This incredibly beautiful yarn (Malabrigo Aquarella) was a Christmas gift from Stuart. I had seen it in the yarn store, and was completely taken with the colours and texture... but I couldn't possibly justify purchasing it. Not only did I not need it, I didn't even want to knit it! He sweetly went on down and picked it up for me, and I confess I almost cried when I opened the bag. I kind of knew what was in it, but the sight of it brings me close to tears whenever I take a real look at it.
This got me to wondering... what is it about yarn that I love so much? I will admit to having a fair sized stash. Just this morning I was rummaging around in it for something, and was taken aback just a tad - not only at how much I have stored there, but also how many have already had projects assigned to them, and are just waiting for me to knit them up. What on earth am I doing dreaming about new yarn, when there is so much possibility right there?
We've all heard, I'm sure, people talk about the potential for creativity, the excitement of dreaming and planning a new project, the rush of acquisition. But I've been wondering about the artistic side of yarn, as well. I have heard somewhere, fairly recently, that art is only art if it is not functional. If the object has a purpose, then it can not be art. I don't agree with that statement, but I started thinking about what in my home I consider art. We have a favourite print hanging on the wall in our living room, done by a local artist. That's definitely art. And a batik from Mexico hanging over the fire place? Art. But what about my lovely bowl of yarn? Would that qualify as art? It has a function, but is not at this particular moment in time fulfilling that function. Is that sad? Is that good? Is it selfish to keep my beautiful yarn sitting in a bowl, instead of knitting it up into something practical? Am I celebrating the beauty of the raw material by displaying it, and stopping every now and then to appreciate it?
I think it's art - and I suppose, at the end of the day, that's all that matters anyway.
Hello my friend! It is certainly art! (IMHO!) I think that anything that brings joy to us - that has been created - is a work of art. Heck, our kids are a work of art wouldn't you say! Enjoy the beauty of it, touch it, bring it in the car with you if you want! :-)
Posted by: Patty | January 21, 2011 at 12:56 PM
I have yarn that I will never knit- gift yarn, handspun, mill spun- all have memories or just make me happy. I don't care if its called 'art" if it makes me happy to look at, well then that's just fine by me ;)
Posted by: colleen | January 22, 2011 at 11:13 AM
In my view there's art in the work of the creation and there's art in the appreciation of it - whether you ever knit it or not. Enjoy it however you like :)
Posted by: Sarah | January 25, 2011 at 01:54 PM
It can't be functional to be art? That's ridiculous. Keep it in a bowl and admire it but that yarn is a work of artistic creation even if you eventually knit it up into a dust rag.
Posted by: Carrie K | January 25, 2011 at 05:51 PM