WikiKnitting Blog

The NY Times Sunday Magazine had an article yesterday by the guys who wrote Freakonomics about the rise of what they called laid-back labor. Things our parents or grandparents did as chores we do for fun such as cooking, gardening and yes, knitting. I like Levitt and Dubner a lot. I read their blog and loved their book, but it seems pretty obvious to me why we continue to knit. Knitting, sewing, and crocheting were never strictly chores.  The items made, while functional, always had an element of beauty and creativity to them.

How many of you have a closet full of items that members of your family made? I know I do. I have a gorgeous crazy quilt made by my great aunt. Pillow cases with crocheted edgings made by my grandmother and more handmade lace doilies then I care to count. That doesn’t even count my mother’s or her sister’s collections of handmade goods. These things have been kept because they are beautiful and functional. Well, except maybe the doilies.

I don’t know why most of you knit, but it’s probably close to why I picked up knitting. It gives me a chance to continue to learn and expand my knowledge. To experiment and see what happens on a small scale. I can be as boring or creative as I want. Design a pattern, follow a pattern, use plain wool, use novelty yarn, all of these decisions are mine.  After a few hours or months you have an item that can be used and enjoyed.  Not to mention that once you get going, something about knitting itself is very relaxing.

I do agree with them that if someone asks me to knit them a sweater for money I don’t think I would do it. Knitting an item is personal for me. While I love sharing my items with others, I think knitting an item for someone who paid me to knit it would turn knitting into a chore.