theraineysisters knitting and so much more

…or “Thank you for not knitting.”

I am a member of Ravelry, but to be honest, I do not put much time or effort into it.  I did, however, stumble onto an interesting forum discussion about the rudeness of non-knitters.  There were ~275 comments! 

The gist of the thread was the reaction of non-knitters when we pull out our knitting in regular social situations.  By “regular” I mean where knitting is not one of the purposes of the gathering.  Many people thought it was rude of muggles to say things like, “What are you knitting now?!?” or comment on it other than to compliment the beauty of the work.

Others were more understanding of the muggle perspective.  I guess I fall into the latter catergory.  Obviously, I am an avid knitter and feel absolutely naked without my knitting.  I never go anywhere without it.  My friends and family know it’s “love me, love my knitting.”  That said, I do see how a non-knitter could perceive it as rude when someone brings out a knitting project and works on it in front of them. 

It appears that the knitter is not attending to the conversation, and perception is everything.  I would not think of taking my knitting to someone’s home for a special dinner party.  It would look like I have “something better to do” than converse and attend to the other guests.  Am I able to knit and talk at the same time?  Of course!  But the appearance is that I care more about my knitting than the other people there.  Am I antsy and feel at odds the whole time — you bet!  But I suck it up and knit when I get home.

When I go to break at work I always bring my knitting EXCEPT when there are only two of us.  I want the other person to feel like I am fully focused on them.  And my work peeps are very well trained: they notice when I don’t have my knitting with me (Hey, where’s your knitting!?). 

My close friends know that I would always rather be knitting, but even with them I would not bring my knitting to a special event or occasion.  But “Movie Night” at my house?  That knitting is out the second my butt hits the chair!!

I know that most knitters feel it is our right and privilege to knit whenever and wherever we please, and I do agree that it is great to take your knitting to restaurants, movies (!), dentist offices, etc. etc.  But I also believe we must respect that others may perceive that we are being exclusive rather than inclusive in the vibe we put out. 

PS re: Modular Tote Pattern from The Yarnery — this pattern can be purchased on line but will be sent as a hard copy pattern, not a pdf download.  Sorry about the miscommunication on my part ;).

PSS: From Susan to Elise: I teach workshops at my job and every so often there is a knitter in the audience. I know that people fidget less and concentrate more when they knit something simple and straight forward, so it does not bother me. If I have knitters in the group, I say “I see that there are some knitters in the group today. I do have a problem with people knitting in class — I wish I was one of them!” You handled your grad school situation perfectly by addressing it up front.

Tonight I attended the Minnesota Knitters Guild meeting.  The turn out wasn’t huge (I think everyone was baking pies), but the program was quite worth while. 

Our Master of Ceremonies, and actual Master of Knitting, was none other than the new president of the knitters guild, Shelley Monitor.  Shelley put on a one-woman show — both chairing the meeting and presenting the program. 

Have any of you considered tackling the Master Knitter’s Program from the Knitters Guild of America?  Shelley is a bonafide Master Knitter and was also asked to be one of the evaluators, so she knows the program inside and out.  To get that kind of “inside information” was well worth the price of admission 😉 .

The Master Knitting program consists of three levels, each building on information from the previous level(s) and increasing in complexity and expectations.  There is a knitting component in the form of multiple swatches and finished projects, knowledge of techniques, book/magazine reviews, design, pattern writing, lace, cables, fair isle, socks, etc.

Here Shelley is shown in the fair isle sweater she designed.  Her other submissions are on the table:

The sweater was beautifully knit, as you can see.  You also have to knit a vest, argyle sock, hat, child size mitten and a small lace doily. 

Shelley designed the light blue cable hat as part of her Level III submission.  Shelley said that she learned quite a bit going through the process and that it brought her knitting up a few notches.  It has gotten rather expensive to do the program: you must be a member of TKGA and then pay for each level (~$90 each).  Under 800 people have completed all of the levels combined, and I believe Shelley said that fewer than 150 have gone all the way through Level III.  Don’t quote my numbers 🙂 !!

I completed Level I several years ago and actually started Level II.  I got bogged down and started to wonder how best to spend my valuable knitting time: working on swatches and set assignments or on “real” knitting.  I obviously opted for the latter, but after hearing Shelley tonight I might try to dig out my Level II stuff and give it another look.

Anyway, I’m not trying to “sell” the Master Knitter’s Program.  But it is something that serious knitters should at least know about.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my knitting peeps!!  My goal is 2-3 FOs this weekend!!  Woo Hoo!!

PS — in response to Thomasean’s comment, “I would like to try the TKGA Levels program as well. The thing is, is that I would have to try to figure out how to correct myself. I don’t know how easy that would be to do.”

As a member of TKGA, you would have access to a lot of resource materials, such as previous “Cast On” articles on the Master Knitting Program.  Shelley said she did not own any of the books — she had very few reference books at the time — but decided to buy most of them because of the value she saw in them after finding them in the library or knitting shop.  I already own all the ones she mentioned — (I have collected beaucoup books over the years 🙂 ).  Also, when you submit, they give you very specific feedback on what you need to correct.  Ravelry also has a TKGA group that discusses the program.  So, you would have resources to help you!  And, you would learn a lot along the way.