Knitting seems anything but 21st century. Even Brandeis' first generation of students, back in the 1950s, may have ridiculed the hobby as old-fashioned and fit for their grandmothers. However, many Brandeis students now are delving into knitting, a quickly growing fad that is gaining a hip reputation. Over the last decade, knitting has become increasingly popular among a younger demographic, dispelling the image that knitters must be elderly. "The percentage of women under 45 who knit or crochet has doubled since 1996," wrote Debbie Stoller, author of Stitch 'N Bitch: the Knitter's Handbook and The BUST Guide to the New Girl Order.

The modern-day knitter cannot be placed into any one category. College knitters come from a variety of backgrounds and often have different reasons for pursuing their woolen work.

Jen Suhd-Brondstatter '07 began when she noticed that many of her friends were knitting, and they encouraged her to start. While few knitters take formal classes, Suhd-Brondstatter and others say they found the skill easy to pick up with a little persistence.

"People were so enthusiastic about teaching me to knit. Everyone was really encouraging," Suhd-Brondstatter said.

With such a rise in interest on campus, a group of Brandeis knitters formed a knitting circle known as the Stitch 'n Bitch.

Suhd-Brondstatter thought the idea was a great opportunity to talk to other knitters and learn more about possible projects.

"It's really laid back and a lot of fun," she said. "It's sort of a spur of the moment kind of thing. Everyone has different ideas for projects and it's not very traditional."

Currently, approximately 10 people show up in Castle Commons every week.

Most beginning knitters stick to simple scarves and then move on to hats. With more experience, knitters begin to feel more comfortable with their projects and often discover creative ways to use their new skill.

Although the Stitch n' Bitch group is just getting started, members plan to get chartered as a formal club next semester. "Next fall we are thinking of holding some events to teach people to knit, as well as donate knitted products to charity," Suhd-Brondstatter said. The club wants to stay open to everyone: for people who have a lot of experience and for those who just want to learn.

The club benefits from the new image of knitting. A part of this reputation, according to Amanda Denemark '07, who paraphrased Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch, is due to a historical pattern in women's behavior. During the 1970s and 80s, Stoller claims in her book, many women rebelled against the domestic female image, opting instead for a more egalitarian ideal. Knitting, as well as other domestic tasks, became symbolic of the subordinate women. In the later 90s, as women became more secure in their societal position, Stoller writes, many decided they wanted to embrace knitting once more, simply dropping the associated domestic image along the way.

Some males, too, are straying from stereotyped role expectations and venturing into knitting. Alasdair Post-Quinn '04, an art studio major, has always been interested in three-dimensional art. With his long black coat and bushy hair, one might not expect him to whip out yarn and knitting needles, however

Post-Quinn is as excited about knitting as any of his other artistic endeavors. He views the activity as a mathematical challenge.

His latest undertaking is creating "mobius" scarves, modeled after a geometric phenomenon, the mobius strip. This strip is a twisted loop made from a two-sided material that only has one side and one edge. Post-Quinn's scarves, hats, and muffs embody this by the way they loop around and through their ability to twist into different forms.

Although he just learned to knit last fall, Post-Quinn has begun to create his own patterns. "They are mostly just thought out in my head, I don't really write them up," he said.

Though this is a fairly advanced undertaking for a beginner, Post-Quinn is quite humble about his work. "I just need something to keep my hands busy," Post-Quinn said.

Other male knitters join Post-Quinn in his hobby, drawn to the activity as an enjoyable pastime and a creative outlet.

"I think most guys think it's cool to see a guy making guyish things," Sid Feygin '07 said. "I also like the personal touch that it gives clothes."

Feygin has found that he and his friends are not happy with the clothing they find in stores and turn instead to making their own clothes. "It keeps me from looking like everyone else," Feygin said.

As a self-defined anti-consumerist, Feygin also likes knitting because it allows him to wear and give great hats without having to compromise his beliefs. Most of the hats he makes end up as presents. Recently he has decided to branch out and is now working on a blanket.

Feygin is not alone in the pursuit of finding and making his own clothes. Denemark's interest in knitting came only after mastering sewing. Her past projects include a variety of things ranging from patchwork pillows to her own prom dress. The prom dress was sewn from a pattern that both Denemark and her mother altered. Denemark learned many of the crafts she pursues from her mother.

Denemark has kept her knitting projects simple and emphasized the relaxing effect of knitting. "It's just so nice to sit and knit on a Saturday afternoon," she said.

Relaxation is key to the craft, according to most. After the typical beginner's problems pass, people tend to describe knitting as a great way to rest and escape the stresses of homework or exams.

For most of those interviewed, knitting is worthwhile as a way to unwind, meet other people or keep themselves busy. Finished projects end up as gifts to family members or friends.

"It feels so great to see someone wearing something you made," Feygin said.

Some knitters' goals are loftier, however. Post-Quinn said he aims to sell finished scarves and hats at a science fiction convention, where he hopes other mathematically minded people will be intrigued by his creations.

As the array of knitters grows, it becomes obvious that hip knitting is on the rise. Now punk knitters and grandma knitters can shop together for yarn, broadening the knitting world, stitch by stitch.