Knitting and modern domesticity

I recently listened to a podcast in which Trish Malcolm interviewed Cecelia Campochiaro, author of Sequence Knitting. Trish Malcolm often begins her interviews by asking her guest how they got into knitting. Campochiaro said that it was not her mother, but the mother of a friend who taught her to knit. Apparently Campochiaro's mother had been forced to major in home economics in college and bore deep resentment against domestic arts. 

I can totally see that. Even activities we genuinely enjoy lose all their charm when we're forced to do them. Things are so different now, and women have come back to knitting for lots of reasons‑none of which are  because men need socks. Some women have come back to knitting because it is one of the ways to keep the mind sharp as we age. For me, and many others, knitting is a much needed creative outlet‑ a form of self expression and a way to calm our spirit. We revel in the beautiful materials and in the warm company of the knitting community.

It is interesting to see my daughter's generation discover knitting for the first time.  There is a general return among them to what I call modern domesticity. Today's younger women are reinterpreting the domestic arts on their own terms. Critics say it's a step backwards for feminism, but for other it is incredibly empowering. This beautiful, socially conscious generation is rejecting low quality industrial food, fast fashion, and throw-away convenience. They are choosing instead, the opportunity to control how they eat, what they wear, and where they source their materials.

 I am proud of the next generation of young knitters, and I look forward to seeing them join us in the shop and around the table.  Whoever you are, and why-ever you choose to knit, you are always welcome here

Back to 29 October 2019 Newsletter