Archive for July 18, 2010
Crochet, Knitting, and Feminism
I have been thinking about this issue a lot – the impact of the women’s lib movement on the needle arts. Before I continue, I want to clarify – I am not in support of returning to the pre-feminism days. I do believe that women have the right to work in any profession they so choose as well as the right to fair and equal pay. With that being said, I do not believe that we can “have it all.” Something always has to give – whether it is our career or our family lives. It is impossible to give 100% at both. The pie can only be cut so many ways.
Anyway, I was just about to explore the impact the 60′s had on the needle arts when I read the latest issue of the Crochet Insider which features an article, Reclaiming Crochet, and its American History, by Denise J. Lavoie.
In my opinion, there seems to be a generation-gap amongst crafters. For example, I have noticed that many women of my mom’s age (late 50′s and early 60′s) do not know how to knit or crochet or embroider, etc….Many women of my generation, who weren’t lucky enough to have a mom, granny or auntie around to teach them one or all of these skills, now rely heavily on organized classes to learn. Before, we learned as children….we grew up surround by beautiful things created at the hands of our female role models and it was a natural extension of our upbringing to want to be able to do the same. Then came the 60′s and the popularity of the needle arts seemed to begin to wane as women turned away from “traditional” female tasks. By the early 80′s, I clearly remember a stigma associated with such crafts. “Why are you doing that?” folks would ask – do you remember the 80′s? Money and power were king.
In addition to the push away from the “domestic,” I think that women no longer have time for crafting while climbing the corporate ladder. They are busy working all day and then, for many, juggling kids once they finally make it home. Who can find time to pick up a pair of needles or a hook for even 15 minutes when your day is so jammed-packed? I work part-time and have three kiddos and I still struggle to dedicate as much time as I would like to my crochet. With that being said, it is a shame that so many women miss out on this wonderful form of stress relief. There is nothing better than the end of a long, difficult day when I finally get to pull out my latest project and lose my worries in the stitches.
Lastly, I don’t think we can underestimate the impact of cheap, mass-produced clothing on the decline in the needle arts. Why spend hours knitting baby sweaters for your newborn when you can buy an entire wardrobe at a bargain price? Prior to the industrial revolution, the needle arts were a necessity to clothe our loved-ones and to decorate our homes. These crafty endeavours were much more that just hobbies but function, as well.
Today, I am delighted to see that women are reclaiming the needle arts. This generation seems to get it….I am thrilled to see the rebirth of crocheting and knitting EVERYWHERE. A quick glance through Ravelry and other internet sites is proof enough. I think we still have a way to go to figure out the perfect balance – but we moving step-by-step closer, with needles and hooks in hand!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Please take a moment to vote in my poll and/or leave a comment.
