Sunday 16 January 2011

Sunday January 16th, 2011: Knitting, it's for the guys

As a child, I was totally enthralled by a documentary on television about the history of knitting. From a young age, I was delighted to learn that knitting was dominated by men up until the beginning of the last century. Knitting was commonplace for both sexes in the home, but in the world of business, men strictly ruled, operating the knitting guilds and, thus, the market for knitted garments.

How times have changed. What was once a popular and commonplace pastime for everyone has now been denigrated to the realm of women.

Now, I’m not the world’s most skilled or creative knitter – just ask my husband about the gloves I knitted him that were at least 10 centimetres too long for each finger, and the sweater that would have been a little loose even for The Incredible Hulk. The satisfaction and joy of knitting, though, has been with me since my mum sat me down at a very young age, and we gradually progressed from simple scarves to Fair Isle and Aran sweaters – the majority of which fitted.

Thankfully, too, the claim that knitting is a forgotten art is definitely an exaggeration, and knitted garments are a lot classier these days than the old twin set and crocheted poncho. So, there’s absolutely no reason to look like a complete dork.

You just have to look at the variety of knitting books available at the Thunder Bay Public Library to see that things have come a long way. From our latest offering you’ll find titles that suit a variety of needs, including baby knits, one ball projects, fashionable men’s garments, beginners’ knits and, with the latest fad for vampires and zombies, why not try: VAMPIRE KNITS: PROJECTS TO KEEP YOU KNITTING FROM TWILIGHT TO DAWN, by Genevieve Miller. This will probably deter a lot of knitters, but it actually has some really interesting patterns that don’t set out to make you look like you’re heading to a costume party.

KNITTING IT OLD SCHOOL: 43 VINTAGE-INSPIRED PATTERNS, by Debbie Brisson is also an interesting book, as it revamps old knitting patterns, transforming them from dorky to trendy. It even has an updated take on the 70’s zip-up track suit jacket. Remember that one?

Or, if you want to make something special for the man in your life or if the man in your life wants to make something special for himself, MEN'S KNITS: 20 NEW CLASSICS, by Erika Knight offers some great sweater patterns that don’t try to make the average guy look like a fashion model or ultra trendy.

Beginners might like to try FEARLESS KNITTING WORKBOOK: THE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO KNITTING CONFIDENCE, by Jennifer E. Seiffert. This book breaks down pattern instructions, translating them into understandable language. It also includes small projects that emphasize new skills, and these can then be applied to larger projects.

An exciting addition to the Thunder Bay Public Library’s calendar of events for 2011 is the Knit Wits group that will be meeting at the Brodie Resource Library, February 3 to March 24, on Thursdays afternoons. Knit Wits is a Recreation 55+ Community program and welcomes both new and experienced knitters. We’d love to see you there.

Rosemary Melville, Library Technician

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