gleek.net : knitting in the news: let’s try something original for a change

knitting in the news: let’s try something original for a change

i’ve been following a lot of news surrounding knitting over the past year and there is one thing that i’d like to mention here. first off, before i do, if you like to follow all the cool and ingenius things that people are doing with knitting (charity events, classes, large sculptures shaped like bunnies, etc.) all you have to do is cruise on over to news.google.com and enter in “knitting” or you can subscribe to the knitting news blog.

ok, this is a note to all you journalists out there, if you use the phrase “this is not your grandma’s knitting” or “knitting isn’t for grandmas anymore” again, i’m afraid that you automatically qualify as an idiot, that you suck and have no originality whatsoever. it’s been done.. a MILLION times, and quite frankly, all of us knitters are insulted by it. duh! knitting is for everyone, young and old. you only point out how close-minded YOU are when you say something like that. so go out there and write something ORIGINAL for christ’s sake.

Nicole

Wait…journalist can be original? Hold on a moment here! Now I’m talking in generalizations here, but the days of original journalizm are practically over. It just seems that even some of the best writers are in such a hurry to get their name in their medium that they don’t actually care about their peice. Does the news practice 1st come, 1st print? When are people going to learn the masses REALLY want quality, not fast quanity.

And just for the record, “Original” does not equal “Made up out of thin air”.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 10:49 AM

carrie m

you are so right — i’m completely sick of the “not your grandma’s” cliche, and anyone who uses it should get 40 lashes. hello, it hasn’t been true in YEARS. plus it’s overused. occassionally, though, i see some thoughtful articles about fiber arts. so there’s hope!

but, as a reporter, i gotta respond to the last comment. with the exception of tv reporters or elite columnists, most of us don’t make much and no one will ever remember our names — so the only reason we do this is *because* we care.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 11:21 AM

gleek

i think that journalists who are older and not as familiar with the internet have the disadvantage here. the internet is becoming a vast newsource and what with bloggers, online newspapers and syndicated feeds, news is becoming recycled very quickly. my point here is that if you’re going to write an article, do a little (here’s a new idea) research! put your subject into google and see what others have written on it first then go out and figure it out for yourself. 80% of the people who have written on knitting have used the same grandma term. it’s not too hard to see that and then NOT use it as well. it’s just plain lazy.

and yes “original” does not mean “made up out of thin air”. we don’t need anymore stephen glass journalists that’s for sure.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 11:23 AM

MeBeth

Ugh – I’m so sick of that one, and also “knitting is the new yoga.” Hmph.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 12:47 PM

Marie

I’m with you…I hate that phrase – not to mention I know some grandmothers with blogs and who are cranking out amazing items!

Jan 06, 2006 @ 2:15 PM

Amanda

Amen.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 2:30 PM

I admire any journalist who takes their work seriously, with passion and with care. It is such an important part of our world today. We rely on you to provide us with true information. I just wish more journalist would step of to the plate.

And while I do not knit, I do other crafty things. I worked in a craft store for 6 years and anyone can be a crafter. You don’t have a group of women or men suddenly go, “oh, i’m gonna be a grandparent, I better start knitting”. And those who really dedicate themselves to their hobbie, aren’t crafty, they are artists! Some of the beautiful items I’ve seen here and through the links…it’s ART.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 3:03 PM

it is a very tough job to be a good journalist as so many crooked journalists bring the rest of the system down. i give props to anyone who tries their hardest to bring the standards up!

ah nicole.. i remember the fabric store days.. i could have spent hours (and did) in that store just looking at the colors and dreaming of making beautiful things. it certainly is ART when you can make something from almost nothing.

Jan 06, 2006 @ 3:16 PM