Crafts & Hobbies #66: Knitting and Crocheting

1. Do you knit or crochet now? Do you think you will? Would you rather make a prayer shawl, chemo hat, or lap blanket?

So no, I don't have any personal knitting or crocheting experience, but I grew up around it because my Mother crochets all the time. She's made all sorts of things, including baby blankets for the babies of every single one of my cousins, and I come from a huge family of breeders (she's also already made baby blankets for the grandchildren my wife and I haven't provided her with yet... sigh). She even crochets the little coasters the Priest at her Church sets the Chalice on during Mass at the alter (weird, right? but I guess someone has to make them). Anyway, she doesn't knit because she says it takes to long to make anything. I doubt I'd ever take up either crocheting or knitting... I have enough hobbies: sitting, sleeping, driving to and from work. If I had to choose, I'd make lap blankets because I enjoy sleeping and sitting so much, but I'd tell everyone I chose chemo hats.

2. Does your branch have a knitting group? Think about how you would start one and discuss it in your blog.

Our branch does not have a knitting group, but if we did start one, I think the best way would be to tie the knitting projects to a goal like providing hats for patients undergoing chemotherapy, helmet-liners for soldiers, or afghans for hospice patients and veterans. I think doing this would help keep group members committed to attending the program and also create an increased sense of pride in their creations.

Crafts & Hobbies #64: Zines

Would I make my own zine? I actually had my own zine years ago (okay, like a decade or so ago). It was a lot of fun--cutting and pasting (back when that involved scissors and glue), running them off at the copy place and sneaking in as many free copies as I could get away with. Good times. My zine included whatever submissions I could get from my friends. That usually included music reviews, stories, poems, some art, and reviews of the local music scene (St. Pete, Fla. circa 1990s).

As for zines finding their way into libraries, I definitely think they deserve some space in the stacks. Zines capture a different voice in our culture than regular avenues of publication, and they are just as valuable as any other from an archival stand point. It's all part of our experience, and it's probably interesting to someone. I don't know how much space a public library would be willing to give up for them, but I definitely see them in special collections, and I think public libraries might be interested in collecting locally produced zines.