Thursday, April 3, 2008

Crafting sub-cultures

Lately I've been hearing a lot of stories about local yarn stores (LYSs) and strange, rude, or snobbish behavior on the part of the owners and/or their staff. In part I think the behavior stems from something I've personally thought of for years as a kind of compartmentalization that crafters get when they fall into a social group.

I've tried it all... beading, quilting, knitting, chainmail jewellry, and in every single one of these groups, I'll see trends towards some really *hideous* pieces. Yes, they are creative. Yes, they take a technique and stretch it to its limits. But would you ever f******g wear the damn thing? It comes from being so focused in your little tiny group world that you forget the world at large.

This is what I think happens to LYSOs. They have their little cronies, who come in regularly and sit and knit, and praise them to the high heavens. They all knit the same things. They all like the same yarns, the same colors, the same, the same, the same. Woe betide the newbie who wanders into those sacred halls, because you are NOT THE SAME.

Step out of your narrow view. Believe it or not, some people like to knit socks. Believe it or not, some people like colorwork. Believe it or not, some people will wear the fabulous Turkey Hat of doom, and like it. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations.

Learn tolerance people. And if you want my money, you must be extra tolerant. Even if a Pac-Man scarf is not for you.

1 comment:

  1. Amen. Some of these places of business are like high school all over again. It's not that serious people.

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