Men Who Knit

Men who knit. For some people who don't know better, this may be a strange concept. If you study history, however, you'll find that during the Renaissance, men were the only ones who could join knitting guilds, while women took care of spinning. The reasons that knitting has come to be associated as a woman's-only craft are many, but there's no reason--physical or otherwise--why men can't knit.

In fact, in South America, you'll see men knitting as much as women. There aren't social stigmas or sharply defined gender assignments all over the world the way they exist in Western society. Some of the most intricate, beautiful items are knit by men on needles as skinny as bicycle spokes while they tend to their herds.

Sailors and fishermen, as well as shepherds, were among the first knitters. These were all occupations held by men. What better way to pass the hours than to create, especially for those surrounded by all that luscious wool?

Soldiers during the war years knitted, as did many people, including school age children-boys and girls. Everyone was encouraged to knit their bit to keep the soldiers warm.

The history of men knitting is fascinating; it's even more eye-opening to look at cultures where gender doesn't equate one thing completely separate of the other. If a boy is taught to knit at a young age, before self-consciousness is allowed to seep in and create unease (usually in the form of teasing from peers), he can be equally capable of knitting as a girl. There is no biological aspect to knitting which makes it easier for girls. In fact, knitting for both sexes is excellent for teaching fine motor skills and concentration, as well as pride in the act of creating.

Today, it's not very common to see many people knitting in public; the sight of men knitting is even rarer than that of women. Slowly, with the resurgence of knitting, more men are becoming involved and as a direct result, there are websites, clubs, and books designed for them. Hopefully, this will lead more men to openly claim this hobby instead of worrying that the uneducated will think them effeminate because they enjoy being creative.

With books like Knitting with Balls and Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them, a previously ignored market can be tapped. Maybe this will lead to more books, more groups and more men who knit. Of course, for the female knitters out there, this may mean you have to share your stash. Well, at least stash space. Look out!