Is It In The Ether?
What makes something popular? Is it just the next logical step in a progression? Knitters did socks. Then scarves. Then ponchos. Now fingerless gloves.
I finished these over the Christmas weeks:
They are of 3-ply handspun cashmere fiber from Peace of Yarn that I bought at SOAR in 2003 just for this purpose.
In the Spring of 2003, my hands began to hurt while doing a marathon knotting project in the studio. I thought it might be signs of arthritis, or carpal tunnel, but the ache disappeared after a few days. Since I had not stopped knotting, I deduced that the pain was not work related. The weather had warmed up, though, so I thought my hands might be reacting to cold, and I decided to make myself a pair of fingerless gloves for work.
They had to be fine threads, so I had ease of movement, and soft is always good for next-to-the-skin clothing, so the cashmere seemed perfect.
Time passed. I spun the yarn, dyed it and knit the gloves this winter, making up the pattern as I went, and yes, ripping a few times for fit and shaping.
Now, lo, fingerless gloves are everywhere. All sorts of knitters have knit them in all sorts of colors and patterns. Mostly like mine: without knitted half fingers.
Was I tapping into some Universal Knitting Project Craze? Or are we all just getting older and have aching hands (I *know* that's not true, most of these knitters are younger than I am).
I know this phenomena is not exclusive to me. Other people talk about ideas they've had and then suddenly: it's everywhere. It's like we have synchronized thought patterns.
The Buddhists are probably right. We are truly connected.
I finished these over the Christmas weeks:
They are of 3-ply handspun cashmere fiber from Peace of Yarn that I bought at SOAR in 2003 just for this purpose.
In the Spring of 2003, my hands began to hurt while doing a marathon knotting project in the studio. I thought it might be signs of arthritis, or carpal tunnel, but the ache disappeared after a few days. Since I had not stopped knotting, I deduced that the pain was not work related. The weather had warmed up, though, so I thought my hands might be reacting to cold, and I decided to make myself a pair of fingerless gloves for work.
They had to be fine threads, so I had ease of movement, and soft is always good for next-to-the-skin clothing, so the cashmere seemed perfect.
Time passed. I spun the yarn, dyed it and knit the gloves this winter, making up the pattern as I went, and yes, ripping a few times for fit and shaping.
Now, lo, fingerless gloves are everywhere. All sorts of knitters have knit them in all sorts of colors and patterns. Mostly like mine: without knitted half fingers.
Was I tapping into some Universal Knitting Project Craze? Or are we all just getting older and have aching hands (I *know* that's not true, most of these knitters are younger than I am).
I know this phenomena is not exclusive to me. Other people talk about ideas they've had and then suddenly: it's everywhere. It's like we have synchronized thought patterns.
The Buddhists are probably right. We are truly connected.
posted by Sara at 5:35 AM
8 Comments:
I could say something smart ass about Sara actually *knitting* but I'm distracted by the beauty of the fingerless mitts.
As for the flocking/lemming fashion instinct, it certainly is pretty strong. But unlike ponchos, fingerless mitts are a damn good idea. I wear mine all the time, even when technically its way too cold for them. BTW, its snowing like a banshee again.
Back at ya Sara! Love those gloves - one more thing on my list of to dos for me, me, me.
I will come visit someday-I am working on it, really I am.
Hugs-
Old! Whatever could you mean? I'm going to try mine while weaving tonight. If you see a shuttle flying over your house it means my dexterity is off :-)
Beautiful halfmits. I agree that they are the next step. See my January 11th post:
http://tocaya.home.together.net/
I've since updayed the address but this old post remains at this url.
Your mitts are truly beautiful! I could go on but you must know how wonderful they are much better than I. ;) I have been making/wearing fingerless mitts for years. For me it began with inspiration from a book I purchased which was a collection of 19th century knitting patterns reprinted.
Hi
The gloves are lovely. As far as everyone getting the same idea at the same time I think there are just so many ideas out there and way to many people so duplication. Hence there are so many communities of people who developed spindles to spin on but had no contact with tall the other communities.
They are beautiful! I love what you do with color...
Am I retro because I still like fingers on my gloves? Sometimes I leave off the very last bit so I can have bare fingertips for knitting outdoors, etc., but I need as much of my knuckle area covered as possible -- that's what feels the cold!
Your colours are beautiful and so warm looking. If you have leftovers, you should make a neckband or headband, as that yarn looks to good to waste a metre of.
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