CeliaBedelia
Relax and Unwind!
Wrong forum for this question, but I think you may have a point. One author mentioned that the ladies of the house knitted while their maids crocheted. Still, why? And why does it persist?
It works that way with designs, too. I've seen wondrous patterns in thread crochet, mostly decor items, but the number of great crochet garment designs is much lower than great knit designs.
Personally I think people have taken statements such as 'crochet is too blocky for sweaters' as truth. Lately designers have been kicking anti-crochet stereotypes in the butt, and there are tons of designs for shaped flowing garments with new ones popping up every day. Unfortunately, a lot of people already have their minds made up about it and don't even bother to look around to see what's new, assuming we're all still 'only' making blankets.
http://gaugebeforebeauty.blogspot.com/
http://danceswithwool.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/amazing-and-beautiful-crochet-patterns/
There could be something to that. I'm middle class and I buy my yarn at WalMart!
http://scrapyarncrochet.blogspot.com/
I have a rant along the same vein.
Why are so many knitters violently against crocheting? Seriously, it's as though "crochet" is a four letter word.
I was so happy when I found Crochet Me last fall. I promptly made "Fat Kitty" for my niece. I'm still kicking myself for not taking a photo. I made it in yellow kitchen cotton, gave it vintage amber button eyes, and embroidered a spring green smiling face. It was gorgeous! I'm trying to work up the courage to make a garment... The patterns here are awesome! Not blocky or gaudy!
Their loss, I guess.
RedTartan
There's nothing finer than a man in a kilt.
http://treblecrochet.blujay.com About all I buy is the Red Heart yarn...it's the best!!!
its definitely an issue. i also feel like theres more (at least from what i've seen as far as books, etc.) male patterns for knitters than crocheters. what if i want to make myself an awesome sweater, maybe even a hoodie?
as a guy who crochets i can't even BEGIN to tell you how many times i've had this conversation:
some guy "What does it matter? it's still gay."
now theres a possibility that going to an all-male high school played into that. because by-and-large females find it cool/interesting/sexy that i crochet. and all my female friends/exs LOVE/LOVED to get crocheted gifts. means WAY more than flowers and candy.
i love to buy my yarn at WalMart. and i get Red Heart Super Saver. it's cheap.
A guy, a hook, and some yarn.
The Adventures of Crafty Boy!
I know I have seen and admired the array of knitting patterns out there! Actually, I'm learning BOTH crocheting and knitting. But, I have to say, the patterns that have sprung up recently for crochet are DEFINATELY improving over what there used to be!
Marylou,
No doubt about it patterns for Crochet are geting better. Check out Interweave crochet it's fine!
What do people out there like to crochet and whaere do you get your patterns?
Celia
Amen! Improved in an understatement! I used to look at some of the old crochet out there and wonder if the challenge was to create the ugliest design that you could using the most colors that you could. Have you ever seen that website called (I think) What Not to Knit? It's hysterical! The woman who runs it calls ugly knit creations "fug". Recently she posted a crocheted piece and someone called her on it. Her response was, "Hey, fug is fug."
LOL!
Red,
Have you seen the new book out" Toilet Paper Roll Covers"? They put out a Tea Cozies one too. It's way cool if you're are a tea sipper.
It's a well done book but makes me squeemish! Totally hilarious.
I'd never though about the relationship of knit/crochet and socioeconomic status but now that you mention it...
Crochet has passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and from my mother to me. My grandmother grew up during the great depression, didn't have any education past high school, and then raised two kids on her own as a single, working mother during the 50's/60's after my grandfather died. It goes without saying that she never had a lot of money.
It supports your theory.
BUT, regardless of the connection between class and method of stitching, you really can't deny that all of a sudden crochet is trendy. Knit... well... just isn't right now.
one of my friends knits. i can't seem to grasp the technique of knitting. and of course i've told him "hey, i don't know why, but i just am not very good at knitting."
the other day i was working on my beanie and he was just staring at me. finally he spoke and was like "how? i can't even understand how that works."
i realize that i'm off topic, but i swear i'll tie it into the current conversation.
we were also talking about class and the fiber arts. we both agree that socioeconomic status at least in some way affects the chosen form. he also buys 100% wool. whereas i use 100% acrylic yarn. he always tells me about how im "crocheting plastic"
so maybe theres a little holier than thou attitude with those knitters. maybe it's cause they use 2 tools, and we only use 1.
the oddest thing is that crochet seems to have more distinct stitches. knitting is just knit and purl. crochet has single, double, triple, half double, extended single, tunisian, and many others.
i love crochet and im sticking with it
:)
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