so, is that a big deal?

The Yarn Harlot's post today has prompted me to tell a story. It is similar to her tale of how the outside world discounts knitting and knitters. (or is it women's small businesses?)

I've been freelancing for 4 years. At first, I denigrated myself...here I was, this "educated" person in a smallish college town, and I couldn't find a job. No one had to make me feel bad, I did that myself, although I had some humdinger comments at interviews that did make me feel bad. I was offered jobs, that wasn't it. I wasn't offered career oriented jobs. Sure, I could teach part-time or work as a receptionist. I was offered those gigs, which would pass the time but kill my future career goals. I wasn't ready at 30 to throw in the towel and say, "Absolutely, I gave up my tenure track community college job in upstate New York to do this rinkydink job because here, my full- time job is biology professor's wife." I decided there had to be something better for me.

I started freelance writing, designing and teaching and doubled my income every year, but it still wasn't much of a living. In 2006, I hit 5 digits. I earned about one third of what I earned teaching. Yet, in October 2006, I accomplished something huge. My first article was published in Vogue Knitting. To me, this was a tremendous moment. Like having my name up in neon lights or something. I was bursting with pride.

A grad student friend of ours, a nice guy, was a house guest at the time. I rushed to show him my article. So, he's this bright, articulate, generally sensitive guy....and he says:

"So, uhh, is this a big deal? Should I be impressed?"

Woosh. That was the sound of the wind leaving my sails, let me tell you. This Socks that Rock club thing reminded me of that Woosh moment. Since this is a quiet day, I'm going to show you some things that Yes, I think are big deals.

The teal sweater, above, that I'm modelling in the not so great photo is 100% silk. I bought the yarn for around $100 on sale. It's anny blatt silk, and the kind of yarn is so out of date that I could not find it online. I designed this. Definitely one of a kind and looks better than the photo: Two color slip stitch body, feather and fan lacy scalloped sleeves, and a sailor collar. I hope to wear this to my brother-in-law's wedding in May. (that's the dogs' Uncle Ben, who gave us the pink fuzzy ball, for those of you keeping up) It fits me like it was made for me and I know no one, anywhere could purchase this in a shop. I did this. I'm a knitter.

About 11 years ago, my mom made this cardigan for me. I love it. I wore it when I was teaching in inner-city DC, in suburban Reston, VA, when I went to grad school in North Carolina and when I taught in Buffalo. This sweater's been around.


Sadly, over time, one of the cuffs frayed. This is because I loved the sweater. Not because I chewed on it or anything like that.

My mom bought me a skein of matching yarn to fix the cuff. I mentioned the sweater in this article, so the thing has been needing a fix since 2004. Today, I fixed it. The sweater will never be new again, and the cuff looks new. That will change in time, but it's like I've saved an old friend through fixing this. My mother knit this incredible sweater--and, let me tell you, she's a knitter. I fixed it, kept one more sweater for use instead of throwing it away or turning it into a blanket, because I'm resourceful and skilled. I'm a knitter.

This story that the Yarn Harlot related today, about a successful woman owned business that was told, "gee, you can't be making this much money from knitting"--well, it got me in the gut. I've heard it before. There's a scary truth for you. You can be writing for international newsstand magazines, designing both one of the kind sweaters and widely distributed patterns, tutoring students and attracting notice, but you know, like, is that a big deal? I mean, it's only knitting. What it sounds like to me? Well, it's only a woman. Yeah, like that--and I know a lot of us have heard that one before.

The kicker? We've got a WOMAN in charge of the U.S. HOUSE now. Oh, and I hear that one bank is going to get a heck of a lot of socks, or at least hear it from a lot of us knitters. Read this! We are knitters. We are women. We have power. Hear us roar!