By Anastacia Mott Austin
By now most people have probably heard of the book Stitch n’ Bitch, by Debbie Stoller. Published in 2003, it became a best seller, as modern women rediscovered the ancient art of knitting. Many knitters consider the book their knitting "Bible," and carry it in their knitting bags, with favorite pages worn and dog-eared.
With chapter titles like "Go-go Garter Stitch Scarf," "The Rules of Engagement: What Not to Knit for Your Boyfriend," "Ribbed for Her Pleasure Scarf," and "Never Look a Gift Hat in the Mouth," the book takes a cheeky, yet reverent look at modern knitting.
Other books followed, the most popular of which taking the same humorous yet dedicated view of knitting as did "Stitch n’Bitch." Some of my favorites include self-proclaimed "Yarn Harlot" Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s books At Knit’s End and Knitting Rules!, as well as the handy The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe, and Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Without Tears.
All over the world, "Stitch n’Bitch" groups sprang up after Stoller determined to "take back the knit," and women got together to knit, learn new techniques from each other and talk, or "bitch," about life.
Though historically knitting has been considered "women’s work," and thus not worth all that much in a man’s world, with the advent of the "Stitch n’ Bitch" concept, knitting was reclaimed by feminists who wanted a knitting room of their own.
"Betty Friedan and other like-minded feminists had overlooked an important aspect of knitting when they viewed it simply as part of women’s societal obligation to serve everyone around them – they had forgotten that knitting served the knitter as well," writes Stoller.
Women – and men – heeded the call, and now knitting is definitely "hot." New yarn and knitting supply stores are opening every day and experiencing success. Old is new again, with vintage knitting patterns making a comeback. New materials such as silk, bamboo, hemp, and 100% organic cotton are being made into super-soft, stunningly beautiful yarns. Knitting needles are being made of metal, plastic, rare woods, and even glass. Knitting has become hip, and carries the price tag that can go with that.
However, it is possible to learn to knit and maintain the hobby without breaking one’s personal back account (though it is a challenge – once you start buying those great yarns, it’s almost impossible to stop!). A basic pair of knitting needles can be purchased at a your neighborhood craft store, or online (you can find great deals on eBay!) and there are some lovely, inexpensive yarns out there.
In addition, online knitting networks are everywhere, and tips for learning how to knit, discovering new techniques, or troubleshooting problems are easy to find. Many of these sites also have free patterns, or a shared pattern network.
There are even knitting websites that have videos that can show you different techniques. It’s as close as you can get to having your own personal knitting guru.
Just like in-person Stitch-n’-Bitch groups, online friendships and communities can be formed over the shared love of knitting. Only fellow knitters can truly understand one another, and the fact that knitting is really so much more than just a hobby.
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee puts it this way in Knitting Rules: "Knitting is endlessly interesting. Knitting lets you turn one thing into another, and better than that, a variety of ‘anothers.’ A ball of yarn could be anything at all: a hat, a book cover, a bag…that innocent-looking string could be anything, and it’s all up to the knitter."
By now most people have probably heard of the book Stitch n’ Bitch, by Debbie Stoller. Published in 2003, it became a best seller, as modern women rediscovered the ancient art of knitting. Many knitters consider the book their knitting "Bible," and carry it in their knitting bags, with favorite pages worn and dog-eared.
With chapter titles like "Go-go Garter Stitch Scarf," "The Rules of Engagement: What Not to Knit for Your Boyfriend," "Ribbed for Her Pleasure Scarf," and "Never Look a Gift Hat in the Mouth," the book takes a cheeky, yet reverent look at modern knitting.
Other books followed, the most popular of which taking the same humorous yet dedicated view of knitting as did "Stitch n’Bitch." Some of my favorites include self-proclaimed "Yarn Harlot" Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s books At Knit’s End and Knitting Rules!, as well as the handy The Knitting Answer Book by Margaret Radcliffe, and Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Without Tears.
All over the world, "Stitch n’Bitch" groups sprang up after Stoller determined to "take back the knit," and women got together to knit, learn new techniques from each other and talk, or "bitch," about life.
Though historically knitting has been considered "women’s work," and thus not worth all that much in a man’s world, with the advent of the "Stitch n’ Bitch" concept, knitting was reclaimed by feminists who wanted a knitting room of their own.
"Betty Friedan and other like-minded feminists had overlooked an important aspect of knitting when they viewed it simply as part of women’s societal obligation to serve everyone around them – they had forgotten that knitting served the knitter as well," writes Stoller.
Women – and men – heeded the call, and now knitting is definitely "hot." New yarn and knitting supply stores are opening every day and experiencing success. Old is new again, with vintage knitting patterns making a comeback. New materials such as silk, bamboo, hemp, and 100% organic cotton are being made into super-soft, stunningly beautiful yarns. Knitting needles are being made of metal, plastic, rare woods, and even glass. Knitting has become hip, and carries the price tag that can go with that.
However, it is possible to learn to knit and maintain the hobby without breaking one’s personal back account (though it is a challenge – once you start buying those great yarns, it’s almost impossible to stop!). A basic pair of knitting needles can be purchased at a your neighborhood craft store, or online (you can find great deals on eBay!) and there are some lovely, inexpensive yarns out there.
In addition, online knitting networks are everywhere, and tips for learning how to knit, discovering new techniques, or troubleshooting problems are easy to find. Many of these sites also have free patterns, or a shared pattern network.
There are even knitting websites that have videos that can show you different techniques. It’s as close as you can get to having your own personal knitting guru.
Just like in-person Stitch-n’-Bitch groups, online friendships and communities can be formed over the shared love of knitting. Only fellow knitters can truly understand one another, and the fact that knitting is really so much more than just a hobby.
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee puts it this way in Knitting Rules: "Knitting is endlessly interesting. Knitting lets you turn one thing into another, and better than that, a variety of ‘anothers.’ A ball of yarn could be anything at all: a hat, a book cover, a bag…that innocent-looking string could be anything, and it’s all up to the knitter."
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