Just When You Think You Understand Charts... // Casual Friday S05E22

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. That's truly a hard loss. Please take time to grieve it's a different process for everyone. Love your heart. Thanks for sharing❣️❣️❣️

[@bonniel3679]

Thanks for the link to Purl. It was clever and thought provoking. I so enjoy the "tidbits" you pass on to us.

[@robyn3349]

Thank you! Charting is a mysterious world to me. "Stick to your knitting," to me means keep your nose out of others' business. It is not inherently sexist, and rather that 'ban' it, it should be applied to all, when appropriate.

[@dorindabalanecki9307]

You can dye the plastic buttons with Rit dye. I have done it several times with great successes. The baby sweater is adorable!

[@yarncloud8121]

Loved “purl” the first time you shared it. Thanks for sharing again

[@MissHoyden]

I’ve heard the phrase, and, while I’m willing to accept that the origin might be “stick to what you know,” I’ve only ever read or heard it used to mean “Girls should stay with girl stuff.” As for the cardigan: thank you for clear charting explanations.

[@tonicrockett4852]

In current times and in our culture "stick to your knitting" is a way to silence women. I just found you and I am so happy!!

[@anaouzounian9103]

Thanks!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Welcome!

[@dianathorpe2280]

I really love the beautiful pink baby sweater! The leaf pattern is very similar to a sweater that my aunt knit for my mother maybe in the 50's or 60's. And what a lovely idea to knit something for a new life while grieving for the loss of your mother. My deepest condolences to you. My parents are both 91 years old. My dad is in great shape and is in fact the full time caregiver for my mother who is very frail and in a wheelchair. They live across the U.S. from me. Luckily my brother lives close by and checks on them regularly. I visit once or twice a year for a week to two weeks. I always wonder when I leave if it will be the last time I see them. My next visit is in August. I am a full time "maker" now that I'm retired. I'm always knitting or crocheting something. A friend once asked me when I would be finished with all my projects. I just had to laugh and NEVER was my reply. I will never be finished because its what I do. The majority of my makes are gifts or donations, but my hands have to be busy. My mom's mom was like that. Her hands always had to be busy and I think its because it calms my mind that I am like her. It keeps me from worrying or dwelling on things that I cannot change. I feel like I need the rhythm of the making to keep my sanity and to keep me happy. And I absolutely love giving things away to people that appreciate them. Sorry this is so long. I just wanted to send you a virtual hug and let you know my thoughts are with you.

[@nancyborgeson440]

My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. After my own mother’s death, I stayed in her home for a few days and next to her chair, where she would have sat while watching TV, I found an unfinished knitted baby blanket. It was so easy to just pick it up and continue where she left off, so that’s what I did. It was comforting. When it was done, we donated it, but I don’t remember where. Her knitting patterns were divided between my SIL and myself, and SiL took most of the needles as I already had the type I preferred using. Later this summer, I’ll be knitting a sweater from one of Mom’s patterns, and hope it comes out half as beautiful as hers did.

[@sallywasagoodolgal]

My grandmother, born in 1888, often used "Stick to your own knitting". It meant to mind your own business, or stay in your own lane. It had nothing to do with gender bias, (or needlework) as she used it equally with her male and female grandchildren, and other relations.

[@gailaltschwager7377]

Thank you so much, Roxanne! I can always learn something more.

[@LoneHansenGrove]

Kondolere, sorry about your mum, but still going strong,the Americans should be proud of you 💜🇫🇮🇩🇰 Thank you for you..love from Lone in Denmark 🤨🤗.

[@kristyann9641]

NEUTRAL!! So sick of everyone freaking out about everything. Chill and stick to your knittin’!

[@nicolastevenson4558]

I think in some Shetland lace charts the knitter is left to adjust the direction of decreases as appropriate to the pattern, whilst using the same symbol on both right and wrong sides. Took a while for the penny to drop.

[@mariehansen2534]

Saturday, Good Morning. Thank you for visiting. I really enjoyed what you have been doing during the week. I use the saying Stick to your knitting and I might think again about using it, I used it as stick to what you know and maybe I will say that instead. I love your little Cardigan and the buttons that you chose. I like the opaque ones also. I have tried to use charts but I am not into them, they are for a more intelligent brain than mine. I usually rewrite them as in stitch pattern, I think I might be lazy. Anyway I had better start my day, we are in Winter and it's really cold, to low for snow and not high enough for sun. Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday. Take care.

[@kj-sf4md]

Thank you. You are a KNITTING SUPER HERO❣

[@leemager128]

I have this same pattern. I used flower and lady bug buttons alternated down the front of the cardigan. It was so cute, I gifted if to my daughters friend.

[@RamblingKnitter]

These podcasts are so interesting and informative - I always learn something. I took up knitting again in the last few months after a 30 years (yikes!) hiatus. Interestingly, the resumption of knitting happened not long after the death of my mother - I hadn’t made the connection until your podcast last week about knitting through grief (other than the fact that I found a load of yarn I’d stored at her house and now have the time to do something with it), but I think you’re on to something. (And commiserations again about the loss of your own mother.) The world of knitting has changed a lot in the last 30 years, not least the proliferation of on-line tutorials and podcasts. I’m finding the internet a wonderful resource and subscribe to a number of podcasts and KZbin channels, but yours is easily the most interesting. Thanks very much.

[@bgummeson]

Eek! Thanks for the heads up on charts! Love seeing knitting in pop culture and thinking about its cultural context. I recently turned 64, and in my thank you to folks who sent their best wishes, I posted a link to the Beatles song. I had not remembered that it included a reference to knitting! And another reference to gardening, which was also appropriate because we are in the middle of a huge project converting our yard to drought-tolerant, eco-friendly, mostly native plants. I did notice the gender-typing in the lyrics, which seems rather old-fashioned now!

[@bug781741]

Thank you for all your wonderful tutorials and interesting content. I really enjoy it and learn so much to help me produce a better knitted article

[@sheryltisdale]

Thank you Roxanne for the explanation about charts, they are very confusing to me sometimes.

[@SuzKnits]

Really interesting podcast. I enjoyed the section on the le knit cardigan, the changes you made and how you interpreted the chart.

[@andreamiller6200]

I like those pale pink buttons, they don't take the attention away from the pretty leaf yoke. The ladybug buttons seemed more outsized relative to the other sweater features that competed for attention. What a beautiful sweater and color!

[@maryannc7223]

I love charts! I don’t see how anyone makes sense of the relationship of stitches in the rows above and below without them. (Sometimes it helps if they are written out also when I can’t figure out what a symbol means.) I hadn’t seen charts with such a variety of symbols and systems, so that was fun to learn. My condolences on your mom. My dad died of dementia and I know having a parent with that condition is a very challenging and emotional experience.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Thank you ! I just remembered the adaptation needed to read charts from my lovely Bavarian "Twistes-Stitch Knitting" book. As you say, it just needs a bit of adaptation, and then I could read the chart quite easily after a big swatch. I still love that book.

[@MsFitz134]

In the context of the song (especially if he's going to war and not to work), I interpreted it to mean that his girlfriend should spend her time knitting rather than going out and potentially finding a new boyfriend. In that context I don't think it's sexist but rather a hope (albeit one that admittedly didn't age well) that she'll be devoted to him in his absence. Outside of the song, I understand how the phrase could be intended to mean stick with what you know or mind your own business - like "stay in your lane". But it also sounds an awful lot like a man telling a woman to keep her nose out of "men's" business. It has a "stay in the kitchen where you belong" kind of vibe.

[@annesofiechristensen3406]

I have knit many of Lenes Holme Samsøes patterns, including the Dahlia pattern (for my daughter and my self), but I never ever though about the chart being weird. Maybe it's a danish thing. I think there are quite substational regional varietions in knitting traditions and how things are typically done within europe. Also Lene Holme Samsøe is HUGE in Denmark. So nice that you picked one of her patterns - she is a lovely and very talented lady, and everyone has her books and knits her patterns. :-) I messages her on Instagram to tell her that her pattern is on your show :-)

[@allisondobbie2375]

I’m from New Zealand and many years ago used to manage a public library. My boss (an engineer) told me that the library should ‘stick to its knitting’ ie lending books as we were funded to do, and not move to new services such as free internet access. Fortunately in this instance we were able to expand the knitting to so much more 😄❤️

[@krankywitch]

Thank you. I love charts - I hate written out instructions as they’re too long and I get lost in the string of directions - so I’ll have to follow you and get charting software to make my life easier. I think anyone who finds ‘keep to your knitting’ a sexist comment knows nothing about knitting. Seven generations of my family (back to 1610) were knitters - men, craftsmen, supporting their families with their knitting. Knitting was an apprenticed trade that excluded women. The wives were allowed to do the seaming if their sewing skills were good enough. So many things have been turned on their heads since the industrial revolution.

[@joanmachado9063]

Great video thank you ☺️

[@preachermaid]

Thanks for a great podcast (as always). As to the phrase "Stick to your knitting ", we have the other phase here in Germany "Schuster bleib bei deinen Leisten". Cobbler stay with your forms, which means exactly the same, stay with what you know how to do it, don't meddle in things you don't know anything about. No sexism here, since "Schuster" is a male subject. However, when a male member of parliament uses that phrase against a female member, it is condescending and belittling, altogether sexism in its pure form.

[@newmoonjlp]

Stephen West often says "Keep on knittin', kittens!" and he definitely includes all genders lol. As an admonishment, though, I'd definitely consider it belittling.

[@Sequoya]

Great Episode!

[@elaineenstone6834]

Thank you for the charting explanation. I have never re-charted a pattern but often copy at a larger scale and add colour if I am confused. Generally I choose a pattern which is easy for me to understand. Never heard the phrase referred to in the song but would not deam it sexist but rather like the phrase " stick to your guns" or "stand your ground". I love the little cardigan. 🇬🇧

[@nancybwilborn6752]

Very interesting video!

[@dr.evelynsharp2351]

Once again, I learn so much. Would you mind sharing your swatch of "her chart" vs "your decision"? I'd love to see them knit up and side by side. Have a great day!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I knit a swatch far enough to see what I thought, and then ripped it out.

[@dr.evelynsharp2351]

@@RoxanneRichardson Up to me then. Thanks

[@katerogers5365]

To me “stick to your knitting” meant perseverance. Not sexist, more about focus and the patience to develop expertise. But I don’t recall hearing it very often, never as a family expression. However when I began to teach management courses it surfaced as a bromide for (top) executives. A rather famous book of the late 70s by Peters and Waterman advised companies not to diversify their holdings, as conglomerates, beyond their core business. Instead, “Stick to your knitting.” In that context (and era) I don’t think Edison Electric or GM took it as sexist advice. But it is an interesting reversal. Thanks for the insights on this phrase.

[@annesofiechristensen3406]

I'm from Denmark , and I have never heard that frase before. Not in English, But also not in danish. In danish we do however have the exact same frase with the shoe maker - in danish: skomager bliv ved din læst. It is an idiomatic frase meaning stick to what you know :-)

[@m.l.wilser7861]

"Stick to your OWN knitting" is how I heard the phrase. It just meant (when anybody used it) stick to your own business. I never ever heard it as sexist. Though my mother would also say "you tend to your knitting, I'll tend to mine." IMHO there are people in the world who get all up in arms about traditional phrases like this as if they are looking to be provoked. Friend of mine calls these folks the PO's-- the Perpetually Outraged. Now there's a good phrase!

[@dianem4919]

I’ve heard the phrase for years and it just means to me to stick to what you know or mind your business. I also think as in all things it isn’t always what you say but how you say it can cause the problem. I do know, these days I would advise my sons to never say this to a female though, as it would probably create a problem.

[@karenscott2359]

I remember my father using the phrase toward any women in the family who might venture to participate in political discussions.

[@shelbyrose2791]

Hey Roxanne, you mentioned that you have/use 'knitting software'. What program do you use? Thanks!

[@Knits-WIPs-N-Chains]

I was born in the early 1960's. My Mom used to say "stick to your Knitting". In other words, Find something you're good at and stick with it. Not sexist at all. It's funny how different things are interpreted by different people or cultures maybe.

[@Tzara70]

I’m a New Zealander too, and I think it was sexist and belittling in the parliamentary context, but as a project manager we can use a variation in a team discussion - as in we need to stick to our knitting - rather than going off on a tangent, or occasionally as a reference to our skill set, as in we know what we are doing in this space, you know what you are doing in yours. I work in male dominated public sector tech and it’s not used in a particularly gendered sense at all. Although at the time this comment was made in parliament we also had a number of very skilled knitters in our team (vendor and client side) and where using a knitting/yarn business as use cases for the product we were developing so there was some lively discussion.

[@vadec5909]

I have never heard that phrase, and I would think it means stick to what you know. And I really dont think its sexist, but everyone is different.

[@sparrowhill6373]

I'm 45 and live in the U.S., and this is the first time I've heard the phrase "stick to your knitting". 😂 I think it is a phrase that should be retired. If you use a phrase, and then have to explain your intentions and its meaning, then it's hampering your ability to communicate clearly. When that happens it's probably best to just leave it out......and surely it's best to leave it out of a parliament session!😂

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You've hit the nail on the head. If you have to explain what you mean, then the phrase fails to communicate that. It's interesting to look at the history of the phrase, but you're right, it's time to retire it!

[@TheSuzberry]

Losing my mother was very hard. Thank goodness I have the best sister in the world, ever. ‘Stick to your knitting’ has always been sexist. It should have gone out of parlance with other sexist and racist phrases.

[@janiceclark1039]

I have always understood ‘stick your knitting’ to mean ‘mind your own business’, i.e. don’t stick your nose into other people’s concerns. Definitely *not* ‘stick to what you know’. Although I suppose it could be applied in this way, I don’t have any recollection of this happening here in Scotland.

[@ronnacasement8235]

In recent years, it’s also used to try to silence people who discuss politics/justice issues on social media.

[@martilynnsmiles]

Whether the Knitten Kitten is/was sexist is hard to say. I've been 'round the block enough times I've no interest or time to fuss much anymore about possible intent. It's kinda cute ;-)

[@sharonroehrig772]

I heard that expression from my older female relatives when I was growing up. I don’t think it was sexist, but I definitely felt it was belittling and a put down: “mind your own business”.

[@lisascenic]

What did the text about charting software at the end say, please? I was watching on my phone, and your text was covered by thumbnails for videos that were being suggested.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It said that there are links in the show notes to websites with charting software.

[@lisascenic]

@@RoxanneRichardson Ah! Thank you! I was reading late at night, in the depths of a miserable cold, so I wasn’t particularly mentally acute.

[@bratsmom6749]

The phrase “stick to your knitting” sounds like an alternate form of “mind your own business.” Of course, a lot depends on the tone of voice! In my opinion, it is neutral. I know a man who hasn’t met a tool or cooking gadget he doesn’t love. Occasionally he will ask me what I think. I usually have no idea of what it’s used for, so I say, “I think I’ll stick to my knitting!” He has told me on many occasions that he doesn’t understand how I can read directions or a chart and then make beautiful things!

[@kionababel3335]

I definitely think that who the sender and recipient are can define the phrase's tone/undertone. If a man were to say to a man that he should "stick to his knitting" it isn't attacking the recipient's perceived identity in the same way as if it were said to a woman. It's a similar situation to the people who insist that "dude" is entirely gender neutral, and then use it with transwomen in a way that is...gendered (but then insist it isn't). Ultimately, if someone claims that a phrase makes them feel belittled/disrespected and the other person's response is to suddenly care about etymological inoffensiveness, it's asshole-ish lol. Before nursing I studied linguistics-- language matters, even if it doesn't directly affect the sender.

[@patriciagleve4784]

I wonder if 'stick to your knitting, kitten' was also a reminder to stay at home & not go out looking for 'adventure' while husband/boyfriend is away from home? There are plenty of men who knit, crochet and do all types of needlework so anyone who says the phrase is sexist just stirring up trouble for the sake of it. I'm getting pretty tired of people want to ban things because they don't like them. They should 'stick to their own knitting'. 😼😄

[@thebutchersbill1]

57 y.o East Coaster here…I’ve never heard the expression before, though I have heard the cobbler one. I’ve worked in higher ed most of my adult life and am no stranger to consultant “speak” and the endless need for clichés to substantiate vacuous business meetings, but never heard that one before. However, my first impression upon hearing it, is it does seem sexist-old fashioned at the very least. Adding “Kitten” puts it over the top, for sure, but I assume that is the song, not part of the expression.

[@jessmakingit]

"Stick to your knitting" is a phrase that I've heard, but like other viewers I've always heard it applied as meaning "mind your own business". I don't think it's necessarily sexist. However, I tend to have different views than many others in our current time. Even remarks that are definitely sexist don't always offend me, as I consider the generation that the speaker is from, as well as the context of the situation before instantly being offended. I'm also not easily offended. So there's that, as well. I know it might be controversial, but my opinion is that I just don't have the time or energy to get wound up about a flippant comment by anyone. I file it in the back of my mind, as to what their thoughts are along with the intention of their remarks. But generally feel that I'd rather hear something I'm opposed to or disagree with, if the other person feels that way, then have them say what they think I want to hear, just to be politically correct. I like to know what I'm dealing with, so to speak. Historically, I think whether knitting was typically a female activity depends on the culture. The South American cultures where many males have knit throughout history comes to mind. Anyway, I'd rather hear the phrase and treat it as an opportunity for discussion rather than banish the phrase and have someone just carry on thinking that 1)only females knit, 2)that anyone should just stick to what they know instead of trying to learn something new, 3) that if said in a sexist context, figure out why the person feels that way. That being said, I really enjoy your channel. I learn something new every time I watch. I even go back and watch old episodes over again, then go look up the tidbit links to explore further. Your tidbits are some of my favorite things to explore that I definitely may not have come across on my own. Thank you so much for the educational opportunity. Take care & stay well.

[@JustAnotherBuckyLover]

I've never heard the phrase "Stick to your knitting" but yeah, I have to admit, my assumption would be that it was generally used as a sexist putdown. We all know the assumption, that even now with the rise of more and more men openly indulging in fibrecrafts, it's still very much seen as a "female" pastime (even though I totally headcanon that the Winter Soldier knits). I'd only ever say it literally - as in "Stick to your knitting, then and leave the crocheting to so-and-so." but the idea of being told that by someone else, especially a man, would leave a nasty taste in my mouth. There are other ways to phrase it that aren't so potentially loaded with sexist undertones.

[@teresaroberts7376]

I have to say that "Stick to your knittin', Kitten," sounds sexist even for the before times. I guess it wouldn't as much if it didn't have kitten at the end but it still feels demeaning and sexist. People use "Stay in your own lane" today, and I don't care for that either. It doesn't feel sexist but it does feel like a putdown. What if everyone "stayed in their own lane;" would we have any new inventions or thoughts? I don't think so.

[@linzjan4276]

I’m from New Zealand and have never heard it before but I would definitely regard it as sexist, even if it wasn’t derogatory in its original intent it should be dropped now as we have (rightly) dropped many of the racist statements that have been used up in the past.

[@emilywong4601]

You should cover the white buttons with crocheted circles with the pink yarn..

[@foleyjp1]

Roxanne, perhaps you can try a small white button with 4 holes. Use an embroidered flower in the holes. Match the bud to the color of the yarn. Here is a link to the type of attachment I am talking about. kzbin.info3iHahKpuFZ0

[@Cg-gu7kj]

I forgot, was your college degree in math and/ computers?

[@ellenstanton2043]

“Stick to your knitting” is akin to “stay in your lane”. I have known of this phrase for most of my life, but for some reason it seems more relevant as I get older. I do not find it sexist at all. But I am not easily offended.

[@ludmilakovarova2614]

LeKnit is Danish.

[@carolsmiley8178]

"Stick to your knitting" is to me a hugely sexist expression, whatever the origins of it are. I grew up with this expression (I'm 66) in Canada and to me it means "Sit down and shut up". As women were entering the workforce in the 70's it took on the meaning of stay home and get out of our (male) way, stay barefoot and pregnant. I think it's hard for younger women to appreciate the enormous obstacles women faced at that time. The series Mad Men did not exaggerate what women had to put up with. Knitting was done mainly by women and, as were most things in the female universe, was not respected or valued.

[@gracefrank500]

"Stick to your knitting" was a common sexist put-down among my parents' generation, who were born in Canada in the 1920s (and perhaps earlier, I'm not sure). Woe betide any man who dared say that to the women in my family.

[@dorym8045]

“Stick to your knittin’ , Kitten” is at the very least highly patronizing. It doesn’t matter if it was originally intended as sexist or patronizing, it certainly is in today’s cultural context, so shouldn’t be used any longer.

[@bettibarrows5899]

Thanks!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Welcome!