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The Ways of the Hand: Knitting and Handicraft as a Method of Research

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Using Arts-based Research Methods

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Business, Arts and Humanities ((PSBAH))

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Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the potential of knitting and other forms of handicraft as an art-based research method. Many modes of DIY (Do It Yourself) have become increasingly popular in the past ten years, attracting younger generations to rediscover the pleasure of doing something with one’s hands. Knitting and knitting circles are part of this development. We draw on our work on guerrilla knitting as an organizational intervention when organizing an art exhibition in a Finnish museum (Ahmas in Norsunluutornin purkajat. Kollektiivinen asiantuntijuus ja jaettu johtajuus museossa [Dismantling an Ivory Tower: Shared Leadership and Collective Expertise in a Museum]. 2014; Ahmas and Koivunen 2017). The exciting effects of this guerrilla knitting activity encouraged us to explore further the capacity of knitting and other handicraft methods. Guerrilla knitting, yarn bombing, urban knitting or graffiti knitting is a type of street art that employs colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre. According to Joanna Mann (2005: 66): “Yarn bombing is a technique that merges street graffiti with the fibre work of knitting or crochet. Also known as ‘yarn storming’, ‘knit graffiti’ and ‘guerrilla knitting’, yarn bombing involves stealthily attaching handmade fibre items to street fixtures or parts of the urban landscape”.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland

    Niina Koivunen

  2. K.H. Renlund Museum, Kokkola, Finland

    Kristina Ahmas

Authors
  1. Niina Koivunen
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  2. Kristina Ahmas
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Correspondence to Niina Koivunen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    Jenna Ward

  2. Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

    Harriet Shortt

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Koivunen, N., Ahmas, K. (2020). The Ways of the Hand: Knitting and Handicraft as a Method of Research. In: Ward, J., Shortt, H. (eds) Using Arts-based Research Methods. Palgrave Studies in Business, Arts and Humanities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33069-9_6

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