Comments on: Why I Knit

By: Celeste Bergin

Celeste Bergin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:37:31 +0000

Chris, I enjoyed your essay very much. I wish I would have been more interested in my Mother’s talents. She too could crochet and knit “like there was no tomorrow”. For some reason I am missing that gene altogether..but I certainly admire it in others! Thanks for coming by my exhibit at the Broderick! Sorry I missed you. See you again one day I hope.

By: Tom Bittner

Tom Bittner — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:34:35 +0000

Chris, I love the site. I love how passionate you are about knitting. tell Max and Alice I said hello. Love, Tom

By: Janet

Janet — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:06:29 +0000

I think it’s a beautiful essay. My mom didn’t knit, but her mother used to knit and crochet. I never knew her, but knitting for me builds that connection to her legacy.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:45:24 +0000

Hey Chris! That’s so awesomely pro that you can follow a pattern much less create your own! Mrs. Angel did teach everyone who wanted to learn how to knit in 6th grade at Collins elementary. I wasn’t inquisitive enough to learn anything but slippers – probably made about 50 pairs, and tried reducing them for booties. Oh, remember I made some for Mrs. Greenblatt’s baby? Vintage socks…can you make socks that the Civil War soldiers would have worn? Your Obama pillow is outstanding -more unbelievable than the Etch-a-Sketch artist!
My grandmother crocheted all the time, and I’ve preserved her afghans and the beautiful lacy baby blankets that other people made for Blakely. I guess that’s why I think of crocheted creations as being more special. I had some knitted Barbie clothes too, but didn’t like the bulkiness. I completely bought into those packaged glamour outfits. It’s crazy that they don’t sell the clothes anymore – you just get a whole new doll if you like her dress. We must have divested ourselves of a hundred Barbies, Kens, Kiras (of course), etc. Once my Mom was so upset because I used some of the left-over satin from her wedding dress to make doll clothes. I tried to teach the girls how to sew and use the machine, but they were never interested in experimenting with doll clothes. Now I have to do all the hemming and jeans patching! Well, sorry to go on and on within your elegant blog page. I wish I could see your yarn collection…that’s how I feel about stationery. Alice makes a lovely model.

By: Katrina Joy

Katrina Joy — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:47:09 +0000

Knitting has an inspired and timeless way of connecting people! My brilliant step-mother inspired me to begin knitting and the talented people I have met along the way continue to spark the passion.

Cheers & happy facelift. You’re looking fabulous, darlin’

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:01:45 +0000

Happy belated b-day Alice Thelma, I love the pillow, Chris.

By: Susie

Susie — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:02:24 +0000

I also knit because of connection to my mother. She passed away twenty years ago but every time I knit, I feel her presence in spirit. I think a large percentage of American knitters have this connection with a maternal figure while knitting. Great post!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:30:29 +0000

I have so many memories of my mother knitting at home..but Irish, not German! I too have thought often about taking up the craft….

By: Keli Whidden

Keli Whidden — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:25:39 +0000

I *want* to knit because that is what my grandmother and mother did…neither had time to teach me, so I self taught, but am limited in skill. Looking for time to devote to what I view as an art form.

By: Nan

Nan — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:17:37 +0000

I knit because that’s what all the women in my family did. I was first handed a pair of red plastic knitting needles when I was about 8 years old. I remember every effort being frogged because of mistakes. I never finished anything as a child. It was just a terribly frustrating experience. But once I was grown and expecting my first child, it seemed the most natural thing in the world to pick up the needles and knit. I haven’t stopped since.