A reader writes:
Jenny Diski’s thoughts on knitting is missing my favorite aspect of knitting: socialization. Never before have I had a hobby that was so easily shared with others. I just moved to a new city (San Francisco) and was worried about making friends. But after just a cursory search, I found a lunchtime knitting group at work, and a group that meets in the evenings three blocks from my apartment. In both cases, I expected the group to be welcoming and friendly, and I was not disappointed.
I’m surprised more men don’t take up the hobby; it is a great way to meet women!
Actually, several more men than women have written in responding to our post:
Being a stocky and bearded 6’1″, I don’t necessarily fit the knitting stereotype, but I very much identified with the tranquility that Diski finds in the craft.
Whether waiting at the barber shop or riding Philadelphia’s El train, knitting brings me a curious mix of calm and focus. I started knitting at the example of my younger sister. She gifted me with a beautiful knit blanket, and I later learned from others something that amazed and humbled me. Before my sister starts a project for someone, she spends time in intention prayer for them. When she finishes the work, she does the same. In my case, I’m sure part of her prayer for me was that I would come to realize that I had a serious problem with alcohol and that I would seek help and recovery.
As a Roman Catholic priest, I was floored that my little sister could teach me something so profound and beautiful about prayer, the work of human hands, and the creativity of a compassionate spirit. So I dropped my pride, and I replaced a bottle or shot glass with a set of knitting needles. And so I knit away in AA meetings, where in a little bit of yarn I find the patience and attentiveness to drop my guard and draw from the experience, strength, and hope of others.
Another burly knitter:
Great piece on knitting. I’m a bear-ish guy and I knit. But I’m mostly in the knitting closet, mainly because of the annoying questions people ask if they see a guy knitting. Especially when I’m knitting a complicated fair isle sweater. But it’s a great hobby and people really appreciate a handmade gift. In fact, I rarely make something intending to give it away; I just give it to someone who notices it and really likes it. A spontaneous gift is the best kind.You may have linked to this before, but have you seen the amazing site ravelry.com? It’s the most functional social network on the Internet because it brings together knitters and crocheters who are a naturally helpful and friendly bunch. Slate did a piece on it a few years ago.
Another:
You might also be interested to know that men who knit are a small (and growing) but enthusiastic group of knitters. We contribute to books, do online courses, and there are even celebrity male knitters.
In 2008, we held a gathering of male knitters at Easton Mountain retreat centre near Albany, NY. The organizers (I’m one) figured we might get 10 guys, and as it turned out we had, I think, 45 guys attend from all over the USA and Canada. That retreat – identified as the “East Coast Retreat” or the “Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat” – has been held annually since then. Retreats have also been held in Seattle (originally San Francisco), in Michigan, Colorado, and South Carolina; also in New Zealand, Wales and Australia. The events are run with volunteer labour; programming at each event is largely generated and delivered by the attendees. A couple of the retreat locations raise funds to provide “scholarships” to allow a less financially-fortunate guy to attend. At the 2013 East Coast Retreat, one scholarship was ear-marked for a guy who wanted to learn to knit; he was also paired with an experienced knitter to learn the basics of the craft.
In 2011, three retreat organizers were interviewed during the East Coast Retreat on a program from WRPI radio (Troy, NY). If you are at all interested in listening to that interview, you will find it here.
Update from another:
Check out this WSJ story about truckers who quilt and knit.
The Dish 