MANY WOULD SAY YES.
There are many reasons behind why the art, skill and passion for knitting is much less common today than in the past. We can boil this down to 3 main reasons.
1. KNITTING IS EXPENSIVE
If you’re an avid knitter, or have a hobby that involves yarn, then you know that purchasing yarn can be somewhat expensive depending on the project you are working on. I recently knitted a blanket that required about 7 balls of yarn. In total, this cost me just shy of $100. If you’re willing to spend that money, you might as well just buy a blanket.. right?
2. KNITTING REQUIRES PATIENCE
Learning how to knit can be a very difficult, time consuming task. In today’s world where everything and everyone requires speed and efficiency – much like texting your friends with the hopes of an immediate response, or using Google to answer a question in record timing – it can be hard to take up a time consuming hobby without wanting to quit after not being able to master it immediately.
3. THERE’S SIMPLY NO NEED FOR IT ANYMORE
Knitting isn’t considered a “survival skill” anymore. We no longer have to make our own blankets, outerwear and clothes to keep warm. Rather, we purchase them or receive donations. Why would we learn how to read a map if we have a portable GPS in our pockets at all times? Likewise, why bother learning how to make scarves, hats, mittens, blankets, etc. if there’s a clothing store in town? Better yet, why bother when we can order clothes from our phones online?
ALTHOUGH the reasons against taking up knitting as a hobby are valid, there is something special and unique about being able to create your own art through the use of knitting needles and a ball of yarn. Not only are you able to create a product entirely unique to the world, but you are able to do so while sitting on the couch watching your favorite TV show. Knitting, for many including myself, can be a therapeutic process with limitless creativity. I desperately hope this skill will not continue to be lost with the advancement of new technology and instantly gratifying alternative hobbies.
