Stab It, Strangle It¹: Media Representations of Knitters, and Subversions of the Stereotype to Reflect Inclusion and Diversity

Subversion is at the heart of my knitting practice but how can stereotypical image knitter, kindly white-haired, white-skinned grandmother who knits out love, be successfully subverted to change public perceptions knitting? What will it take challenge and ultimately stereotype? This article examines contemporary media representations knitters from UK, USA Australia, revealing deep-rooted stereotype is. The explore issues around activism, mental health, race, gender, age sexuality as portrayed through acts knitting. From environmental activists known Knitting Nannas, artist Jameisha Prescod’s, self-portrait, Untangling, her manage health during England’s national lockdown, gold medalist diver campaigner for LGBT + rights, Tom Daley, poolside Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics in an attempt relax steady his nerves. It explores view affects way that received valued, challenges supposedly “warm friendly” nature knitting, presenting lack diversity representation currently exists community.