The Crochet War
or whatever is going on, involving needles and balls of yarn
I have heard rumours knitters and crocheters are at wars on the big internet. I have no idea why, about what, or even if it is true. I have seen posts urging people to live and let live, even if they think crocheting is less than useless or that knitters are probably up to no good. These days it is so difficult to tell out-right lies, mere speculations or jokes apart, that I would not be surprised if there was a yarn war between the one and the two/more needles’ people. Actually, as there are round needles for knitters and crochet needles can be used for such things as fishing up a lost stitch from an otherwise knitted piece, there might be scope for misunderstandings, grey-zones and definitions to complicate matters. Could ‘I say tomato and you say tomeito’ (as the old song goes) have caused people to go all needles and yarn? Maybe the person urging people to stop the verbal attacks on the other side of the needles mistook the woolly banter for something more serious, or even nefarious. On the other hand, there might be more… What do I know? Have I missed something and I have lived believing knitting and crocheting are nothing more than two different ways of turning wool into stuff? Should I worry or not? Big wool or a storm in a tea cup? Maybe ignorance is bliss and I should just get on with my knitting and my crocheting? Maybe I should take up needle work as well, seeing it involves both needles, albeit with an eye, and yarn. Life is indeed complicated, almost like an intricately knitted/crocheted lace shawl - I do recommend lace yarn: Shetland wool from Jamieson & Smith for a shawl. They even do a Shetland Supreme Lace 1-ply Cobweb Weight. The Shetland Islands are famous for their beautiful knitted shawls and there are both books and articles and patterns on the internet for anyone interested.
I am an avid knitter and crocheter (anyone knowing me would say I am beyond addiction when it comes to wool and needles - no matter whether it involves one or more!) - and I can see no need for anything but a happy co-existence between the crafts. Follow the same rules as for everything else in life: Do to others what you would like them to do to you (we have all heard it before in some variation: ‘What did you do to your little brother?’ ‘I hit him on the head with the spade?’ ‘Would you like it if he did that to you?’ ‘Nope’ . I know, what you are about to say: ‘But he said/did…’ My response when it comes to the woolly business: ‘Let it go, and enjoy the hobby’). End of sermon. Did I ever mention I have a degree in theology?
Have a great summer solstice (from a Northern Hemisphere perspective) and enjoy your hobby/business, buy more yarn and knit or crochet anything that make things feel better. The number of needles you use is entirely up to you.
At the end:
If you are in the winter half of the year instead, I hope you will still have a good time and do buy more yarn!
Storm Dennis Fisherman’s Kep, by Marie Bruhat, ‘Shetland Wool Adventures Journal Vol.4’
Jamieson&Smith for Shetland Wool.
At the very end:
I am not profiting from writing this. Not in any shape or form. Unfortunately.