The Skeins of History: A Global Tale of Knitting
Deep in my grandmother’s photo library lie snapshots of six-year-old me in armchairs and the garden clumsily attempting to wrangle balls of wool and needles as long as my arm.
(An idea for a week-long knitting course.)
Deep in my grandmother’s photo library lie snapshots of six-year-old me in armchairs and the garden clumsily attempting to wrangle balls of wool and needles as long as my arm. Much like how my grandmother passed her love of knitting down to me, I hope to pass it on to you.
This course traverses the long, surprisingly political, history of knitting, from its roots as “woman’s art” to its future. Why has it remained a prominent artform in our world of mass production and consumerism? How can something that helps keep our hands warm in the snow be used as a tool of activism? In addition to exploring these topics, over the course of the week, time will be set aside in class to work on the final project—a knitted piece with personal or political significance.
Day 1: Spinning Yarn: A Brief History of Knitting
On day one, we’ll move beyond preconceptions and focus on knitting’s rich history. From its earliest appearance in Cairo to its development in Northern Europe and eventual role in the Industrial Revolution, students will engage in a group discussion about how knitted garments connect to their own lives. Then, they’ll brainstorm ideas for the final project.
Day 2: “Feminine Labor”: Is Knitting a Woman’s Art?
Textile arts have been dominated by women, stuck at home with the desire to create, for centuries. (That, and winters used to be colder.) Students will be assigned a specific time period and analyze the roles women held in the public and private spheres. Students will then create small models (drawn or otherwise) to showcase a design appropriate for their given era.
Day 3: Ewe Oughta Know: Knitting and Class
The social hierarchy has been astoundingly present in knitting. From noblewomen embroidering in gilded living rooms to peasants crafting by candlelight, wealth and class have been integral to knitting. In this lesson, we’ll discuss the large price discrepancies between materials and how we’ve gone from sheep farmers shearing for a living to discount yarn bins at Michael’s.
Day 4: Pussyhats & Political Patterns: Knitting as Revolution
“Knitting” has long brought to mind the stereotypical grandma who bakes cookies and knits sweaters. Who do you think she voted for? Should that matter? Should knitting be a safe space from the inevitable clashes between elder and younger crafters? Has art ever been apolitical? To find out, students will read, analyze, and discuss articles surrounding political discourse and knitting as protest art.
Day 5: The Loom-ing Threat: The Sustainability of Knitting
Can we knit our way to a healthier planet? The entire concept of slowing down to create a garment stitch-by-stitch directly contradicts the fast fashion trend that has our world in an iron grip. We’ll talk in-depth about the environmental impact of sustainable wool versus cheaper acrylic, and brainstorm how to thoughtfully wield knitting to combat climate change. Then, students will do a gallery walk to view their classmates’ final projects.