The Big Stitch

Published February 12, 2008

By Alex Townsend

To anyone who studies culture it becomes obvious pretty quickly that things are popular in cycles. Something that was all the rage decades ago can make a sudden inexplicable resurgence. It’s happened with bellbottom pants, innumerable music styles, and even Richard Nixon. They all were popular at one time and then years later, when everyone should have forgotten them, they became president.

But what about things that were never intended for fun in the first place? What about pastimes that seem like they should be ridiculously boring and are, at best, associated with wholesome, grandmotherly types? What about knitting?

It’s hard to know when it first regained its popularity, but there is no denying that the Big Yarning now has a strong grip on many UVM students. They can be seen in groups, chatting and clicking away, making way more scarves than anyone could need. You can even spot them from a distance when they’re fiddling with their yarn in class or even just have some needles sticking out somewhere.
From an outside perspective it’s hard to see the reason for the knitters’ obsession. Years ago knitting was a necessary craft for many women to know so that their families could be properly warm for the winter.

They may have enjoyed sitting in their rocking chairs and gossiping while they made stockings and such, but it was never rebellious fun-having. The repetitive clicking of needles to create seemingly endless rows of fabric was never seen as the hip thing to do. So why is it so popular now?

Is it that the repetition is soothing and helps to calm one down after a stressful day of classes? (Not that realizing you missed a stitch twelve rows back isn’t stressful.) Is it a rediscovered feeling of accomplishment that comes from making something all by yourself? Is it the pleasure of showing those wimpy crocheters what a REAL craft is? Let’s say it’s all of the above.

But what’s going to happen next? Will the knitters go to even greater extremes like a vegetarian turned vegan? There are already rumors of some folks becoming interested in spinning (think Rumpelstilskin, but updated and with less gold). It seems like only a matter of time before sheep-sheering is a common sight. Teachers will have to stop worrying over whether or not students should take notes on laptops and start discussing the wisdom of having livestock in the classroom.

It is clear that such a future would be terrifying. It would…no actually it would be pretty awesome. Sheep could definitely liven up any classroom. But still, knitters need to be wary. All fads come to an end and there’s already a new craft on the block just waiting to steal the spotlight. Enjoy your perfectly stitched sweaters while you still can. There’s no telling how soon, but before long you’ll have to make room for… embroidery.

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