Interesting. I live in Finland and they teach knitting, sewing and other textile crafts from the first grade at school. I saw a statistic the other day that 46% of Norwegians knit. By introducing these skills at a young age they become normal rather than being seen as something someone does later in life.
The sadness of others judgement is very real. I feel like starting a "let's age disgracefully with joy" or something like that. I am sure someone can come up with a better written title! Ty for the article, it is hard to be an older person sometimes.
When you mentioned about old people/ women dressing inappropriately or dancing I had to think of Tina Turner. Wasn’t she fabulous and she can be an inspiration to us all.
Also the passing on our skills in every way possible resonates with me. I love teaching others that what enriched my life.
At sixty seven I imagine a lot of people would consider me old but it’s the last thing I feel. I have been a knitter and crafter all my life especially through my teens and I love that I have a three year old granddaughter who is desperate for me to teach her to knit. Sadly the judgement of others is real but I choose to ignore it. Last year a friend and I went to a tree climbing session (she is older than me) and despite being the only ones old enough to sign out on permission form we had a brilliant time… and I climbed to the top!
Couldn’t agree more. When I retired in my late 50s 12 years ago, I read the opening of that poem at my leaving do. It is a good mantra to live by at this stage in my life!
65 years old. Feel 11 years old. Think 18 years old.
Never dressed fashionably or with make up other than a bit of lip gloss on special occasions. Love earrings. Never dyed my hair and it’s been white since 40 years old. I DO wear purple and have done for years. I’m a socialist pacifist. Knitter. Reader. Singer. Oboe player. Mum of 3 grown up children. Bit gobby. Bit sweary. I am who I am. I am content. Don’t like it? I’m not changing!
Yes to all this. And also, remember all those articles about knitting (and other yarn crafts) that was "not your grandma's craft" - to make it ... sound hip? Sorry but I loved old grandmother crafts when I was 16 and feel like they are age appropriate & perfect for any age / everyone, no matter who you are and how old.
I think we should reclaim the phrase 'old lady era'. Today I've been writing about a 70-year-old woman who, in her own words, is "happier, healthier and fitter" than she's ever been. She walks long distances with her walking group, she's in a cycling group and has learnt bike maintenance and taken a rider leaders' course. That's what 'old lady era' means to me and I'm all for it.
The great thing about maturing is that we care less about the rules and people’s judgement. I’ve read how older women should cut their hair and not wear jeans. 😹This mature woman loves her long hair and wearing jeans! And I don’t give an ‘F’ what people think.
I’m going to go exist all over the place in my “old” fatness with my “weird” outfits on. And now I’m going to carry my knitting. This whole idea can eff right off.
Ageism is, sadly, inescapable. It is deeply embedded n our culture. As a professional knitter whose 66th birthday is right around the corner, I am all too aware of the prevalence of ageism in crafts. Fortunately, over more than 20 years in this business, I have developed relationships with clients who value my experience and my old fashioned work ethic.
Society's focus on youth tends to make older people, especially older women, invisible.The only way to combat this is to keep showing up and claiming our place at the table with a spirit of generosity. Sharing our knowledge and experience while also celebrating the creative innovations of others demonstrates our value to the community.
Each creative knitter builds on the work done by those who came before. As we transition into being "the ones who came before", we need to acknowledge the work of the predecessors from whom we learned while also encouraging those who are following in our footsteps, even (especially) when they fail to see us.
“Grannycore” is the other ludicrous term I see bandied about. For those mocking “old”, a reminder that when you slap the tag “vintage” on most things these days, the price goes up. Odd it doesn’t apply to people. And thanks for the term “fibre arts”. I had no idea.
Arrgh!! That's a term that makes me rage too. I'm not sure where this compulsion comes from to label everything and give it a trendy hashtag but I've very much not in favour
Thank you for this post. In October I had the chance to see/hear a favorite musician and danced through the full set. That evening as I walked home i felt the endorphins rushing through me. No alcohol or drugs needed. Simply good music that reached me. I’m 67 and clearly not too old yet.
Interesting. I live in Finland and they teach knitting, sewing and other textile crafts from the first grade at school. I saw a statistic the other day that 46% of Norwegians knit. By introducing these skills at a young age they become normal rather than being seen as something someone does later in life.
And what a shame people are so judgemental.
That's such a fabulous policy - I so wish other countries did this.
The sadness of others judgement is very real. I feel like starting a "let's age disgracefully with joy" or something like that. I am sure someone can come up with a better written title! Ty for the article, it is hard to be an older person sometimes.
When you mentioned about old people/ women dressing inappropriately or dancing I had to think of Tina Turner. Wasn’t she fabulous and she can be an inspiration to us all.
Also the passing on our skills in every way possible resonates with me. I love teaching others that what enriched my life.
At sixty seven I imagine a lot of people would consider me old but it’s the last thing I feel. I have been a knitter and crafter all my life especially through my teens and I love that I have a three year old granddaughter who is desperate for me to teach her to knit. Sadly the judgement of others is real but I choose to ignore it. Last year a friend and I went to a tree climbing session (she is older than me) and despite being the only ones old enough to sign out on permission form we had a brilliant time… and I climbed to the top!
Couldn’t agree more. When I retired in my late 50s 12 years ago, I read the opening of that poem at my leaving do. It is a good mantra to live by at this stage in my life!
65 years old. Feel 11 years old. Think 18 years old.
Never dressed fashionably or with make up other than a bit of lip gloss on special occasions. Love earrings. Never dyed my hair and it’s been white since 40 years old. I DO wear purple and have done for years. I’m a socialist pacifist. Knitter. Reader. Singer. Oboe player. Mum of 3 grown up children. Bit gobby. Bit sweary. I am who I am. I am content. Don’t like it? I’m not changing!
Yes to all this. And also, remember all those articles about knitting (and other yarn crafts) that was "not your grandma's craft" - to make it ... sound hip? Sorry but I loved old grandmother crafts when I was 16 and feel like they are age appropriate & perfect for any age / everyone, no matter who you are and how old.
I think we should reclaim the phrase 'old lady era'. Today I've been writing about a 70-year-old woman who, in her own words, is "happier, healthier and fitter" than she's ever been. She walks long distances with her walking group, she's in a cycling group and has learnt bike maintenance and taken a rider leaders' course. That's what 'old lady era' means to me and I'm all for it.
We jokingly refer to my fiber crafts (and some other useful but not absolutely necessary skills/hobbies) as “post-apocalypse life skills”
It’s aged well thru my 20s into my 40s
The great thing about maturing is that we care less about the rules and people’s judgement. I’ve read how older women should cut their hair and not wear jeans. 😹This mature woman loves her long hair and wearing jeans! And I don’t give an ‘F’ what people think.
I’m going to go exist all over the place in my “old” fatness with my “weird” outfits on. And now I’m going to carry my knitting. This whole idea can eff right off.
Ageism is, sadly, inescapable. It is deeply embedded n our culture. As a professional knitter whose 66th birthday is right around the corner, I am all too aware of the prevalence of ageism in crafts. Fortunately, over more than 20 years in this business, I have developed relationships with clients who value my experience and my old fashioned work ethic.
Society's focus on youth tends to make older people, especially older women, invisible.The only way to combat this is to keep showing up and claiming our place at the table with a spirit of generosity. Sharing our knowledge and experience while also celebrating the creative innovations of others demonstrates our value to the community.
Each creative knitter builds on the work done by those who came before. As we transition into being "the ones who came before", we need to acknowledge the work of the predecessors from whom we learned while also encouraging those who are following in our footsteps, even (especially) when they fail to see us.
“Grannycore” is the other ludicrous term I see bandied about. For those mocking “old”, a reminder that when you slap the tag “vintage” on most things these days, the price goes up. Odd it doesn’t apply to people. And thanks for the term “fibre arts”. I had no idea.
Arrgh!! That's a term that makes me rage too. I'm not sure where this compulsion comes from to label everything and give it a trendy hashtag but I've very much not in favour
Brilliantly put!
Thank you for this post. In October I had the chance to see/hear a favorite musician and danced through the full set. That evening as I walked home i felt the endorphins rushing through me. No alcohol or drugs needed. Simply good music that reached me. I’m 67 and clearly not too old yet.
Social norms have become a detriment to human kind. It is just another box that inhibits free thinking, individuality and creativity.
Keep dancing!! 🫶🌸