Posted on by Cathy

Forget the ‘yarn snobs’…it’s a Long Weekend!

I should have known better….it’s not as if I don’t have enough to keep me busy during the week….anyway I said maybe when a friend asked …..and then allowed myself to be persuaded……to go along with her to a newly formed ‘drop in’ craft group…..held at one of our larger local libraries
That’s where I came across it again. It being almost a ‘wool/yarn one-upmanship’
A certain type of snobbery that lingers amongst some members of the craft community

Settling in for the morning I spent a lot of time fielding various questions

  • What are you knitting?
  • What are you using?
  • Why on earth are you using that?
  • Oh I wouldn’t use that in a million years!
  • My dear, you should be buying this, that and the other
  • I spin (and dye) my own…always have….always will!

It’s difficult explaining to some the needs and wants of charity knitting. Charities need knitters to provide something warm for someone/something to wear – some will accept items knit with wool (natural fibre) others prefer acrylic (man made). Pros and cons for each yarn. Some refugee charities want flame resistant wool only; because donations are sent to ‘camps’ where open fires are used. Some homeless/ disadvantaged charities ask for acrylic; because laundering and drying (when possible) is a great deal easier.

I’ve often spoken about my choice of yarn to knit with (for charities) and this was the first time ever I had to defend it (plus my choice of using straight needles rather than circular or even DPNs). It was all rather strange and a bit disappointing. I then discovered this was actually an established group (who mentioned they preferred to be called fibre artists). who’d moved to the library – a cheaper meeting place option for them but advertising the group was part of ‘the deal’. 
I said goodbye ‘nicely’ and left wondering if I’d return.
My friend had no issues and was all for it….
Somehow I think my answer is no.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All that is now at the back of my mind as I slowly wake up this early Monday morning here in Melbourne- the 2nd Monday in March is an annual public holiday to ‘celebrate’ Labour Day – giving us a long weekend…..which Australians never say no to😊
It’s been almost like BC – before Covid – so much to see and do, things going on in the city – statewide as well. Moomba’s been the main one, with the parade and the Birdman Rally back again this year, and there’s been festivals associated with (to name a few) Potato, Food and Wine, Light, Music (folk, jazz, bush, Celtic) plus cultural ones as well

https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/moomba-festival
https://secretmelbourne.com/things-to-do-melbourne-weekend/. 
https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/labour-day-melbourne

Labour Day celebrates the achievements of workers advocating eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.source

So why the photo of an umbrella – stapler – desiccated coconut and a pillow

Well these will be handy in some places in the world

Because it seems 13 March 2023 is

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/open-an-umbrella-indoors-day/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fill-our-staplers-day/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/coconut-torte-day/

and the pillow is especially for those who turned their clocks forward last night

National Napping Day

Oh and here’s a little gem about a March 13th happening
(from the days before professional soccer players ruled the game)

In 1875 March 13th was on a Saturday. The Royal Engineers played against the Old Etonians in the fourth Football Association Challenge Cup Final.

* ……The first match was notable chiefly because it was played in a “howling gale”. The conditions considerably favoured the Etonians team, which had the wind at its backs for all but 10 minutes of the 90, and all 30 minutes of extra time (teams in this period changed ends after every goal- this game was the last to feature this rule)

This game was a draw…..the replay(which The Engineers won) was 3 days later

Cuthbert Ottaway (Old Etonians) received an ankle injury and did not recover in time for the replay…

*…..Etonians also lost the services of three other players who had prior commitments. Unable to obtain adequate replacements, the Old Boys arrived at the ground an hour late and lost the delayed replay 0–2

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1875_FA_Cup_final

#enjoyeverymoment

Linking to  Wednesday’s Words & Pics hosted by Denyse. 

37 Replies to “Forget the ‘yarn snobs’…it’s a Long Weekend!”

  1. Oh, the “snobs” of the fiber/fiber world. Well known for sure, and I’ve had many a badge for going off the “true path” of the current thoughts of those “experts”.

    Interesting that your Labour Day is now and across the ditch it’s in October.

    Enjoy your Monday

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It even depends which state you’re in here Catherine- several ‘celebrate’ at different times as well. Some call it Eight Hour Day instead of Labour Day

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Sad about the crafters. Every material has its purposes and uses. Oh well. It sounds as if they didn’t really want new members.
    Melbourne is booming! I’ll accept the pillow, as a tired clock turner whose body is all confused now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They’ve lost me Liz! I’m open to all interpretations of craft as well as any materials you fancy and wouldn’t dream of passing remarks. Garbage bag dresses were a strange idea but who’s to say a dress can’t be made out of them 😊

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  3. I will knit wool for myself, but use acrylic for charity knitting for exactly the reasons you outline. When mum got a whole lot older and only knitted little things for charity giving, she only used acrylic, being a pensioner it was all she could afford. People need to get over themselves and mind their own business.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello Denise. Thank you for visiting and for your comment. It’s a funny state of affairs when criticism is raised by strangers over such a minor thing. Yes, some out there tend to go overboard when they put their opinion forward. I’ll show you all what I was knitting some time

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  4. Oh I can’t handle yarn snobs. Or snobs of any kind.
    Crafting is supposed to be a pleasurable activity. Not a death sport.
    I wouldn’t be going back either.
    Enjoy your Monday holiday. Although for us it’s a holiday everyday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No won’t be going back Angela…..my friend is though. She’s got thicker skin than me….and was knitting with wool. She’ll have to remember to take the same project with her or she might also be ‘reprimanded’ as well😊

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    1. That’s the main reason for requesting acrylic rather than wool. There’d be a few felted blankets if pure wool was used – impractical to hand wash

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  6. As soon as someone calls themself a fibre artist they are lost to me!
    I prefer natural fibres as acrylic makes my fingers sore (I strangle my yarn!) but I use it when called for and there are some which aren’t as bad. I guess it’s how they make and finish it. I am a bit of a yarn snob in that if I am making something for someone I care about I want to use the best I can afford and the one that will produce the best result. Having said that I would never comment on another’s choice. If all someone can afford is acrylic yarn from the $2 shop at least they are creating and that is all that matters.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think the days of the ‘harsh, stiff as board’ acrylic yarn have passed Caro, in fact some have gone the other way and seem to have no substance at all. Soft yes but sloppy and loose to knit with.
      I pick and choose- what shall I use for whom – at the moment most of what I’m using is acrylic and has been given to me, the donors are happy it’s going to a charity so win – win all round.

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  7. No no no!! Say goodbye. Find another group where you can sit and knit and not get bitched at!!! Honestly, some people need to get a life. I rarely use wool because it’s just too expensive. I also like the washable bit because most of my knits are granny square blankets, slippers, and odd freestyle stuff. I never conform.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The strange thing Linda is that normally I’m not a group knitter – I just went along to keep my friend company. She’s fine about going back on her own and I’m happy now I can sit on the deck and knit quietly on my own

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Competitive knitting with one upwomanship. It is a pity they behave like that and not seeming to be welcoming.

    I would not be surprised if there were record crowds at the Moomba Parade. They streamed across Princes Bridge after the parade ended for more than half an hour, misery for anyone walking the other way. I thought most would head for the station but no, they dissolved into the city streets.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I saw the crowds on the news, not sure on number estimates but they certainly looked as big as in years gone by. It’s good to be back to ‘normality’ I did see quite a few masks being worn which was good to see because you know what’ is definitely still hanging around

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  9. It’s not just yarn that creates snobbery. I’ve heard people sneer at embroidery kits vs own design, and at cross stitch for not being real embroidery. Then again I guess some make a great fuss of writing their own knitting/ crochet patterns. Each to their own I think.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Oh, those yarn and needle-snobs! I’ve had my brushes withthem as well. When knitting for others, we use, what they want, not what the last fad is. I once showed up to a knitting circle like this with thick, acrylic yarn on long, thick straight needle, and knit spmething striped orange /pink knitting! I wanted to stop their set ideas of what was “fine knitting” and what not 😉

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You might say that. But I really did not like to watch “defenceless” people being run over by the Yarn snobs.

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  11. I am sorry you encountered a rather mean-spirited group of crafters. I think there is room for everyone’s preferences. Why can’t people just practice a little kindness? If I were you, I wouldn’t be going back to their meeting. Interesting that Labor Day is celebrated in the US in September, although it sounds as if the reasons for celebrating are similar.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The world was a different place wasn’t it Jane when working hours were first regulated. I have no Idea why but some of our states ‘celebrate’ in different months, you say yours is in September and I know May is the month in the UK. And of course over the past few years those ideals seem to have changed again – longer days, shorter weeks, for some industries nothing is standard any more.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I love, love, love to wear natural fibres but there is no question synthetics are easier to care for and cost less.
    As for spinning one’s own, well that’s super hard core but we all have different priorities, dont we?
    I wouldn’t be back

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    1. There’s something about knitting that is comforting Sue. It’s a much maligned craft – even though old looks and methods are still around, modern materials and patterns make sure it will never be dated. And even though some of us have ‘group horror stories’ they’re not all like that at all.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Hi Cathy, oh my goodness! I don’t think I’d bother returning. We only want to do things and be around people that lift us up and add something positive to our lives. I think your charity craft is fabulous and your choice of yarn is of no concern to me! Keep doing what makes you happy! xo

    Liked by 1 person

  15. The group doesn’t sound like a good mix for you Cathy so you’ve made the right decision there! Thanks for all the info, I had no idea about all those ‘days’ 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There’s an awful lot of ‘strange’ people out out there Debbie and some seem to move in packs. That’s one pack I’ll not be seeing again for sure

      Liked by 1 person

  16. OH my goodness I get quite frustrated at “how many so called special days there are around the world” and …how many originate from places nothing to do with Australia. I tend to commemorate the one with meaning for me and mine. Now, I so get that ‘craft/knitting/art’ snob thing. When I first moved away from Sydney I thought I would see if I might volunteer at local regional art gallery. Um, no it turned out, I wouldn’t as it was very much filled with those who had lived in the area for years and knew each other since…way back. I am now back in Sydney and will, at times, continue my interest in helping with the head and neck cancer charity but no to groups. I am friendly and sociable but not “politically inclined” as in petty stuff….
    Great to see you link up your post for this week’s Wednesday’s Words and Pics link up at Denyse Whelan Blogs. Thank you for being part of the WWandP community. Denyse.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s difficult to understand why people act that way Denyse….maybe I’m naive in thinking there’s room for all to appreciate the arts (in whatever form they come) but it seems others will always think they know better. Looking forward to Wednesday and seeing what others will be sharing on your blog

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  17. Those craftcsnobs are everywhere it seems. In my old life was a very keen quilter and went along to join a quilting group. I had the same reaction to you and didn’t go back. I happily quilted at home alone for a decade or so.

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    1. Oh gosh Jennifer reading the comments it seems there’s a whole world of crafters out there worldwide who think they know it all much better than anyone else. Some of us are better cut out to work on our own – with nobody there to tell us what to do and how to do it.

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