“It Says You Really Care”: Motivational Factors of Contemporary Female Handcrafters

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover what motivational factors are important to contemporary textile handcrafters who continue to produce artifacts similar to those produced by previous generations of women. Thirty-nine women completed questionnaires and 18 women also participated in in-depth interviews. Participation in guild activities and comparison to contemporary and historic literature provided further context for analysis. Three general themes emerged as useful for interpretation of participants' responses. First, participation in various textile handcraft activities provided the women an opportunity to identify their place in the world. Secondly, the production of the items brought meaning to the women. Finally, tangible and intangible benefits were gained from the end products of their labor. These objects are valued by their creators as symbols of self, who feel textile handcrafts are special because they are made with love and are connected to personal histories.

Motivations for Participation in Knitting Among Young Women

“…The chance to choose colors and patterns gives a greater sense of participation in the design on the object, which, in turn, bolsters the makers' sense of pride upon completion (Hawley, 2005;Johnson & Wilson, 2005;Schofield-Tomschin & Littrell, 2001). …”

“…Many women talk about strong emotional bonds with on-going projects (Hunt, 2005;Johnson & Wilson, 2005). These projects upon completion can be presented as gifts to family and friends, donated to charity, or sold.…”

“…Scarves and hats are some of the most common projects for young, female knitters; in addition, these projects were also suitable for beginner or intermediate knitters which correlated with the skill level of the majority of the participant sample (Hiatt, 1988;Minihan & Wolfram Cox, 2007). Gifts are also very popular for handcrafters to create as they forge bonds with recipients and demonstrate that the recipient is highly valued by the crafter (Johnson & Wilson, 2005;Turney, 2004).…”

“…Gifts were quite common among the knitters, nine (23%) of the items in the sample were slated to be presents. When an individual gives a handmade gift it is meant as more than just the item, it is the time, effort, and thoughts of the maker as well (Johnson & Wilson, 2005).…”

“…Knitting gives women an outlet to showcase their skills, personal aesthetics, and 20 creativity (e.g., Hawley, 2005;Johnson & Wilson, 2005;Schofield-Tomschin & Littrell, 2001). Although patterns and kits are often utilized, many offer choice of yarn or color.…”