Followup on the Wendy Phenomenon...

Yes, I am spending entirely too much time on this issue. it is one that has perplexed me for some time now.

Upon further discussion over a light repast (mmm, fish sammich), Mister Husband and I have agreed upon several points. To wit:

First, she obviously has values that differ from mine, and it is entirely possible that my values will become more like hers as time goes on. However, I also believe that it is entirely possible to live the Bad-Ass Knitter Manifesto in a way that is not quite so... hoardworthy, just a little more connected to others in the world through better use of resources.

You know the inspiration vs. perspiration equation? I forget the actual proportions, but suffice it to say that they're both present in an activity requiring exertion and/or talent. We want to se hard things made easy, or at least shown in a way that says, "You know, it's accessible to me if I do X/Y/Z." For example, why do we watch This Old House? We want to see complicated things broken down into smaller, simpler steps, expertly done.

It's the PROCESS of the matter, and Wendy seems almost exclusively a process knitter. Except that when she describes her process, she doesn't really describe the process. Sure, there's a bit of explanation as to yarn selection, and she does not admittedly spend much time writing as opposed to knitting, but as Mister Husband said, "dropping a wad of cash and applying brute force until it works is not 'process.'"

The knitting world is about utility, individuality and inspiration. You learn to knit so you can create unique items, or items that serve purposes or fit in a particular way, maybe both. So now we go back to the book. Why do people buy knitting books? You're most likely looking for tips, tricks or inspiration -- even if you don't LOVE a pattern, you can use shaping, for example, or add an edging.

This reminds me of my mom's writers. My mom teaches a writing class to mostly-octogenarians, and she helped a woman write her memoirs of growing up in an Italian neighborhood. Others wanted my mom's help to do the same, but my mom couldn't help them all. In particular, she kept trying to encourage one woman to be more descriptive. "We went to the dance, and it was such fun," the woman writes.

"But Gertie, WHY was it fun?" asks my mom.

"Well, there were lots of people there, and it made for such a lovely time."

Similarly, getting a book that says, "I went out and bought it, and came home and did it..." Who wants to pay money to do that? That's not inspiration.

*facepalm*