Why I’m Knitting to Women’s Hockey (and Why You Should Too!)
If you saw the title of this post and thought, “What does hockey have to do with my knitting?” Stick with me for a second (do you get the pun?).
The other night, I was hanging out on my couch, waiting for a homemade pizza to finish baking in the oven. As usual when I'm sitting, I reached for my knitting. It was a Friday, so I did what’s become a bit of a ritual for me: I turned on the PWHL game.
Now, full disclosure: I grew up in a place where hockey runs deeper than religion. It's a way of life. It's part of our DNA.
I was raised to watch the NHL (or what I recently started calling the "Professional Men’s Hockey League") with total devotion. When I was a kid, there was no pro league for women. Girls weren't even allowed to play! Hockey was "for guys only," and us girls were just supposed to sit in the stands, be quiet, and cheer for the men.
By the time I hit my tween years, things started to change and the youth leagues opened up to girls. But for me, the window had kind of closed already. Boys my age had been playing since before first grade; I was a total newbie standing no chance against them. Even my best friend, who was a "tomboy" and brave enough to dare to join the boys' club (she did have to change in the cleaning closet), spent most of her time on the bench. First because she was a girl (change IS hard), then because she hadn't had the same years of practice the boys did. She eventually gave up.
Fast forward thirty-odd years, and even though things are better, women’s sports are still treated like a second-class version of the "real" thing aka the men's sports, and it upsets me.
The breaking point for me was seeing the Women's US Olympic team get dismissed even after they’d achieved way more than the men’s team ever did. It made me so mad to see that even when women over-perform, they're still treated as less than men. I realized I’d been conditioned to only care about men’s sports, and I didn't like it. So I decided right then to shift my focus. I made it a mission to start watching women's hockey.
Since I started following the PWHL, I’ve realized a few things that might surprise you:
1- It aligns with my values.
Honestly, just choosing to watch women’s sports feels like a giant "eff off" to the patriarchy. It’s empowering to put your eyes and your time where they’re actually appreciated, and to lead the change you want to see in the world.
And to see the players being so happy and grateful for their fans warms my heart. Plus, when my kids ask me if I'm watching men's or women's hockey, it's awesome to see that I'm raising them to view both as equally valuable and entertaining.
2- The game is just... better.
This is a personal preference, but hear me out. There’s so much more finesse with women's hockey. You don't see that lazy "dump the puck in the corner because I'm tired" style as much; the women play with a level of intentionality and dedication that’s honestly more fun to watch. It more than compensates for the loss of speed when compared to the men's game.
3- Defense!
That's it. The women play a much stronger defensive style than men. They relentlessly fight for every inch of ice. The game outcomes are tight, keeping us at the edge of our seats most games. Plus the way scoring is taken into account rewards effort, not just the bottom line, and keeps things interesting (check it out).
4 - It’s smarter hockey.
You don't see the same ridiculous, ego-driven fights. Women better self-regulate, manage their emotions, stay focused on the play, and avoid stupid penalties. Plus: they’re smart enough to wear full-face protection. I mean, who wants to get shot at or hit in the face and lose all their teeth?
5- The growth is real.
People love to talk down women’s sports because the arenas are smaller, but those arenas are selling out right now. Plus, the viewership numbers are growing steadily. If I were running a big brand, I’d be throwing my advertising budget at this league in a heartbeat.
Breaking news: the league is expanding! New teams are coming next season. Follow the PWHL to get the scoop!
Did you hear? Detroit is getting a team! Photo credit: PWHL
Now that you know why I prefer women's hockey, I can already hear some people screaming at me to go back to my knitting.
So... how does this relates to knitting?
They're similar in many ways. Knitting is a "women’s hobby," right? Which means it’s constantly being stereotyped. People call it a "granny hobby" or treat it like it’s just some cute, and cheap (they couldn't be more wrong about this) little pastime.
But WE know the truth: knitting has always been a tool for resistance.
From women knitting coded messages into sweaters during WWII to the "pussy hats" of 2016 and the "Melt the Ice" hats of today, we’ve always used our needles to take a stand. We fight for the underdogs. We fight for equal rights and opportunities. Knitting is a true act of resistance. We choose to make things slowly and carefully, in a world that’s obsessed with cheap, fast fashion.
*I snapped this on TV. Look at this gorgeous handknit sweater!!! Credit: V. Champoux
Watching women’s hockey is just another way of standing up for ourselves. It’s saying that our time, our interests, and our skills matter. That everyone matters.
So, here’s to us: sitting on the couch, working on a WIP, sipping a drink, and watching these incredible athletes dominate on the ice.
We’re strong, we’ve got stamina, and we’re doing things our way.
Knit on, my friends!
P.S. If you want to check it out, PWHL games are free to stream on YouTube in the US. Give your favorite team a follow; it's a great way to support the league!
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