One of the blogger finalists--on men and knitting. Just sick.

[knitter4democracy]

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/11/men_the_new_wom_1.html

Regarding the knitting book, Knitting with Balls: A hands-on guide to knitting for the modern man, she writes:

"The book came out last year, but for some reason--ie., the growing push by stupid mommies to make their boys knit--it's getting a lot of press now. Gushing press. One of my hometown newspapers raved about it over the weekend. I'm guessing the woman who wrote the review also likes her son to figure skate and is sending him to flight attendant school next.

Here's a note for those who mistakenly think knitting is for men: It ain't. Despite the title of this book, cojones do not equal balls of yarn and two wooden sticks. And the same holds true vice versa.

If you're a scientist in a remote Antarctic camp of all men studying the extreme cold and you need a new scarf or hat, then knitting is okay. But, other than that, if you're a guy, don't scratch that itch. Knitting ain't very manly.

Just an observation. If you must knit, the jockstrap does not fit."

Normally, I don't like clicking on this kind of crap, but it's worth it for the comments. An Iraq War vet has the best post ever on how he knits and she hasn't earned the right to criticize him for that.

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Generations of sailors used to knit in the days of sailing ships

Not just for practical purposes, but also to pass the time.

For all I know, that's still true.

[knitter4democracy]

2. I know a knitting teacher who learned in the Merchant Marine.

She does amazing work. She was in not all that long ago.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Wounded soldiers were taught to knit and Eleanor Roosevelt taught firemen to knit in WWI. nt

[Berry Cool]

11. You do realize that if it's anything that men used to do as sailors

on a ship with no women around, that AUTOMATICALLY makes it gay?

But seriously, Debbie Schlussel is an idiot.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Oops!

Er, I meant to say that knitting's manly because lumberjacks do it! Yes, lumberjacks! In the woods! With no one else around but other manly lumberjacks!

No, wait, that won't work either.

[kath]

14. Cowboys used to knit, too

in the Nat'l Cowboy Hall of Fame in OKC, there's a painting that shows a cowboy sitting in a doorway, knitting.

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. Exhibit #99 in why the patriarchy isn't an exclusively male construct. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

4. most of the hyper-alpha males don't have the hand dexterity required to knit

Walking on one's knuckles for years tends to seize up the finger muscles. :sarcasm:

That being said - my grandfather, who came from a long line of males who worked the whaling ships in the 1800's knit, and learned it from the males in the family. And my son knits, not because I pushed him into it, but because he asked me to show him how.

The dumber the male, the more references to jockstraps and genitals. :sarcasm:

[donsu]

5. I know a manly man who said he couldn't computer as his manly hands

couldn't handle the mouse.

a couple yrs. later he owns a pc and handles the mouse just fine.

[Donnachaidh]

6. did you notice one of the posts referred to a FICTIONAL movie character?

Uhhh Duuhhhhhrrrr -- what a dumbass!

[unpossibles]

7. morans

I learned how to sew and cook at an early age (I've never knitted), among other "unmanly" arts such as laundry and cleaning, and I have to say most women love it. It's like that quiche thing or dancing: real men (and women) don't let others tell them what is inappropriate.

Or to put it another way, someone would have to be a real wuss with no self-respect if they were cowed into thinking that some hobby or diet is going to define them.

[knitter4democracy]

10. Great point!

" . . . someone would have to be a real wuss with no self-respect if they were cowed into thinking that some hobby or diet is going to define them." You're totally right about that one.

Interestingly, she's a lawyer. So, she didn't allow men to tell her that she couldn't be a lawyer because she's a woman, but she can tell men (even vets) that they're not manly enough because they knit? Um . . . that's messed up.

[Stuckinthebush]

9. Idiots all over that message board

This country deserves George Bush. We are a nation of morons.

[Quantess]

13. She's a douchekit.

Seriously, why criticize anyone who is learning a new skill?

[applegrove]

15. Men knitting makes them Renaissance men. That is how I see it anyhoo.