The Cove of Pleasure

Things start feeling a bit surreal when you have an upstairs office all gussied up with new IKEA furniture, a couple of swatch pillows, a real orchid plant and a giant portable air conditioner--the kind not even a giant gilded yeti wearing princess panties could camoflauge--yet you'd rather be downstairs watching Beverly Hills 90210 while "working" instead.

It's not that I don't like my new office. I just want to watch Beverly Hills 90210 while I knit and write this post, and the TV upstairs doesn't have the Soap Channel.

Maybe I'm in denial. Or maybe I just have bad taste in television.

There's been a lot of interest in my new pattern, Sizzle, and I want to say thanks. I know that the silk blend I used is pricey, but if you can afford it, it makes such a great garment. There are things you can substitute, and I've had some inquires about subs, so here are a few ideas (and please leave a comment if you have ideas for subs, too):

Berroco Glace - Elann.com has it on sale for $3.48, only two colors are available but both are fabulously cool.
Jaeger Albany - It has been discontinued, I think, and it is on sale everywhere.
Karabella Zodiac - Just $6.00 a ball at kpixie.com and the colors are amazing.
Cascade Pima Silk - Go down a needle size to get the right gauge. Just note, this stuff doesn't have a ton of sheen, but it feels so nice against the skin.
Berroco Denim Silk - Also discontinued so you might be able to snag some cheap, cheap, cheap.
Plymouth Fantasy Naturale - This has a nice sheen, but you'd have to go down a needle size.

I think the key with this one is to make it with something that has a bit of drape and a bit of shine. Or dang it, knit it with anything that makes your heart go pitter pat.

Oh, BTW: Today I nearly expired when, working at Girlfriend's summer school, about five different moms turned their boys away when they showed interest in learning how to knit. I should know: I was sitting just outside in the puzzle and playhouse area where I was stationed. There was so much noise and chaos that I found myself squatting and shuddering in the corner, just outside the entrance to the cove of pleasure (knitting room) to find a little solace (as close to the cove of pleasure, I mean the "knitting room," as I could get without the head mistress giving me that "look").

Why can't the boys learn to knit?

I even witnessed one mom turn her son away from the cove of pleasure--and then when he asked about the sewing room as an alternative--I swear, I saw her eyeballs roll back and beads of sweat form under her nose so fast, my neck is still sore from the impact.

I tell you what: Girlfriend is more than welcome to scare away the garter snake that was sitting outside our front door today, or better, wind up that long orange electrical cord when I'm done with it.

Shoot, she can even mow the lawn when she's ready. Or wear fatigues, or study engineering or shave her head (when she's old enough).

Really now. Why can't the boys learn to knit? (I know how to lead when waltzing.)

Comments

[lindar]

Too bad they haven't viewed Brooklyn Tweed's blog. Only some of the most beautiful knitting I have ever seen.

[janna]

I'm glad you think Bamboo might work, because I ordered the last of the black that kpixie had!

[yvette]

What I don't understand is why any woman would not want her sons to grow up to be well rounded individuals, I think all children should be given the opportunity to learn everything they want. I have 3 boys, who are interested in lots of things,(including cars and physics, which I don't understand) they can all knit, sew, bead, cook, they all do grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry but they are compulsory chores not things they enjoy!

[Rita]

My 7 year old daughter has been knitting for 2 years now. In fact, she designs 'clothes' (mostly scarves) for her dolls. She also owns a small hammer from Lee Valley Tools (no toy this--a proper hammer, something she made dad buy her so she can help out in the shop). Sometimes I'd let her take her knitting to school, and guess who wanted to learn what she knew? All the Grade 1 boys.

[john]

Yeah. It's unfortunate. Don't they know it's widely speculated that us men STARTED the craft of knitting??? My, how times have changed. Priorities!

And the only thing sizzlin' is YOU - so you can just change the name of that top! (did that not sound like the worst pick up line - EVER???!?!)

[Suzie Vallis]

Josh as a mother of two boys (3 if you count hubby!!!)I can not beleive this thing still goes on, its so out dated and leads to all sorts of issues. If my sons want to knit I get so excited, although the 3 year old just runs around with the wool, but hey he's getting the feel of all those wonderful yarns. Its so good for hand eye coordination, concentration and a product at the end of it all...what more could a mother want for her babes, either girls or boys?
Suzie 'Knits' Vallis (UK)

[Rhonda]

I'm planning a trip to see 2 of my grand daughters who want to learn to knit & I have extra needles & yarn in the bag for their brother, just in case he decides he wants to learn also. Another grandson learned to crochet & cross stitch. I taught my kids (2 boys & 1 girl) they can each do ANYTHING they want in life. My daughter is a "Drywaller"; her hobbies are landscaping & working on cars AND she has EIGHT kids. One of her brothers is a "Bill Collector", has 2 sons and does home remodelling & decorating, landscaping and yes, also does "flower arranging". There's something wrong with my 2nd son ... he's in construction. On 2nd thought ... there's NOTHING wrong with that at all. Yah for boys who knit!

[Katinka]

Nothing warms my heart more than to see my little boy jab a few needles into a ball of yarn and enthusiastically cry, "I knitting!!!"

[Boo]

Well, for crying out loud! I teach my fourth graders to knit! All of them----and quite a few are boys! I also give them books, needles, and yarn to take home at the end of the year. Guess who most of my best knitters are? BOYS! It is especially great for those who need to be busy while listening (much like me!). You know, it's not like anyone is raising Beaver Cleaver any more. I think we have progressed a bit. I mean, I knit like June did, but I don't run around the house in dresses and high heels while I vac and make dinner. (OK, actually I'm lucky if those things ever get done!) Anyway, I would be seducing that little boy with yarn and needles at the next possible opportunity. You could become his knitting *pusher!*

[Stephanie]

The irony, naturally, is that this mum probably wishes that her husband was better with detail, could focus more, was more patient, really paid attention...all things that knitting would help men practice. Women talk all the time about how we wish men had more of these qualities, how it would make them better spouses and parents, but when it comes time to sign boys up for activities that will shape them as men...whammo. They got the kid signed up for hitting things with sticks, while wondering why his (knitting) sister has more patience and fine motor control.

[Gina]

So much to comment on... I am also a teacher - Jr. High special needs - and I convert, I mean teach, anyone who even remotely shows an interest in knitting. I have stash in my classroom for heaven's sake! The comments about ADHD and brain development are right on. I've never found any clinical studies about it, but my experience has been that many ADHD kids will hyper-focus on the knitting in much the same way that the tv grabs them. It's also awsome for sensory-motor development and because it uses both sides of the body, doing different things, simultaneously, knitting is an amazing tool for brain development. My 8yo boy knits! And he was also the one that wanted to try spinning first.
I just bought the Sizzle pattern (and Jan too!)and really can't wait to go stash diving!

[Maggie]

"Why can't the boys learn to knit?" The boys are not permitted to knit because at some point in the last century it was pigeonholed as "women's work" and an indulgent pastime in an age of factory made machine knitting. "Women's work" does not pay well, if at all. To be born male is an instant advantage in the work world. To sabotage that advantage by indulging in a so-called "female" activity is perplexing to those mired in maintaining the status quo.
Here's a banner: Let the people knit!
And maybe gender stereotyping will just fade away.

[Krista]

My boy plays with his big sister's dollies whenever the mood strikes him. He's a great little mommy. Doesn't stop him from loving his trucks and tractors, though. I don't get those uptight moms who just can't allow it. It's good for them.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Southwest Trading Company bamboo yarn has great drape and shine. It may work well as a sub, too.

[Sonja]

Well, I'm Icelandic and in Iceland knitting is a part of the curriculum of the elementary school (so boys and girls learn to knit), as well as sewing, stitching and wood shop (and swimming). Now I live in the US and it was a real surprise that those things are not thought in public schools (at least not were I live).

[Charles]

I’m a straight, masculine knitter and have been for 28 years. My mother worried about me being gay till I was married. My father on the other hand bought me my first pair of knitting needles and skeins of yarn. He encouraged my knitting lessons. He built me a loom. All through high school I was labelled gay because of my interest in knitting and the arts in general. I hated the taunting, and occasionally hid my knitting interests for a while, but it just wasn’t natural for me to hide it, so sooner than later, I’d be knitting in public again. In my early 20’s I worked in a knitting store that was right next to a cafe. A straight waiter asked a gay waiter when he was going to hit on me. The gay waiter said, “Charles isn’t gay! There’s no ‘gaydar’ there!”. Go figure! Most husbands who came into the store would stand as close to the exit as possible looking at me with disdain. Occasionally when two men came in with their wives, they’d talk and oh so under their breath talk about me being gay. I’d happily walk over to them, and tease them about their narrow-mindedness. I used to get angry about the stereotype, not that I cared if I was labelled gay or not, but just at the mere thought that knitting should be a women-only domain…why should they get all the fun! I have both effeminate and masculine gay friends who refuse to learn how to knit; this really has nothing to do with sexual orientation, people! Now-a-days, I don’t get riled any more. I have a son who crochets and another who spins, knitting will be in their repertoire as soon as they have the interest or patience to learn it. When can we can all these stereotypes. Mothers let your sons knit, they won’t necessarily grow up to be gay cowboys, or how did that Willie Nelson song go? ;)