KNITTERS of old may have learned from their mothers and grandmothers, but today’s young crafters are just as likely to pick up the skill from the internet.
Fiona Mannifield, 27, from Huddersfield, classes herself as self-taught.
She said: “I learned from the internet, by watching videos.
“Because I’m dyspraxic and have poor co-ordination I do Continental-style knitting. I found English knitting too difficult.”
She became interested in wool crafts after seeing images of Japanese amigurumi (knitted or crocheted dolls) on the internet.
The little figures, sometimes animals, are crocheted or knitted in a spiral.
“I liked them because they are so cute,” said Fiona, who took patterns from amigurumi sites, “and I found crocheting easier than knitting.”
Fiona, who has always been interested in crafts, joined the ravelry.com community and a couple of years ago took up knitting as well.
She is one of the founders of a Monday evening knitting group for young adults – most are in their 20s – at The Sportsman, St John’s Road, in Huddersfield.
What’s the appeal of knitting for this new generation?
Member Sian Brackenridge, 26, explained: “It’s a real conversation piece. One of our members saw me knitting in the bus station and we started talking. It’s de-stressing and good for socialising.”
