Silversprite

One of the more peculiar things I noticed in 2008 were academics who knit at conferences. I had never seen this before (and still haven’t at UK events), but it was noticeable in the US.

Here’s a picture I took (not very clear) of two people knitting at a conference in Chicago. I was surprised, almost shocked, at this but no-one else seemed concerned:

The knitter at the back commented on the picture, as have a few other academics and librarians. And, during that conference, tour of the USA and since then, I’ve become more aware that knitting is not so much a niche thing but a mainstream thing, and it is not something to be profoundly disturbed about, as I was at first.

Lorcan today blogged about the website of the University of Plymouth. The awesome screenshot alone is worth it, but it raises a point – is knitting now a central part of the academic culture?

In fact, going through my social space alone it’s noticeable that there’s a lot of librarians and academics who do ALL THREE of these:

Play video games.

Twitter, Flickr and/or Facebook.

Knit.

Why is this?

Is it perhaps because all three of these can be done on your own, but are better when there’s someone else participating (I’ve just re-read that sentence and no, it is not innuendo, so no smutty replies please.)?

Is it because all three occupy the hands? Because they are cheap? Because they can be done in a variety of places, practically wherever you want, as  a laptop, Nintendo DS and two needles and a ball of wool can be carried around anywhere? Because they all result in a satisfying outcome (something completed or a friendship enhanced)? Because they are socially acceptable to most, in both private and public? Because they occupy the mind?

And can the concept of “flow” [Csikszentmihalyi, 1988], as explored in video game research, be applied to knitting and twitter use?

(Suddenly has idea for research funding proposal…)

So it’s cool to knit, twit and vid, especially if you can do them all at the same time. There are various online resources for the cross-overs between these communities, such as webrings for librarians who knit. And also perfectly acceptable if you are male, as well. There’s more evidence of librarians knitting by doing a Flickr search.

A word of caution; perhaps this will increase demands placed on library and academic conferences. Wifi and unlimited coffee are expected by default, now. Increasingly video game facilities are demanded, especially at librarian events (”No Wii? Hmmm, maybe I’ll skip the planned evening event and find a bar instead.”). Now, will conferences need to incorporate knitting logistics e.g. replacement kneedles, chair pull-out tables, emergency wool supplies in order to entice delegates?

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