The unwritten divide in the yarn arts between crocheters and knitters baffles me. Yes, I get it; people have a preference for hobbies and material choices. Why is there a wall between the hobbies? You can leave me a comment at the bottom of this blog.
I don't understand this need to be exclusive when, to me, the yarn arts are about inclusivity and welcoming. Maybe I am sucking too many yarn fumes these days.
I ask myself the following questions automatically:
- If I see someone's creative choices, yarn colours, stitches, project purpose or level of quality that isn't to my liking:
- I have a choice to ruin someone's day by expressing my personal thoughts.
- I can see their enthusiasm and express happiness for their own joy, leaving my thought out of the equation about the finished product.
- I can just push a like or heart button and scroll on. Knowing it will make them happy.
- I can do nothing; scroll on.
- If someone isn't doing a hobby that I prefer or appreciate in the way they do:
- I can do all of the above in number one, but I take it a step further and ask myself a more appropriate question. "How does their hobby choice directly affect my life?" Chances are, it doesn't, so crap on their parade is a selfish approach and destructive.
- If someone is expressing interest and curiosity in another hobby:
- You have the choices in number one. More importantly, we are unique and can sometimes have a buried interest or gift that we may never explore due to pleasing others. We don't need to bully others into having their minds changed for our selfish interests.
In 2022, we see a decline in social behaviour online that frankly makes me question if humanity was truly ready to be connected like we are. Addiction to communications and social opinions can be extremely destructive. I know myself; I am taking on the heat for trying to learn knitting.
As a YouTube Host, I see opportunities to show others my progress on knitting itself. A raw approach where most other hosts have years under their belt to teach from. I, just merely weeks from a raw, slow point of view.
In my brain, I've been thinking about what it's like to bake an apple pie for years. Nothing else. Eventually, you have it down pat with 1000's apple pies made. What would it be like to do a pear pie instead? That's where I am, emotionally. With nearly coming up to 4,000 tutorials on YouTube all focused on Apple Pie, why not try a pear pie and see where it goes?
My New Objective
In a world that is now clouded by negative social content. Let's be supportive of each other and the choices we make. If you don't like the hobby, stay out of it and let others enjoy it.
One person, I, cannot be the difference. But as a collective, we can be. It doesn't take more than a few seconds to encourage others. Unfortunately, social media is driven by negativity. The more negative, the more viral it goes. Society is making this choice by the way we interact with the content. If companies saw that positivity has bigger opportunities, they would promote it. So in many ways, our interactions and attitude play heavily into it.
I tend to avoid negative postings of people complaining about things under the sun. It doesn't bring me happiness, but joyful and positive stories can enlighten my day. I have to actively make this decision for myself to function properly.
You can either be a cheerleader in this world, or you can choose to be the person that has to highlight the negativity and point out when someone's creative decision isn't to your liking. Of course, politics and religion are the fuel to create a fight, which is why we don't allow that on our platforms.
I think the unwritten divide between knitters and crocheters needs to stop. In 2022, it's the least of our worries. I would like to see us actively support each other. Change can only happen one person at a time. Are you up for a challenge?
Vera Smith says
I often do both knitting and crochet in the same project. I always knit ribbing because it’s more elastic and less bulky. I always crochet button hole bands because it’s easier and more sturdy. I prefer duplicate stitch instead of intarsia when knitting, and prefer intarsia when crocheting. It’s fun to combine my 2 favorite hobbies!
Sandra says
Love both. Had to teach myself, but learning a lot from your tutorials.
Mary says
I appreciate this post. I am amazed at people who knit, and knit fast!!! I just never got beyond the point of making a dishcloth. And they were terrible dishcloths! I am unable to try to knit now because of my arthritic hands. I can put cushions on my crochet hooks and work for hours, but you can't do that with knitting needles. I think it is silly for there to be a divide in yarn crafters, but in my lifetime I have had knitters put me down for crocheting many times. So I know it happens, but we all just need to start looking after and encouraging one another. I don't watch Mikey's knitting videos but I am pleased that he is doing them for others, because he is such a great teacher.
Gina Albiston says
I feel like Mary does. Knitting isn't easy for me but I can make simple things. I luv others creations. I have been put down by other knitters but could care less. It just makes them look bad.
Becky Morningstar says
Well said, Mikey. I too learned to knit first when I was 8 or 9 and then learned to crochet at 16. I found that I preferred crochet as it took less time to complete a project than knitting. I get tickled seeing your reactions to the time difference on knitting vs crocheting. I did continue to knit off an on over the years, but I have found a renewed interest since you've been exploring it. I've even knitted my first sock (almost finished with the second one), used double pointed needles and did cables all in the same project and I'm pretty proud of it. I also don't understand the snobbery about yarns. I too use acrylic yarns as they are affordable. The higher end yarns are beautiful but out of my price range and there are several acrylics that look amazing. I also agree with the other comments on here. I ignore the negative comments and move one. Or if someone is expressing an opinion that is different than mine, I scroll right past it. You put a lot of pressure on yourself to try to be everything to everyone, but in the end, you need to stay true to you and do what's right for you. I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos and would not like to see you change because of pressure, but I also don't want them so much that they are at the expense of your well being. Yarn arts are yarn arts and there should be no snobbery in it at all. Here's to encouragement in exploring them and the satisfaction they bring!
Heather says
I agree with all of this. I don't understand either. The technique I choose to use depends on the finished product I want. Sometimes the object will benefit from being crocheted over knitted or vise versa. I go for longevity. I also encourage people doing whatever makes them happy, even if I don't understand it. We're not supposed to be identical. And interests change over time, so who am I to discourage someone from trying something new?
Alice says
I believe that all crafts, whether it be needlework, quilting, knit, crochet, tat, embroidery, drawing, woodworking, metalworking, and a myriad of others take patience, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn and to master something, no matter if it be simple or complex. It is good if a person has mastery with one craft or with many, each to his own interest and abilities. Critiquing for learning and improvement is fine, criticizing one skill over another is unhelpful and may not be taken as a positive. We are blessed as people to have many, many choices to express ourselves, and to work with form and function. It is good to enjoy.
Connie says
Totally up for a challenge. I knit and crochet and love different things about both skills. There's no reason for any divide.
Candi Mcadams says
I never got the either/or divide either. I got so tired of the raised eyebrows and "Oh, so you crochet." in such an arrogant and dismissive tone I started laughing and jumped right in with "Oh yes, and I knit some, and do all kinds of emboidery, sewing, beading and other kinds of crafts and I have extra hooks and yarn, sit down here next to me and I'll show you how." Usually I get the hmmpf and they leave. Not sorry, and the trolls on social media, well I'm not a big tech person, but damn that delete button was one the best things ever invented. Could it be because knitting was the main craft spoken of in literature and old classic movies?
Lisa says
I knitted a sweater for my grandson that he has worn for three years now. I crocheted him a blanket with one of his favorite characters. I crocheted a bag for his sister and knitted a hat. He said to me, " Ama, you make a lot of great things out of yarn!"
Gerri says
I don't understand the need to create a divide. That's like being rude to your neighbor necause you own a Toyota and they bought a new Chevy. (Didn't they understand by your example that the right car to have is a Toyota?). I think you can do so much with your page.
Crochet, while the mainstay, is only the beginning. Branch out, and take us along with you. Let's all have fun.
Betty Coleman says
I love crocheting, knitting, and tatting! It's all about being creative and seeing a piece of yarn or thread turn into something beautiful that brings joy to others and joy to me as I create.
Becky says
I've never really understood the divide either. And just in my experience, the disdain for one craft or another seems to come from more modern crafters. For example, literally all my female ancestors grandmother's, aunts, etc) knitted and crocheted. Which craft the did depended on the project - my gramma preferred knitting for socks and mitts and baby sweaters, but crocheted blankets. My aunt crochets sweaters but Knits socks. My great aunt knitted everything except doilies. There was no one is better than the other - just personal preference.
But as a crocheter, I've definitely had the 'oh, you just crochet' disdainful comments tossed my way. Or comments hating on acrylic yarns (I like acrylic/natural fiber blends personally, but don't really care what other people like using!).
There is no need for crafting snobbery. I think it's great if anyone wants to do any fiber crafts, because it brings more attention to these arts that could be lost if younger people don't pick them up and carry on with it.
Crafting is crafting - it shouldn't matter what or why you do what you do, only that it makes you happy!
Madeline Bark says
Thank you. Thank you. Well said. In addition to crocheting I also sew and quilt. In the quilting world there are those who make their quilts entirely by hand. That’s right. Hand stitched. No machine. Those of who use sewing machines are considered lazy and not loyal to the craft. As a fairly new quilter I was dumbfounded by this attitude. I think we all can learn from each other. And we must ge kind snd supportive to everyone in the crafty field. Mikey you are a great teacher and good human being. Thanks also for being a great writer and expressing your opinion in concise AND kind manner. I,too, am weary of the negativity in this world.
Carolann Nichols says
Mikey,
You do what brings you the most joy. It’s your successful online program. The heck with the people who are negative trolls. For every 100 people who enjoy your program just the way it is, there is going to be 1 or 2 who think they know it all. They have nothing better to do than rain on someone else’s parade. I see it with other online groups. There is always a few negative nannies thinking they know what best or to give their opinion of how the show be run. You taught me so much with your skills. You made me up my challenges in crocheting to complete something I didn’t think I could do. I would love to learn knitting. I haven’t been able to succeed in that challenge yet. Both are works of art. Continue to do what you think is best for you. I love your skills and your infectious humor.
Jackie says
Hi guys, I used to knit, sore hands now stopped that, I have always done crochet, I spin my own yarn, I sew, quilt and I used to do paper crafting. The key word crafting.... regardless of medium used, but I do always come back to yarn based work, and I include embroidery in that. I have no time for those who make distinctions between yarn based crafts. It's what you enjoy and no one else's business.. always do what you wish to try and enjoy!
Cheryl Jackson says
I completely agree with all you’ve said. There are many artistic talents that I don’t possess. That certainly doesn’t invalidate their right to exist. I can’t draw, sculpt, or throw pottery but for me those artists are exciting to watch. There are also many types of artists that I scroll on past. I don’t have a need to tell them I don’t like what they are doing. Those that can’t just scroll on by really do need to ask themselves why they enjoy being hurtful.
Sandra Lloyd says
I learned to both knit, from a school friend's mother; and crochet, from my own grandmother, as a young child. Over the years, I have switched from one to the other. Each has peculiar characteristics that I favored from one project to another. I have even ventured to combine both on occasion.
As far as negative comments, I have chosen to edit those from my media postings. They are irrelevant to my presence on social media. I prefer to emphasize the SOCIAL, as in friendly, outgoing, pleasant, attributes of my engagement in social media. There is no obligation to keep or address any negative comments on my postings; ones which I certainly don't want to share with my friends and contacts.
Let's emphasize the positive in social media and share in a friendly way. As for me, that includes deleting any negative responses I see on my page.
Elizabeth W Kidd says
As a crocheter who can knit but doesn't do so very often, I have felt that knitters look down on crochet- at least when done with standard yarns. They do seem to admire thread crochet. Perhaps it is because so much crochet is blanket styles-and baby items whereas it seems knitting is more into wearables which can be seen out and about. There are crossovers as well. Crochet is seen as less complicated. It is a fact that it is easier to fix errors in crochet which may also contributed to it being considered less skilled by some crafters.
Annette Carnell says
Seeing you posting knitting videos and patterns renewed my interest in knitting. I learnt how to knit first, before crochet. Crochet became what I love to do but I do still enjoy knitting as a nice change of pace. I can't do anything fancy but I can knit slippers !! I'm as fascinated by the beautiful things people can knit as I am by things that are crochet. I do still want to knit a blanket.....I'm just need to build up my courage to do it !
Carole Guy Doyle says
The "divide" makes no sense at all. I knit, crochet, do some Tunisian crochet, as well as quilt, sew garments, sew home decor items, cross stitch, embroider, and have done macrame. I love it all. I don't see any distinction in one over the other. They all help fulfill the artistic crafter part of me!