The words “I am . . .” are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you’re claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you. — A. L. Kitsleman
Countless times I have participated in or eavesdropped on conversations that revolved around the type of knitting one does. Statements like “I am a sock knitter”, “I am fair isle knitter” or “I am not a sweater knitter” get bandied about. If asked I would reply I am a lace knitter. However, I have knit stockinette, garter, ribs, cables, lace, intarsia, and fair isle. I have knit socks, shawls, scarves, sweaters, purses, totes, blankets, dishcloths, hats, and mittens. I can think of at least one project in every category that I loved and another that I hated. I have knit for myself with mixed results. I have knit for others with mixed feelings of gratitude and grudge. I have knit for the process. I have knit for the finished project.
Are we allowed to stray once a position has been claimed, for example “I am a sock knitter”? Do you come across a beautiful sweater pattern and tell yourself you cannot knit it because you only knit socks? If you show up at knit group next week with a shawl after months of heels, gussets, and toes, will you be checked for a fever? By defining ourselves by the projects we knit or the materials we use, we can become victims of our own fences. It becomes easy to dismiss the new, the different, the unfamiliar and a convenient excuse to not try. And by saying emphatically that “I only…” or “I never…” we encourage others to fortify the very boundaries that are hemming us in. I can recall that one self-proclaimed non-sock knitter was knitting gloves on size US 2 needles. I didn’t ask, but have often wished I did, was it the absence of turning the heel that made the difference in her project choice?
If I could only knit for the rest of my life what came after I am, I would choose to be a sweater knitter. Surprised? Were you thinking lace shawls. Surprised me too. Like those quizzes where you are supposed to answer without thought, sweater popped out before I could think lace into it’s place.
However, I can see why that choice fits. There is a lot of potential direction for sweaters. They can be lace, cables, or an infinite choice of textures. Sweaters can use complicated shaping or simple construction. Sweaters can be infant sized or 6′ 2″ husband sized. It is hard to pigeonhole a sweater. My mother will tell you I have always been anti-pigeonhole much to her dismay during my teenage years.
Defining our knitting provides direction and guidance but shouldn’t be all encompassing of ourselves as knitters. Fences aren’t bad as long as they are built with an unlocked gate. Some way of letting us be on the other side of it every now and then.
13 responses so far ↓
bells // Jan 11, 2008 at 1:19 am
I hope I have so many years ahead of me in my knitting that I might grow and change and become other things. Right now I’m knitting a lot of socks. I’m not sure I’d say I was only a sock knitter. Automatically that makes me feel hemmed in. I’m knitting my first lace shawl. Maybe a year from now I’ll say, ‘I knit a lot of lace.’ Who knows?
Great post!
chrispy // Jan 11, 2008 at 2:05 am
I have been thinking a lot about what defines me as a knitter, a person but mostly as a designer. What do I want to be known for?
I came to the realization that I feel weird without a sweater on the needles. I really love them. Most of the time, I can knit a sweater in less time than it takes to knit a sock or scarf. I just am driven to achieve this.
I do agree with you that sweaters are a great canvas to put whatever you want on them. They truly allow you to do what interests you at the moment.
2paw // Jan 11, 2008 at 4:52 am
I learned when I was a teacher that you can make positive and negative differences to others with labels. And in the last few years I’ve learned that what ‘I am’ is not what I thought I was!! It is the same with knitting, isn’t it. I think I am a knitter, what I knit dosn’t matter. I knit, therefore I am. Oh and I also like to crochet, embroider, sew etc!!! Nice words to ponder.
shan // Jan 11, 2008 at 6:28 am
Ohh .. I’m sensing opportunity here. If I proclaim that “I’m a non-knitter” will it reach back and turn me into one? :-)
Kristyn // Jan 11, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I think people want to label themselves because they think it will make everything easier in some way. They label others so why not themselves? I was watching Supernanny (shut up!) the other night and she had the parents go through and place negative labels under the kids pictures. She then made them look at the labels and they realized that the kids were conforming to their preconceived notions about them. It was very interesting.
LaurieM // Jan 11, 2008 at 10:11 pm
When I think of someone asking me “What kind of knitter are you?” the response that comes to mind is “Oh, I’ll knit anything.” And I do…
You can’t force people to change, you can only call them forward, gently, persistently. As you have done in this post.
Dyann // Jan 12, 2008 at 9:25 am
Great post! A good reminder for other aspects of life as well….
marti // Jan 12, 2008 at 4:18 pm
you said things so nicely! i simply refuse to put myself in any category. i knit where the whim takes me, which most likely goes a long way toward explaining my plethora of wips.
Larjmarj // Jan 12, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Well said, I guess if I had to categorize myself I would be a “chicken knitter”, I’ll work on any number of familiar projects to avoid taking a big leap in to unfamiliar territory. Right now I am procrastinating on a cardi because my last foray in to the world of garments didn’t turn out nearly as cute as I had hoped. Despite this, the Luna Moth shawl is calling to me louder and louder.
Kate // Jan 13, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I have a lot of things passing over my fences - conversations, zucchini, hydrangeas… the fence is there to define the area that is under my care and control. Beyond there is a great big world of neighbours and friends and new challenges and favourite dog walks and so so many things.
In my knitting, the only boundaries are my own skills, knowledge and inclinations - I step outside them to learn new heels and toes, new construction techniques, use new fibres, bigger projects…
today, I have socks, two child’s cardis and a couple of cardis for me and a clapotis on the needles - and every single thing is a different yarn composition!!! Label me eclectic!!!
Rose Red // Jan 14, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Very interesting. I prefer to say “I am a knitter” and leave it at that. I could never limit myself to one type of knitting. Although I do often say “I don’t do colour work”. Even though I know I probably will one day.
Ladylungdoc // Jan 21, 2008 at 12:12 am
Sometimes when you sit on fences you can see futher than either side.
Arleta // Jan 22, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I am a knit-addict. I’ll knit almost anything! That can be a problem, considering all of the pretty fo’s I see. I want to knit them all!
Leave a Comment