Knitting Nerdcast: Stitching Up Friendship with Commuknitty

Working at home has Hannah speculating and diving in to uncover more about her own community. Talking to friend, culinary goddess, knitter, and craft professional Louisa Demmitt reveals the ties that bind. What is it about knitting that makes the solitary act just as important as the global connection that brings makers together? 

Knitting derives its origins from necessity, but in today’s world it is not crucial that we make our own garments. What is the drive behind those that make?  Louisa argues that “making” something in the real world often doesn’t involve seeing any tangible result. Many of us are in a 2D interface with our computer screens, and our accomplishments are analytical.

Ironically, to push the craft movement forward now, we all need to latch onto that tech connection through Zoom or any other many that will ensure that we are all keeping our craft – and our craft friendships – close.  

“If I could knit one thing for the rest of my life, it would probably be hats…” – Louisa Demmitt

Random Acts of Knitting

• Both Louisa and Hannah have knitted the Tara Jacket and the Bias Tank Top
• Hannah is a fan of knitting wool sweaters, while Louisa likes to try new things – and last year found deep satisfaction in knitting a chunky blanket. Louisa’s input on sweaters: super-wash is a-okay!
• The color green can never be overrated, as is evidenced by the fact that both of these beautiful, creative ladies find it to be their favorite

Merge Your Passions

Yes, the pussyhat may have proven controversial to some, but for many others, it was a statement of passion and craft. This crafty call to action brought new knitters out of the woodwork – it was a shared movement that rose on a charged platform of handcrafted unity.

The passion of craft is held in the hands of humans that care about being useful. They want to contribute in some way. This is the manner in which we all stay connected, and can create a space for dialogue that is both approachable and meaningful.

Is Your Knitting Part of a Message?

The knitting community has come together throughout the course of history to be of use to a larger cause that had deep effect on our cultural norms and values. This is still the case, and our numbers might just grow due to a need for connection and meaning.

Is there an approach to handcraft that makes the effort so deeply valuable, that it is in fact something that is a part of our own moral compass or personal set of values? Challenge yourself to find out – to seek the unknown through your craft by continuing to learn and evolve along with your stitches. You never know what you might accomplish.

Where are you at on your knitting and friendship journey?