This semester our blog is to record our involvement in an activity that is personal and meaningful. After a personal debate with myself I have chosen the craft of Knitting. My mother had wool stored in her cupboard (reasons unknown as she is unable to knit any longer). So the treasured wool will be made into a hooded jumper for my granddaughter.
Knitting was taught to me when I was very young (age unknown). Being over 50+ in age now, I have been able to produce many well designed articles that have lasted beyond years and others that have been laughable and not worn, some accepted (sheepishly) by family members but passed on to others.
To achieve meaningfulness in an occupation, a balance between the challenge in the activity and the skills of the individual is required (Moneta & Csikszentmihalyi,1996,).
The challenge and skill of knitting has given meaning in the ability to maintain control of the needles and the wool in my fingers will bring a rewarding product.
For those that have little knowledge of knitting the task can seem complex and confusing or if the person is skillful in the craft it can appear relaxing.
All of these skills are a donation of labour of love, appreciation, pride and the odd wrench when their has been an error made are all culminated when the article is produced as 'finished'.
My craft of knitting provides relaxation of mind and body, company of people, conversation, enjoyment and joy as the article slowly continues to become a completed article.
The challenge and skill of knitting has given meaning in the ability to maintain control of the needles and the wool in my fingers will bring a rewarding product.
For those that have little knowledge of knitting the task can seem complex and confusing or if the person is skillful in the craft it can appear relaxing.
All of these skills are a donation of labour of love, appreciation, pride and the odd wrench when their has been an error made are all culminated when the article is produced as 'finished'.
My craft of knitting provides relaxation of mind and body, company of people, conversation, enjoyment and joy as the article slowly continues to become a completed article.
History: Her Excellency’s knitting book www.nzhistory.net.nz appeared in August 1915. The craft took on a new meaning during the war. ‘Sock day’ was held in May 1915 after soldiers reported that a pair of socks only lasted a fortnight when the wearer was on active duty.
Was this a production of labour/work or craft. Labour has been defined by Caulton & Dickson (2007) as "mere activity characterised by necessity and futility or work as activity producing an enduring object. Work requires self-investment, skill, craft and personaljudgement.Work is purposful and meaningful. Work is distinct from labour, and must often be discovered independently from ones job". At the time of the war the need for the work and labour was indictative, the skill of their craft was essential and made valuable of the womens input at the time of the event.
Reference
Caulton, R. & Dickson, R. (2007). Whats going on? Find an explanation for what we do. Chichester. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Her Excellency's knitting book, 2011, September 4, retrieved from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/knitting-for-empire
Knitting, 2011, September 2, retrieved from http://brokeassstuart.com/2010/01/01/diy-diva-shit-i-can-knit/t
Moneta, G.B. & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). The effect of percieved challenges and skills on the quality of subjective experience. Journal of Personality , 64, 2, 275-310.
Was this a production of labour/work or craft. Labour has been defined by Caulton & Dickson (2007) as "mere activity characterised by necessity and futility or work as activity producing an enduring object. Work requires self-investment, skill, craft and personaljudgement.Work is purposful and meaningful. Work is distinct from labour, and must often be discovered independently from ones job". At the time of the war the need for the work and labour was indictative, the skill of their craft was essential and made valuable of the womens input at the time of the event.
Reference
Caulton, R. & Dickson, R. (2007). Whats going on? Find an explanation for what we do. Chichester. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Her Excellency's knitting book, 2011, September 4, retrieved from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/knitting-for-empire
Knitting, 2011, September 2, retrieved from http://brokeassstuart.com/2010/01/01/diy-diva-shit-i-can-knit/t
Moneta, G.B. & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). The effect of percieved challenges and skills on the quality of subjective experience. Journal of Personality , 64, 2, 275-310.
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