Guest Author - Linda Spangenburg

Real men do crochet too

Men have been crocheting for centuries. They were the first to knit and crochet in the very beginning as it was believed to be a mans job back than. But as time has passed, and things have changed, now women seem to have dominated both crafts. When ever any one thinks of crocheting they think of granny in a rocker or a momma to be. Their hands are busy creating the necessary garments for the family and those special touches for the homes.

Whenever we think of crocheting I know 99.9% of people think of women. Out of that percentage at least 50 % think of grandmothers or grannies. That is not the case at all. Crocheting is for all people, of all age groups and both sexes. Yes men do crochet and design.

But once again men are coming back into the crochet field. The work I have seen created by many men is creative, useful and beautiful. The fabrics they use can go from yarn to bailing wire. Men like to think outside of the box and it is amazing what they create. Some have created stitches that are creative and extremely novel.

One of my sons in laws was watching me one evening and started asking questions about what I was doing and how I was doing it. I explained I was making a hat with a very basic pattern. There were no fancy stitches involved. Just being polite I asked him if he wanted me to show him how to crochet. To my surprise he said yes.

He took to it rather easily and was quickly crocheting a hat of his own. I had always thought he was the only guy crocheting until my husband told me his mother had taught him and his brother how to crochet when they were children. Neither continued with the hobby as they grew up but it was interesting to know guys do and can crochet.

I just came across the most wonderful article and video about a football player. As I was just looking for some crochet ideas the other day I came across a wonderful article by Brian Sawyer. He is talking about a football player that crochets, Ian Johnson.

This got me to thinking that we need to acknowledge and welcome the men to submit ideas and projects also. Other men that I have discovered who enjoy and create beautiful items in crochet include but not limited to the few mentioned are:

Edie Eckman: created “Beyohne-the-Square Crochet Motifs” publishes by Storey Publishing LLC

Pate Connely: creates some very unusual items

Chris Givler: Chris is self-taught and his works are very impressive.

Drew Emborsky: The Crochet Dude “The Crochet Dude’s Designs for Guys”

Ian Johnson: Boise State's football star

Ken “That Crochet Guy”: He creates and makes up beautiful items

These men are just a few of the many talented male crocheters out there. I do hope the men will find this site useful and contribute to it also. We welcome women, men, the young and seniors. Together we can have fun, help each other out and encourage all to take up crocheting for family, friends and charity. We all know any time we get to crochet, is a great time.