the LYS’s description of their event ended with the sentence, “This KIP is exclusive to knitters.” That certainly did not make me feel welcome, or make me feel like spending my crafting dollars at their store.

I am very glad that Lion Brand is attempting to be inclusive of more than just knitters when discussing yarn. Knitting is great, but there’s nothing wrong with stores, yarn companies, events, etc. remembering that there are other fun, artistic, and exciting types of yarn manipulation out there!

By: Mariamarta Lee

Mariamarta Lee — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:27:37 +0000

Rita sounds a little old fashioned…but that’s ok.

I don’t consider myself a crocheter because I cannot crochet flat, I can only crochet critters.

I love to knit everywhere. I work at a clinic and I often knit there, and it’s a wonderful way to have people open up about their lives. It’s interesting.

I recently started riding a scooter to work and had to reduce the stuff I can carry. I still make sure I carry some yarn with me stashed under the seat!

By: Vicky B. "Iggystar"

Vicky B. "Iggystar" — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:08:08 +0000

I found Ms. Weiss’ comments to be very odd and extremely outdated. It was like listening to some radio clip straight out of the 50’s.

I’m a young, vibrant 30-year old who learned knitting a few months ago. I’m not married, pregnant, barefoot or any of that. I’m not a perfectionist and of the dozen or so projects I’ve finished, none have been for me. As a matter of fact, my “to do” knitting list has about 15 projects before I get to myself (including a few charity projects).

There shouldn’t be a division in crafting, it’s all part of a wonderful goal of making something with your own two hands. As soon as I have knitting mastered more, I plan on moving to crocheting…they seem like a natural compliment to each other.

WWKIP Day should be chanred to WW-CRAFT-IP Day.

Oh, and I prefer the term pro-solitary over anti-social. Not that I’m the PC police or anything. I like knitting in groups and it’s a great stress reliever to sit by yourself with your thoughts whle knitting.

All-in-all it was still a great episode.

By: Harriett

Harriett — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:14:42 +0000

I love this episode. I especially like the ideas about having a get together with friends who knit and crochet. I am hosting a contest where participants must crochet an originally granny square afghan with different stitches and they don’t have to be original granny squares either, as long as they are squares. The person who has a very unique stitch, color and they must name there afghan will win some baked goodies. I actually brain storm from your project the Tree of Life knit along. I liked the idea that people can actually work on a project together and actually finish it. You know how some of us knitter’s and crocheters are, we tend to want to work on another project, before our first one is finished. Well I know I always do that, I’m trying to do better with that. I really love all your podcasts, because it really inspires me to do more and do better by challenging myself to step it up. By the way I respect all crocheters and knitters, I would like to learn how to knit one day as I am a crocheter. I’m so sorry about the comments that Rita Weiss made. I believe we are all crafters, creators in the same world, and there is no need for division between one because they don’t do this and the other does something else. We can all come together and learn from one another. WWKIP is a perfect event to do that. We crafters, what ever gift you have as a crafter, has an important thing in common, we create love and care in what we do, and we love what we create. Where ever we are in the world crafting, crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, etc., and some of us may never meet, some will-we create that love for one another in the spirit of loving what we do and passing it on. That is always our connection. God bless you Lion Brand for inspiring me to make more memories. To all yarn crafters, keep up the good work and God bless you for living an inspiration life to create through many things, and of course, but also through crafting. Oh, and by the way, my grandmother and my sister taught me how to crochet and they never “left me alone”. I’m glad they kept checking to see if I got my stitch right, or if I’m reading the instructions properly. Although I may have become intrested in boys, I still never gave up my crocheting. Actually it’s one of the things that kept me grounded and focus. We can’t give up on our children, they need something to keep them grounded and focus so that they won’t get off track with boy’s. If we leave them alone and not pass on what we know who will? Pass on a gift, and you have passed on great wisdom.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:57:05 +0000

I happen to teach 7th & 8th grade boys and girls to crochet and to knit. Very basic blankets, scarfs. They are very capable and I have other patterns laying around and this week I had one finish a tote bag another made her sister’s baby booties, and a wash rag with a bear head. This is a very busy and creative generation. They will use the computer to look up how to stitch something and look for patterns. My students always challenge and excite me. It gives them such confidence and they know if they can do this they can do anything.

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:43:16 +0000

Woops… my typos! I didn’t write my comment out in Word first to properly edit, which might also explain the length!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:22:36 +0000

I too find Mrs Weiss remarks, well… a bit odd. I’m not under 11, nor having a baby, nor menopausal, and still, here I am happily knitting and crocheting.

Long live to the stereotypes, uh? Only pregnant women and grannies will knit/crochet… uhmmm