I'm Not a Prude

Girlfriend's Quicko-Cheapo Drive-Thru sweater, thank goodness, still fits. When you live in the warmer climes, you always wonder if what you knit will be used "enough" or if the work you put into it will pay off. I guess, much of the time, what we knit doesn't really get put to good use, anyway, be it because we have higher hopes than what is realistic or if what we knit just doesn't look right or doesn't fit or scratches or itches or simply doesn't work out.

Do you feel bad when someone doesn't wear what you knit for them?

(Heck, I don't feel bad. Why? I guess it's because I don't wear what I knit for myself most of the time, anyway, so why should I pass the expectation onto some unsuspecting knit-wear victim?)

That is not to say that what we knit for others isn't special. It's just that what we knit for others isn't always expected or ordered and well, if they don't wear it, so be it. Ask for it back and felt it into a pillow for Aunt Violet or Uncle Chet or your new puppy.

The other thought I have today is I wonder why it is that so many people in online forums refer to their breasts as "The Girls."

Do men refer to their parts as "The Boys," or worse: "The Singleton and the Twins"? And if they did, wouldn't you just barf?

Beyond that, here is what I've been working on and part of the reason my posts have been sporadic. Talk about "The Girls." Think it but don't say it, please. The pattern will be available from Stitch Diva Studios very soon. In the pattern, I tell you how to make a more modest version and include instructions for short sleeves.

EDITED TO ADD: The pattern here is called Labyrinth and the yarn I used is the Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer, which is a plied seacell and silk blend.

Comments

[Fay]

Yeah, I don't feel the need to refer to my breasts as such, but really I don't refer to them much at all. It seems more prude to refer to breasts by a cute nickname than to just call them breasts. And what's with this trend of calling the vagina a "vah-jay-jay?"

Guys would never call their genitalia by cute names - only crude ones to appear more manly.

[Stephanie]

I call mine my "huuuuuuge tracts of land" usually with hand gestures and such. (from Monty Python and the Holy Grail) I probably wouldn't call my breasts anything if they would behave themselves and stay ouf of the way or....atleast...where I last put them!!! But they don't...so they get called names.

I LOVE the sweater!!! Will it have big girl sizes to accomidate huge tracts of land? :)

[Lizbon]

I'd totally wear that, and not a more-modest version, either. In fact, the only reasons my own homemade knits don't get worn (by me) is when they are either a: too warm for the overheated indoor climate, b: the yarn is too pilly and they look like shite, or c: they are not revealing enough. I know, I know, but I live in NYC, and our standards are, ahem, somewhat lower than elsewhere.

For the record (not that anyone is asking me in particular), I don't call mine "the girls," but I've noticed that some boys like to refer to them that way. Or maybe they just like to refer to them whenever possible.

[Mary]

Hmmm, think it'd be more prudish to call them "dirty pillows" a la Carrie's mom...but that's just me.

Boys have plenty of cute nicknames for their packages, they just don't go sharing them as "cute" and "manly" seem to be at polar opposites...

Let no one tell you machismo is dead.

[Katie]

Ooh, that sweater sure is purdy. The chest-enhancing effect may be lost on me, though, since I don't have much there to be enhanced in the first place.

As for the nomenclature, I rarely, if ever, refer to my breasts in speech. When I do, I tend to stick to the classic (and fun to say!) "boobs" or "boobies". I've never heard the term "girls" before.

[Cairi]

WOW! that top is amazing, I cant wait for that to be released!!!

[Rudee]

I like both your sweaters here. Girlfriend and Rock-O are too cute. I could never call what I have "the girls".

They just aren't that impressive for nicknaming. When pressed, I can get away with "my nearly Bs. Your new sweater looks like it could give the appearance of a full B or nearly C though. Very Cute.

For men, I like to call those parts "kibbles and bits". Like in hey-cover up there- your kibbles and bits are showing. (I'm a nurse and men just don't pull off the hospital gown very well). Come to think of it, who does?

[Mariah]

Will I have called mine the girls at times just cause it seems more fun. I've only done that is relation to how something fits -- "I placed the cable just under the girls." But never "the girls aren't happy" sort of thing.

The sweater is lovely. Girlfriend and the pup are very sweet. And I would love to have a few days of that sunshine!

[Emily]

Oooh, I really like that sweater. It looks great with that neckline and the longer, slightly full sleeves. I've been so into a wider, square neckline lately. Awesome, can't wait until it's available.

[Kat]

The singleton and the twins! Can you warn me before I spew coffee all over my moniter! LOL Thanks for the laugh.

Oh... and I like the sweater with our without the "girls".

[Nita]

I heard that vuh-jay-jay came from the TV show Grey's Anatomy, then Oprah mentioned it and started using it. She also says "the girls"--so the terms have spread to a big audience!

[Theresa]

I picked up that pattern from Stitch Diva at Stitches! They said it wasn't available on the website yet but they had the hard copies!

[Nicole]

Hmm. I don't have cutsie names for them in real life, but I do refer to them as the girls (notaboob in my case) in blogland because it helps protect from raunchy spam comments. :)

[donna]

What a GORGEOUS sweater! I can't wait to start it! I can't wait for your book! Your amazing!

[patty]

I remember a Seinfeld episode where Kramer referred to "the boys." I always figured that was where the whole thing started.

[Alyssa]

I love the sweater. I can't wait for the pattern to be up.

[confiance]

Um, no? I've always gone with breasts.

Though, I do like the phrase "twig and berries" for guys. Not sure why.

And Hello! to weird google hits.

[villalena]

i think "the girls" might be from the show will and grace. wasn't grace's assistant--can't remember her name! ah, how quickly pop cultural crap falls to the wayside-- always saying that?

i don't mind the cute nickname here or there but agree that "singleton" is indeed barf inducing!

love the bell sleeves and neckline of the sweater.

[(formerly) no-blog-rachel]

"The Singleton and the Twins" nearly sent coffee through my nose. The only non-anatomically based term I use (and only with my husband) is 'my enormous rack' because clearly it isn't.

I love the picture of Girlfriend and Rocko!

[Michaela]

I call mine Moe & Larry (Curly is something else). Anyway...Great sweater! I love the cut on the neck and sleeves!

[Gina]

I'm also annoyed by the phrase "the girls", and also "the twins." Especially when people feel the need to inform the world wide web that "the twins" are good. Really? Thanks for sharing! I don't care!! (By the way, I do know a guy who says "the boys")

I'm always interested when people discuss whether or not a gift recipient ever wears/uses an item. Does wearing something equate to loving and appreciating something?

[Gretchen]

That sweater is verah verah sexy! Va-va-voom!

And for the record- it's boobs around here. Or rack, as in "sweetie, like my rack?" while wearing something like that sweater. Answered in the affirmative every time.

And we use "boy parts" with the kids. Gets the point across, and is neither cutesy or offensive.

[Rachel]

I never really referred to them as anything until my son got old enough to talk. One day while he was watching his favorite train show, "Thomas the Train", he asked me, "Momma, are those your buffers?"

(Buffers are the two round bumpers on the front of the train engine.)

I guess now I have buffers. At least I don't have to die of embarrassment if he says anything in public!

[Julie]

Ha! It's because "the girls" is PC:
Not as lame as "breasts," not as forward as "tits"!

Hhahah! I think Michaela's 3 Stooges takes the prize for funny name =)

[Brenda]

I think that calling breasts "The Girls" is a thing women with substantially sized breasts say. I work in a clothing store and have yet to hear a woman with small breasts call them anything. Well, maybe boobs.