... to want to scream- husband thinks my hobby is “deeply unattractive”

[DimensionalShambler]

It’s cold and rainy and all day I was looking forward to starting a new knitting project. After dinner I settled down with my wool and needles and and my husband started with the sighing. After the usual rigmarole I dragged it out of him… seeing me knit is “deeply unattractive”, it’s for sexless, boring, tedious women and he hates seeing my projects laying around because it’s a “stringy depressing mess” and I should find something more interesting to do with my time.

I’m absolutely furious at the sexism and stupidity but also really sad because I love knitting- it’s cozy and peaceful and meditative. But now it’s ruined.

You could also lean into it.
Cross stitch, crochet, baking, gardening, sloe gin making (and gathering the sloes), games like canasta, bridge or Patience, jam and syrup making, canning your own fruit and vegetables, quilting etc?

All of these are actually absolutely wonderful hobbies but I feel like this may be a moment truly leaning into it might be needed.

I've still got the pram blanket my nan knitted my eldest. He's 36 now.

I also have a "string" multicoloured jumper a friend knitted for me, when she was in drugs rehab, when we were 16/17 year old punks. Sadly she relapsed and died not long after, so that's very precious to me.

Thank you for the inspiration, I rescued my DPNs from the bottom of my craft drawer and am now half way through a kids bobble hat. Straight forward rib and stockinette stitch but good for getting a grip on how to coordinate 5 needles.

Feels a bit like herding cats that keep trying to stab you at the moment but really want to get used to it. I usually use my trusty circulars but they're not great for small diameter things like socks.

OP I don't know if you're still reading but just to let you know that this thread has inspired me to get knitting again. I'm currently crocheting a blanket and would be furious and sad if my dp told me it was 'unattractive'.

Yarn work is clever, useful and beautiful and your dh can get to fuck, frankly.

NoHummus

What a twat! Knit him a balaclava without any eye or nose holes and make him wear it every evening, OP!

Snort 🤣

Make him this. He’d look a right bobby dazzler pin.it/vcgwiu5njgn2cv

This

@57Varieties - I think @prettybird is a left handed knitter - I’ll ask her if she has any advice for you. And if you fancy meeting for coffee sometime, just say. I’m around most days except Mondays, whenI go to a knitting group in Lochwinnoch - if you are anywhere near, you’d be welcome to come along and I’m sure we can get you going. We aren’t there tomorrow but will be back next week.

I love that, @TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince!

@57Varieties You might find the 'German' or 'Continental' way of knitting easier as the yarn is carried in the left hand and the needle just twisted to pick up the yarn and pull it through. I'm left handed and carry my yarn in my left hand exactly the same for both knitting and crochet. I don't lift my index finger up like the videos show but keep it down on the left needle and tend to move the yarn and material around the needle or hook.

It's a lot more attractive than middle aged men in lycra on bicycles or gaming.

Thanks @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius and @TooManyPaws I will maybe dig my needles and wool out the loft and have another bash! X

Knit a life sized man and sit next to it when you knit

My DH on rare occasions does a miniature cross stitch - bookmark sized stuff, so I keep an eye out for nice not-too-feminine designs for him. He’s proud of and in awe of what i crochet, which isn’t really that fantastic at all. It’s not difficult to live and let live; he’s being mean for no obvious reason. I think the guest room sounds very cosy... I hope you’ll be knitting in there most of winter. Wearing a glamorous silk slip and soft woolly bedsocks with big glass of wine. Just for the heck of it.

Definitely tell him to do one. My gran taught me to not only knit but crochet and cross stitch many years ago. All 3 of my children have mementos or clothes I have made for them. My DP loves watching me make things, he tried doing it himself, found it too complicated and is completely in awe of how I manage to do it whilst multitasking at the same time. Pic of just a few my more recent makes for my youngest 2.

Op I don't know if you've ever tried needle felting but it's a craft that works well alongside knitting (and a good excuse to buy even more wool...). Felting needles are really sharp and once they've got into a body part they often need surgery to remove them.
(Reading that back makes me realise it sounds as if I have stabbed someone with one but this information is gleaned from horrible accidents to other felters.)
The point I am trying to make here is that with one of those in your hand he might think twice about having a go. Then you can enjoy your crafting in peace :)

@thetemptationofchocolate
Ooh what a great suggestion, those needles are vicious .
You can make the cutest things (it takes practice, believe me. I'm still at the fumbling stage). Try Google it is lovely:

Unbelievable. I have knitted all my life, just turned 50. My Mum taught me the basics when I was about 4, I taught myself the rest and knitted my first intarsia ski jumper aged 12. It took me on to art college, an HND in Fashion then a BSc in Textile and Knitwear Technology. That was a sandwich course, so I had a year in industry, which I spent working in Bulawayo where I met my husband. We've now been married 25 years. I can't put my hand on heart and say that seeing me knit turns my husband wild, but he certainly wouldn't criticise me for it, and he's always proud of my skills. Keep at it, your husband is being very unsupportive imo.

Not read it all but can’t help thinking that pugParty hit the nail on the head with knitting a ‘fuck off’ jumper. That made me laugh out loud.

Oooh and also - my husband bought me the 'Nudinits' book by Sarah Simi for Christmas last year... if you need proof that knitting is sexy that would be a good start... I'm halfway through making Bernard and yes, I've knitted his willy!

Is he usually that unkind?

@DimensionalShambler have you gone quiet because you’re now banged up for offing him with a pair of 12mms? we can do a whip round for bail money if needed....

My dining table is currently covered in wool, trims, pom poms and various other crafting bit n pieces. I am cool and sexy as fuck!
DH plays computer games and loves it, it helps him relax. I would never say he's an unattractive nerd.

LOL LOL LOL Just tell him that you find his wanking habits deeply offensive. Or, ask him if you can watch him wank? Sorry to be so crude, but really?

Well this thread of husband stupidity inspired me to get out the Double Pointed Needles and try to knit in the round again. Here is my first fully formed projects using DPNs