For many years, I have thought a lot about voice. Not the voice you talk with, but one’s creative voice. Having always wanted to be a novelist, my lack of a unique voice was, perhaps, my biggest problem and why I’ve essentially given up that dream. That’s probably also why journalism was a good alternative for me — impartial journalists shouldn’t really reveal their voices other than in things like the kinds of stories they choose to report or the way they lead into a piece.
I’m finding that I am, yet again, struggling with voice — this time as a knitter. As I’ve mentioned, I do a lot of copying of people’s projects. I realize that the nature of knitting patterns is that several people will knit the same item. But for me, I don’t usually stumble upon a pattern and choose to knit it from that alone. Rather, I see someone ELSE’s version of that pattern and that — not the pattern itself — is what makes me want to knit it. I am a big copy cat.
Similarly, I’ve thought for a long time about trying to design. The possibilities just seem endless. At the same time, I fear that I cannot come up with one single original idea. Here’s what happens: I’ll see something like…say, NeverNotKnitting’s Chloe…and instantly think, “Hey, I should design a cropped, striped, ruffled cardigan for my daughter!” Rest assured, it’s less than a quarter of a second before I realize the absurdity of that thought.
I have all the tools available to me to design. I have the knitting skill, the reference books and stitch guides, the plethora of inspiration (everything from nature to the needs of my kids’ wardrobes) and even the mathematical ability. But I just can’t seem to come up with an original idea. Once again, I haven’t found…my voice.
Although I think my voice comes through a bit in my first-person writing (like my Interweave essay) or even in my photography and maybe a teeny bit in the scrappy hats that I knit, I wish I could truly find my knitting voice — both in picking patterns on my own, rather than copying what knitters I admire have done, and also in designing.
Have you found your knitter’s voice? How does one nurture that?
December 21, 2009 at 8:56 am
That is a tough one.
In writing, I found my voice by doing lots of it. I have written for years (decades) in lots of genres in short spurts, without publishing much or even finishing anything, but one day as I read the short blurbs I put on the front page of my patterns, a few book reviews and my blog entries, I realized somehow my voice had exposed itself sometime in the past year or two.
In knitting, I started by copying, and then found myself always wanting to tweak things here and there, then I read a bunch of stitch dictionaries, and old needlework patterns, and inspiration started showing up at the table.
I think perhaps the missing element in your case is time.
You definitely have a unique vision in your photography. How many photos did you take before finding it?
There are also books that help strengthen the creative ‘muscles’ too, that you might find useful.
I think you have the spark.
December 21, 2009 at 9:08 am
Diana — Thank you so much for your input! I really appreciate it! I do agree that time is a big factor — also confidence! Your designing process has inspired me! 🙂
December 21, 2009 at 10:42 am
Thanks Leslie :-}
December 21, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I know exactly where you’re coming from here. I have felt the same way in the past year. So many people say, “Oh Amy! You should sell your stuff!” And my response is always, “Nothing I knit is original.” I am just now learning how to or getting the confidence to tweak patterns. I know how you feel…
December 21, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Amy — I appreciate the empathy! What can we do to get original?!!? 🙂
December 26, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I also think because in our daily life we are constantly asked to express our voice ( work, relationships, parenting…) that there isn’t a ton of energy left for our creative voice… That is why I think it is great how create and committed you are to knitting… Who cares if you Copy… You know that copying is the nicest form of flattery!
December 27, 2009 at 9:46 am
Thanks, Aim. I just wish I could be more original!
Sent from a handheld device – please excuse brevity & typos.
January 4, 2010 at 6:54 am
Great post, Leslie – sorry about only getting to read it now.
Such an intriguing topic because I think that the adage “nothing new under the sun” relates to the knitting voice. You don’t have to be a designer to have a voice – you can put your own special stamp on things by cultivating your techniques, putting lots of heart and soul into the knitting, and by taking your own unique take on something, be it colors, shape, etc. Even if it is something that a million people have completed – you can make it unique and beautiful. Of course, I am not discouraging you at all from designing! I tend to think of it as modification, however, just taking a few risks and seeing the outcome. Don’t like that sweater shape, but love the motif, do your own thing! We have that freedom as knitters, and there is a great community that we can encourage each other and test the new ideas.
As for the general creative voice – I think you have it. Everything you are searching for is already there in front of you! You have experience, heart, and integrity. You have skill and knowlegde. These come across in your posts and in your writing.
Don’t cut yourself short. You are wonderful! and you are unique!
January 4, 2010 at 8:34 am
Thank you, Lauren, for all of your encouragement (and blog comments) — it’s so appreciated!!! Last night I finished my Rebecca pullover (that, surprise, surprise, I copied from you). I am awaiting the results of my blocking before I declare it a success or not — the neckline is curling kinda funky but hopefully I can block that out. 🙂 THANKS again!!! Happy new year!
January 12, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Leslie,
I just caught up with your blog. This one about creativity really got to me. You are young and you will find your voice. Don’t give up. Since I have been laid up, I am listening to a lot of knitting podcasts and reading lots of informative knitting books. I wanted to go to Davis and major in textiles but Berkeley was where my mother had gone etc. etc. Now almost 50 years later I am finally pursuing my dream. You will accomplish yours’
I send you all my love and support for 2010 and on.
-barbara
January 12, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Thank you so much for the lovely words of encouragement!!!
Sent from a handheld device – please excuse brevity & typos.
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