And may I add, whenever these articles pop up in the media, the focus is all about the supposed “benefits” - reduced anxiety, reframed productivity , blah blah blah. Can we not just do something because we enjoy it?
Love this Jane. I, like you started knitting ( badly at first) aged eight and now approaching 60 still bring my knitting wherever I go-on the tube ( sock knitting very portable), in the pub, in my desk drawer at work to do a few quick rows in my lunch break.
Over the years I have heard everything about Granny hobbies. I just smile quietly and carry on with the knowledge that until you become a knitter ( or sewer/quilter…) you cannot understand the joy and satisfaction of creating something beautiful in such a calm and peaceful way. It transcends everything ‘mindful’ for me. Keep writing please and those pictures are always a delight. 🧶
I was in Northumberland last week - if you are ever in Amble there is the most fantastic knitting and sewing shop called the Amble Pin Cushion. A wonderful emporium so rare to find and such a joy when you do!
Oh Jane, you are so right to be riled! Arthritic fingers mean I can no longer knit, but needlepoint is still doable and I have a Magie Hollingsworth design of astrantia on the go at the moment. My mother always knitted and my younger sister and I both knitted and sewed through our teens and onward. When I shared a flat in London in the early 70s, John Lewis and Liberty sales were regular haunts and both Bourne and Hollingsworth (ooh, any relation to Magie I wonder) and Dickens and Jones had good fabric departments. I didn’t own a sewing machine and used to make dresses by hand, French seams and all, for work and play. I also knitted and wore a couple of ‘picture’ jumpers that prompted people to ask where they could buy them. Now, I love listening to the radio but can’t sit with idle hands while I do, so needlepoint it is.
Seeing a wall of skeins of wool in every colour under the sun still makes my mouth water as though I’m in a sweet shop! It is truly depressing that people are so dismissive of crafts that are useful and beautiful and practical.
I’ve rambled a bit, but agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments - and admire your ability to find such apposite pictures to illustrate your writing! Happy Sunday!
I have always been amused by the comments I get when knitting in public: “oh, grandma / mother / auntie did that!” I usually smile and say, “how clever!” And offer them a try on mine! lol I had a stroke this week and was unable to knit until yesterday. The therapists went wild! “You will recover your motor skills and thinking logically so much faster!” And while it is slow going, it’s going! knitting saved my life in the past and will again! Besides, I can’t drink and drive, but I can knit (at stoplights and in traffic!)!
My grandfather was a fisherman (Seine net trawler in the north sea). He and all his crew knitted while they were away at sea - their stout sea stockings in oiled wool, and the traditional ganseys. And talking of grannies - I wish I had the knitting skill to knit like my grandmother. She knitted with a wisker at her waist (a belt to which was attached a leather pad stuffed with horsehair, with holes in it to anchor the end of the needle). She knitted at the speed of light, without a pattern and while holding a conversation. Talk about multi-tasking.
I came here to mention the seafaring knitters - I'd love to be able to put some of those lazy journalists on a boat with the trawlermen and see who's the most "manly" (ugh) at the end of that. In fact, it would also be good to get them to accompany the herring girls or some old highland crofter women on their daily routines. It's such a patronising load of old codswallop. I'm reserving judgment on the upcoming competitive knitting show that's in the works. My heart sank when I saw it being trailed in the media.
My grandmother was a herring girl in her youth, travelling to Great Yarmouth to follow the fleet, standing all day on the open quayside in all weathers gutting herring and packing them into barrels of brine.
Thanks for writing this and for your opening line. I'm riled by this too. I'm not a knitter, I'm not a grandmother (or mother) despite my age. Both of these are stereotypes that define women and age. They both make me angry. Whether or not one (woman or man) is a knitter or parent or grandparent, one has other defining characteristics: an intellect, a heart, an openness to learning, a free spirit (I would hope!) etc etc. Can't we focus equally or even more on the wisdom and insight that older women/people have gained through life and use of their minds, bodies and hearts, more than their propensity towards certain types of handiwork? I admire craftwork including your own and some of the artists you feature, but even more I admire those who have wisdom and insight accrued from their life experience, observation, study and awareness. I wish we valued those things as much, instead of almost caricaturing the pastimes of the aged. As the body falters and fails, which for most/all of us it will inevitably, and our physical options become more limited, our minds and hearts remain free to pursue our avowed and unavowed dreams in so many other ways. And let's face it, knitting is tricky for those with arthritis in their hands though it may also be a good limbering and mobility activity in small doses!
I agree with your point but I am also a bit pissed about the notion that something is only worthwhile / current if it’s undertaken by young people (too). That kind of thing riles me.
Agree, so much! Here in Saltburn by Sea, N Yorkshire, that now has pier yarnstorming as part of its heritage, the early creators stated in 2012 they wanted to ‘get crochet and knitting out of the rocking chair.’
I agree with all you have said Jane. Makes me mad. Being creative in any way is an asset and should be enjoyed by all. My ‘Nan’ taught me to knit, mum taught me to see etc. it was part of our life.
I am just about to go away with my pal to Hay. She sits on the end of the row in all talks so she can knit which seems to cause a lot of interest by folk around her. Bravo I say. She knits beautifully with no pattern. Sadly her local wool shop in Much Wenlock is up for sale.
We are blessed with local wool shops and luckily my local JL still has a large fabric, wool and habadashery. No staff but hey ho!.
Been knitting since I was about 7 too and I’m now a granny! I enjoy knitting on long car journeys -if I’m not driving - 😊and when I do drive I miss the knitting opportunity! A scarf I once made for my daughter told the story of a few months of our life when we did a lot of travelling for various reason. I loved that about that particular piece of knitting. We have a lovely local wool shop adored by many of us but it’s a far cry from years ago when people would ‘put wool aside’ so you could buy a few balls at a time.
Thank you for this! My blood pressure rises every time I read the stupid articles about "granny hobbies"! Years ago, when I was a lawyer, I used to knit during big legal depositions when I was one of 20-50 defense attorneys and had to sit there for days while only needing to ask 2 or 3 questions. I was only called out about it once (by a man, of course) and simply said I was able to pay much better attention while knitting, so there. I think that exchange was taken down by the court reporter and probably gave someone a laugh when reading later.
Oh this so hits home for me too. I happen to be a gramma, but I’ve been knitting (taught to me by my daughter!), quilting, sewing, doing hand sewing - embroidery, cross stitching - for many years before I became a gramma. While these hobbies, at one time, did belong to grammas, much of today’s society have found the calm and serenity of enjoying them at far younger ages. I believe COVID helped open them up to so many more ages.
So TIRESOME.
And may I add, whenever these articles pop up in the media, the focus is all about the supposed “benefits” - reduced anxiety, reframed productivity , blah blah blah. Can we not just do something because we enjoy it?
Love this Jane. I, like you started knitting ( badly at first) aged eight and now approaching 60 still bring my knitting wherever I go-on the tube ( sock knitting very portable), in the pub, in my desk drawer at work to do a few quick rows in my lunch break.
Over the years I have heard everything about Granny hobbies. I just smile quietly and carry on with the knowledge that until you become a knitter ( or sewer/quilter…) you cannot understand the joy and satisfaction of creating something beautiful in such a calm and peaceful way. It transcends everything ‘mindful’ for me. Keep writing please and those pictures are always a delight. 🧶
I was in Northumberland last week - if you are ever in Amble there is the most fantastic knitting and sewing shop called the Amble Pin Cushion. A wonderful emporium so rare to find and such a joy when you do!
Oh and Fine Fettle Fibres at Felton is great too … definitely worth a visit if you come back to Northumberland!
Oh yes, what she said!
I’ve been knitting and stitching since I was 5 and at 70 I’m still doing it.
It brings me pleasure- enough said
This is me reining in an enormous shouty rant
Keep writing please!
Excellent as ever. Those three little words “infantile media bias” sum it up perfectly - the bane of our lives today!
Oh Jane, you are so right to be riled! Arthritic fingers mean I can no longer knit, but needlepoint is still doable and I have a Magie Hollingsworth design of astrantia on the go at the moment. My mother always knitted and my younger sister and I both knitted and sewed through our teens and onward. When I shared a flat in London in the early 70s, John Lewis and Liberty sales were regular haunts and both Bourne and Hollingsworth (ooh, any relation to Magie I wonder) and Dickens and Jones had good fabric departments. I didn’t own a sewing machine and used to make dresses by hand, French seams and all, for work and play. I also knitted and wore a couple of ‘picture’ jumpers that prompted people to ask where they could buy them. Now, I love listening to the radio but can’t sit with idle hands while I do, so needlepoint it is.
Seeing a wall of skeins of wool in every colour under the sun still makes my mouth water as though I’m in a sweet shop! It is truly depressing that people are so dismissive of crafts that are useful and beautiful and practical.
I’ve rambled a bit, but agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments - and admire your ability to find such apposite pictures to illustrate your writing! Happy Sunday!
I have always been amused by the comments I get when knitting in public: “oh, grandma / mother / auntie did that!” I usually smile and say, “how clever!” And offer them a try on mine! lol I had a stroke this week and was unable to knit until yesterday. The therapists went wild! “You will recover your motor skills and thinking logically so much faster!” And while it is slow going, it’s going! knitting saved my life in the past and will again! Besides, I can’t drink and drive, but I can knit (at stoplights and in traffic!)!
I hope your recovery is speedy. Best wishes.
My grandfather was a fisherman (Seine net trawler in the north sea). He and all his crew knitted while they were away at sea - their stout sea stockings in oiled wool, and the traditional ganseys. And talking of grannies - I wish I had the knitting skill to knit like my grandmother. She knitted with a wisker at her waist (a belt to which was attached a leather pad stuffed with horsehair, with holes in it to anchor the end of the needle). She knitted at the speed of light, without a pattern and while holding a conversation. Talk about multi-tasking.
I came here to mention the seafaring knitters - I'd love to be able to put some of those lazy journalists on a boat with the trawlermen and see who's the most "manly" (ugh) at the end of that. In fact, it would also be good to get them to accompany the herring girls or some old highland crofter women on their daily routines. It's such a patronising load of old codswallop. I'm reserving judgment on the upcoming competitive knitting show that's in the works. My heart sank when I saw it being trailed in the media.
My grandmother was a herring girl in her youth, travelling to Great Yarmouth to follow the fleet, standing all day on the open quayside in all weathers gutting herring and packing them into barrels of brine.
Thanks for writing this and for your opening line. I'm riled by this too. I'm not a knitter, I'm not a grandmother (or mother) despite my age. Both of these are stereotypes that define women and age. They both make me angry. Whether or not one (woman or man) is a knitter or parent or grandparent, one has other defining characteristics: an intellect, a heart, an openness to learning, a free spirit (I would hope!) etc etc. Can't we focus equally or even more on the wisdom and insight that older women/people have gained through life and use of their minds, bodies and hearts, more than their propensity towards certain types of handiwork? I admire craftwork including your own and some of the artists you feature, but even more I admire those who have wisdom and insight accrued from their life experience, observation, study and awareness. I wish we valued those things as much, instead of almost caricaturing the pastimes of the aged. As the body falters and fails, which for most/all of us it will inevitably, and our physical options become more limited, our minds and hearts remain free to pursue our avowed and unavowed dreams in so many other ways. And let's face it, knitting is tricky for those with arthritis in their hands though it may also be a good limbering and mobility activity in small doses!
I agree with your point but I am also a bit pissed about the notion that something is only worthwhile / current if it’s undertaken by young people (too). That kind of thing riles me.
Agree, so much! Here in Saltburn by Sea, N Yorkshire, that now has pier yarnstorming as part of its heritage, the early creators stated in 2012 they wanted to ‘get crochet and knitting out of the rocking chair.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJt640CsKoE/?img_index=2&igsh=MWlzN3MxdGoyM3ZyYg==
This is part of Bradfords City of Culture!
I agree with all you have said Jane. Makes me mad. Being creative in any way is an asset and should be enjoyed by all. My ‘Nan’ taught me to knit, mum taught me to see etc. it was part of our life.
I am just about to go away with my pal to Hay. She sits on the end of the row in all talks so she can knit which seems to cause a lot of interest by folk around her. Bravo I say. She knits beautifully with no pattern. Sadly her local wool shop in Much Wenlock is up for sale.
We are blessed with local wool shops and luckily my local JL still has a large fabric, wool and habadashery. No staff but hey ho!.
Wow, I love it!
Been knitting since I was about 7 too and I’m now a granny! I enjoy knitting on long car journeys -if I’m not driving - 😊and when I do drive I miss the knitting opportunity! A scarf I once made for my daughter told the story of a few months of our life when we did a lot of travelling for various reason. I loved that about that particular piece of knitting. We have a lovely local wool shop adored by many of us but it’s a far cry from years ago when people would ‘put wool aside’ so you could buy a few balls at a time.
When I travel to someplace special, I try to buy a skein and knit a wee shawlette as my souvenir!
Thank you for this! My blood pressure rises every time I read the stupid articles about "granny hobbies"! Years ago, when I was a lawyer, I used to knit during big legal depositions when I was one of 20-50 defense attorneys and had to sit there for days while only needing to ask 2 or 3 questions. I was only called out about it once (by a man, of course) and simply said I was able to pay much better attention while knitting, so there. I think that exchange was taken down by the court reporter and probably gave someone a laugh when reading later.
I think of William Morris 'beautiful and useful'. That sums it up for me.
Thank for the Sundays. Always interesting and often inspiring.
Oh this so hits home for me too. I happen to be a gramma, but I’ve been knitting (taught to me by my daughter!), quilting, sewing, doing hand sewing - embroidery, cross stitching - for many years before I became a gramma. While these hobbies, at one time, did belong to grammas, much of today’s society have found the calm and serenity of enjoying them at far younger ages. I believe COVID helped open them up to so many more ages.