Rather than having a speaker for our October Studio Hours, we took the time to visit and share with each other. As we began, Kate gave us a fascinating mini lecture on the industrialization of knitting, its connections to the union movement, and the social challenges with the adoption of the new technology. This topic led to a recommendation for the graphic novel I’m a Luddite, in which the first part covers UK textile history and the actions of the Luddites, who were opposed not to new technology, per se, but to the actions of factory owners who adopted the new knitting machines and created poor working conditions, devaluing human labour. Our crafting is so much more than just a relaxing hobby.
We often have our discussions about holiday making in December, which is lovely, but too late to help each other! This Studio Hours allowed us to share our gift making ideas (whether knitting, crochet, woven, or sewn), pattern recommendations, and general advice around gift making.
Kate started us off by mentioning her knit shawl book, Custom Shawls, where the patterns all run from smallest stitch count to largest so you can keep working until the shawl is large enough, the yarn runs out, or you are out of time.
She then told us about giving her mother an unblocked hat which she’d finished on the way to her birthday party. Kate then took the hat back to wash and block it, since “It’s not finished until it’s wet finished.” (Reminding us of the Studio Hours session with Laura Fry in August).
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Many members have given gifts still on the needles, or a card with a photo from the pattern and a piece of the intended yarn. A lovely interaction brewed in the chat, with sisters-in-law bantering about a sweater once given in pieces, where the recipient ended up sewing it together. Some of us have knit in plain sight, brazenly working on gifts in front of their recipients, perhaps making use of that quiet time that sometimes happens on holiday afternoons.
One member mentioned that she usually works in themes, as she makes gifts for four nieces and a nephew (ranging in age from seven to twenty this year). Everyone gets some version of the same thing, whether a toque or mittens, with differences in stitch pattern or colours. This year, she’ll be making hats using Fleece & Harmony’s Point Prim Sock yarn and customizing them by adding a motif from Andrea Rangel’s newly published stitch dictionary, KnitOvation. Another idea for themed gifts would be to give handwoven tea towels, all from the same warp but with differing weft patterns. This discussion of theme knitting reminded one member of a heartwarming story from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (the Yarn Harlot), where she knit eight versions of the same hat to give to all her family members.
Another member takes the items she’s made to her family party and lets them pick from the pile, with each person choosing what they like best and will wear. The topic switched to gifts not being used. One member made a pair of socks with an interesting travelling stitch pattern for her sister, who never wore them as she felt they were too decorative to wear. Now the member only makes plain socks for her sister. One idea floated was to make nice things but perhaps in colours that aren’t the recipient’s favourites, so that the item won’t seem so special. Again, we were reminded of the conversation with Laura Fry and Michelle Boyd, where they discussed using the “good stuff” and enjoying and honouring the items.
Often, we like to surprise recipients but are challenged to get their measurements. Kate offered a suggestion: take advantage of a summer or fall family gathering and get the children in attendance to do the measuring, compiling a list for a mock math class. Have them take every measurement (head circumference, foot length, etc.) for every person and include some odd, silly measurements (ear and nose length), which just make the process even more fun. Everyone knows they will get something handmade, but no one knows exactly what.
Many people knit for babies and two patterns were suggested, the After Hours Woodcutter vest by Kelly van Niekerk (Ravelry link) and the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann. For gifts that don’t need to fit a person, one member suggested gifts for the home, such as tea cozies or French press cozies.
Another member expressed that she often uses gift knitting as an excuse to work on patterns she’s long wanted to knit, or as an excuse to design things.
On that note, Kate wondered if making gifts might be the incentive she needs to finally take up weaving. She did wonder if she would have time to become adept before this holiday season but recognized that we learn by challenging ourselves. A member suggested that rigid heddle looms are quick to set up and it’s possible to weave a scarf in a day. Canadian sources for rigid heddle looms include any Ashford or Schacht dealer, as well as a large used market through online sales sites and knitters’ and weavers’ guilds equipment sales.
Show and Tell
We started with a reminder that there is a new documentary, The Cowichan Sweater: Our Knitted Legacy available for streaming on CBC Gem. This spawned a short discussion of Cowichan sweaters and reminded us of Sylvia Olsen’s book Unravelling Canada, reviewed by Kate in March 2021.
The next show and tell participant told us that she received a Cowichan sweater for her citizenship present. She then shared her gift knitting: socks for husband, knit two at a time on two circulars. She’s embraced learning a new skill and avoiding second sock syndrome!
Another member showed us a gift that has come back to her: last year, she made a Christmas stocking for her daughter’s dog. Unfortunately, it now needs a repair before this Christmas.
On the topic of long-unfinished gifts, one member shared a partially finished toy for a baby who had her second birthday in July (it’s okay, her mum is also a knitter, she has other toys!)
We also saw a delightfully cozy-looking garter stitch sweater that a member has made as a charity gift to be sent to northern Canada. She used a pattern resembling the French Macaroon pattern (available for free on Ravelry).
The evening ended with levity as we online friends teased about gifts to be given and received. Until next time, everyone!
Featured photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
