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We’ve all been there - the moment when you tell someone you’re a knitter, and your secret is out. How will they take it? What will they think? Here’s our list of our favorite reactions when we reveal that we knit - and how to react to each of them.

“Isn’t that like… an old lady hobby?”

We’ll get the worst ones out of the way first. This is one of our least favorite things to hear when we share our knitting passion with others. Knitting is for COOL PEOPLE, who can make their own clothes, and like to be warm, and know a lot about yarn. So many people knit now, of so many different ages – the only thing this person is sharing with you is how oblivious they are to how popular the craft is. Besides, old ladies know all the best stuff anyway, haters. Just stare at this person intensely until they leave.

“You know you can buy knit hats, right?”

Yeah, but how many of them look this cool, fit me perfectly, and are exactly the color and style I want? NONE. Only hand knitted hats are the appropriate level of AWESOME. If they fail to grasp this concept even after having explained to them, you should be doing something else with your precious time. Like knitting.

“Can you make me something?”

While some of us enjoy gift knitting, following up your hobby reveal with an instant request is kind of… well, tacky. Who do they think they are? Family members? Just tell them you’ll put them on the list – you know, the one that doesn’t actually exist. Only people who truly appreciate your craftiness should get gifts, and these people will forget about your mad skillz as soon as Susan from HR brings in cookies on Thursday.

“I tried to learn but it was really hard.”

You can go one of two ways with this person - either they’ll take encouragement and try again, or they’ve already determined that knitting isn’t for them. If they’re the second type, just let them revel in your awesomeness - they don’t need to know how easy and fun knitting is. If they’re the first type, invite them to a knit night!

“I knit (or crochet) too!”

The best kind of knitting reveal reaction is to discover that someone close to you knits or crochets, too. Join up with them for a fantastic crafternoon and be happy spending time with someone else who gets it!

Join in on more knitting community fun with one of our Knitcrate subscriptions and our active Ravelry group.