You Say You Want a Revolution?

In today’s fast-paced, gadget-obsessed world it can be hard to keep up—especially if you’re techno-phobic like me. I’ve got my iPod, BlackBerry and PSP— not because I like or need these things, but because I don’t want my 10-year-old niece to leave me in the dust. “You mean you don’t even have a Myspace page?” she said to me the other day, half in disbelief and half in disgust. “Why do I need a Myspace page?” I asked. She didn’t dignify my question with a response—just an eye roll.

With all the digital, high-speed, wireless, lighter, faster, smaller knick-knack-paddy-whack technology that streams out by the second, there’s bound to be a backlash, right? Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part, but I believe a revolution (albeit a very small revolution) is on the horizon. While old-school board games such as Monopoly have been revitalized for contemporary culture (Here and Now, MLB, Snowboarding, US Marine Corps, Surfing, etc.) perhaps we should revisit past pursuits that never really went away, but have resurfaced thanks to a few famous names.

I discovered (to my relief since I have been a closet knitter for some time now) that knitting has been reborn as one of the hottest trends among celebrities, hipsters and other “cool” non-grandma types. Woo hoo! I am not so out of touch after all. Forget club-hopping and red carpet premiers, superstars including Cameron Diaz, Julia Roberts, Madonna, Winona Ryder and Kate Moss, whip up their own hand-knitted sweaters, beanies, scarves, gloves and blankets. It’s all part of the anti-technology revolution. Knitters of the world unite! Okay, that was a little dorky, but no joke, knitting is cool, really. In fact, it’s even infiltrated MTV. The rock group Steriogram recently received airplay for their award-winning video Walkie Talkie Man done ENTIRELY in knit.

Steriogram
Walkie Talkie Man

Besides MTV, all the top fashion houses feature knitwear in their fall collections, even showcasing knitted handbags and knitted boots. If you’re like me and can’t afford to shell out $1,900 for a knitted Alexander McQueen handbag, why not try knitting your own? It’s cool, remember?

Joann.com is a fantastic place to pick up knitting supplies, with weekly yarn specials, knitting books and knitting kits to get you started. They also feature an awesome Holiday Gift Guide, sewing machines, crafting tables, Project Ideas, a Free Shipping Club and more products to help you spin your yarn. With over 50,000 items in stock, Joann.com is a leading national specialty retailer of crafting, decorating, and sewing products-a "Create-It-Yourself" Superstore. They sell fashion and decorator fabrics, related notions, patterns, crafts, seasonal products and other merchandise. Joann.com sell the components to which their customers add their own talent and time to make fun and exciting projects. They are the only fabric and craft retailer that offers creative people everything they need-the products, the assistance, and the inspiration-to fulfill their creative dreams.

Once you’ve got your gear, stop by your local knitting café (yes they’re out there) like the Knit Café in West Hollywood, CA to perfect your craft with other enthusiasts. Hey, maybe I’ll bring my niece to one the next time inspiration strikes. After all, if it’s cool enough for MTV…. Then again, if it turns out she’s not ready for the revolution, she always has her PSP.

-Jenni T.