Uncomprehending Non-Knitters - Grrr..

AidanM · 07-23-2006, 01:17 PM

I conquered the first 1/3 of a baby sweater I've had to rip back two or three times. I've been telling my friends because most of them are able to humour me. However, a few have said "Conquered? Jeez Aidan, it's not a mountain or anything!"
It's not a mountain.
Huh.
So this morning I just asked one of them point-blank "Have YOU ever knitted a sweater?" And they didn't answer me. I went on to say, "You're right. Climbing a mountain has a lot fewer steps!" then I showed her the math that gave me my total number of completed stitches. Still, she said nothing.
Finally I told her, "Look, don't belittle my accomplishments because I have as much invested in my knitting as you do in your writing. Just remember how it feels to have somebody belittle your writing and your triumphs."

I'm still a little peeved, but I feel better for having said something back. What do you say when somebody tries to belitle your accomplishments as a knitter? I can't seem to get through to most people, today was an exception.

Cristy · 07-23-2006, 07:14 PM

I've been lucky enough not to have anyone belittle my knitting too badly although it irritates me sometimes when I think people don't take it seriously. Earlier today my mil and fil were here to drop off dd who has been with them for the weekend. Just before they got home I had decided to pick up a sock I started a long time ago and try it again. In the process of them coming in and dd running around like only a 4 yr old can do, I managed to forget to pick up my working needle to knit and was using needles 2 and 3 of my round--I was knitting from needle #2 onto needle #3. I realized what I had done and started counting stitch and trying to figure out how to replace the stitches on their correct needles when I noticed that I no longer had the correct number of stitches. (I tend to talk to myself a lot when I knit) "How is that possible!" I sort of whispered and my mil began to giggle outloud. I don't know why but it sort of irritated me--i wanted to tell her this wasn't exactly a laughing matter although I knew she wouldn't understand.

Unfortunately, I've been so frustrated w/ my knitting un-accomplishments lately that the only person I have to scold for negativity is myself!

Jenelle · 07-23-2006, 07:43 PM

I usually say, "I don't see you doing anything productive with your life," to them.. I have a very low tolerance when people do belittle me..

But it seems that lately people are belittleing me for starting one project and not finishing it. Or I'm not knitting enough. :rollseyes:

cecile77 · 07-23-2006, 07:48 PM

Luckily I haven't really had any bad experiences with my friends or family belittling my knitting. This guy at work told me that it was "grandma stuff" and that I shouldn't be doing it. A minute later he asked me if I could make him a hat. Once people see your work they will realize how much time and effort goes into it and they won't be so quick to dismiss it.

Jeremy · 07-23-2006, 08:22 PM

My critics will say something like "but you haven't finished that pair of socks yet..." They have no understanding of how many wips the ususal kniiter has.

Jan in CA · 07-23-2006, 09:09 PM

I've been lucky and no one has belittled me (at least to my face), but I love your response. It leaves them little room to argue which is the way to handle it. Go you!!

EssenceRose · 07-23-2006, 10:47 PM

Surprisingly enough, I had the opposite reaction. I learned that a friend of mine (who I've known for 5 years) also knits. Imagine my shock when she showed me one of her WIP's -- I was stunned! So now we have one more thing to talk about. I even have a male friend who admits to knitting and I was equally surprised by that.

I don't know how I would react if somebody tried to belittle something that I thought of as an accomplishment. I don't think anybody should do that -- it's just plain rude. I'd probably fume silently and then make a point of showing off my very awesome new scarf/sweater/socks/hat/etc when it was finished. LOL

Mrs.H · 07-24-2006, 06:20 AM

I am also one of the lucky ones so far, no snide comment have come my way, only polite inquiries about my WIP. Sometimes I catch my DH sitting there, just watching me knit, he says he love to watch me, it reminds him of watching his late mother and grandmother. Not very romantic, but the wistful look on his face is so sweet.
Linda

Shandeh · 07-24-2006, 06:41 AM

Aiden, maybe it's time to make some new friends? These sound pretty rude to me. :thinking:

feministmama · 07-24-2006, 03:55 PM

I always think of a snappy comeback to some snide remark.....10 minutes after they made it :rollseyes:

My son's dad also makes fun of my "little sewing projects" (he can't even get the craft right) until he saw my clogs I made and he thought they were the coolest things he had ever seen. he said I should sell them at our local craft fair downtown. Humph.