Knitting Connects

By Claudia Ostrop

The beauty of knitting is that it can be done practically anytime and anywhere; it doesn’t require much more than a cozy spot, needles, and yarn.

While knitting was dismissed as an old-fashioned hobby just a few years ago, it has recently enjoyed an impressive "renaissance." Knitting is not just a pleasant, creative pastime but also something that brings people together all over the world. And this is regardless of gender, age, or cultural background.

In this blog post, we will look at the wonderful connections that knitting creates and how it serves as a bridge between generations, genders, and cultures.

An Inherited Hobby

“My grandmother taught me how to knit!” – many of us can relate to this sentiment. It might have been an aunt or a mother, but it was usually a family member who introduced us to the craft. Often, these cherished figures would secretly add a row or two to our ambitiously started first scarf when it wasn’t growing as we, the novice knitters, had hoped. Isn’t it wonderful how this “inherited” hobby connects us to beautiful memories of our mothers and grandmothers? And when we, in turn, share our knitting skills and passion with others, it completes a beautiful circle.

Community and Social Interaction

One of the wonderful qualities of knitting is that it doesn’t require much – no special environment, no equipment other than the knitting tools – you can do it alone and anywhere. But just as wonderful is the fact that knitting connects people! Knitting together with like-minded people, chatting about yarn and patterns, getting new ideas, it’s just fun.

In recent years, knitting meetups have sprung up almost everywhere. Whether in cafes or yarn shops, from villages to big cities – there are probably only a few places where you can’t find “like-minded” people, making the shared hobby even more fun. Knitting meetups provide opportunities to learn, exchange techniques and yarns. But they also offer space for socializing and have certainly often laid the foundation for good friendships.

Local Knitting Meetups

Whether in cafes, yarn shops, or elsewhere: knitters of all age groups come together at local knitting meetups to knit together. In a relaxed atmosphere, they knit and chat about knitting. It’s not always just about knitting. It’s nice to knit while chatting about everything under the sun – or beautiful yarns – and always getting new ideas, be it patterns or techniques or knitting events that one could attend together.

Yarn Festivals

For those who want to explore beyond knitting, the numerous yarn festivals, especially in Europe and the USA, are highly recommended. They offer a rich array of everything related to the woolly hobby. Almost always, there are workshops where interested participants can learn techniques related to knitting (and crochet). From large international events to regional yarn markets, knitting and yarn festivals now take place year-round and almost everywhere. Often, knitters travel together to these markets, and these events frequently turn into a kind of “class reunion” – because once you’ve established yourself in the knitting community, you repeatedly meet “acquaintances.”

Knitting Workshops

Knitting workshops often take place during knitting or yarn festivals, usually led by (more or less) well-known designers. In a relatively small group, a specific technique is taught and practiced over a few hours.

It doesn’t always have to be the “professionals”; experienced knitters also offer courses in yarn shops to teach special techniques – with the added benefit of meeting new people.

The “luxury version” of workshops are knitting retreats, which span several days and usually include a program in addition to the knitting sessions. These weekends for knitters have already led to many friendships.

Knitting in the Digital World

With the rise of social media, knitting has reached a new dimension. Platforms like Ravelry, Instagram, and Facebook have the potential to connect knitting enthusiasts worldwide. If you can’t find like-minded people locally, you don’t have to knit alone – the large online knitting community connects knitters globally.

Ravelry

Ravelry is the platform for knitting. Crochet, spinning, and weaving enthusiasts also find their place here, but the focus is on knitting. Almost all knitting designers offer their patterns through the platform. Additionally, there are groups and forums for community exchange. Every user has their own digital “notebook” where patterns can be saved, projects can be created, and yarn stashes can be cataloged. In the forums, you can find help if you have questions about patterns or techniques, and there are also areas for casual chatting. Many digital acquaintances have turned into real-life encounters at yarn festivals – and many friendships have formed over time. Currently, there are over 12 million yarn enthusiasts registered on Ravelry.

KAL – Knit along

A KAL is a knitting meetup in digital form. Knit along means “knit together.” In a KAL, you knit together – but not around a table: you “meet” online. A Knit along often has a theme. It can be a specific pattern, a special purpose, or a particular yarn. Ravelry and Facebook are probably the most used platforms for Knit alongs, allowing for both “technical” exchange and plenty of room for chatting.

Instagram

Under hashtags like #knittersofinstagram, #knitting, or #nevernotknitting, there are millions of posts on Instagram. Knitters share their projects, receive feedback, and find inspiration. Hashtags and followers promote the exchange of ideas and techniques and create a sense of community. Of course, knitting designers and companies from the craft industry are also represented here.

Facebook

On Facebook, there are numerous knitting groups that offer platforms for exchanging ideas, getting support with problems, and, of course, sharing finished projects.

Not Just for Women

Traditionally, knitting was associated with women, as it was considered a domestic activity for centuries. A look at history shows that men were also active knitters in various cultures. Whether in Scotland, Peru, or the craft guilds of Europe – knitting was often a male business in earlier times.

 In recent decades, the image of knitting as an exclusively female activity has drastically changed. More and more men are discovering knitting for themselves, breaking down gender roles. Celebrities like actor Ryan Gosling and British diver Tom Daley openly “confess” their passion for knitting, helping to eliminate gender-specific prejudices about this craft.

This change reflects a broader societal development that questions traditional gender roles and advocates for more inclusivity.

Knitting and Inclusion

Online platforms like Ravelry have initiated efforts to promote inclusivity in the knitting world. They offer special forums and groups where LGBTQ+ knitters can share their experiences and works. This creates an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported, regardless of origin, gender, age, or skin color.

Pride Month

Every year in June, Pride Month is celebrated worldwide to honor the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness of the rights, challenges, and achievements of this community. Pride Month is a celebration of diversity, love, and inclusion, and there are many creative ways to express these values. One of them is knitting, which connects people across cultural and gender boundaries.

Conclusion: Knitting Connects the World

Knitting is much more than just a hobby; it is a universal language that connects people across cultural and gender boundaries. It fosters community, creativity, and personal development. It offers a way to preserve traditions while exploring new techniques and patterns. And it contributes to mental health and sustainability. Whether young or old, beginner or expert – knitting has something to offer everyone. It is practically an invitation to connect with others, create something with your hands – and be part of a large, global community. In a world often marked by differences and conflicts, knitting can bring us together, stitch by stitch.

(The images shown in the blog as well as the title image were created with the help of AI (Adobe Express))