How Not to Offend a Crafter

Why anyone would want to offend a crafter is beyond me. Perhaps people just make snide, snooty comments without thinking to an innocuous person, quietly sitting and knitting or crocheting, not bothering anyone. Perhaps they like to feel superior by putting others down.

One of the members of an online crocheters group I belong to reported that she often gets snarky comments when someone sees her crocheting. She hears things such as, “I wish I had that kind of time” and “Who has time to crochet?” 

The crocheter could ask the obnoxious person, “How much time do you spend staring at your phone, sending useless texts, posting on social media, playing video games, or plopped in front of the TV? How much time do you spend asking offensive questions of someone who’s minding her own business?” These questions imply I’m so important, I don’t have time to waste doing crafts. Yeah, like you’re busy running a billion-dollar corporation all by yourself. If you really want to do something, you’ll find time for it. If you don’t want to do a craft, don’t pretend you don’t have time for such piddling occupations

It’s okay to admit that you don’t want to do a craft. Just say so. I have two friends whom I’ve offered to teach how to knit. Both were honest enough to admit that while knitting looks like fun and they like the hand-knit gifts I’ve given them, there are other ways they prefer to spend their time. That’s fine with me. To each her own. If they change their mind and want to learn to knit, I’m here.

Another insulting crack is, “Oh, that’s a good mindless activity.” So what’s the commenter doing with her fine mind? Discovering the unified field theory? Discovering a cure for cancer?

Neither crocheting nor knitting is a mindless occupation. It’s true that muscle memory allows experienced crafters to work seemingly without thought or without even watching their hands at work, but it takes time, effort, and concentration to get to that point. Doing more intricate patterns, lace, cables, entrelac, Fair Isle, and other decorative techniques requires close attention.

Another smug comment the crocheter reported was, “Oh, you can buy those kinds of things at Walmart now.”

The answer to that is, “No, you can’t.”

Sure, you can get machine-knit or crocheted scarves, hats, mittens, sweaters, and other garments and accessories, but they’re not the same at all. Years ago I worked as a greeter at retail outlets. I could always, always, always, spot handmade items. To make sure I was right, I’d ask the person wearing them if she’d made the item herself. If she hadn’t made it herself, someone else had made it for her. All the handmade things were more attractive, more skillfully made, and more original than anything that can be found in a store. Get something at a store and there will be fifty other things exactly like it. Not only that, by not making these things yourself, you miss the joy and sense of accomplishment you get when you finished a project you’ve worked on for hours. You also don’t hear awe-struck comments such as, “Wow, you made that?” You don’t get the pleasure of say, “Yes, I did.”

I’m highly offended on behalf of this crocheter and every other crafter who gets this kind of thoughtlessly cruel and smug comment. Maybe that kind of thing arises out of unadmitted envy.

Many crafters like to knit or crochet in public places–in coffee shops, in the park, in waiting rooms, jury assembly rooms, and on planes, trains, and buses. It’s a constructive way to pass time. Knitting and crocheting are relaxing , they lower your blood pressure, and they’re fun. It’s really none of anyone’s business how someone chooses to spend her time. Keep your snarky comments to yourself.