Knitting Confusion
Have you ever noticed that some illustrators do not understand the concept of knitting?
I have knit for nearly 50 years, and I have never seen a knitter holding needles like the woman in the Crankshaft cartoon. Have you?
This misconception seems to be widespread.
Possibly the needles are shown this way because if they were in the "normal" knitting position, it would not be clear that the individual was knitting.
It's time for knitters to put an end to this misrepresentation.
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Let's knit in public as much as we possibly can.
Together, we can end the confusion.
Yeah, it would be pretty hard to knit with the ends up in the air like that.
ReplyDeleteA lost art that is misunderstood for sure.
ReplyDeleteThose are cute cartoons, and No, I have never seen anyone actually knit that way. I've seen other mistakes such as the final episode of Call The Midwife. The nurses are knitting a blanket, and they are shown knitting squares several times during the episode, but at the end when the blanket is presented, it's a grannie square blanket that was crocheted. There was not one knitted square anywhere in it. I suppose only knitters and crocheters would notice.
ReplyDeletethose pictures and illustrations have always been a pet peeve of mine, I am always pointing them out to Thomas. Or newspaper articles that talk about crochet when it is knitting or vice versa. Do your research folks!!!
ReplyDeleteFun post, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteLOL. If I were drawing a cartoon, the needles would be angled like that too I'm afraid, so they would be very visible. But I'll start paying attention, I promise.
ReplyDeleteHave I ever seen needles held that way? Sorta'. My Mother's friend Stella ,who taught me to knit, held her needles like pencils and knit like she was writing. I couldn't do it so she told me to hold my needles like "other people." I still laugh about that--I am one of the "other people."
ReplyDeleteEvery time I knit in public there will be someone who asks if I am knitting or crocheting. You are right Nancy, they just don't understand!
I've seen crocheters hold the hook that way, but never knitting needles. Do you remember the ad on tv with the ladies quilting with what looked like knitting needles? I believe it was a toilet paper commercial. All these cartoons remind me of that ad.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, they don't understand. And they don't get why we knit socks when you can but a pair for cheap. Silly people....
ReplyDeleteHear! Hear! I've seen *knitters* in television commercials that were holding the needles like they were crocheting. SO WRONG!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteI was watching an old British show with Judi Dench (Behaving Badly, I think) and an elderly woman was knitting this way: She had very long knitting needles, and the right one was held on top of her right arm. She used her left hand as the active hand, throwing the yarn with that hand and using the left needle while holding the right one still. It was odd, but she was actually knitting that way!
ReplyDeleteOkay. That was my big laugh for the day. So funny and I had never noticed but You are right !
ReplyDeleteI think that's a wonderful idea! Knit in public...
ReplyDeleteHah, my day just started with a good laugh :) I don't think the people who draw those cartoons actually ever held a pair of knitting needles in their hands.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like 95% of the people I know don't even own those straight needles anymore; nowadays pretty much everything can be knitted on circulars. But I guess those cartoonists aren't up to date when it comes to knitting trends … ;)
I love the last cartoon. We have a sister who is seldom without knitting in her hands. We joke and say they are permanently attached!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Lol...I've always thought how the needles looked funny in the cartoons but never really thought about it.
ReplyDeleteI was at a thrift store and saw a little cat statue that had the needles angled up like that. Terrible misconception.
ReplyDeleteI was referred to your website by http://irisheyesknitters.blogspot.com/
Sapphireblue
workknitstudy.blogspot.com
LOL I love these! I can't decide which one I like better, the granny "knitting" not weaving or the Rhymes with Orange "knitting problem".
ReplyDeleteFantastic. I must send to my mother.