For several years Ik leer breien (I’m learning to knit) parts 1, 2 and 3 were the only knitting books in our home. On the whole, knitting wasn’t something learnt from books, but rather from (grand)mothers, aunts, cousins or neighbours. And at school, of course. We did have a few magazines, too, I think, but most of those came later.
These three booklets were written by Mrs. A. H. Beyst, Needle Crafts Education Consultant for the City of Rotterdam (can you imagine having a job like that?). They were published by the International Wool Secretariat and the Dutch knitting yarn industry, and that shows. Besides knitting, they teach us a LOT about wool and yarn production – from sheep to skein.
Oddly enough, I loved looking at stitch patterns books as a child, years before I even learned to knit or crochet. My mother had the Good Housekeeping Needlecraft Encyclopedia kicking around the house when I was young, and I even taught myself to crochet from it – not well, as no one could correct on the parts I misunderstood – when I was a teen. (Didn’t learn to knit until my late teens, from a class in a community rec center). But I have always been fascinated by collections of knit and crochet stitch patterns, weaving patterns, quilt patterns, wallpaper and fabric prints, etc – mathematics exemplified in art. Like looking through kaleidoscopes, which I have also loved since early childhood.
Isn’t it great how different we all are? What fun to look back on yourself as a child and remember your fascination for all kinds of patterns. I’ve enjoyed reading your memories. They also remind me of the wallpaper sample booklets we were given at kindergarten, for colouring in some of the patterns. There weren’t enough for all of us, but I was one of the lucky kids to get one. And kaleidoscopes, oh, how I loved those! Thank you for your story.
My maternal grandmother was proficient at knitting and embroidery and my paternal grandmother was an avid seamstress. My mother revolted and never did anything of the above.
I was 14 when I wanted to learn to knit. My mother tried to teach me but quickly lost her patience. Fortunately, my stepfather’s daughter (technically my stepsister but much older than me, we never lived together) happened to be around and taught me.
I have a feeling that my mother’s disinterest in knitting and sewing created a space for me to try it on my own terms. She was very supportive and enthusiastic. So was my farmor whereas mormor was more critical.
However, the education I received in school did absolutely nothing to spark interest in any kind of craft!
I’m sitting here nodding, but you can’t see that, of course. Reading your comment, I can see how it works. Your mother revolting agains knitting etc. and in that way creating space for you. Yes, I can totally understand that. Fortunately she was supportive of your endeavors, because as a teenager you’ll need to get your materials somehow. And a positive attitude from your parent, too. All in all, I think you’ve grown up in fertile soil. School knitting and crochet was off-putting for me, too. I’d quickly outgrown the lessons, but had the great good luck to be allowed to bring my own projects to school and do my own thing.