Monday, May 17, 2010

Starting a Men Who Crochet Group Here...


I just heard that one of my online male crochet friends from California is planning to move here in Philly.

It'll be great to see another openly male crocheter here. I've always felt like I'm the only one for most of my crochet life. I hid what I did for so many years, only to feel a bit awk

I'm sure there many male 'knitters', but we 'crocheters' tend to be of a different mindset, even with women.

I always wondered what it would be like to know other male crocheters. It wasn't until the Internet, where I began to meet other guys, from different parts of the country, different age groups,races,nationalities, etc...

I was especially glad when I met Peter Franzi online, and that he started the Men Who Crochet Yahoo Group.I began to feel a lot better (and safer) about being more public about crocheting.

Still,it would of been nice to share it with other guys in person.

I mean, being around all women is OK, to a point! ;-)


OK, so I'm calling out to any and all guys who crochet (and to any women who knows a male crocheter), and want to get together, hang out, maybe a small bar or a restaurant, just to get together and share ideas, and our thoughts, maybe once every 2 weeks or a month..

Sound like a plan? OK now, don't leave me hangin!!

20 comments:

Annabelle said...

Check out this article about Truckers taking up knitting, crocheting, and quilting: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/9MutOG/blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/03/truckers_take_to_knitting_and.html

Anonymous said...

Don't worry...you are not alone.
Hello! My name is Michael. I am a MALE crocheter.
I know how you feel, though. Where I live, people give me weird looks when I go yarn shopping.
Whatever.

freshpursuit said...

Dear Ken....
I sure know that u r not alone as a guy who crochetes....
coz if u search you tube crochet videos, u r sure hit first the tutorials of Mikey...hes a great crocheter and teacher...i learnt most of my beg classes fr0om his videos...
chek this out.. http://www.mikeyssmail.com/

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

Thanks Annabelle,

I like that article!

Hey Michael,

I just wished that there were more local male crocheters.
P.S. I still get those looks1 ;-)

Dear Freshpursuit,

yeah,I know about Mikey (he's funny!), I subscribe to his videos!

Unknown said...

Funny..My name is Michael too, and I am a male crocheter (inset applause here!). Seriously, I will crochet anywhere. My oldest daughter gets upset at me because I will pull out my bag with my current project yarn and let the needles fly. I think it makes an excellent conversation piece and most of all, I love crocheting. So you are not alone!

I am in Hartford CT, btw!

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

Hey Michael!

I have some relatives in Hartford....used to go there when I was younger.

Yeah, once I get started, I go into a 'zone'....doesn't matter where I am. ;-)

Derek in Sacramento said...

Hey man! My name is Derek. I am almost 31 and I live just outside of Sacramento, CA with my husband Jim. I have been an avid crocheter since I was 19 :-) I was initially a bit self conscious about taking out a project in a public place, but I have become totally comfortable since then. Now I CANNOT be without hooks and yarn! Ever! Seriously! I get a lot of strangers wanting to talk to me about it too. I think it is awesome to reach out to other guys who are into the hobby!

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

Hi Derek!!!

I didn't really feel the stigma of being a male crocheter until I came home to Philly from college (Penn State).

Funny, I was in the 'crochet' closet before the 'gay' closet!!

I finally got out of both!!! ;-)

Derek in CA said...

Power to ya man! Life really is better beyond the door :-) I hope you are living a totally satisfying life in all regards! Do you have material/project type preferences? I really like blankets, scarves, table runners, bags, and other projects that don't require complex shapping and strictly measured gauge...i.e. clothes!

Derek in CA said...

I just love working with yarns like Vannas Choice by Lyon brand and Simply Soft by Caron. And colors! My lord the colors! To me it is the visual as well as the tactile that I really enjoy about crochet. Also I really enjoy shaping stitches uniformally into uniform rows. It makes me feel like I am creating a little order in the chaos of living...

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

Hey Derek,

I prefer making hats, scarves, bags, and sweaters.

I like the same yarns as you, but use Red Heart Super Saver for my designs.

Derek in CA said...

How old were you when you first learned to crochet? One of my Aunts taught me and my slightly younger sister the basics when we were about 11 or 12 and for a short time I thought I had the patience...but not so. So, it was not until my first year out of home, when I was19, that I took it up again! I have been doing it (and stuffing my loved ones closets for a while!

Derek in CA said...

How old were you when you first learned to crochet? One of my Aunts taught me and my slightly younger sister the basics when we were about 11 or 12 and for a short time I thought I had the patience...but not so. So, it was not until my first year out of home, when I was19, that I took it up again! I have been doing it (and stuffing my loved ones closets for a while!

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

I was 17, while in college. A new friend in the same dorm's girlfriend taught while watching her knitting. Tried that for a couple of days, but didn't like it.She showed me crocheting and the first thing I made (a hat), I sold.....'hooked' ever since!!! ;-)

Derek in CA said...

Thats awesome! I have recently tried knitting but, yeah, not for me. Atleast not at this time...

Have you ever heard of/tried tapestry crochet? It is really great for bags and pillows. If you have not experienced it and are interested I recommend books and videos by Carol Norton-Ventura. Her videos taught me about it :-)

'THAT CROCHET GUY!!' said...

I'm familar with tapestry crochet, but haven't done anything with it yet.

Are you a member of Ravelry? If so, I'm there under both crochetguy & kenjones4 (don't ask!!). See you there!

Derek in CA said...

I have not heard of it but I will check it out now ;-)
I really like the durability of bags and pillows made with tapestry crochet Plus the versatility of design is endless!

Derek in CA said...

I have not heard of it but I will check it out now ;-)
I really like the durability of bags and pillows made with tapestry crochet Plus the versatility of design is endless!

Steve Monty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Steve Monty said...

Steve in Blackpool, UK.

I started to crochet to help me recover from a brain tumour, my wife taught me and I haven't looked back! Apparently I have surpassed her skill and though she pretends to be miffed, she's rather pleased as she gets all the scarfs, cardies and afghans!
As for being a man who crotchets, if people dont like it they don't get a winter wooly and so will be cold.

Steve