One of the things I find strange and annoying about the place of knitting and crochet in the world is the assumption that it should be done for others. When I’m knitting a sweater, and I say (when asked) that I’m knitting it for myself, I have been met more than once with “isn’t that a bit selfish?” This baffles me. I also sew for myself, and I’ve never encountered that reaction with regards to my sewing.
Making yarn graffiti seems to garner this response even more than crafting garments for oneself. I’ve often read or heard the (sometimes vehement) opinion that people who make yarn graffiti should spend their time and resources crafting for charity, that making objects without a utilitarian purpose is a waste. I would argue that yarn graffiti serves the same important purpose as any other form of artistic self-expression.
There are many ways people choose to spend their spare time: watching TV, shopping, reading, making art, socializing, gaming, crafting, engaging in athletic activities; the list goes on. With most of these pursuits, people accept that they are done for pleasure, or to fulfill personal needs or desires.
If you choose to devote your spare time to crochet or knitting, you may be doing it because you enjoy the tactile aspects of working with a luscious yarn, because you find the act of forming something cozy and tangible to be satisfying, or because you like the idea of making things yourself, instead of purchasing everything you own ready-made. Maybe you just want to have something to do with your hands while you watch TV. There are as many reasons to craft with yarn as their are yarn-crafters. Some people do, indeed, wish to make things to help others.
But knitting and crochet are creative media like any other, and the uses to which they’re put are and should be at the discretion of the person wielding the yarn.
I have also been fascinated with this response and attitude and got quite a few comments/emails along those lines after the knit knot tree story came out. How people choose to spend their time is their business and why what others do with knitting should garner such vehement opinions is baffling.
I wrote a few notes in response on the knit knot tree page.
http://sitekreator.com/jafagirls/knitknot_tree.html
I find it laughable people presuming to know how I “should” spend my time, and what materials I should and shouldn’t use as a multi-media artist.
some people lack vision, that’s all.
yarn graffitti is for the community. It makes people smile.
what could be better?
I don’t ever get an accusation of selfishness, but what I do get is people offering to pay me to make them something. *That* I find annoying. Making things for friends and family as a gift is one thing: the value is intrinsic in it being a gift and handmade. But, per hour, it would be almost insulting to be paid for knitting or crochet, unless people are willing to spend, say, $100+ for a pair of socks.
I forgot to add, well stated.
I agree with shula, and then there’s the craft community you communicate with too. but also I’m wondering.. who is the woman knitting naked with a ball of wool in her mouth..?!! xx
I can’t believe how angry knitting made some of those trolls.
I had no idea knit graffiti could invoke such a negative response….now I’d better get busy on my quest to clothe the universe!!
Yes, very well said. I really liked what you said about this in the globe and mail article the other day. There seems to be an assumption that someone who chooses to engage in such a very intimate domestic task must obviously be doing so altruistically. Although there’s clearly a misogynistic element as well, I think this attitude is connected with the one that makes strangers think it’s okay to ask you in public to knit something for them.
I too was surprised at the energy spent on hatred in the comments on yarn bombing. I have no idea where that kind of intolerance for the pastimes of others comes from, or why those people even care.
Not sure what happened to my other comment, but yes, I am finding some of the comments and reactions quite baffling.
oh yes, just picking up on jafabrit’s comment, my comment was quite unclear.
I meant it’s great that you communicate with the craft community so openly, sharing info and helping a bunch of people that way. the naked woman I meant was the one pictured on the post.
i agree, this is totally well-stated. i get this all the time – why am i knitting a banana that will sit on my dresser instead of things for charities? i have knit for charities in the past, but i feel okay saying that that’s not always my top knitting priority. it’s still wonderful to make something handmade – for yourself, for a friend, for a tree, whatever.
i think in regard to this not happening so much with sewing, i think it has something to do with the way people still perceive knitting as a hobby, but not as an art. i think this will change though!
elvis I wasn’t baffled by YOUR comment LOL! but yes, who is that naked woman? She does kind of refute the granny image sitting in her rocker, spending all her retirement money on yarn to knit for the poor ahem!
After I explain to them the ungratitude and/or nitpicking and whining I get from the people I have knitted clothes for, the idiots then understand why I’d rather knit for me….
The subject would be Mandy! She’s a master of the self portrait – particularly the self-portrait as knitter.
ps……I saw a number 20 bus today covered in faux granny squares. topical. don’t you think?
I’ll try and get a photograph!!
knitgirl – was that in the UK? how bizarre ‘cos they must have needed to start knitting it ages ago… would love to see a photo.
jafabrit – sorry – I’m so dense – was too busy thinking about a naked knitting day or something(!)
no, it’s here in vancouver……..it’s not real knitting, but a knock off of that bus it seems!
I’ll get a shot for sure! I’m like that…..heh heh…….
Fuck Yes!!!
I love yarn bombing. It’s just the kind of whimsy that makes my day more bearable. Likewise, I’ve heard those “that’s selfish” commentary before.
d’oh!
http://www.straight.com/article-198494/curbside-public-art-rolls?rotator=1
juicy juicy stuff here, grrls!
Yeah, I wonder if metal sculpture artists get comments like, ”
Why aren’t you building homeless shelters with all that steel.” or or…
well you get the drift,
It’s the marginality of our medium, and frankly it’s just this edgyness that is so appealing. Listen if it wasnt edgy, grrl, frankly, would the fun still be there?
For me, no. It has to be unusual, that’s the pull. AS well as the fibre aspect.
Dont worry, I have had my share of negative comments, always by “anonymous” . I count them as affitrmations I am still getting attention and making them at least wake up from their television to go write something.
Very well put as this is something that I have been hearing more and more often lately, as people learn about my alter-ego.
I agree with grrl+dog that part of the ‘charm’ of this medium is that it is not well accepted, and that it allows me to be creative in a way that is non-traditional.
As the medium becomes more accepted I think we will hear less and less about this, but it’s always funny to me that people seem to know how I should best spend my time.
I get the guilts over using yarn for graffiti. I keep thinking, oh but could this be better used to keep some poor child warm?
I push those thoughts to the back of my head and continue knitting completely selfishly as it is something that makes me happy.
And I figure i’m allowed to be happy.
Having a great big smile on my face whenever i walk by one of my tags has just as much value as keeping some kid warm, yes? well, maybe that isn’t the best argument…
Americans toss good clothes in the trash bin all time Knitsch and I am not sure they even think about donating to homeless shelters? I mean really, there are a gazillion ways we can help poor people, for example donating machine knitted clothing made in china, food supplies etc.
Heh! I get that a lot.
I usually reply with, “To paraphrase the Missled Manners blog, “if you’re not using your free time to make a scale replica of Minas Tirith during the Battle of Pelennor Fields made entirely of candy, what the hell else are you doing with it?”
http://missedmanners.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/battle-of-pelennor-fields/