Final Project: Action Research of a Micro Culture
Wendy Thompson
Linguistics 4900

The micro culture that I have chosen (knit bloggers) is a sub-culture, or cross-section within several larger cultures. Knit bloggers are members of a number of groups: crafters, knitters, fiber artists; the general internet and blogging communities, and also writers. Knit bloggers are a diverse group, coming from many different cultures, locations, and backgrounds. They can be any age, although there seems to be a concentration of adults in their twenties and thirties. The majority are female, although there are several prominent male knit bloggers, who, perhaps partly because they stand out due to gender, tend to be well-known among the knit-blogger community. This is truly an international group, with participants in many countries around the world, and knitting blogs to be found published in many languages.

The main value of this group is of course knitting, which is the common thread between group members. Besides believing that knitting is an art and valuing being creative and industrious, knit bloggers value communication on a global scale. They feel that they have knowledge that is worth publishing and sharing with anyone who would like to learn about the craft. They are generous in giving help, and readily respond to questions about knitting as well as assistance with setting up a webpage and becoming established as a new knitting blogger. Additionally, there are some common attitudes toward knitting that most members of this group tend to hold in common. One is that hand work has value beyond any price tag that may be place on it. While a knitting blogger may be generous in bestowing gifts of handmade items to those they deem deserving of such a gift, they are often weary of requests for knitted work, whether requested as a gift or particularly when asked to sell their work. Many also believe in “The Sweater Curse.” This is the belief that the very act of knitting a sweater for a boyfriend will result in being dumped. Evidence to this effect proliferates in various knitting blogs. Another value held by many knit bloggers is that almost any fiber is preferable to acrylic yarn. Although acrylic may have its place, knit bloggers often feel embarrassed if they do choose acrylic for some project and may either avoid mentioning that they are using acrylic or feel the need to justify their decision.

Again, the main behavior that is practiced by members of this group is prolific knitting. When not knitting, knitting bloggers may be seen writing about knitting or photographing their knitting (particularly for publishing on their websites), reading about knitting (other knitting blogs and various knitting books and publications), shopping for yarn and knitting supplies, or attending knitting gatherings, where they can participate in all of these activities simultaneously. Other crafts such as spinning, weaving, crochet, beading, and even woodwork are also common.

Since a majority of knit bloggers may never meet each other face to face, written language is the main means of communication. A specialized vocabulary has developed to meet the needs of the community, borrowing some terminology from the computing/internet community and other terms from knitters in general. A few examples include: “blog” - short for web log, and used as both a noun and a verb, various acronyms such as “IMHO” (in my humble opinion), “LOL” (laughing out loud), and “IRL” (in real life). Knitting terminology also includes acronyms: “LYS” (local yarn store), “WIP” (work in progress), “UFO/FO” (unfinished/finished object), and “KIP” (knitting in public). Another popular word is the verb, “frog,” which refers to the act of completely undoing a knitting project (rip it, rip it, rip it), or “going to the frog pond,” which means to get down to the business of frogging. One will also find reference to “enabling,” which implies that buying more yarn, etc. can be an addiction, and thus sharing sources can support others’ bad habits or dysfunctional behavior.

There are many products and services used by knitting bloggers. Although blogs may be written from scratch using basic HTML, most bloggers use a specially designed program such as “Blogger” or “Movable Type.” Common features seen on knitting blogs may include, among others, a “Tag-board” message board (which seems to be the predominant source as opposed to other message boards used by other bloggers) and/or other comment systems, a “Weather Pixie,” and various web-rings including the “Knit Bloggers Web-ring” to connect one knitting blog to all the others. Many knit bloggers are also members of internet mailing lists about knitting, and avid readers of knitting books and publications. “Interweave Press,” “Vogue Knitting,” and “Knitters” magazine are commonly referred to. And of course this group supports on-line and brick-and-mortar stores and suppliers of books, yarn, and craft supplies.

Rules, credos, or by-laws are generally unwritten, although lists of blogging etiquette rules have been published, including by the most popular knit bloggers and web-rings. Some basic rules include keeping the content G-rated and at least including some knitting-related content, although additional material is fine, making an effort to post new entries frequently (i.e. weekly), and not stealing band width by linking to graphics on someone else’s web space. Violation can lead to having one’s blog removed from the web-ring. Unwritten rules include that one should give credit to sources of ideas, generally including a link to the source; when one’s site is linked on someone else’s site, a return link is appreciated but not required; and one generally should not copy someone else’s ideas or the general appearance of their site too closely.

Clothing styles and makeup vary widely. Individuality and creativity are valued in appearance besides in craftwork and writing. A variety of hand knitted clothing and accessories are seen often.

Outsiders generally admire the creativity and workmanship exhibited by knit bloggers, but there are exceptions. Some find knitting in public to be annoying. Others devalue knitters’ work. Knit bloggers have mentioned (blogged about) being asked to stop knitting because it bothered someone. They also write about people offering to buy their work (which was not offered for sale), often at retail, mass-production prices (the ultimate insult). One knit blogger told about a passer-by who asked what she was knitting (socks), and said, “Well, you must save a lot of money making your own socks that way.” She replied with an explanation that the yarn alone cost $18 and her time was worth at least $10 an hour, and it took many hours to knit a pair of socks, thus saving money was by no means an objective of sock knitting.

While knit bloggers are a peaceful group, and don’t seem to be in conflict with other internet-based groups, they do sometimes find themselves in conflict with others in real life. For example, some employers object to knitting on the job, and some knit bloggers seem to find themselves incapable of leaving their knitting home. Family members occasionally get tired of the constant knitting and may ask, “must you always do that!” Although rare, people sharing an environment with a knitter have been known to claim that they are allergic to wool and can’t tolerate being in close vicinity to a knitter. Another frequent conflict is with recipients of hand knitted gifts made from wool or other fibers requiring special care who either are not willing to or do not know how to take proper care of such items, or who undervalue the gift and the time that it took to create it. One knit blogger wrote about a boyfriend who received a hand knitted sweater and then made a point of buying the knitter a gift that cost an amount equal to what she had spent on the yarn for his sweater, thus telling her that her time had no value.

Positive interactions with knit bloggers include the many compliments given on their talent and creativity, and the appreciation of both yarn suppliers and some gift recipients.

Some of the purposes of the group include the opportunity to be a member of a worldwide community that shares common interests; to feel useful and appreciated; to display one’s work that they are proud of, and to communicate with family and friends as well as other knitters and knit bloggers; to learn from others and both get and share ideas; and as a tool to motivate oneself to knit more prolifically and try new things. Each individual group member has their own reasons for publishing a knitting blog, and success at meeting these needs probably varies as some blogs are more popular and have a greater readership than others, but in general most knit bloggers must be getting their needs met, or they would simply stop participating. In fact, it is not unknown for some bloggers to either quit or take a vacation from blogging. Some announce their intentions, and others simply stop posting for a while. Most seem to pick it up again when they are ready.

I not only would join this group, but I have been a knit blogger for more than a year, and have been a knitter since childhood. I find knit bloggers to be likable and friendly people who accept me for who I am. Since I have interests in common with this group, including the same needs that are filled by the purposes listed above, I find that this is a group that fits my needs.