Wool and needles in my casket : knitting as habit among rural Newfoundland women

Abstract

This thesis examines the motives and meanings behind the actions of female knitters in rural Newfoundland. This is done from a Weberian standpoint. -- This research will present the findings from a survey conducted in April 1999, and subsequent interviews done in June and July 1999. The population that is under investigation consists of Newfoundlanders who knit for Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association (NONIA). This organisation is a non-profit cottage industry. One will see the general characteristics of NONIA knitters, and what they perceive to be the motivations and meanings attached to the knitting they do. -- It will be established that while the knitters in this research get paid for their knitting, monetary reward is not the main motivating factor. This research shows that the necessity of having a learned activity to pass time and to maintain a coherent self is the prime motivator, and meaning, behind knitting. For many rural Newfoundland women, knitting has developed into a habit that is intertwined into many aspects of their lives.

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