Have you ever had a Christmas or birthday, or any other holiday where gifts are exchanged, where you impatiently wait for a whole year, and be extra good, hoping to high heaven that you finally get that puppy or bike that you were just dying to get, to only wind up with another gift bag full of tube socks? You know what I'm saying, right? Well, that's how I've been feeling with knitting magazines lately.
I've been itching to write a blog post that (hopefully) both show my appreciation for knitting 'zines but still allows me to vent, as I've a few things to get off my chest. I used to have a love for knitting magazines, both online and in print, but lately, when I come across the new issue, I've been finding myself with more bags of tube socks rather than cute puppies and shiny bikes.
First, let me state that I absolutely appreciate the amount of work that all designers put into their knitwear, and how awesome it is that there are many outlets available that allows these talented people to get published. And, the work of the publishers - whether they're paid or they do it voluntarily - to have to pick and choose from such a variety of designs and peice them together into one publication after another, kudos.
BUT - and here's my vent - whether the publication is in print or online, free or not, there's a part of me that wishes that either designers or publishers (or both) would please step up their game, and offer their readers not only great eye candy, but an actual challenge to the craft. The game needs to be stepped up a notch. We need to have more variety in what gets published on a quarterly (or more) basis.
For examples:
Knitty - a fantastic online publication, love the fact that it's both online and free to the reader, and the publication also pays their designers that get published! BUT - seriously, could we have even one issue where we're not being bombareded with shawl and sock patterns? I mean, I love shawls, and I've knit my fair share of socks. But, do we need a zillion shawls? Or a zillion pairs of socks? Are there no designers out there submitting patterns to knitty that aren't socks or shawls? Or, how about having a better distribution of patterns? Like for every sock pattern, provide a sweater pattern? Or for every shawl pattern, provide a guy's pattern of some kind? ----- Based on the almost knitty group on ravelry, almost-in patterns (for the most part) are fantastic - and there's a wonderful amount of them that aren't socks or shawls, so we know they're getting submitted. And, truthfully, the level of some of the knitting patterns that ARE getting into knitty in the last couple of issues, they seem bland and simple in comparison. (I'll address this last point a little later in the blog, be patient!)
Plus, I was quite looking forward to seeing, for the first time, a 'holiday headstart' section to this issue, but was sorely disappointed that all of them are small, short term projects. Granted, they're awesome for instant gratification, but truthfully, I wouldn't start such small projects in May or June for the holidays. Am I the only one who expected to see sweaters or something? Anything that would actually need a few months of invested work for the holidays? Knitty already publishes short-&-sweet winter projects in their winter issue, with the thinking of having quick knits for the holidays, so why start these itty bitties so early? Is the winter issue going to be filled with afghans and sweaters?
theAnticraft - a cool site, one of the few that I follow the blog more avidly than the quarterly issues themselves. What I have loved about this publication thus far is that a variety of crafts get in, not just knitting or crocheting. Any given issue there's something to sew, bake, knit, crochet, clay, weld, etc. Kick ass. But, is it just me, or has the site lost a little bit of its - I dunno - demure since the book was published? Once again relying a bit on ravelry, very few if any knitters or crocheters seem to be interested in the current issue (or even in the last, for that matter) all but two crafts revolve around making merkins.
Granted they all did require some work and creativity into designing them, and a fiber of bravery to be pictured sporting them, but how many of us will truly go out of our way to making one? If we do, what do we do with it? Would we gift them at Christmas? Hand them out as birthday party favours? Were these supposed to make ideal mother's day or father's day gifts? ----- It's just a big miss for me in this issue. The bacon issue - I believe titled "unclean", now that was probably one of the best issues I've seen in a while from Anticraft. And the first few years' worth of issues had some fantastic knitting patterns (think bat shawl, snowflake/skull wrist warmers, a killer rabbit) and very cool recipes. But, sadly, the element of hardcore creativity that I once expected from this site has fizzled a little. Please, I beg, recover. Even the anticraft ravelry group hasn't been posted in at all in at least a month. (A sign, maybe?)
And then, there's the print magazines. Again, love Interweave Knits, and have bought many an issue. Wonderfully photographed, well detailed, etc etc etc. But I've been finding that I've been buying fewer and fewer issues, despite many knitters putting this publication on a pedestal. IMHO, IK has a similar issue that knitty does, although instead of an oversurge of socks and shawls, there's a zillion sweater patterns and little of anything else. Bleh. Pretty, yes. Overdone, absolutely. Variety? Minimal.
And lastly, ofcourse, Vogue Knitting, knit.1 and knit simple. Great photographs, fun projects, and overall a healthy variety... and three publications that very distinctly appeals to 3 different genres of knitters. But, I've been finding there's just more of the same in each issue, and I've been spending more time lately wanting to read the articles published rather than be excited about a particular project inside.
Now, above I did make a statement when writing about knitty that "... the level of some of the knitting patterns that ARE getting into knitty in the last couple of issues, they seem bland and simple in comparison." The same can be applied to some of the print magazines as well, and let me explain why I wrote this before too many readers get their skeins in a bunch.
Yes, it's wise for any publication to offer patterns for all skill levels of knitters. It's encouraged. That way n00bs have something to work on, as well as people who knit intricate lace, fair isle, and celtic cables in their sleep. But (yep, this post is filled with but's!) would it be so horrible if these and other publications made an attempt to challenge their readers?
What I mean is this: let's put all knitting patterns on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the basic garter stitch n00b patterns, and 10 being the most challenging. Could we maybe try to publish patterns that are at least considered a "3" on this scale?
Reason being, it's a little insulting to me as the reader, that I've wasted a subsription to this magazine to be bombarded with the most basic patterns - again. And it bothers me a little to have so many fantastic patterns that are rejected because magazines would rather publish another garter stitch scarf. Authentically talented designers are being put aside for basic knit-&-purl patterns. Frankly, I think it insults the intelligence of the reader to provide so many 'dumbed down' patterns. If I wanted to learn how to knit, I would buy a book that would teach me, not a magazine.
The best way for anyone to learn is to give them a challenge, no matter now small. Let's encourage our knitters who are a 1 to push themselves a bit with a 2 project. Throw in a basic cable somewhere, or an easy lace detail, or at least use more than one colour of yarn in one project. Maybe even use dpn's and circular needles and knit in the round instead of knitting everything flat. Too many garter stitch & stockinette stitch projects makes Jack a dull scarf.
I would sooner invest my money and/or attention into a magazine publication if I saw @ least 1 project per issue that made me think "OMG, I want to blow half my paycheck on yarn to make that!" rather than skim through another issue after having to impatiently wait 3 months to see it and think "OMG, nothing, again."
So, after all of that, my suggestions to improve issues rather than just bitch and complain on my blog. Things that I would love to see in future issues of any and all magazines:
- more guy stuff. There's not enough guy patterns, and I (as well as others) have many great guys to knit for. Guy themed issues are great. Guy stuff in each issue, better.
- a better variety of patterns, or at least a better balance. Maybe pick a minimum of 5 or 6 things to knit (ie hats, scarves, tops, etc) and have a minimum of 2 or 3 patterns of each, so that there's variety. Again, not everyone's an avid lace, shawl or sock knitter.
- a better variety of sizes. Because some of us are 1x or more, like it or not.
- reshift your focus occasionally. If you've published a lot of sock patterns in the last year, for example, maybe come out with one issue where there are 3 or less sock patterns? That way, the focus is on something else temporarily.
- provide 3 or 4 versions of the same pattern - instead of waiting for ravelry members to knit your project in 3 or 4 different types of yarn, why not provide it from the get-go? IMHO it may make it more appealing to more people.
Think of it for your advertisers - and if you don't have advertisers, than at least for your site's shop. If your issue isn't stimulating enough for a better variety of knitters, then no one's going to pay attention to what it is you're actually selling.
Showing posts with label venting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label venting. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
vocab vent
I wanted to vent/knitpick about terminology. I *loathe* when people refer to what I do as *crafts*. I knit and design for a living. This is my job. If you can't see it as art, then at least say that I'm *creative*. Not crafty. That's all I'm saying.
Whenever I hear the word 'craft' or the term 'crafty', the only thing that comes to mind is what young gradeschool children make from pipecleaners and construction paper during art class. But for something that's decorative, functional, or requires some sort of skill, that goes above and beyond 'crafty'. Even if it's not the most beautiful thing or even your style, it's at the very least a good labour of love and creative, if not art.
I suppose we view 'art' as, typically, a painting or sculpture, a photograph, or maybe a very epic movie or theatre piece or music. We can even appreciate musicians, actors, directors, photographers and so forth as artists. But what about other things, to which creativity is a must, do we see those things as art?
When a chef, for example, creates a dish, it's not just a bunch of random ingredients slopped together and thrown into a plate. A lot of work goes into a recipe. Colours, spices, food textures, among other things are all considered when putting a dish together. Even what audience it's going to be served to, what it'll be served with, and which bottle of wine will go perfect with that meal. And even expanding on this idea: do we appreciate the layout of the table that this meal is served on? Do we just view a table setting as just a table setting? Do we appreciate the details of the napkins, cutlery, napkin rings, serving dishes, and centerpieces? Isn't all that a creative artform unto itself?
We probably don't as much as we should. It's not a form of snobbery, but appreciating the planning into putting these seemingly every day items together. It takes planning, if you consider the time it takes to create, plan ahead, shop, cook and display each meal.
I think if we all took just a simple minute - a mere sixty seconds - out of our day to appreciate the art and creativity that surrounds us, we'd love the world we live in that much more.
Everything is art. Anything that requires a fiber of designing effort, is art. Buildings, bridges, roads, cars, meals, interior decorating, clothes (from designing through to picking outfits), hair styles, jewelry, books, websites, everything - it's all art.
Would the world be a better place if we took that single minute a day to appreciate the creativity that surrounds us? Would we complain less, fight less, criticise less, or even pollute less? Would we become less materialistic if we spent a few minutes appreciating the work that went into each thing we own, or that we receive?
Do we prefer store bought gifts or homemade ones, for example? How many of us felt disappointment at a handmade gift? Do we view them as 'cheap' because they weren't bought in a store? I've often (more often than I'd like to admit) invested hours into making gifts, to have them be received and fill the backs of closets for years before they're thrown away, never to be used for their intented purpose in the meantime.
I suppose, growing up without the latest gaming equipment or name-brand-anything, that I tend to value some of the smaller things in life. Even at my wedding, as far as gifts were concerned, what stood out more is the wedding gifts that were made for us like the bonbonieres (among other things) more so than the store-bought gifts. Five years later, I could barely remember who bought us what, but I remember who made us what. I still can't imagine the hours it took to put 100+ pieces together for bonbonieres, or the hours it took to make all the other gifts.
Appreciate the creative world around you, is all I'm trying to say. Just going to the store and buying something - as thoughtful as it may be - requires a lot less energy than it takes someone to actually make something. Please don't think that $200 or more for a handknit sweater is too expensive, rather consider their labour and not just their cost of materials.
If I consider all my hours of research, design, failure, redesign, and success, it's not surprising that it sometimes takes me a week to design a mere hat or gloves. I'm not even going to fathom the energy I'm currently investing in designing an original throw.
Revise how you see art. Remember the hours, sweat and tears it takes to create. And whatever you do, please don't call me crafty. :)
Whenever I hear the word 'craft' or the term 'crafty', the only thing that comes to mind is what young gradeschool children make from pipecleaners and construction paper during art class. But for something that's decorative, functional, or requires some sort of skill, that goes above and beyond 'crafty'. Even if it's not the most beautiful thing or even your style, it's at the very least a good labour of love and creative, if not art.
I suppose we view 'art' as, typically, a painting or sculpture, a photograph, or maybe a very epic movie or theatre piece or music. We can even appreciate musicians, actors, directors, photographers and so forth as artists. But what about other things, to which creativity is a must, do we see those things as art?
When a chef, for example, creates a dish, it's not just a bunch of random ingredients slopped together and thrown into a plate. A lot of work goes into a recipe. Colours, spices, food textures, among other things are all considered when putting a dish together. Even what audience it's going to be served to, what it'll be served with, and which bottle of wine will go perfect with that meal. And even expanding on this idea: do we appreciate the layout of the table that this meal is served on? Do we just view a table setting as just a table setting? Do we appreciate the details of the napkins, cutlery, napkin rings, serving dishes, and centerpieces? Isn't all that a creative artform unto itself?
We probably don't as much as we should. It's not a form of snobbery, but appreciating the planning into putting these seemingly every day items together. It takes planning, if you consider the time it takes to create, plan ahead, shop, cook and display each meal.
I think if we all took just a simple minute - a mere sixty seconds - out of our day to appreciate the art and creativity that surrounds us, we'd love the world we live in that much more.
Everything is art. Anything that requires a fiber of designing effort, is art. Buildings, bridges, roads, cars, meals, interior decorating, clothes (from designing through to picking outfits), hair styles, jewelry, books, websites, everything - it's all art.
Would the world be a better place if we took that single minute a day to appreciate the creativity that surrounds us? Would we complain less, fight less, criticise less, or even pollute less? Would we become less materialistic if we spent a few minutes appreciating the work that went into each thing we own, or that we receive?
Do we prefer store bought gifts or homemade ones, for example? How many of us felt disappointment at a handmade gift? Do we view them as 'cheap' because they weren't bought in a store? I've often (more often than I'd like to admit) invested hours into making gifts, to have them be received and fill the backs of closets for years before they're thrown away, never to be used for their intented purpose in the meantime.
I suppose, growing up without the latest gaming equipment or name-brand-anything, that I tend to value some of the smaller things in life. Even at my wedding, as far as gifts were concerned, what stood out more is the wedding gifts that were made for us like the bonbonieres (among other things) more so than the store-bought gifts. Five years later, I could barely remember who bought us what, but I remember who made us what. I still can't imagine the hours it took to put 100+ pieces together for bonbonieres, or the hours it took to make all the other gifts.
Appreciate the creative world around you, is all I'm trying to say. Just going to the store and buying something - as thoughtful as it may be - requires a lot less energy than it takes someone to actually make something. Please don't think that $200 or more for a handknit sweater is too expensive, rather consider their labour and not just their cost of materials.
If I consider all my hours of research, design, failure, redesign, and success, it's not surprising that it sometimes takes me a week to design a mere hat or gloves. I'm not even going to fathom the energy I'm currently investing in designing an original throw.
Revise how you see art. Remember the hours, sweat and tears it takes to create. And whatever you do, please don't call me crafty. :)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
in a bit of a frump
I'm not entirely sure how to describe how I'm feeling this week, and I feel a bit presumptuous to vent too much, since there's hope still with two remaining days.
Firstly, I've been involved in quite a few knitting-themed swaps over the summer. Since I discovered that knitting and crochet themed swaps actually exist (many are hosted by blogger.com bloggers themselves) I've signed up for quite a few and swapped my heart out. (Naive of me to think that this would also be a great way to advertise a bit my ebay and etsy businesses, but I don't think that brought a whole lot of traffic, but that's neither here nor there.)
What has bothered me especially is twofold: one swap that I was invoved in, not to sound too selfish I hope, I felt that my swappee fairly much held back and I received not even the minimal requirements of that swap, and not only that, but I received items in it that are of no use to me. In this case, what I couldn't use, I gave to someone else whom I knew could use it, but I still felt a bit drafted by it.
Secondly, I'm still waiting on a swap package that I should've received back by the end of August. Again, not wanting to sound greedy (because I'm not) but I've never understood the logic behind voluntairally signing up for something and just not following through with it. If there's even a sneaking thought that there's a fiber of a chance that you can't get involved in something like a swap, then don't do it. But the good news from this one is that I've received an email saying that the package - despite being late (with apologies, thankyouverymuch) had been sent. Hopefully it'll get here tomorrow.
I suppose, after all that, I'm going into this sort of thing a bit more naively. I'll be holding off on the whole swap thing for a while, since I've been burned a teeny bit already, although it could be because I've been overwhelmed with other things that stuff like this may get under my skin a bit more than it needs to.
Phew. Venting's out. All that being said, I'm thinking of hosting a read-and-knit-along via a new blog in the new year, to save from hosting a swap. Kind of like a book-club-stitch-n-bitch-sort-of-thing, although I'm still processing the details of how I want to do it, and a book list to post as well.
Now, what would a thread be w/o me posting a few pictures? Below are:
a matt WIP with crochet sushi...
And something I call my 'grunge blanket' because it reminds me of grunge-music-era sweaters:
Despite my quantity of yarn, I realized about 3/4 of the way into it that I hadn't enough yarn to make the size throw I wanted, so it's in the process of being frogged and reknit into something else grunge-themed.
Firstly, I've been involved in quite a few knitting-themed swaps over the summer. Since I discovered that knitting and crochet themed swaps actually exist (many are hosted by blogger.com bloggers themselves) I've signed up for quite a few and swapped my heart out. (Naive of me to think that this would also be a great way to advertise a bit my ebay and etsy businesses, but I don't think that brought a whole lot of traffic, but that's neither here nor there.)
What has bothered me especially is twofold: one swap that I was invoved in, not to sound too selfish I hope, I felt that my swappee fairly much held back and I received not even the minimal requirements of that swap, and not only that, but I received items in it that are of no use to me. In this case, what I couldn't use, I gave to someone else whom I knew could use it, but I still felt a bit drafted by it.
Secondly, I'm still waiting on a swap package that I should've received back by the end of August. Again, not wanting to sound greedy (because I'm not) but I've never understood the logic behind voluntairally signing up for something and just not following through with it. If there's even a sneaking thought that there's a fiber of a chance that you can't get involved in something like a swap, then don't do it. But the good news from this one is that I've received an email saying that the package - despite being late (with apologies, thankyouverymuch) had been sent. Hopefully it'll get here tomorrow.
I suppose, after all that, I'm going into this sort of thing a bit more naively. I'll be holding off on the whole swap thing for a while, since I've been burned a teeny bit already, although it could be because I've been overwhelmed with other things that stuff like this may get under my skin a bit more than it needs to.
Phew. Venting's out. All that being said, I'm thinking of hosting a read-and-knit-along via a new blog in the new year, to save from hosting a swap. Kind of like a book-club-stitch-n-bitch-sort-of-thing, although I'm still processing the details of how I want to do it, and a book list to post as well.
Now, what would a thread be w/o me posting a few pictures? Below are:
a matt WIP with crochet sushi...
And something I call my 'grunge blanket' because it reminds me of grunge-music-era sweaters:
Despite my quantity of yarn, I realized about 3/4 of the way into it that I hadn't enough yarn to make the size throw I wanted, so it's in the process of being frogged and reknit into something else grunge-themed.
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