[Jerome Betts]

(Janice D. Soderling) A poem about knitting needles, if it is well-crafted and has some depth, can be quite as compelling as a poem about a hunting dog or growing grain. (Note, I am NOT disparaging poems about either subject. Best to make that clear.)

Funny you should say that, Janice. Why should knitting be a female preserve? I adduce in evidence the following footnote from The Countryman (sic).

[John Whitworth]

Sailors were, and perhaps still are, great knitters. I knitted an orange rabbit once when I was twelve. Ah, what genius I had then. Nice poem I though.

The moving fingers knit, and having knit,
Knit on, and socks and cardigans that fit
Are added to the growing woolly pile
Of jersey, jumper, pullover and mitt.

[Marion Shore]

Originally Posted by John Whitworth

Sailors were, and perhaps still are, great knitters.

Robert Weir was pleased to be able to make himself a patchwork cap and thought of those at home who were more familiar with such work: "How often do I think of my dear sisters engaged upon all this kind of work would they laugh and criticize -- but they may yet find out I am not so poor a knight of the needle after all."

from a whaleman's diary, 1856

[Diana Murray]

This is fascinating.

Marion, thanks so much for posting that interesting quote.

I have just written a poem (a picture book manuscript) about a pirate who knits. That quote is perfect because the sailor suspects his sisters would laugh at him, yet takes pride in his work. I wonder how his shipmates would have responded?