A Field Guide to Knitters Part 2

Orenburg Shawls courtesy of Galina Khmeleva

Part 1 is here.

Part 2: a continuation of my light hearted look at Knitters. 


Lace Knitters (Lacesso knitcreo)

Description

This species of Knitters typically works with the finest weights of yarn. They produce a large variety of projects but by far the most popular appear to be shawls.They prefer their knitting to be of the holey variety. Some show a proclivity towards highly romanticized and overly feminine pursuits as the reading of Jane Austin and Bronte sister novels. Some lace knitters specialize, focusing on Shetland, Orenburg, Estonian or more obscure lace traditions.

Habitat and range

They are now everywhere...and often sneak lace into knitting projects in whatever way they can, socks, scarves, hats and cardigans. They appear to have originated in both mainland Europe and the Shetland Islands but origination is unclear due to the fragile nature of their product.
 

Vocalizations

The definition of lace knitting varies. Some Knitters make a distinction between "lace knitting" and "knit lace," saying that lace knitting is created when you have pattern rows only on the right side of the work, while knitted lace has pattern rows on every row with no resting row.Their calls often include discussions regarding the points of their needle tips. Preferences seem to be for long and pointy but materials differ widely from slick metals to stickier woods and bamboo. Forms of cast on and cast off are debated with many schools of thought. A few slip into a completely different tradition using crochet hooks to cast off.

Art Knitters ( Ars knitcreo) 

Description
This group has a highly developed aesthetic, honed over many years of practice. Often they have experimented with many different types of materials before settling on construction techniques of knitting. They tend to forms of work that include large scale installations in public spaces. Many also utilize machine knitting due to the volume of knitting required.

Habitat and Range
Most often found in Art schools and galleries. Frequently working on or holding the designation Bachelor of Fine Arts.


Vocalizations
Most are of a highly intellectualized variety and include a large amount of social commentary. Discussions include choice of mediums, meaning to the greater human condition as well as self expression and challenges to cultural preconceptions. Acceptance into the larger art world was relatively late in the last century and socialization with the traditional knitting world is relatively rare.
 

Field Guide to Knitters:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

A Field Guide to Knitters Part 1

I recently spoke at my monthly guild meeting on the topic of why we knit. Part of my presentation looked briefly at the different types of Knitters out there. A member of the audience has asked me to expand on my thoughts and while I started to make some notes I got a little silly thinking about how I would present this information. What follows is Part 1 of my light-hearted take on the various categories of Knitters that I have met in the knitting world.

Sock Knitters (Pes pedis knitcreo)

Description

Appearances vary greatly among sock knitters. Many start with only one pair and then are unable to stop producing. Toe up and cuff down variations occur frequently. There have been a few rare sightings of the side to side variety. Heel construction varies from traditional short rows to afterthought versions and new ones continue to be developed. They are highly competitive, often setting specific time limits to reach completion. They claim to never experience cold feet. The dreaded second sock syndrome threatens the population.

Habitat and range

They are found throughout the world. Several were recently spotted at the Fox and Fiddle on Bloor Street on the evening that the Downtown Knit Collective meets. One was observed, perched shoeless on the edge of her chair to show off a delightful pair of  identically matched striped socks. Many groups exist on Ravelry (94 at the last count). Especially large numbers congregate at Sock Summit biannually. A more recent sighting occurred at the Bata Shoe Museum.
 

Vocalizations

Their calls often include words like double pointed needles vs. magic loop. They have a strong preference for either identical or fraternal offspring based on whether they are left or right brained. What to do about the wearing out of socks, is frequently discussed with many variations preferred as to yarn fibre preference, gauge, darning vs. weaving and grafting techniques. 

Academic Knitters (Erudio knitcreo)

Description

This species of Knitters typically documents past Knitting traditions. They have little interest in new techniques or variations in approach. They care deeply about maintaining and protecting information about their specific area of expertise. If they step outside of documentation into design it's with a clear mandate to work only with traditional methods and to supply a more modern interpretation to keep the traditions alive. A small subcategory exists; usually found at Universities. This subspecies studies the Knitters themselves, mapping brainwaves, studying the peaks and drops of blood pressure and analyzing the impact of knitting on memory.

Habitat and range

They are found throughout the world. Most frequently they are seen at institutions of higher learning, libraries and museums. One spent a great deal of time in the Estonian section of the Royal Ontario Museum a number of years ago and recently another made appearances at the Museum for Textiles in Toronto.

Vocalizations

Their calls often include words like heritage and traditions. Often they focus on specific technical areas of knitting or geographical/national origins. Many are teachers who share their vast knowledge of their specific area of study with others.Extended vocalizations exist in written form mainly in books and often in Piecework magazine.

Field Guide to Knitters:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5